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#801712 02/25/24 03:50 PM
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Foreign Correspondents

Something a LITTLE different this time. As I was remixing this older (but previously unposted) tune, David Crosby passed away. Complicated guy but he could really crush a vocal harmony, and he's had a big impact on me. So decided to rearrange the vocals as a CSN&Y-style excursion. My vocalist decided to fire Neil (it happens) and I think that was the better choice. Though the subject isn't profound (or is it?), I find my lyricist's approach to telling the story inexplicably endearing. He does that a lot...

THANKS in advance for taking the time to listen if you can, and for any thoughts you care to share.

Lyrics: R.W. Davis
Vocals: D.A. Hughes
Music/arrangement/mix/master: me

****** Song Summary *************
Style is _RESS165.STY (Driving Country w/ Resonator Sol)
RealTracks in style: ~520:Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 165
RealTracks in song: ~409:Fiddle, Background George Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~524:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 165
RealTracks in style: ~407:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 165
RealTracks in song: ~1021:Guitar, Electric, Strumming CleanBarre Ev 165
RealTracks in song: 1947:Mandolin, Rhythm PopModernGrooveAndy Ev16 075 (half time)
RealTracks in song: 2854:Harmonica, Background CountryBalladJellyRoll Ev 085 (half time)
RealDrums in style:NashvilleEven8^1-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

LYRICS
You gave me reasons
To be unaccustomed with the situation
I felt so ill-at-ease
Discussing conversation
What is the word usage?
Have I murdered English? I wish I knew what to say
To make it easier for you

I saw it comin’
With other foreign correspondents
They put me before their cameras
To get my response
Will I say the right thing?
Or will they seek clarity?
Sometimes my words get lost
And I don’t know what to do

Another face on television
I make the six o’clock news
They overdub with American
And my meaning is confused

They gave me money
If I would stick around for the live shot
The millions of viewers
Become an afterthought
Will I bounce off satellites?
Will I make it home on time?
I wish they understood me
During my live interview

I saw the same thing
With other foreign correspondents
They set me before their cameras
To get my response
What is the word usage?
Have I murdered English? I wish I knew what to say
To make it easier for you

Another face on television
I make the six o’clock news
They overdub with American
And my meaning is confused


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Ron,

This is a killer song... So well written and produced. The mix is outstanding.

D. A. Hughes is an awesome singer - great harmonies for sure.

The harmonica was a very nice touch.

Bob

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Ron

Very nice work! The mix sounds pretty good here! Love the vocals and bgvox harmony! Clever lyric content! You've done a fine job with this!

Thanks, TB

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Wow! This is a really good song and rhythm track arrangement. It's a beautiful flow and D.A. Hughes has got a great voice, which is perfect for it. But I'd love to know what the lyrics are specifically about.


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Originally Posted by rsdean
Ron, This is a killer song... So well written and produced. The mix is outstanding. D. A. Hughes is an awesome singer - great harmonies for sure. The harmonica was a very nice touch. Bob

Thanks, Bob!

Originally Posted by Torrey Bliss
Ron Very nice work! The mix sounds pretty good here! Love the vocals and bgvox harmony! Clever lyric content! You've done a fine job with this! Thanks, TB

Glad you liked it, Torrey!

Originally Posted by WaoBand
Wow! This is a really good song and rhythm track arrangement. It's a beautiful flow and D.A. Hughes has got a great voice, which is perfect for it. But I'd love to know what the lyrics are specifically about.

Chay, thanks for the listen! I'd love to know exactly what most of our song lyrics mean, but only know a few for sure. So I'm usually writing around my own interpretation. This one I interpret quite literally, recognizing there is perhaps a broader metaphorical interpretation as well. Glad you enjoyed it!


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Yes,

This is a really great track and I love those gorgeous David Crosby harmonies that you're talking about.

Just a really good song all around by everyone involved.

You're really killing it this year and coming out with some great stuff man, keep it up!

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A truly interesting write.
Nice tracks.
Good vocals. Sweet harmonies!
Solid mix.

I got more of a sixties-tight-pop-vocals feel vs. a CSNY-ish sound. Freddie and the Dreamers? The Buckinghams?
Good stuff.

fj

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WOW you really captured the CSN vocal harmonies. The song is really cool, like the lyrics, the mix, the choice of styles, arrangement. Everything hangs together perfectly.


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Hi Ron,

A great song, and Dusty always delivers on the vocals. I tend to agree with Floyd about style/era reference. The groups that came to mind, in addition to The Buckinghams were The Association and Pure Praire League.

Regardless, it's one helluva song and so well performed. Great stuff!

Take care,

Alan

Last edited by Al-David; 02/27/24 12:21 PM.

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Originally Posted by David Snyder
Yes, This is a really great track and I love those gorgeous David Crosby harmonies that you're talking about. Just a really good song all around by everyone involved. You're really killing it this year and coming out with some great stuff man, keep it up!

Geez, David, thanks a lot!

Originally Posted by floyd jane
A truly interesting write. Nice tracks. Good vocals. Sweet harmonies! Solid mix. I got more of a sixties-tight-pop-vocals feel vs. a CSNY-ish sound. Freddie and the Dreamers? The Buckinghams? Good stuff. fj

Glad you liked it, Floyd! Love all those old 60s bands that stacked the harmonies. The unique quality of CS&N (and sometimes Y) to me was their ability to sing so tightly as one voice. I attribute much of that to David along with Graham. Their duo albums blow me away...THANKS for the listen!

Originally Posted by Elliott Kayne
WOW you really captured the CSN vocal harmonies. The song is really cool, like the lyrics, the mix, the choice of styles, arrangement. Everything hangs together perfectly.

THANK YOU, Elliott! Like a lot of your music (I'm speculating) this song was something of a labor of love. Only took seven years to finish...Yikes!

Originally Posted by Al-David
Hi Ron, A great song, and Dusty always delivers on the vocals. I tend to agree with Floyd about style/era reference. The groups that came to mind, in addition to The Buckinghams were The Association and Purer Praire League. Regardless, it's one helluva song and so well performed. Great stuff! Take care, Alan

Alan, thanks! Yep, Dusty did it again (and always). Hey, those aren't bad band references, I'll take 'em. I can remember exactly where I was the first time I heard Amie on an AM car radio. Now THOSE were the days! THANKS again for the listen!

Last edited by DC Ron; 02/26/24 05:03 PM.

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Great stuff Ron. Love the mix, and those harmonies are fantastic.

Brad

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Ron, I think you nailed the CSN harmonies.
Dusty did a great job on the vocals.
I really liked the mandolin and blues harp parts.
Outstanding backing band, lyrics, and mix.


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Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?

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Hi Ron,

Love this one! I'm a big fan of CSN (and sometimes Y) also, especially the harmonies, and your vocalist nailed them.

Good write, good track and mix.

Top quality all the way, enjoyed!

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Killer sound and killer harmonies. Crosby would approve.
The subject is not profound, but I actually had such an interview a few years ago crazy

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Originally Posted by Brad Williams
Great stuff Ron. Love the mix, and those harmonies are fantastic. Brad

Thanks, Brad!

Originally Posted by MarioD
Ron, I think you nailed the CSN harmonies. Dusty did a great job on the vocals. I really liked the mandolin and blues harp parts. Outstanding backing band, lyrics, and mix.

Mario, glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, Dusty elevates everything, he's the bomb.

Originally Posted by BlueAttitude
Hi Ron, Love this one! I'm a big fan of CSN (and sometimes Y) also, especially the harmonies, and your vocalist nailed them. Good write, good track and mix. Top quality all the way, enjoyed!

Thanks for the listen, Dave! Those original CSN(Y) harmonies are still thrilling...

Originally Posted by B.D.Thomas
Killer sound and killer harmonies. Crosby would approve. The subject is not profound, but I actually had such an interview a few years ago crazy

Well, Dave Crosby didn't approve of much, but your kind suggestion makes me smile just the same. Sorry for your interview experience! Suspect these types of communication gaps are far more common than they have to be. Maybe even more so in today's short-attention-span, internet-centric environment. Glad you liked it!


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Ron...very nice indeed! clever write and great production...D.A.'s vocals are incredible...clear and pitch perfect and the harmony is the very best!...the mix is pro all the way...very very Crosby, Stills and Nash...Wow!! Dan


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Hi, Ron.

As usual, someone else beat me to the comment: you never fail to put out a solid pop track.

Bright, musical, solid vocals.

Fun listen! laugh


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I'm with ya on loving the lyrics of R.W. Davis. Good storyteller with consideration for the vowels the singer will hold. Vocals sound outstnding too. Love all you do, Ron. David Crosy has always been a favorite.


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Another super vocal. The harmonies are spot on. I figured I’d be in for a time travel experience and I was right. You have cornered the market on this nostalgic sound. Very good production all around. Perfectly executed, Tom

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Originally Posted by dcuny
Hi, Ron. As usual, someone else beat me to the comment: you never fail to put out a solid pop track. Bright, musical, solid vocals. Fun listen! laugh

Thanks, David! Glad you enjoyed it.

Originally Posted by firesong
Ron...very nice indeed! clever write and great production...D.A.'s vocals are incredible...clear and pitch perfect and the harmony is the very best!...the mix is pro all the way...very very Crosby, Stills and Nash...Wow!! Dan

Why, THANK YOU, Dan!

Originally Posted by BabuMusic
I'm with ya on loving the lyrics of R.W. Davis. Good storyteller with consideration for the vowels the singer will hold. Vocals sound outstnding too. Love all you do, Ron. David Crosy has always been a favorite.

Thank you, Marty! A funny back story is that my lyricist had been sending me his "poetry" for years before it clicked that these were song lyrics. Doh! Thanks for the listens and the compliments to the team!

Originally Posted by tommyad
Another super vocal. The harmonies are spot on. I figured I’d be in for a time travel experience and I was right. You have cornered the market on this nostalgic sound. Very good production all around. Perfectly executed, Tom

Tommy, glad you enjoyed it! Dusty's marvelous vocals can't make a stinker of a song good, but they can make a good song sound GREAT. I still learn things each time I listen to him. Thanks for the listen!


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