Well...

Don't know what's got into me but this is the third song in a month.
I'm creatively spent.

I had an old one written/recorded in 1988.
I'm still pleased with the original for that time but wanted to bring it into the 21st century.

So....I was fortunate enough to collab with Ken Lasiane again and record an updated version.
He does lead guitar and the rhythm guitar panned left.
I played rhythm guitar panned right.

It's called Roadman...is there such a thing as a light rock story telling song?
Maybe...maybe not.

The style:
_CDRIVIN.STY CountryDrivin8s w PedSteel[150RS
Country Drivin' 8ths pedal steel, electric guitar and electric bass, joined by strumming acoustic guitar & the NashvilleEven8ths RealDrums style. (El.Bass, PedalSteel, El.Guitar, Ac.Guitar, Drums=NashvilleEven8^6-HiHat

To any that give a listen I hope you found it worthy of your time.
First song on the list:
https://www.soundclick.com/artist/default.cfm?bandID=897733

Roadman
Verse 1
Street lights shining down on me. I need to cover ground
Got to find an alley before the hawk is out
And I’ve been told, I’m a roadman running....out on the road.
Verse 2
The midwest cold chills to the bone. The south sun has burned my skin.
Well I've known worse addictions, all I know is where I've been.
And I’ve been told, I’m a roadman running....out on the road.
Lead Break
Verse 3
Where I'll be I could not say. What I can carry, is all that I've got.
Still I keep my self respect, I always find a job.
And I am told, I'm just a roadman running....out on the road.
Chorus
Am I chasing freedom, in fear of being trapped?
A way of reaching forward or running from the past?
I won't wear out my welcome....and I always watch my back.
The Roadman' Code.....know when to make tracks.
You've got to know when to boogie.
Verse 4
I guess it's time to jump this train. I got a message from some old friend.
(She said) You've always got a place to stay, only a fool would not accept.
I left the road...but I still think about running.
Out on the road.
Lead Break
Chorus
Vamp to end....

© Wayne Evans: music & lyrics 2/14/88

A nice driving rock song, with some very nice guitar parts (some fancy quick licks that sounded very good).

A good write and well performed.

Peter

Howdy Peter....

I thank you for taking the time to give it a listen.

It's not a genre of appeal or popularity here but it may provide others that write in the same vein that BIAB is a very capable program.
I confidently endorse it with others.

Thanks for the very kind comments and have a great day.

I agree with Peter. Excellent backtrack. Super vocal and lyric. Well done

Good singing, good driving tune and your buddy Ken sure delivered on the lead. Nice job!

Enjoyed the song, especially the guitars!

Howdy Scott, Tunemonger and David....

I thank each of you very much for giving a listen.
The kind comments are certainly a plus too.

Scott....
Appreciate that...I do concentrate on lyrics and it turned out to be story telling rock song.
Oxymoron....possibly.
The vox is always a difficult recording hurdle for me.
That damn red light go and m diaphragm tends to seize up and be uncooperative.

Tunemonger....
Yes...Ken is a great guitarist...especially for my light rock writing propensities.
Met him some time ago on this forum:
https://www.tdpri.com/forums/
I got lucky he liked the song (this is the 4th song over the last year) well enough to contribute to.

David....
I'm lad you gave it a spin and commented....knowing it's not the most popular genre here.
But...we all evolve in our writing preferences and thanks to this stunning program we're all able to pursue our creative interests.

Thanks again gents....have a great weekend.

Man, those guitars really lay down a great bed for those harmonies. Welcome to the 21st century, Roadman. You made the trip well. Excellent rocking song for travelling down the road --any road. Great collab, Wayne & Ken.

Well howdy Marty....

Many thanks for the spin and generous comments.
This is our 4th collab and I feel fortunate he found them likeable enough to participate in at all.

Ha...."21st century"....here I come.
Thanks again....

Hello chulaivet 1966,

The melody is very nice and lends itself really well to your lyrics. Roadman is a name that resonates and gives a feeling of freedom despite the chains of life that keep us from being perfectly ourselves. I apreciated, it's well mixed and the lead guitar is great.

Kindly regard

Dero13
alias JaniJackFlash

Well howdy JJF.....

Yes....it does have the 'freedom' vibe to it.
Like the old movie from 1969 called Easy Rider when I had my motorcycle which was a Honda 450.
Pretty cool to feel that way when we're young....and I'm not young anymore.
I much prefer a home base and quiet life.

Thank you very much for stopping by and giving it a spin.
Have a great weekend.

clv

I agree completely and I couldn't say it any better.

That is one hell of a guitarist, great chops man. Your vocal is perfect for this song and the mix was spot on.

Loved it.

Howdy Mario.....

Many thanks for chiming in with your comments.
He's is a good axe player....makes me want chop up my guitars (only 3) as they would be best used as kindling.

Appreciate your kind words.

Have a great weekend everyone.....

Good write.
Guitars sound great though, I have one suggestion, bring the panning in just a bit.
The wide spread detracts from the enjoyment at times.

Love the multitracking on the vocals!

moto

Hey Cap....

I will revisit the panning aspect.that's an easy fix.
I usually pan at 10:00/2:00 but my ears may have overcompensated at bit.
Just the kine of nuances that us song writers need to hear.
Singing is my biggest confidence hurdle to overcome on every song I've recorded.
As soon as that red light goes on....you how it goes.

I recall when I started recording my originals back in the early 80's and felt the same I figured I'd just bath my less than confident vocals in reverb.
OMG....what an early learning experience that was.
I'm sure I'm the only one that has ever tried that one.

Many thanks for taking the time to listen and the very generous comments.
All are appreciated.

Have a great day everyone.....

Best to you on the next one!

Wayne,
Very solid tune! Sounds great throughout nearly 5 mins Ken's + your guitars work very well together. I think you kept it right were it supposed to be. Modern, but not "too" modern, still has a lot of classic rock presence. Vocals are clear, but I would prefer them just a little louder. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

After listening to your song the answer is yes!

Very cool song. Something about it seems "Dire Straight-ish".

Thanks for sharing it. Really nice to listen to!

Howdy RS#....

Very kind of you to give a listen.
I know I pushed the listening interest duration to the limit at pushing 5:00.
I liked the story line and for it to culminate I had to let it run it's course.
"Vocals louder"....admittedly, I'm a bit self conscious of my vocals...my biggest recording hurdle.

HTL....howdy.
I thank you also for taking the time to give it a spin.
Funny you say that...one of my latest ones a few months ago called "You're Looking For A World" is right there ins the DS vein too.
Guess I like his style.
I'm glad the 'story' seemed to work in spite of pushing 5:00.

Thanks again gents for listening/commenting....AND, a resurrection from page 3.

Have a great evening all....

Hey, it's a great style IMO. I dig it.



Well, I think we all know those 3 minute songs that went on 4 minutes too long.
Personally, when a song is done well like this, I really enjoy it.
Again, really great job.

Man, that guy Ken can sure play guitar! Biggest takeaway I had. Everything else was good as well. The song reminded me of Ride Like the Wind by Christopher Cross. Nice work.

chulaivet,

Like the tune a lot—“I’m a roadman running” is a nice hook; really resonates. Nice harmonies as well, particularly on the “And I am told”. What you call a chorus, I would refer to more as a bridge, but six in one hand, half dozen the other. The mix is solid—really like the lead guitar and those descending riffs throughout. Nice work on this one!

All my best,

Deej

Ha....oh yes, a few come to pea brain now that you mention it.
I'll certainly try to keep my distance from that critical perception.

Thanks again....and for the chuckle.

Tunemonger....Howdy.

I liked that Chris Cross tune.
When it came out long ago (IIRC 1980 or so) I wanted to learn it and bought the sheet music.
Not much to do on that for a rhythm guitar player like myself though.
Hence, I moved on to more active songs to learn.
Yep....Ken is a great guitar player and am fortunate he like the songs well enough to be a part of.

Deej56....Howdy to you too.

Yes...your comment is valid regarding it being 'bridge' of sorts also.
On my original lyrics sheet I have it described as a 'pre-hook' which I forgot to format it the same way on the original post....both work for me....good catch on that.
That 'descending riff' was only at the intro when he sent me his tracks.
I felt they should be repeated periodically as a riff hook so I took those bits and added them in the other places.

Thank you both for taking the time to listen and favorable comments.
I appreciate them all.

Have a great day gents.