Hello Folks,
the songs, finished, mastered and inserted into a video.
Yours to view if you wish.
It's Australian political history C1972 so may be of little interest lyrically to many of you.

Thanks for the help getting the mix sorted.

ray,

Excellent! In all regards.

The mix/mastering sounds great. Every aspect of the production "sits right". Excellent vocal - quite clear and sitting in the mix perfectly.

The video is one of your best, I think...

Well done. I enjoyed hearing the song again.

fj

I could say it any better than Floyd did. This is the first time I have heard this song and it is outstanding.

Great work!

Hi Ray.
I am discovering new elements and layers to this song with each listen.From the driving guitars to the stirring vocals and harmonies. The narrative of this song is very timely as the newly released 'Palace letters' have revealed then governor-general Sir John Kerr sacked the Whitlam government in 1975 without giving advance notice to the Queen.
Gough was a larger than life character who wore his heart on his sleeve and was highly respected by both sides of politics.
Ray sang >"He wouldn't be a clog in the machine"<
Yep. So different to todays "bought and paid for" pollies.
Great song Ray and nice cameo of Little Pattie ,Bobby Limb et al.

Thanks FJ,
The M.E. listened before starting, (as one would expect - but it isn't always the case - I found a few fly by nights who select a generic setting from their downloaded mastering suite, hit go and send the bill), and contacted me suggesting the main vocal be blended with the chorus backing vox a little more to give it a more 77 feel as well as alter the dynamics.
I enjoy working with Fran Ashcroft because is does offer suggestions, as well as being perfectly happy to have them knocked back. I think he did a cool job with this one.

Thanks Gary,
Chuck Faulkner too!
I had a younger chap, from Sydney, on a different forum declare that Whitlam was less than Hawke and, further, that Gough'd not done anything for him. I was sad that a man in his 40s could be so wrong and so narrow in his view of what has benefited him. I left him a list the rather conservative Sydney Morning herald compiled..there was, of course, no response.
The letters are interesting...clearly the Priv Sec knew what was planned and commented on the process etc and, just as clearly, he'd have reported all to his boss BUT there's no paper trail so Bess is off the hook.
Thanks for your kind words.

Recently and coincidentally during a chat with Peter I've learned a little bit of Australian politics including the changes that were introduced during this election.

But even w/o a bit of context the video was really good.

And to quote floyd, "The mix/mastering sounds great. Every aspect of the production "sits right". Excellent vocal - quite clear and sitting in the mix perfectly."

Yep, that says it all. Well done!

J&B

That's really good. I like the driving rock.... almost punk style. Kinda like talking heads and the cars to a degree....80's rock.

I don't understand the words.... it would be good to see a print out of the words.... and a listing of the instrument tracks.

what the???? Oh... I was typing and the end came as it switched to a totally different song..... then I jumped up to the video.... thinking it was done..... nope....

yeah... I like it.

Ray, I was a big fan of Gough's (I was 22 when he was elected) so I got quite distracted (and nostalgic and angry again - "Maintain the rage") watching your great video.
Replay!
Good song, with a very catchy chorus. I like the sound/mix and the energy. The guitar and bass have come up really well.
Cheers,
Mike

Thanks J&B,
I was accused of hagiography by an Australian chap. A younger chap who also stated that there was nothing special about the time and the changes.
I was rather sad that the fellow had so little awareness of the truth.
He also missed the humour of lines like, "All Gough's children, sat at his knee.", where I nodded to the beatification or deification of political figures.
Ah, but the point is open minded and open eared folk like yourselves can embrace the music and the history as interesting or even instructive which makes me a little happier.

Thanks Guitarhacker,
i included the lyrics and other details in the original work in progress post and didn't want to over stay my welcome by adding them again.
For you though...
Squire Bullet Mustang, Marshall Superbass MkII modded to Superlead into a 4x12,Vantage bass, Behringer BDI21, Focusrite Studio Gen1 interface, Reaper. BIAB drum track.
Break the Stranglehold.

All Gough’s children sat at his knee
Listened of a world beyond the HSC
Learned of new selves that they could be
Where health n education were free

He knew where he was going, knew where he’d been
He knew the status quo was obscene
All Gough’s children were as keen

All Gough’s people stood at his side
Dreams of the world filled ‘em with pride
Revolution’d come from inside
Where changes made would not divide.

He knew where he was going, knew where he’d been
He wouldn’t be a cog in the machine
All Gough’s people stood to be seen

All Gough’s comrades each woman and man
Speaking as one communicate the plan
To working folk, yes, this time they can
The tide turned, eyes opened, it began.

He knew where he was going, knew where he’d been
He saw the time to disrupt the old routine
All Gough’s comrades, woman and man between

Margaret had set his fuse to prime
He n Lance knew it was a steep climb
But failing would be a greater crime
They sprinted for the post as they sang “It’s Time”.

He knew where he was going, knew where he’d been
Bringing soldiers back from the guillotine
All Gough’s children saw the start was clean

Hello Mike,
I was 14 and only a little aware of reality. I became aware, as time moved on, and had the benefit of the changes wrought. As someone from Western Sydney I was being prepared for factory or trade work but managed to be in an huge cohort attending a C.A.E.as, historically, the 1st representative of their family.
Thanks for your kind assessment. I'm pleased the images allowed for a little whimsical nostalgia but also rekindled a little of the fire.

Ray ...

One doesn't have to have an intimate knowledge/grasp of the lyrical content in order to appreciate a well-done project. heck, if that were the case, nobody in Europe or Asia would like any English-language recording.

The musical composition and delivery speak more than adequately to allow the listener to simply appreciate the excellent musical quality. You have a definite signature sound and this particular recording is an excellent example of that. I liked it ... a lot!

best to you. Be safe ...

Alan