PG Music Home
Posted By: Robertkc The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/08/18 12:04 AM
The Bitter Taste Of Red

Beginning 20 years ago with a something a friend said about her childhood and since then going in different directions with how to write a song about family violence, I`m almost sure this is captures the feeling I had at the time.
Listens appreciated and comments welcome.


Style is _MILESIX.STY (Mile Six Slow Even-16 Americana)

RealTracks in style: 2877:Bass, Acoustic, AmericanaSlow16thsByron Ev16 060
RealTracks in song: 2878:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm AmericanaSlow16thsBrent Ev16 060
RealTracks in style: 1596:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Pop16ths Ev16 065
RealTracks in song RT3058 Acoustic guitar
RealDrums in style: AmericanaRoots16th^01-a:Toms, b:Snare



The Bitter Taste Of Red


can you live another life
erase the senses of the heart
make a blessing from a curse
change the arc of a star


all the rainbow ribbons
momma fastened through her hair
Jenny keeps with daddy`s laugh
like braids through despair
still feels her friend`s eyes
they never lingered or traced
eyes that saw past
the mark upon her face

the cool touch of blue
cool touch of blue
that`s how she learnt
the cool touch of blue

fell into a fire
when she was born into this world
Jenny turned herself to water
like a helpful little girl
one spark in the silence
between a woman and a man
picked up her bucket
into the flames she ran

the bitter taste of red
bitter taste of red
that`s how she learnt
the bitter taste of red

heaven swirled with hell
by strangers she was raised
I`m from a nuclear family
Jenny said but she kept safe
all the rainbow ribbons
momma fastened through her hair
with daddy`s laugh in a treasure box
called can`t go back there

the healing sound of time
healing sound of time
that`s how she learnt
the healing sound of time


the bitter taste of red
bitter taste of red
that`s how she learnt
the bitter taste of red


© Robert Cordrey Oct. 2018
Posted By: Scott C Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/08/18 11:46 AM
Beautiful song Robert. Such a sad story. You vocal was just perfect for the song. Excellent choice of instruments for the song. Production was first class. Well done
Posted By: BlueAttitude Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/08/18 12:10 PM
Man, what a powerful song! So well written ... you are a true wordsmith, Robert.

Great melody, and possibly your best vocal to date, love the harmonies!

My new favorite song from you, well done!
Posted By: floyd jane Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/08/18 01:39 PM
Robert,

A very powerful, emotion-packed song.

The change at each chorus is exceptional.

Awesome use of the BIAB Americana instruments.

Very well done.


fj
Posted By: Samuel Davis Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/08/18 03:52 PM
That's a hard subject to write about but you've done it nicely. Love the harmonies. Sounds very lonesome.
Posted By: rsdean Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/08/18 06:54 PM
Robert,

This is a great folk song... I love the storytelling and delivery. The mix and instrumentation is perfect and the build towards the middle with the whole band is really special - drives it home.

Very much enjoyed and going back for another listen.

Bob
Posted By: RnAM Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/08/18 09:43 PM
Wow, you are really in shape here!
Mysterious, dynamic, creative and a distinct Neil Young, Roy Orbison feel to it.

GREAT WORK!

Rob and Anne-Marie
Posted By: Will Josef Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/08/18 10:19 PM
Very nice, beautiful and sad song. I like your voice which compliment the lyrics perfectly.
Very well done!

Thanks for sharing!
Will
Posted By: rayc Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/09/18 12:13 AM
The double vocal of the 1st stanza was off putting but that worry dissipated a few seconds later when the verse began.
The harmony vocal in the chorus is more subtle, more accurately matched as a double and more controlled.
A very really good essay of a difficult subject.
Terrific stuff.
Posted By: Robertkc Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/09/18 12:20 AM
Dave,
That`s very supportive- sometimes sitting on things you`ve written and put down unfinished many times you wonder if the plot`s been lost.
I`m so glad you liked this one... and really I only got into writing lyrics because I knew I`d never be the guitarist I heard in my head!

Originally Posted By: Scott C
Beautiful song Robert. Such a sad story. You vocal was just perfect for the song. Excellent choice of instruments for the song. Production was first class. Well done


Thank you, Scott...the next one has to go somewhere more fun!

Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Robert,

A very powerful, emotion-packed song.

The change at each chorus is exceptional.

Awesome use of the BIAB Americana instruments.

Very well done.


fj


Thanks for the positives.I do like the feeling of those Americana tracks.

Robert
Posted By: bluage Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/09/18 01:39 AM
Hello, "Robertkc"...

Once again, in my experience of listening to your songs, you write some damn-near pure poetry that alternately reveals and obscures its meanings like a badly injured memory that loses, and then finds, finds and loses little bits and pieces of scenes from fateful experiences that it doesn't want to remember.

"The Bitter Taste of Red" is impressionistic in its impact, helped along by a musical arrangement that's so intimate and stripped-down that what's left is powerful precisely because of its austerity.

This is a very arresting production, lyrically and musically.

Meditating on it,

LOREN
Posted By: PeterF Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/09/18 02:09 AM
Robert

Beautifully and sensitively done. A fine vocal, strong and poetic lyrics and a nice choice of band.
Really very impressive.

Peter
Posted By: David Snyder Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/09/18 12:35 PM

Robert,

Beautiful, poignant and poetic, both musically and lyrically.

I really enjoyed this.
Posted By: Jim Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/09/18 02:18 PM
Dark but beautiful...

Shades of Simon and Garfunkel... Nicely done!
Posted By: Torrey Bliss Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/09/18 08:51 PM
Robert that was fantastic! What a lyric to go with the PERFECT music bed! One of your best IMHO! Thanks, T
Posted By: Robertkc Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/10/18 12:30 PM
Originally Posted By: Samuel Davis
That's a hard subject to write about but you've done it nicely. Love the harmonies. Sounds very lonesome.


Thank you!

Originally Posted By: rsdean
Robert,

This is a great folk song... I love the storytelling and delivery. The mix and instrumentation is perfect and the build towards the middle with the whole band is really special - drives it home.

Very much enjoyed and going back for another listen.

Bob


Bob,
Its good to hear I got that arrangement right- listening to your productions might be having an influence! Thanks for your comments.

Originally Posted By: RnAM
Wow, you are really in shape here!
Mysterious, dynamic, creative and a distinct Neil Young, Roy Orbison feel to it.

GREAT WORK!

Rob and Anne-Marie


Rob & Anne-Marie,
That`s a great endorsement - I`m glad you enjoyed this.

Originally Posted By: Will Josef
Very nice, beautiful and sad song. I like your voice which compliment the lyrics perfectly.
Very well done!

Thanks for sharing!
Will


Will,
Thanks for listening and commenting.

Originally Posted By: rayc
The double vocal of the 1st stanza was off putting but that worry dissipated a few seconds later when the verse began.
The harmony vocal in the chorus is more subtle, more accurately matched as a double and more controlled.
A very really good essay of a difficult subject.
Terrific stuff.


I knew that choice to make the harmony vocal the lead for the opening might not work for all tastes - I like the way it begins the song with a vulnerable feel ( the child`s voice), but I`ll probably revisit the balance later.
Good and helpful comments - thank you!

Robert
Posted By: Greg Johnson Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/10/18 05:57 PM
Very powerful Robert!! Very dark! Music creates the perfect mood. Good arrangement and vocal. Well done!! Take care. Greg
Posted By: Sergio Guarneri Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/10/18 06:08 PM

Excellent song Robert. I figured to myself a final as Dire Strait's "Brothers in Arm" and a more long fading out ending.

Surely one of your best.

Sergio
Posted By: Al-David Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/10/18 06:31 PM
Originally Posted By: Jim
Dark but beautiful...

Shades of Simon and Garfunkel... Nicely done!


I think Jim summed it up pretty good with just a few words. I fully agree with the S & G analogy. Excellent work on this. You do these sad folk songs so dang good! Excellent!

Alan
Posted By: Robertkc Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/11/18 03:09 PM
Originally Posted By: bluage
Hello, "Robertkc"...

Once again, in my experience of listening to your songs, you write some damn-near pure poetry that alternately reveals and obscures its meanings like a badly injured memory that loses, and then finds, finds and loses little bits and pieces of scenes from fateful experiences that it doesn't want to remember.

"The Bitter Taste of Red" is impressionistic in its impact, helped along by a musical arrangement that's so intimate and stripped-down that what's left is powerful precisely because of its austerity.

This is a very arresting production, lyrically and musically.

Meditating on it,

LOREN



Loren,
How to write a song about family violence avoiding cliche`s and showing rather than telling? It had to be "impressionistic" as you say.
Once again your review is most interesting and supportive because I know you really listened.
Thank you!

Robert


Originally Posted By: PeterF
Robert

Beautifully and sensitively done. A fine vocal, strong and poetic lyrics and a nice choice of band.
Really very impressive.

Peter


Thank you Peter!

Originally Posted By: David Snyder

Robert,

Beautiful, poignant and poetic, both musically and lyrically.

I really enjoyed this.



David,
Thanks for your listen and positive comments.

Originally Posted By: Jim
Dark but beautiful...

Shades of Simon and Garfunkel... Nicely done!


Thanks for that, Jim

Originally Posted By: Torrey Bliss
Robert that was fantastic! What a lyric to go with the PERFECT music bed! One of your best IMHO! Thanks, T


I`m happy you liked this Torrey!

Robert
Posted By: Ezekiel's Storm Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/11/18 09:15 PM
Such a beautifully ethereal sound in this song. Great lyrics. I especially like this quatrain:
all the rainbow ribbons
momma fastened through her hair
Jenny keeps with daddy`s laugh
like braids through despair

Nicely done!
Posted By: 44kfl Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/12/18 12:22 PM
Sad and beautiful song

choice of instruments and overall sound is great

super write, full of emotion and imagery

haunting

enjoyed the listen,

Kenny
Posted By: cliftond Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/12/18 01:11 PM
a beautiful and sad write here Robert, so good, emotions are established from the truth of the song. Cliff
Posted By: Robertkc Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/12/18 08:20 PM
Originally Posted By: Greg Johnson
Very powerful Robert!! Very dark! Music creates the perfect mood. Good arrangement and vocal. Well done!! Take care. Greg


Greg,
Thanks for the positive comments... to me its a song about a survivor ( "the healing sound of time") so its not all dark!

Originally Posted By: Sergio Guarneri

Excellent song Robert. I figured to myself a final as Dire Strait's "Brothers in Arm" and a more long fading out ending.

Surely one of your best.

Sergio


Thank you, Sergio!
I`ll have to listen to that Dire Straights ending- been a long time.

Robert
Posted By: MarioD Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/12/18 09:34 PM
This is one hell of a great song! Dark and sad, well written, perfect instrumentation and some great vocals.

Poetry so beautifully to music!

This your best to date IMHO.
Posted By: dcuny Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/13/18 04:29 AM
I agree with all the prior posters - great song, well done - vocals, arrangement, mix: all good.

But... I'll confess that if you hadn't said the song was about family violence, I wouldn't have been able to figure it out myself. The arc of the story is clear - trauma, with hope at the end. It's just specifics which are fuzzy. For example, is red supposed to refer to blood (which is salty), rage (the fire/water analogy), something else, or all the above?

Sometimes I'm just too darned literal when listening to lyrics, and miss the forest for the trees. blush

Since you said you were trying to paint the broad outlines without specifics, you've succeeded in spades! (No, I'm not being sarcastic).

Nicely done.
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/13/18 01:53 PM
Everything about this product brings to mind one word: Powerful.

One of our favorite Americana productions that has been posted here.

We like David's alliteration, "poignant and poetic."

We are reminded of an impressionistic tapestry unfolding...again, powerful.

And the build with the chorus changes is very effective.

Wonderful!

J&B

PS Janice's nickname is Jenny...
Posted By: Robertkc Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/13/18 09:11 PM
Originally Posted By: Al-David
Originally Posted By: Jim
Dark but beautiful...

Shades of Simon and Garfunkel... Nicely done!


I think Jim summed it up pretty good with just a few words. I fully agree with the S & G analogy. Excellent work on this. You do these sad folk songs so dang good! Excellent!

Alan


Thank you, Alan!

Robert
Posted By: Robertkc Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/13/18 09:48 PM
Originally Posted By: Ezekiel's Storm
Such a beautifully ethereal sound in this song. Great lyrics. I especially like this quatrain:
all the rainbow ribbons
momma fastened through her hair
Jenny keeps with daddy`s laugh
like braids through despair

Nicely done!


Thanks for those positive comments!

Originally Posted By: 44kfl
Sad and beautiful song

choice of instruments and overall sound is great

super write, full of emotion and imagery

haunting

enjoyed the listen,

Kenny


Kenny,
I appreciate that. I had this all done and then realized it was too busy at the start -glad I simplified the instrumentation .



Originally Posted By: cliftond
a beautiful and sad write here Robert, so good, emotions are established from the truth of the song. Cliff


Thank you Cliff!

Originally Posted By: MarioD
This is one hell of a great song! Dark and sad, well written, perfect instrumentation and some great vocals.

Poetry so beautifully to music!

This your best to date IMHO.


Mario,
That`s very kind -thanks for your listen and comments.


Originally Posted By: dcuny
I agree with all the prior posters - great song, well done - vocals, arrangement, mix: all good.

But... I'll confess that if you hadn't said the song was about family violence, I wouldn't have been able to figure it out myself. The arc of the story is clear - trauma, with hope at the end. It's just specifics which are fuzzy. For example, is red supposed to refer to blood (which is salty), rage (the fire/water analogy), something else, or all the above?

Sometimes I'm just too darned literal when listening to lyrics, and miss the forest for the trees. blush

Since you said you were trying to paint the broad outlines without specifics, you've succeeded in spades! (No, I'm not being sarcastic).

Nicely done.


David,

In describing how you didn`t get some meanings " For example, is red supposed to refer to blood (which is salty), rage (the fire/water analogy), something else, or all the above?" seems to me you`ve demonstrated that you REALLY understood!
And, yes, all the above meanings intended.
Green will always mean sour to me `cos of all the crab apples I munched on as a kid-the senses get mixed up in our memories.
Thank you for listening so closely and taking the time to comment.

Robert
Posted By: Robertkc Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/14/18 09:46 PM
Originally Posted By: Janice & Bud
Everything about this product brings to mind one word: Powerful.

One of our favorite Americana productions that has been posted here.

We like David's alliteration, "poignant and poetic."

We are reminded of an impressionistic tapestry unfolding...again, powerful.

And the build with the chorus changes is very effective.

Wonderful!

J&B

PS Janice's nickname is Jenny...


J&B,

I`m very glad you guys liked this; thank you!

Robert
Posted By: tommyad Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/15/18 11:34 AM
This is a very emotionally sad story. You have captured the feeling of despair with your vocals and background tracks. Nicely produce, Tom
Posted By: beatmaster Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/15/18 08:05 PM
A very strong emotional topic and you covered it very well,in your vocals and your lyrics.

A clever arrangement and nicely produced mix.

Thanks
Posted By: Robertkc Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/16/18 03:32 PM
Thank you, Tom!
Posted By: Robertkc Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/16/18 03:34 PM
Thanks for listening and commenting, Beatmaster!
Posted By: animarorecords Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/20/18 02:07 AM
Robert,

You must be truly a bard.
You always give a song really suitable for lyrics and express it with emotion richly.
This song is no exception and it is powerful.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi
Posted By: Robertkc Re: The Bitter Taste Of Red - 12/20/18 08:58 PM
Shigeki,
Secretly, I`d rather be the Boss than the Bard!
I`m glad you liked this- thanks for listening.

Robert
© PG Music Forums