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rsdean Offline OP
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Hi All,

This song was written while watching a video that Joliz shot from inside a car going through a car wash. There was just something very inspiring and contemplative about this 2 minute trip.

This is called 2 Minutes In A Car Wash.

And we thought we would also include the Video.

I rolled into a car wash
In a flood of soap and rain
A self-contained storm
Where the outcome is the same

Steam on the windshield
A ghost in the glass
Held an unlit cigarette
Saw the present and the past

The radio was static
Some broken English song
The DJ said “this is Berlin”
But I knew he got it wrong

You left me in Kreuzberg
With your paintings and your gin
You said “love's a revolution”
But you never let me in

I stayed too long at Kottbusser Tor
Thinking you'd come down
In your fashion army coat
Like a queen without a crown

Neon bleeds on cobblestones
Your name in every drip
I saw your shadow on a bar stool
And a guy with a crooked lip

Now the soap’s all in the gutters
And the world comes back in grey
This city’s got a talent
For fading things away

The glass is clean on this old wreck
It’s time to retreat
And somewhere past the Fernsehturm
The silence fills your seat

BIAB Tracks:
0700: Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotes 085
3912: Guitar, Nylon, Rhythm Songwriter 085
2811: Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm 085
RealDrums: Mallets and Cajon
Other Notes:
Pre-Production: Track Editing GarageBand & Logic Pro
Izotope Ozone 10 Elements & Ozone 11
Izotope Nectar 3 Elements for Vocals
Izotope Plasma for Instrument Tracks Processing
Bob Mic: Logitech Blue Yeti
Bob Vocals: Logic Pro
Joliz Mic: Audio Technica AT2020USB+
Joliz Vocals: GarageBand
Waves: Vocal Rider
Final Track Mix & Master: Logic Pro

As always - thanks for listening!

Bob

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Super sweet vignette, Bob! Like how simply your vocals are placed on this one. Can hear two guitars in stereo but only one credit, was that the same RT both times? Love the warmth of the two acoustics like that. Very nice!


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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Bob, this was fantastic
Super spoken word song - great job on that
Great video
Super mix
Loved it.


Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!

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Hi Bob and Joliz! I think you really caught and represented this moment - like others where we are held in a position and given rare time to contemplate some of the deeper things in life. These times can almost be like a detox. Musically, the parts that supported this two minute reprieve so well were …
- the repetitive chord progression
- Joliz’s ahhh backing
- your nearly-spoken vocals

To me, the song felt like a calming balm. Well done!

Andrew D
PS I really appreciated the spelling of ‘grey’.

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Reminded me a bit of one of Bob Dylan's "Dream" songs, but of course, it is uniquely you. Loved the lyrics. Great job.


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rsdean Offline OP
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Ron,

Thanks so much. We appreciate that.

Yes, two guitars, but same RT, with slightly different processing on two separate tracks. You have a good ear. smile

Bob

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That was great. What a mood...I was transported to my own car-wash experiences as a kid. Loved that. You are an incredible wordsmith and songwriter. Loved the soft Ahs. I bow to you.

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The trick is to grab inspiration out of the ordinary events and make it seem extraordinary. You did that here. How many others would have written about the simple act of getting a car washed?


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Hi, Bob.

Love your phrasing. You know how to make a sparse arrangement seem like a symphony.


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

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Another beautiful song, Robert. The last time I washed my car, I didn't see any of this. I need to change my glasses. I'll get something more poetic!
Laurent

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This is, quite simply, extraordinary. Your lyrics are incredible. Your performance is unbelievable, your inflections on every word is beyond accurate critical description. The video is beautiful and meditative. I was going to quote from the lyrics, but every word is right on the money, so to speak - so impossible for me to highlight just one lyrics section.

One of your best yet, if not indeed your best so far, Bob and Joliz. I hesitate to say "your best", simply because your standard is always up there. But, at the same time, I'm struggling to think of another song of yours that hit me quite like this one. In any case ... hats off. Superb spoken word from Bob, beautiful, otherworldly contribution from Joliz. I can only listen in awe.

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rsdean Offline OP
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Mario,

Thank you from both of us - that's very kind.

Bob

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Bob, enjoyed this music-picture..all the elements were very effective in getting the listener result that I think you were wanting.


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Hey, I just realized this, Bob. Whenever I see you have a new one posted here, I smile in anticipation. IMO Souncloud has better sound, but I'm diggin' your videos too. Your story telling reminds me of early Joni, and I love it. Your lryics are so poetic and engaging. Joliz adds so much goodness. Somehow you always cleverly manage to create the best melodies for each one.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Hey, that's a German car wash - is Joliz from Berlin?

It's amazing what you came up with just by watching this short video.
Love it [Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]

And finally found out that you have a YouTube page. I subscribed of course smile

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rsdean Offline OP
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Andrew,

That is very appreciated. Thanks so much from Joliz and I.

Bob

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Rob,

That is very appreciated - thanks from both of us.

Bob

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Bob, you are one of the best lyricist to ever put pen to paper.

fj

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rsdean Offline OP
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Beth,

That is so kind of you... Thank you from both Joliz and I.

Bob

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Herb,

Joliz & I appreciate that. Thanks so much.

Bob

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