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Hi All, I had the privilege to have a few brief encounters over the years with the great poet, educator and activist Nikki Giovanni. She passed away last December. If you're interested there are many videos on YouTube about her. “Mothers” passage sung by Joliz going into the break, Copyright © 1972 by Nikki Giovanni. So, this is our latest called Nikki. I saw Nikki Giovanni outside the A train She was reading a book by Baldwin and whispering the quotes She had that Harlem quiet The kind that makes you feel loud, even if you haven’t said a word all day She looked up at me once Like she already knew the next ten things I would say And of course none of that mattered She wrote poems like switchblades And carved song verses on subway tiles With truth tucked in the chorus Love poems for the revolution and letters to the dead All written in lipstick and ink Some folks talk about hope She talked about survival Anyone knows there's a difference “I see the moon The moon sees me God bless the moon And god bless me” I asked her once, I said Nikki, do you still believe in change She half smiled and said, “Man, I believe in kids, I believe in rage, I believe in writing it down so they don’t forget our names.” “You either speak up or get buried under someone else's story.” Then she walked into that bookstore on 125th like it was a church In a way I guess it was a church I ran into her much later at a reading downtown Tiny room, bad mic, nobody listening but the ghosts She read a line about her grandmother’s hands The room went quiet like it finally remembered what hands are for The words, not angry, not loud, but like a bullet that only hits the guilty Truth is a loaded pistol But Nikki She’s in the cracks She’s in the ink smudge The subway echo The line you wake up hearing but don’t remember writing Nikki She’s still walking this city Just quiet enough to make the truth sound loud BIAB Tracks: 2877: Bass, Acoustic, Americana 060 3394: Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm 070 3160: Guitar, Baritone, Electric, Rhythm 060 0841: Guitar, Electric, Gritty, Rhythm 065 0688: Organ, B3, Background 065 2058: MIDI SuperTracks, Strings, Rhythm 085 RealDrums: AmericanaRoots16th Other Notes: Bob Mic: Logitech Blue Yeti Bob Vocals: Logic Pro Joliz Mic: Audio Technica AT2020USB+ Joliz Vocals: GarageBand Waves Vocal Rider - All Vocals Pre-Production: Track Editing GarageBand & Logic Pro Izotope Nectar 3 Elements for Vocals Izotope Plasma for Instrument Tracks Processing Final Track Mix & Master: Logic Pro As always - thanks for listening! Bob
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Cool, Bob. I'm not familiar with this woman, but I love the introduction by tribute. The talky-singy approach really works especially with the accompanying vocal in the background and the chorus. I love "she looked up at me once
Like she already knew the next ten things I would say". You have such a way with conveying character with your lyrics.
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Beth,
That’s very kind. Thanks from both of us.
Bob
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WOW, this is special. Subtle and powerful, ya'll crushed, absolutely crushed this. Amazing lyrics and musical backdrop. Was there a mandolin solo? I was too hypnotized to notice.
Only knew peripherally about Nikki, but a few minutes on the web pulled enough of her life together to warrant another WOW! A life well lived.
Last edited by DC Ron; 06/14/25 05:44 AM.
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Ron,
Thanks so much for the kind words. We truly appreciate it.
I actually had a mandolin solo and different arrangement, but it didn't quite work for this song. I've since removed that reference from the notes.
Thanks again!
Bob
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Of course the my first listen after time away is Bob Dean's new one. Man, this is so cool with your spoken words with Joliz's magic behind them, then she shines through to punctuate them. Man, you two are one amazing creator of music.
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Bob, this is an outstanding song
A fantastic tribute to Nikki
Fantastic backing tracks
IMHO this is your best to date
Loved it
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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WOW.
What a song. What. A. Song.
Her quotes, and the last two stanzas in particular ... oh wow.
Joliz soars.
You, Bob, are channeling someone like Dylan or someone.
This is EXTRAORDINARY, even by your incredible standards.
One of your very, very, very best. This should be everywhere, on every radio.
I don't know of Ms. Giovanni, but a) I want to hear more, now; and b) what a fitting homage to her.
I love how your voice, Bob, gathers urgency as the song continues. My word.
Hats off, both of you.
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Marty,
Glad you are back and recovering! Thanks so much for the kind review. We appreciate it!
Bob
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Mario,
That is very kind. Thank you - we appreciate it.
Bob
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What a cool tribute Bob. Incredible lyric and vocal delivery. Joliz harmony and vocal was such a lovely add. Well done
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Fantastic tribute. Your lyrics are pure poetry. (Your English teachers must have loved you.) Very effective having Joliz sing her poem.
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Hi Bob.
This is absolutely brilliant. I love your narration against your musical backing, and Joliz really raises the listening bar into the stratosphere with those backing vocals. Your words are powerful and hit a home run. This song deserves lots of airplay everywhere. What really captured my imagination the most was when Joliz started sing the "God bless" section while you were narrating. Beginning this section as background vocals and then bringing it into the foreground was a very clever arranging decision. Both you and Joliz deserve to be very, very proud of this one. This is song-creation at its very, very best.
Once again, it was a pleasure to listen to you and Joliz.
--Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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James,
You made our day with that review. So incredibly kind. Thank you so much from both of us.
Bob
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Oh. My. God.
Holy. Moly.
ZOWIE.
Wow.
JawDropping.
B.L.O.W.N....A.W.A.Y.
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Scott,
That's very appreciated by both of us. Thank you.
Bob
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It stood up, the room went quiet & the urban homily began.
The voice stopped, the silence grew until organ swelled - oh, man.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Scott,
Thanks so much - we appreciate the kind words. Joliz had the idea to include that passage and timed it perfectly in the arrangement.
Bob
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Noel,
Joliz had the idea to add that passage. It really made an impact on this piece.
We truly appreciate that wonderful review. It means a lot to us. Thank you.
Bob
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Bob, this is special. You are a poetic guy on any given day, but you really pushed through the heavens to create a masterpiece here. Congratulations on this terrific piece.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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