Rustyspoon (Misha) asked me to post a song I did about 4 years ago called "Billy" so here it is.

https://soundcloud.com/vic-arnold/billy.

The band was cut and pasted a bit.

Nashville pop 16 Drums
784 bass
597 & 785 acoustic guitars
1517 & 419 electric guitars
1946 mando

Billy ©2016 Vic Arnold

I ran along the rivers,
through the mountains but they wouldn't let me be
What was I supposed to do?
Should I have turned the other cheek?
They said my days were numbered
and sometimes I heard the tolling of the bell
Always one step down from heaven
with both feet jammed agains't the door to hell
Ch.
They called me Little Casino,
El Bandito, El Chivato or The Kid
Senoritas called me Billy
and I sang to them in Spanish. Yes I did
V2
It's a long way from the City
to some cowtown, then down to New Mexico
where I took the things I needed,
food and pistols, and somebody else's clothes
Ran off to Arizona
For a time I tried to live an honest day
but I loved a poker game and couldn't
stand a mouth that has too much to say
Ch.
Br.
I hear behind me the sound of whispers
My heart racing in my chest
Adios my friend. I send you kisses
and turn around .... Quien es? Quien es?

Vic

Very cool song. So glad Misha got you to repost. Well done

Vic

Very nice story telling, with a good choice of band and an engaging vocal.

Good song.

Peter

Sweet western song. The band is solid and your vocal has a great dusty tone to it. I loved the story, and the ending was perfect. Hugely enjoyed this.

Nicely told story. Driving mandolin and guitar keep it moving, good vocal.

I liked this one a lot.

Thanks Scott.
It was actually a first time post. Misha happened to find it on my Soundcloud.
Glad you enjoyed it.

Vic

Thanks Peter.
Pleased you got the story line.
Someone 4 years ago did ask what it was about.

Vic

Hi Tangmo.
Thanks for the appreciative comments.

Vic

Thank you for the comment, David.
Yes, they do go well together.

Vic

Love the guitar/mandolin meshwork of sound you got here.

Vocal delivery is just right for this song.

I can see why Misha recommended you post this: It seems to be a distant cousin of his work.

Really nice production, vocal and storytelling, Vic. Some great lines, e.g. 'always one step down from heaven
with both feet jammed against the door to hell' to name just one. A worthy companion piece for Dylan's song of the same name on the same subject.
Regards,
Leon

Vic,

Terrific lyrics, with some great line. Love these ones:

For a time I tried to live an honest day
but I loved a poker game and couldn't
stand a mouth that has too much to say

Killer stuff. Great work on the production—from the vocals to the arrangement. Glad you reposted it!

Best regards,

Deej

Vic,
Thank you for posting. Could not resist giving it another spin. Fantastic all the way! Very cool tune! Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

P.S. Lyrics of "The Latest Thing". It just gave me that similar feel... Words...articulation... I do not know. U2 had "Achtung Baby" album, that what came to mind

Thank you Ezekiel's Storm.
There's something about a guitar and mandolin together.
Before lockdown my mandolin playing friend and I used to do the occasional open mike.

Misha could be a distant cousin. I'll have to check it out on Ancestry.com

Vic

Hi Leon1.
That line came quite easily strangely enough.
Sometimes that happens doesn't it?
Dylan is the man for lyrics.
Thanks for checking it out.

Vic

Yeah, really good story song. The mando/guitar texture is so nice. Vocals are super and I liked the harmonies. Great work!

Very Good!!!
Love the whole thing.
Great lyrics, song construction and performance.

Well done.

Hi there Deej.
I'd only posted it on jpf before and that was 4 years ago.

For those lines I suppose you'd have to know the history so not quite a sing a long.
I appreciate your comments.

Thank you,
Vic

Thanks for the request, Misha.
Yes. There's some good stuff on Achtung Baby.

Vic

Thank you Tano Music.
I do like a story song. I wonder if they'll ever be "the thing".

Vic

Thank you for the support, CaptainMoto.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Vic

Vic,
An engaging, well written character study with perfect musical style choice for the subject.
The mandolin and whole band works well; good vocal as well.
I enjoyed everything about this.

Robert

Thanks Robert.
Mandolin and guitar. Could be a match made in heaven.

Vic

We enjoyed it four years ago at that "other place" and, thanks, for the
opportunity to enjoy it again.

"Always one step down from heaven
with both feet jammed agains't the door to hell "

Great line!

As history nuts we were drawn in immediately.

You are excellent at drawing the imagery for story songs and this is no exception.

Nice production also. Like the mandolin.

J&B

Hi J & B.
Unfortunately the "other place" seems to have drifted to another place.
Thanks for the generous comment.

Vic

Hello Vircan,

The life of an adventurer is well transcribed in the lyrics. The understated arrangement is effective and your voice lends itself wonderfully to the context. Pleasing to the ear.

Kindly regard

Dero13
alias JaniJackFlash

Glad you liked it Dero.
Thanks.
Vic

Very well done!! Some good storytelling, and your voice works really well for this style! A very good arrangement with the basic rhythm and intermingling acoustic lead! Great stuff!! Take care. Greg

Hello Vic,

I'm glad Misha pushed you to post this song here and on SoundCloud.
For a moment I thought I heard his influence in your singing, but that fades after one or two lines.
You have a very cool voice for songs -and lyrics- like these. I've enjoyed it!

Thanks,

Hans

Thanks Greg.
I think it's the 6th historical song I've done.
No. 7 is in the making.
I may run out of history.

Vic

Hullo Hans.
Glad you enjoyed it.
I may have found my niche.

Vic