White Cockatoo

A short song of love lost.

Leon - Lyrics & Vocals
I played a little slide at the end (and the arrangement & mix etc).

RealTracks in song: ~2474:Bass, Acoustic, Held Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 2024:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryJohn Ev 085
RealTracks in song: ~365:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~703:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Spirited Ev 085
RealDrums [in Song:Tambourine2and4: a: Tambourine b: Tambourine2and4
Also a Kontakt "ahh" vocal track and a RT percussion part.

White Cockatoo

White cockatoo, against a blue sky
Sitting in a tall gum tree
Me and you, no longer true
You said you wanted to be free

I thought we could be free together
You wanted to be free alone
I imagined we were forever
Wind blows and I don’t know where you’ve gone

What will I do? I can’t sit and cry
I have to find my hope anew
White cockatoo takes flight across the sky
I try to wish the best for you

I hope you find what you’re looking for
I hope it brings you piece of mind
I hope I can shake myself free of you
I’m sure I will, given time

White cockatoo, against a blue sky
Sitting in a tall gum tree
Me and you, no longer true
You said you wanted to be free

I thought we could be free together
You wanted to be free alone
I imagined we were forever
Wind blows and I don’t know where you’ve gone

Hi guys,

very beautiful I must say ! Leon, by now I think I would recognize your voice among hundreds. Okay, I hear you say, that would also go for Tiny Tim or Ozzy Osborne. But there's one HUGE difference: I do like yours.

Peter, that slide guitar at the end of the song really spices it up. And, guys, I really liked your harmony singing !

Well-arranged and produced. Like I said: beautiful.

Cheers,

Stefan

Hi Peter and Leon,

What a lovely song!

Great arrangement! You had me from that opening with the piano, and I like how you build it.

Excellent vocal! Especially like the harmonies. And I really like those subtle slide licks, Peter.

One of your best I think. Only complaint was it was too short

Yeah, like Stefan said. Loved that harmony. A wonderfully beautiful melody, and that slide guides the tears down the cheek. Excellent.

The title grabbed my attention, and the song had me stay. Really nice job! Love the harmonies!

Super song. Great lyrics and an outstanding vocal. I really liked the mix here; that piano is awesome and the perfect base instrument for this song.

Thanks Stefan, the harmony part in this is Leon. Appreciate the comments.

Peter

Excellent job on this song - I think it conveys the emotions beautifully. There's also a certain characteristic to the vocals that makes it perfectly suited for the style of song. Thanks for sharing!

A wonderful package...the slide seems essential.
There were two things that struck me:

first, and a personal quibble mainly, the use of A rather than a in the line "White cockatoo, against a blue sky". To my ears it sounds odd.
Then there's some proximity effect around the vocal - it's less apparent when the full band is playing but seems a low end halo in the quieter passages.

BUT
a wonderful package nevertheless.

Very different tune guys. I think the cockatoo is one of the most beautiful birds on earth. +1 on what Dave said. Just a lovely song. Super nice listen. Super super vocal Leon. Peter the slide was a perfect accent for the song. Well done

Thanks Dave - (the long version will be on the outtakes (stream)!)

Peter

Lovely ballad. Sad and beautiful. Nice flourishes of slide guitar. The piano player knew the right notes too. Good one.

Hi PeterF,

Superb beautiful melody. It is soft and pleasant. You have a very beautiful voice which is at times similar to that of Bob Dylan. I appreciated.

Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

Clever song Pete.
Thanks for posting. Rob 4580

Thanks Marty appreciate that.

Peter

Nice delivery.

I especially like the melody on this line, "White cockatoo takes flight across the sky"

"I hope it brings you piece of mind" maybe PEACE of mind

Thanks for sharing.

James

As Janice just said, "his phrasing is great - you can feel the loneliness."
Nice tight harmony too. Janice was singing along with the "ahs!"

The arrangement is excellent -- adds a LOT to the tune.

Great choice with the piano and cool little slide things happening.
And the RT guitars sat in really well.

We mentioned the phrasing but want to add that the melody is really memorable.

And the mix is open and sparkly -- good things for us always.

Love it!

J&B

Appreciate the listen and the comments.

Peter

Thanks Mario.

Peter

Lovely tune. The chorus is especially noteworthy.

The lead guitar fits so well in the mood of the song. It could not be played any better.

Thanks Ember

Peter

Peter & Leon,

What a beautiful song...

I love the wistfulness of this piece. The piano track is great - love the support it provides for Leon's vocal.

I completely enjoyed this.

Bob

Thanks Ray always appreciate your insights.
Not sure I follow what you mean by a low end halo effect?

Peter

Thanks Scott.

We have a lot of cockatoos in Sydney. A pretty bird but sometimes quite destructive in gardens.

Peter

Thanks Stefan. Not only did your comment make me laugh out loud, it's one of the nicest things anyone's ever said about my singing! Interestingly (perhaps) for lovers of trivia, Tiny Tim recorded an album on Regular Records in Australia in 1993 on which he covered a curious assortment of songs, ranging from AC/DC's Highway to Hell to Hound Dog and Great Balls of Fire. A curious record on which he showcased his lower range as well as that annoying falsetto. He was one strange cat.

Thanks James. It should indeed be 'peace.' Can't believe I let that one slip through!

Leon & Peter,

REALLY enjoyed this. Might be my favorite thing you guys have done.

Excellent write.
"Me and you, no longer true" << love that line!
...and all of this:
"I thought we could be free together
You wanted to be free alone
I imagined we were forever
Wind blows and I don’t know where you’ve gone"

Excellent BAND and arrangement! Nice slide touches. And a solid mix.
Might be Leon's best-ever vocal, too!!

Super!

fj

Thanks a lot.

Peter



Thanks glad you enjoyed it.

Peter

Thanks I'll have to fire the proof reader.

Peter



Thanks Rob

Peter

Hi Peter and Leon,

What can I say more then all the post here already had done?
It's a beatiful and emotional song, hooked on a nice parable.

The double vocals in the chorus worked out very nice.
I'm always listening to those things as well, to learn from them.

Hans

Thanks Scott.

Peter

Thanks a lot Bob.

Peter

Thanks Hans

Peter