Here's a song co-written by an old friend of mine (and musical mentor) and myself, It's a tribute to his older sister who died in a car accident.
It's all bluegrass RT's except for the harmony guitar fills & vocals which are me. I set it all up in BIAB and then transfered the tracks to Reaper where I added my guitar & vocals and did my mixing.

I hope you enjoy. All comments are welcome.

Greg

http://www.mymusicstream.com/gregachord/song-8407900653438.html


Words & Music: Lenard & Achord ©2012

Becky Was An Outlaw
Tempo: 88
Key: D & E


Becky was an outlaw Charlie was too
They fell in love like lovers do
They held on tight till life was through
Becky was an outlaw but Charlie was too


Well they’d both done time but that’s in the past
They had the kind of love most never have
But the parole man says it’s a crime
Your goin back to jail for a lover’s night


(Chorus)


They had big dreams of livin free
But the future plan could never be
Down a lonesome road one fateful night
They missed the curve Becky lost her life

Now Charlie cries ‘cause baby’s gone
Just a broken man tryin’ to carry on
But his heart is tied to a memory
Of a love they shared that’s history


(Chorus)

Good job! Loved the story line of the song; really kept me wanting to hear the song until the end. Nice voice work from the person(s) doing the vocals. Also liked the chord progression and especially the key change.

Keep it up!

Thanks for the kind words.
I think it's a good story line too. The key change idea comes from my friend, he does that a lot in his songs.
I'm doing all the vocals at this point, but I want to get my co-writer over to do a vocal track as well... Then maybe I'll do a little alternating verse thing like Waylon & Willie.

Thanks again,

Greg

Sounds good Greg. The story is a little vague to me but enjoyed it nonetheless. Great vox and guitar work - love the production.

Thanks Josie I appreciate it.
As far as the story being a little vague... I guess that just allows you to use "your" imagination.

Greg

Hi Greg,

You and your friend have written a really catchy song with this one. From beginning to end you carried me along on a wave of outstanding production. You've really shown what is possible with BIAB. I thoroughly enjoyed journey.

Regards,
Noel

Noel,

Thank you so much for the listen & your kind comments.

I appreciate it.

Greg

hey Greg, I really enjoyed this! (in fact, so far I have enjoyed all of your songs)

comments:

1) is it a coincidence, or by plan, that Becky and Charlie start with the same letters as Bonnie and Clyde? If by plan, the association works for me! If by accident, then lucky turn of chance! It is surprising how small, almost imperceptible seeds of reference planted in a song can lead the listener to associate the good feelings they have for the subliminally referenced item and project it onto your song.

2) you must have cut and pasted to get recurring riffs that come across as cohesive signature riffs

3) your voice is very marketable, somewhat like Kenny Rogers'. It has a distinctive quality to it and that's good.

4) I take it you played the guitar, since you are a guitar player. Sounded good to me!

overall the production sounded very commercially viable to me. Wouldn't surprise me a bit to turn on the radio and hear it. Keep up the good work!

Agree whole heartdly with all above.
Keep it up.

@Greg...I never noticed this before in your other songs, but you sound a lot like John Hartford. Same vocal quality, and perfect for this song. Nice job all around. Particularly like the twin guitars at the end. What were you playing there?

Bob

Pat,

Thank you for your very kind feedback.

It was just a coincidence, the Becky & Charlie / Bonnie & Clyde thing... Didn't even cross my mind till you brought it up.

The song is a true story. They'd both had trouble with the law in the past and Becky was driving the night they missed a curve and she was killed. As the song say's, Charlie survived... but I don't know that he's ever really gotten over it.

I lucked out with the backing tracks and didn't do any cut/paste, I just generated the tracks several times till I got the one's I liked best and then used volume envelopes (in Reaper) to take a particular one out or bring it up where I thought best.

Thanks for the vocal compliment & yes I did play all the fill guitar parts.


Rob,

Hey thanks!


Bob,

Hey thanks for the Hartford comparison, it may have something to do with the keys I'm singing in
(D & E) which aren't keys I normally sing in!
I always liked that song of his that had the line: "I wanna see you get that golden globe award... for both of your sunbeams".

I played my "Custom Shop" Tele Custom Deluxe (used the "Twisted Tele" bridge PU) and did three harmony's on the bendy end lick... the one panned to the left... I'm bending a wound string and accentuating the 7th note.
I thought it was pretty cool so that part might be a little louder than the other two.

Thanks again guys,

Greg

Greg,

Good job on this song. Sad story, that made a good song! Enjoyed it.

Steve

Greg super song, outstanding mix, lyrics and vocal. I really liked your guitar work also.

Two thumbs up.

Nice job throughout I really liked the song and performance, just don't get this line, "Your goin back to jail for a lover’s night",

Lucky so far today that is all I did not get.

Later,

Love your Guitar pickin and Singin Greg!

Quote:

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Nice job throughout I really liked the song and performance, just don't get this line, "Your goin back to jail for a lover’s night",

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yeah, in the context of jail, that line makes me uncomfortable (in a KY jelly kind of way)