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Wrote this back in May.

https://fredgrittner.bandcamp.com/track/down-and-out-at-the-royal-inn

I am high I am low
Last place you’d want to go
Too much rumpus walls paper thin
Night was dark dawn is near
Nothing left for me to fear
Down and out at the Royal Inn

You’d need a piece of rebar
To reinforce my heart
Don’t think I’m worthy of your time
Some tried to show me mercy
Wanted to be kind
Never came to my senses
Deaf, dumb, and blind

Humble pie’s gone to waste
I no longer like the taste
Got no money got no next of kin
This crummy old place
Looks me square in the face
Down and out at the Royal Inn

I thought I’d see it coming
Nothing turns out what it seems
Cheap whiskey expresses its regrets
Broke both of my shoulders
From the weight of the world
No more wisdom from the ashes of these stubbed-out cigarettes

Don’t think I don’t care
What part of nothing should I share
Going once, going twice you win
A curse for my crime
Paid with heartbreak paid with time
Down and out at the Royal Inn

Based on _Wrench style
RealTracks
732:Bass, Acoustic, Jazz Ballad Sw 060
3783:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm NewOrleansGospel128 Sw 065
3086:Organ, Rhythm AmericanaSlow128Mike Sw 040
1955:Sax, Alto, Soloist TexasBluesRockSlow12-8Mark Sw 060
3722:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopSoulHeldSlow128Brent Sw 040
JazzBrushes: a: Brushes Swirling b: Brushes Busier

I played the string ensemble line using Kontakt 7.


Fred Grittner
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Hi, Fred.

Ooooh... blues. You've already got me. Slow and moody.

Good singing, arrangement, lyric and mix. The sax solo flows nicely, and the strings work well.

Nice! laugh


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Fred, I agree with David.

Slow moody jazz blues at its best.
Great vocal and lyrics.
Super instrumentation, loved that piano and Alto Sax!

This is really smooth and tasty blues.

Loved it.


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Awesome write and production, Fred! This was so well done and your vox fit this style really well. My only suggestion is that it would be cool to hear you rise melodically right before the instrumental like you did it previously.

Regardless, it was very enjoyable.

Dewey

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Lyrics, arrangement and vocal sound great.
What more can I say but fine job.

Vic

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Originally Posted By: dcuny
Hi, Fred.

Ooooh... blues. You've already got me. Slow and moody.

Good singing, arrangement, lyric and mix. The sax solo flows nicely, and the strings work well.

Nice! laugh


Thanks, David. I wanted a cross between blues and jazz.


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Fred...wow! super sound...smart writing and great production...love your vocals...super sax solo...slow and easy done in a very sultry and sophisticated manner.


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Fred,

Great song. Love the vocal and the production is very nice. It listens very well.

Bob

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Fred,

Well written.
Nicely produced.
Good mix.

My first thought listening to this.... "Sounds like a Tom Waits song".
As it was ending, I noticed your note above the song. HA!

fj

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Originally Posted By: MarioD
Fred, I agree with David.

Slow moody jazz blues at its best.
Great vocal and lyrics.
Super instrumentation, loved that piano and Alto Sax!

This is really smooth and tasty blues.

Loved it.


Thanks, Mario.


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Originally Posted By: Dewey_MI
Awesome write and production, Fred! This was so well done and your vox fit this style really well. My only suggestion is that it would be cool to hear you rise melodically right before the instrumental like you did it previously.

Regardless, it was very enjoyable.

Dewey


Thanks, Dewey. If I recut the vocal I’ll use your suggestion. It is a mouthful of words!

Fred


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Originally Posted By: vicarn
Lyrics, arrangement and vocal sound great.
What more can I say but fine job.

Vic


Thanks for listening and commenting.

Fred


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Originally Posted By: firesong
Fred...wow! super sound...smart writing and great production...love your vocals...super sax solo...slow and easy done in a very sultry and sophisticated manner.


Thanks, FireSong. I think the strings added the sophistication!

Fred


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Originally Posted By: rsdean
Fred,

Great song. Love the vocal and the production is very nice. It listens very well.

Bob


Thanks, Bob.


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Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Fred,

Well written.
Nicely produced.
Good mix.

My first thought listening to this.... "Sounds like a Tom Waits song".
As it was ending, I noticed your note above the song. HA!

fj


Thanks, Floyd. Glad you caught the TW comment. I’ve had music friends who smoked and got gravelly voices. I was jealous I couldn’t sound that way. Sadly, they have passed on.


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I'm not usually a big fan of jazzy blues (in fact, jazzy anything), but I really like what you've done here.
Well mixed and produced, and your vocals are really very good!
Well done!

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Originally Posted By: B.D.Thomas
I'm not usually a big fan of jazzy blues (in fact, jazzy anything), but I really like what you've done here.
Well mixed and produced, and your vocals are really very good!
Well done!


Thanks, B.D. If I overcame a musical hurdle with you I am honored. A fun write, arrangement, and vocal.


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Yeow!! What a great Blues track, Fred. Right from the Intro I was hooked, and then the changes you use makes me wanna play. Such a good vocal --like Tom Waits with better quality. Great feel. The sax solo was killer, too. The lyrics capture the cool, smokey quality this song deserves. Loved it all!


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Originally Posted By: BabuMusic
Yeow!! What a great Blues track, Fred. Right from the Intro I was hooked, and then the changes you use makes me wanna play. Such a good vocal --like Tom Waits with better quality. Great feel. The sax solo was killer, too. The lyrics capture the cool, smokey quality this song deserves. Loved it all!


Thanks, Marty. That means a lot coming from you. The sax solo was a first generation-unbelievable.

Fred


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Well done! Some mighty fine songwriting. I especially like "Humble pie’s gone to waste/ I no longer like the taste."

Excellent vocal technically and emotionally.

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