Originally Posted By: dcuny
Hi, Ray.

I found there was a lot to process in the song. I wasn't sure if the song was meant to be more metaphor than actual event, but kept wondering what event that might be. So when I heard "they", I kept wondering who that could be referring to.

I figured it was likely metaphor because you generally don't sow fruit. Then it mentioned a newspaper and victims having nowhere to run, which sounds far too specific to be metaphor.

Bouncing between those two was just confusing to me.

The use of jazz also threw me, since that particular style is usually for an entirely different subject matter.

So while it was well done it didn't draw me in emotionally because I kept thinking about the form and content.

But there's nothing the matter with music that makes me think, so I can't really complain. wink

My only real nit is that Janice's voice feels a bit muffled, like someone cut the high end off. It's not the plate reverb, since I can hear that.

Anyway, an interesting bit of music, well done.


Thanks David,
A complex observation that probably requires a complex response.
The narrative is, mainly in the verses, historical docudrama spread across the rural poor, the post civil war era of re-establishment and the civil rights movement.
The choruses are literal, analogous and metaphoric depending on your perspective.
The fruit is the literal end product of the planting, (remembering that fruit is, in the main, the mature ovary of a plant that goes on to produce seed which advances the species across generations and that many plants that produce fruit are annuals that have seed sown or seedlings planted for that purpose - tomato, cucumber, banana), it is the product of toil analogous to "reap what you sow" on a human, societal, cultural level, and metaphorically referring to the next generation. Most of these are strewn on the poor soils of share croppers, indentured and slave labour for another level of the narrative.

I don't really hear the song as jazz though the instrumentation may suggest that. The chords certainly aren't jazz chords as we've come to know them and the progressions aren't the sort that jazz standards are made of.
If you listen to some of Billie Holiday's more political tunes, (Strange Fruit, God Bless The Child) you'll hear that this song is a) thematically heavily influenced by such works and b) not dissimilar in style/tone. If you add the more recent influence of both Elvis Costello & Robert Wyatt's version of Shipbuilding you may decide that I have, in fact, over worked this patch of dirt.

Finally, the vocal treatment...I had a listen on a couple of different devices and to the original master and don't hear what you do. Mind you I have holes & roll off in my hearing that may mask the tonality you refer to.

I'm REALLY pleased you heard and thought enough of the song to note your observations and concerns. I doubt I've convinced you other wise but I've had a go at outlining my perspective as the lyricist.
THANK YOU.

Last edited by rayc; 08/17/23 01:22 AM.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe