Traveling.
Moving on.
Leaving.


WHITE LINE LULLABY

the soul of a bandit, a rodeo heart
the highway in my shoes
one eye on the front door
a suitcase full of blues
don't be surprised if tomorrow finds me
nowhere to be found
i've had enough of this settling feeling
and too much of this town
   
   catch a star as it falls from the sky
   careful the next time you catch a man's eye
   that he's not singing that white line lullaby
   that he's not singing that white line lullaby

i know i made some promises
forgive me if you can
i never meant to be a hard lesson
in loving a traveling man
i never asked more of you
than i could give of me
my stories should have been a clue
they all end with me free
   
   catch a star as it falls from the sky
   careful the next time you catch a man's eye
   that he's not singing that white line lullaby
   that he's not singing that white line lullaby

that white line lullaby
will never let you be
it's the rhythm of the road
it's a haunting melody

don't be surprised if tomorrow finds me
nowhere to be found
i've had enough of this settling feeling
and too much of this town
   
   catch a star as it falls from the sky
   careful the next time you catch a man's eye
   that he's not singing that white line lullaby
   that he's not singing that white line lullaby


The BAND:

RealTracks in style: ~~519:Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 120
RealTracks in song: ~702:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Spirited Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 2448:Guitar, Electric, Background, PopDreamyBrent Ev 085 (half time)
RealTracks in song: 1601:Mandolin, Rhythm Pop16Melodic Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 2035:Mandolin, Soloist CountryAndy Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 2201:Guitar, Nylon, Background CountryBrent Ev 120


Comments welcome.

floyd

Working on brevity still; but here it goes.

Could you dumb down the amount of imagery in your songs? You paint such vivid pictures that it leaves nothing for me to imagine. Why not just take up photography or video? You give me NO credit for having an imagination! You just have to take me there with words; don't you? I mean, your words and stuff is good an' all. I just think it would be even gooder if it wasn't so good. HA! Of course I'm kidding! I wish I could write to this level. So impressive!



What a cool line AND the extension of melody is perfect.

LOVE IT.

This bears all the marks of a great Floyd song: thoughtful, wonderful lyrics, a great arrangement, and strong vocals.

I really enjoyed this Floyd.

Floyd,
The title is so evocative and you`ve built a convincing story around it.
I liked the simple backing ( that solo mandolin is so clear -did you add anything to the RT?).
Your vocals have never sounded better.

Robert

Hi Floyd,

Not sure what to say - I sound like a tape recording. Such a great song built around a great theme. Your vocals are always splendid and your arrangements and mixing second to none.

Okay, the tape machine is off. So damned good, Floyd, so good!

Alan

I know what Alan means ... I must sound like a broken record whenever I review one of your songs, pretty much run out of new things to say.

Excellent song, and that's the most important thing of course so I'll start there. Lyrics run true and keep your attention, and the vocals are great.

But man, the production! Just a joy to listen to on the headphones, the way you have everything panned. Everything is sitting in its own space, each instrument can be heard clearly and nothing is stepping on top of anything else. As good as it gets IMHO.

Very, very good, enjoyed!

nice!!

Another floyd classic. What more can I say?
beautiful and the chorus is now stuck in my head

Alyn

ps no sound from Monty this time

Another really enjoyable song. So much good stuff coming out of here recently and this one is no exception

Really nice work on this one! Your vocal delivery is really strong here, and the lyrics are top notch as well. A really fine example of songwriting. It hits hard, and managed to sound heartfelt whilst also being catchy.

You should be proud of this one - thanks for sharing

OK... I'm working on nebulous... and obscure references... and unexplained symbolism...








Thanks, David!

Soulful! A brilliant write and your vocal is top notch!

Mixing is superb.

The thing that shines through it all is the song!

Poetic, poignant, melancholy, and beautiful!!!! A sweet combo of heart and craft. The track is the perfect "band"...sparse with some beautifully hung decorations in just the right places (mandolin and acoustic nylon tracks sound custom). Too many great lines to mention...every one! Particularly like this:

don't be surprised if tomorrow finds me
nowhere to be found

That is art in language!!

It seems that every FJ song becomes one of my top 5 FJ songs...the great songs keep getting displaced by greater ones! Along with JT's My Traveling Star (think that's the title), this becomes one of my favorite of a huge bunch of great travelin' songs. You vocals get better all the time Floyd! WONDERFUL!!!!

Take care. Greg

Another home run Floyd. Really liked the mandolin. As a cool production. Super vocal and backtrack. Just a lovely song

Great write and a solid performance

love the opening verse

my ear (left one is pretty much all I have) is confused by the chord

and/or chord/bass sound on the word clue (my stories s/b a clue)

I listened to the first verse again and it sounded clear to me

This is no biggie, I wish there was a way to edit notes out like you would in midi

cause on guitar with a slash chord many times a partial chord sounds better, less cluttered.

If you don't hear it, that's fine then it's only me, I've encountered some problems with this on my songs.

All this doesn't matter because it's a great write and a solid performance.

Kenny

Thanks, Robert. The mandolins are exactly as they come out of BIAB - I did not add any effects to them at all (I typically turn off the reverb and max the volume before exporting tracks). Part of what makes the mandolin sound clear is how it plays against the other instruments which are spread across the frequency spectrum well. Keeping the strum guitar at a proper, low level helps the mandolin stand out, too...




Alan - I appreciate that... really...

You're starting to get it; but even gave me too much with your response. A simple "..." would have done it. Let me fill in what that meant. From there I can let you know if I'm offended.

You see, with the internet; there is even less of a need to clarify what you are intending. We all already know; which leaves no room for misunderstanding. I've found it to be the place where sarcasm especially well. It's the perfect form of communication, really.

Seriously though, you paint with your words. And the picture is perfect every time. Part skill, part art, part heart. That's a power combination. Really well done as always.

Hello, floyd

Very very strong vocal!
A nice sparse arrangement!
This song can already exist only by your vocal.
I believe only a good vocalist does not need a heavy arrangement.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

floyd

Wonderful songwriting. All the elements work and the production is superb.
A master class.

Peter

This is nothing less than more sensational songwriting

What sensational lyrics:

the highway in my shoes
one eye on the front door
a suitcase full of blues

Floyd, you continue to deliver genius songwriting from every direction. No matter what the backing that is used: simple, dynamic, upbeat or melodic.

This is no exception.

Impressed.

floyd, once again you have shown us how it’s done. The vocal performance is one of your best ever. I have always been a traveler as far back as my memories take me, so l relate to the lyrics on more than just a superficial level. My favorite lines are “ that white line lullaby
will never let you be
it's the rhythm of the road
it's a haunting melody”. I kept waiting for some percussion (cajon or djembe) but I understand why you elected to go bare. It’s a lullaby and you don’t want to wake up you want to put to sleep. It’s extremely hard to argue with perfection but after multiple listens (always a good sign) I kept wanting to bring up the bass just a bit. A beautiful write by a very talented craftsman, Tom

Thanks, Dave. When I did the tracks for this, I had been listening to some sparse-production-type music, so figured I try it that way...




Thanks, Alan! (We'll get something for Monty to bark about next time around...)

How nice is this? Great song sung with feeling, the backing was simple, but not without those magic dynamic changes that keep the ear engaged enough to let the lyrics sink in. Excellent work, and much enjoyed.

Floyd,

This is an amazing song and performance...

I love the production and your delivery - you are bringing your absolute best on this.

Bob

Floyd, your work is always so professionally done, in every respect--much to learn from listening to your contributions!

I was most struck by the creative/imaginative lyric pictures, especially: "highway in my shoes"--that one is outstanding, and "white line lullaby" is great, too.

May I offer one suggestion? I think that using "lesson" to end that line in the 2nd verse is a bit awkward..I don't have an alternate suggestion, but that's the only improvement I could offer.

Loved your use of BIAB RT's and the style...thanks for showing us "how it's done"!

Thanks for having a listen, Graham.




Appreciate that, Deryk...

Another great song that carries all the characteristics that go with a Floyd song!

Rob and Anne-Marie

Painting some pictures for us with the lyrics Floyd (You always do). Such a pretty song that just reaches out and grabs the listener. That pre-chorus is awesome! Very memorable melody that hangs around for quite a while! It's all appreciated by me! Thanks, Torrey

The hall marks of cool - the voice, the weariness, a strong narrative and ace arrangement.
Everything I expect when I click on a floyd jane song.

Lawrence - I really appreciate that - coming from you that means a lot...thanks.

Greg - thanks for such a wonderful review! Always nice to get writing kudos from a strong writer...

This is simply fantastic on every level. Enjoyed this.

Scott - thanks for your continued support...




Thanks, Kenny. Always pleased to know you like a song.

The slash-clash that you are catching is a ever-present issue - sometimes it is noticeable, sometimes not - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It occurs when I walk up from an Am (or more typically an Am7) to a C - using a slash chord. I would play an Am7/B on guitar, but when I put that in BIAB it seldom sounds the way I want it to. The acoustic guitars don't play it - they don't add the /B - which is essential to the sound I want. They generally WILL play a C/B - so that is what I use there. Often that gives the sound I'm looking for, but occasionally, there is a bit of a clash - which must be what you are hearing there (I am not catching it)

"the soul of a bandit, a rodeo heart
the highway in my shoes
one eye on the front door
a suitcase full of blues
don't be surprised if tomorrow finds me
nowhere to be found
i've had enough of this settling feeling
and too much of this town"

What a setup for everything that follows. Very few folks can breathe life in a hittin' the road song. You've done it in spades!

We much like the sparse production and that mandolin track is one of the best acoustic RT's in BiaB's catalog. He's playing a wonderful instrument with a great touch. Few mandolin players get that sound.

Gruve mentioned how soulful your vocal is and, as you oft heard, that is our entry for ANY genre vocal. You delivered big time and, as always, the word classy comes to mind.

It's easy to say we can hear so and so singing this on the radio...to heck with that we can't imagine anybody other than mr jane performing it!

Outstanding...

J&B

...

Beautiful Floyd,

Tender and touchy. Great vocals!
Really liked the idea of keeping it all down. Mandolin solo was great.

In my ears the song is strong enough to go without the guitar solo (even if it's Brent), just humming the melody line would be enough. No guitar fills needed – the mandolin fills at the end is just great – wow!

Thanks for sharing!
E

Shigeki Adachi - Thanks for that very nice review...




That is much appreciated, Peter!...

Trev - thanks for those very nice words! Always nice to have you stop in for a listen...

This is absolutely beautiful, Floyd. Expertly polished yet always organic and soulful.

Well done!

Deacon,

Nothing I like better than a review like that coming from someone who really "knows their stuff"!

I had been listening to Jason Isbell "Southeastern" a bunch when I did this production. A number of the songs on that album have no drums (or percussion), so I thought I'd give that a try on this... (and Andy's mandolin has a lot of nice punch)

I always think of you when I mix the bass (since you've mentioned it on other songs). I listened again to the Soundcloud version of this - through the cheap speakers on my computer - and I'm hearing plenty of bass there...

Thanks for the careful listen!

Tangmo - I appreciate the nice comments. Thanks for ahving a listen...




Thanks, Bob!

TM - thanks for the nice review. I agree the the word "Lesson" comes out a bit bumpy as it is sung. That is my fault for not paying attention... it was intended to be sung more as one syllable - "less'n" - which works a lot better - and it is the idea that I wanted at that point (and I could not find a better alternative). Thanks for the listen and the comments...




Thanks, y'all...

Thanks, Torrey - I appreciate that you appreciate this...

Love it - reminds me of Gentle On My Mind in a way, but more evocative.

Floyd, I'm late to the party but glad that I came.

I agree with everything that has been said.

Excellent song.

Thanks, Ray - I certainly appreciate that...




That is most kind of you, Charlie!...

Just trying to keep up with y"all...thanks for the great comments

Brilliant song Floyd, so well written and defined by your vocal. Your music is top notch on this, love all your work!!! Cliff

Einar - so glad to have you drop in for a listen! Thanks for the nice comments.





Deacon - very nice of you to say. Thanks for that...




Jim - Thanks. Gentle On My Mind is an all-time favorite - so to have that as a comparison is heart-warming...

Always glad to have you drop by, Mario... never too late





I appreciate that, Cliff...

Hi floyd,

What an excellent song (again)!

Everything about this gleams…. your composing, your singing, the arrangement, the production…. everything! It’s a great hook, too. Before I listened to the song, I sat here for a couple of minutes reflecting on the title. It’s amazing how those three words, “White Line Lullaby”, open a treasure chest of lyric possibilities.

Some of the thoughts that occurred to me as I reflected were: highway, cars, trucks, long-distance driver, cocaine, lulled to sleep, jet stream, sports field, athletics track, crest of an ocean wave, surfing, wake of a boat, etc…

Then I started reading your lyrics and discovered that the ‘white line lullaby’ is about a restless soul who is unable to settle down and relationships. This twist was not something that occurred to me! Nice!

Those first four lines in verse 1, are powerful!


These are amongst the best ‘showing’ lines that I have ever read.

Rather than just saying “he’s a constantly restless man who lives by his own set of rules”, you’ve painted a truly inspired picture of this guy. By the end of line four, this man was firmly planted in my mind as a 3-D, fully believable character. At that point, I couldn’t have stepped out of the song if I wanted to. As I see it, that’s very strong writing indeed. Being able to ‘show’ character traits as clearly as you have in this song is a skill that I’m still practising. Maybe one day…

In the meantime, it’s great to have you here in the forum to show me how it’s done!

I totally enjoyed listening to this (a few times).

All the best,
Noel