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(What the Hell am I Doin' in) Spokane
==================================
Recently arranged this in BIAB, but written circa 1990.
Backstory for anyone who's interested:
Small town company becomes so successful that the bigwigs decide to hire a high-flying, big-city exec who comes to town and realizes he's stuck in the sticks. In the end, he's fired for expense account fraud!
---------------------------------------------------------
Intro:

I've just made a major decision to accept an employment position;
With great growth potential--I'll be real influential;
My career's going according to plan!
But there's one slight complication--regarding my family's relocation:
I thought I'd be moving my clan to London, England,
Paris, France--or maybe Japan..
So what the hell am I doin' in SPOKANE?!

It's a great place for a family and it seems as though crime has been banned..
But the lifestyle's so min'mal, it's got to be crim'nal..
What the hell am I doin' in SPOKANE?
--
They've got Shopko, they've got K-Mart, and a mall in the valley is planned;
But none of them spark us, there's no Neiman Marcus!
What the hell am I doin' in SPOKANE?

For a sport we deplore they have ski slopes galore;
If we got in a pinch, we could learn how to fish;
Camping and running and biking and hunting
Ain't my idea of a good time;
God help me if it comes down to tryin' 'em;

We could picnic, we could bike ride, plant a garden and learn how to can;
And a case could be made that your Torchlight Parade
Rivals Six Flags or even Disneyland..
And would you please cease to dwell on that damn carrousel!
What the hell am I doin' in SPOKANE?
=======================
Used 2 Jazz Waltz styles (_JWLTZPW.STY. Poll Winners Jazz Waltz and ZZJAZWAL.STY. All MIDI Jazz Waltz Style)
The MIDI style let me modify the piano parts and add some drum elements
Also, RT 1224:Vibes, Soloist JazzSteve SW 140


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Tom,
Such a fun tune! You churn those lyrics like dough. Excellent, near theatrical production. Neat musical bed. Vibes sound great!
Enjoyed the journey and thank you for sharing!
Misha.

P.S. Just came back from camping & fishing. Bike ride was planned, but trail was too muddy smile Compared to where I am, Spokane is a metropolis!

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A very witty lyric. Love the arrangement - which fits perfectly.
The style is vaguely reminiscent of Bob Hannon's "Good Morning Mt Kokomo."


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Tom,

This is fantastic. You really nailed the classic 1930s/40s Tin Pan Alley genre. It's been a long time since I've heard the full AABA form with its scene-setting opening verse. Honestly, this song sits very comfortably alongside the works of Cole Porter. You've captured that musical-comedy feel superbly. And on top of that, your rhyming skills are outstanding. The lyrics are truly a work of art.

--Noel


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Misha/Brian/Noel...thanks for visiting my old home town with me, and thanks for the positive feedback!


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Wow.... that right there is a first class Broadway Production musical song.

That was so well done. from the lyrics that fit perfectly to the style to the piano, vibes, and ....well everything about this is top notch to the genre.


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Really enjoyed this, Tom. GREAT lyrics.


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Hey Tom,

Really nice little jazz number man. Very cool!

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You are like the reincarnation of Cole Porter! Very clever.

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Sounds like something that could be performed on Broadway.
Old, but in a good way.
Very theatrical.
Enjoyed my listen [Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]

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Hi Tom! I found the song so enjoyable and yet intriguing, so I had to go virtually cruising Spokane in Google Maps Streetview! That task wasn’t half as rewarding as listening to your song. Well done!
Andrew D

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Tom, geez, nobody writes tunes like this any more. Which is too bad, 'cause I love this stuff! Very nice mashup of the two styles, it works great. SUPERB vocals! Love the little musical interludes, too. Just a perfect song.

Relatable as well. When visiting a global manufacturing company headquartered in the Midwest I noticed everyone I met was born and raised in the area. When I asked a manager why, he said, "Well, we used to recruit from both coasts but had to stop. They'd come out here and get a little...suicidal. Life in [redacted] ain't for everyone. But we love it here!"


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Tom,

What a wonderful tune. So incredibly well done. Great arrangement and vocal. This should get picked up for a musical.

Loved it!

Bob

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Tom, loved that intro. You don't hear many songs with intros like that anymore.
This sounds like it came from Tin Pan Alley it is that good.
This would fit a musical.
Everything is perfect.
Loved it.


OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?

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Hi, Tom.

Great write - nailed that old musical style. Excellent arrangement, clever lyrics. smile


-- 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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Thanks, friends..appreciate the comments!


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It may be an oldie but it is definitely a goodie!
We could almost see the movie musical on the computer screen as we listened.

Cool rhymes and your vocal is outstanding.
LOVE the vibes!

Interesting backstory to the lyric creation.

Enjoyed it!

J&B


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Thanks J&B.. sometimes real life experiences make the best basis for stories..


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