The mid-60`s British Folk Rock bands gave me an appreciation for the great storytelling (often mixing the supernatural with the romance of lords and ladies) of traditional songs. Subtleties of language are as much the reason I still listen to Pentangle`s House Carpenter or Fairport`s Tam Lin and Reynardine, as much as the fine musicianship.
This gothic tale, using some of the Americana RT`s, attempts a similar blend of ancient and modern.
(Recorded in the midst of moving, mixed on headphones and with all-Helicon harmonies... but you can still point out where I can improve).

Three Pale Brothers
Lyrics on SoundCloud.

Style is _SIERRA.STY (Sierra Mountain Folk)

RealTracks in style: 3496:Bass, Acoustic, AmericanaMountain16thsAB Ev16 070
RealTracks in style: 3155:Mandola, Rhythm AmericanaMountain16thsAndy ev16 070
RealTracks in style: 3185:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm Mountain16thsQuinn Ev16 070
RealTracks in style: 3158:Fiddle, 5-string, Rhythm AmericanaMountain16thsABAndy ev16 070
RT833 GuitarAltCountry
RealTracks in song: 3230:Guitar, Electric, Background CinemaHeldLowDarin Ev16 090
RealTracks in song: 3231:Guitar, Electric, Background CinemaHeldHighDarin Ev16 090
RealDrums [in style:ShakerSlow16ths: a: ShakerSlow16thsb: ShakerSlow16ths
RDrums Americana Roots Toms

Hello Robertkc,

Beautiful voices and pleasant lyrics. Nice arrangement and very gripping melody. I really enjoyed it.

Thanks

Dero13 alias JaniJackFlash

Nice! Enjoyable tune, I think you got everything you were going for.

I didn't even notice the harmonies were synthetic, so I'd call that a success. The harmonies worked well.

Some of it sounded more processed than natural - especially the fiddle parts. Not to say that's bad, just not the sound I associate with the genre.

You did this while you were moving??!? Wow!
Great sound, real nice capture of the genre.
Only weak spot (nit-picky), rhyming "crypt" and "erect"..but it's one of those sacrifices that you probably have to make to keep the story intact.

Enjoyed my listen!

Really well done Robert......vintage Robert KC!!! Sounds great!! Take care. Greg

Hello Robert ...

You have such an enjoyable and unique sound. I b=believe you crossed all the "T"s and dotted all the "I"s in your effort. You have a warm and classic voice that's so easy to listen to. And your arrangements are always excellent.

I, too, use TC-Helicon for most harmonies, although I don't do a lot of vocals these days.

Wishing you the best. Be safe ...

Alan

Hi Robbert,

As usual you made a very nice song. It doesn't matter if you are on the move, playing with grandchildren, or paining the house. In between you made the most beautiful songs and this one is an excellent example of that I enjoyed it. Of course I also hated those three pale brothers. But what a nice story!

On minor thing; I used voicelife 2 from TC Helicon for some time for my harmonies. It was easy to use, but you always hear some electronic sound in the vocals. I heard it also in your vocals. Not very disturbing, but it's there. Later I started to record every part of my harmonies myself and use melodyne if I need a high vocal. Melodyne is not so easy to handle, but it doesn't generate electronic noise in the vocal. But unlike you, I am not 'on the move' when doing those things.

So, consider the first paragraph being the most important one about your song,

Hans

Robert,
Beautiful tune. Excellent choruses. Flows like a river. Liked it very much. Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

Very, very good. True to the songs that inspired it. Certainly cast a spell about me as I listened. Helicon harmonies were cool. Great work, RKC, another feather in your cap!

Thank you JaniJackFlash!



I`m glad you liked this- Helicon harmonies are a last resort but still ok in the background.
The 5-string fiddle on this seems the most natural sounding of the fiddle RT`s to me, but I`ll listen again to see if I added anything.



The song was written well before our crazy time, but having an hour to record vocals before packing up,the beauty of the software is that the rest can be done sitting on a box with a laptop.
Yes, that`s a poor rhyme... its also the song`s punchline, so "crypt" was non-negotiable!
Your listen and comments are appreciated.

Robert

Great song. Love the poetry in the lyrics.

Well done. Story songs are hard but you did it here. I really love that fiddle player. It really adds a great touch to the song. Cool lyrics. Haunting lyrics. Great arrangement. Great use of BIAB. "Lie, lie, lie, to a pair of blue eyes." I like that a lot.

Robert,

Great song!
This song is exactly the sound of your favorite genre.
It is full of originality.
I can see the ingenious chord progression as usual.
Especially the usage of Db is wonderful.
Your vocal fits this perfectly.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Irrespective of the intervening issues with recording that is a fine RT/RD band
and vocal performance.

The toms were a very nice addition to the RD.

As Janice said, "he achieved that Gothic feel that he mentioned."

Yes he did and he melded it with a romantic overlay.

As is characteristic with your writes you painted a very vivid landscape with the lyric.

Well done!

J&B

Robert, this is a great example of how to combine real tracks to really fit the feel of the song. An interesting lyric and very well sung. You surely have captured the essence of genre. A unique chord structure that works with the melody makes this an excellent listen. Tom

Thank you Greg!



Alan,
I appreciate those positive comments; nowadays I try to do my own harmonies, but when time or my dropping register compels, Helicon is nice to have.




Thank you Hans; I`m glad you didn`t sympathize with those brothers and enjoyed this song.
I only have the most basic version of Melodyne so had to settle for that slightly "tinned"sound on harmonies here; maybe they`ll get redone some day.






Thank you Misha!

Robert

Robert

One of your nicest melodies and vocal,and a lovely lilting tune.

Perfectly captures the feel you mentioned.

Excellent all round.

Peter

Robert,

Great title . . . how could I not listen to a song called “Three Pale Brothers”—particularly with that album cover. And that chorus is an ear worm. Really cool write (structured, poetic, haunting), outstanding vocals and production. I think easily my favorite from you. Outstanding!!!

My very humble regards,

Deej

I'm quite fan of the moderately electric British folk sound...I recently bought an album by Steeleye Span. SUPERB stuff and based upon the Terry Pratchet book too.
You did a fine job Robert...string vocal performance and good arrangement...with an enigmatic horror story too.

Awesome!

What a great sound and mix!

Good to hear you heard my influences.Thanks for listening and commenting.



Thank you Chris!



Establishing a strong form made the write easier; it could have gone on a lot longer
like those trad. English songs which were my inspiration.
I`m glad you liked the mountain fiddle.




Thanks for those kind comments Shigeki!




J&B,
I think its cool many of the Americana RT`s ( like those toms) work well for this kind of song.
The lyrics were written after reading some E.A.Poe stories-now there`s a gothic master.
Thank you for your listens and support

Robert

Robert, you captured that genre perfectly!

Everything about this is top shelf.

Very medieval/Renaissance-sounding. Your usual enigmatic, everything and nothing clearly stated in the lyrics at the same time. Beautifully sung.

One of your most memorable songs, for me. But that's hard to say, because your quality is always high, so there's not much in between your songs :-) . Still, loved this one a lot - I'm not technically good enough to pinpoint 100% accurately why, but I loved it anyway. Congrats!

That chorus really grips you. Nice sounding instrumentation and harmonies there.

Robert,

You are hitting on all cylinders here. Playing to all of your strengths and the end result is superb.

A perfect melding of lyric and melody and vocal and BAND. A gorgeous production. A perfect combination of instruments. Can't imagine this being done any better.

Excellent mix. A delightful listen. One of your very best.

fj

Excellent tune Robert. Loved the vocal and lyric. The harmonies were a very nice add. Loving the scratch of the fiddle. Never know where that is going to popup again. Well done

Tom,
A British folk song done with American folk and rock instruments- glad you liked it!



Thanks for those positive comments Peter... now if only I could remember what led to that melody!



Deej,
The picture is from a Harry Potter story, the title and song idea from my own strange imagination ( though I am one of three brothers!).
I appreciate your listen and kind comments.





Ray,
I`ll catch up with Steeleye Span again- they keep going where others faded long ago!
Its encouraging to get the approval of someone who knows the genre- thank you.



Thank you David!

Robert

Hi Robert
I'm a big fan of the genre (Fairport and all their off-shoots in particular) and you've done a fine job of getting that blend of traditional and modern. Very nice work.
Regards,
Leon

Thank you Mario!



With the song`s length reduced a few verses ( how did the brothers end up in a crypt?) for the sake of not overdoing things, I had to leave some questions ... those trad. English songs often go on forever!
I`m glad you enjoyed this- thanks for commenting.




Floyd,
I really appreciate that; particularly on the band chosen and production quality.
Onward and upward!

Robert

I'm not familiar with the genre, but I like the dark imagery, also the use of colors to describe each person, it would be interesting to analyze the story deeper I enjoy the smooth folky band with the addition of the more modern Darin guitars. Very good balanced mix. Great intro and ending, the chorus is simple but good and catchy to sing along and remember.

Janne

Scott,
I just realised I`ve used that fiddle on 3 songs in a month... our next offering being the benchmark,of course!
Thanks for your listen.




Thank you!



Leon,
Nice to know someone here can relate to my influences; I appreciate your informed comments!




Janne,
Thank you; the use of a simple form ( different colours and character traits) to describe the brothers made it easier to follow the story- at least that was my intention!
I`m glad you found something of interest in this.

Robert

Very nice song and arrangement. I could definitely see this tune part of a movie! You did a great job there!