Before Her Storm

I kept this production simple with just an acoustic guitar (RT2930)*corrected and bass (RT3459). I built the song around the lyrical hook I had circling in my head for some time.


Lyrics:

Snakeskins and butterflies
A soaring eagle’s cry
She’s all that wrapped up inside

Sundays in the park
Running through the dark
Going home wasn’t very far

On those summer nights
When she can’t keep warm
I’m the calm
Before her storm

Her ma says she’s not right
She may never see the light
I won’t lose without a fight

On those summer nights
When she can’t keep warm
I’m the calm
Before her storm

Dragons and moon-pulled tides
A crumbling mountainside
She’s all that wrapped up inside

On those summer nights
When she can’t keep warm
I’m the calm
Before her storm

Sounded like an acoustic version of Waiting For My Man in the intro.
Strong vocal EZ, you do this key well.

Hi,

I agree with Ray - this key suits your vocals very nicely.

I understand you want to keep the instrumentation sparse and feature the vocals and this certainly suits this song. The Guitar and Bass sound very good.

However I can also imagine drums coming in for the 2nd or 3rd verse and certainly the refrain/chorus. Not necessarily a heavy drum sound - maybe brushes with a side stick and later a snare. Maybe also a little low level piano for the chorus/refrain.

Just a few thoughts.

Enjoyed the song very much.

Best Regards
Nigel

Scott

A really nice singer-songwriter sound beautifully sung. Good lyric.

A very nice piece of song writing and performing.

Peter

Hi Scott,

Nice writing, and your vocal is perfect I think.

Enjoyed the listen!

Scott,

I absolutely love this song... My favorite from you.

Perfect arrangement and mix. An outstanding folky vocal.

Excellent!

Bob

great example of the kiss concept.
well done.
best
om

Yes, that's a good hook to write around. What a perfect acoustic track, and the bass simply holds the roots and allows your ever-so-excellent vocal to make it work. The melody is smooth and flowing. Just am excellent write and very well presented, Scott.

Scott,

A good write. Simple, yet complex. Good imagery.

The simple instrumentation works well. Good vocal, good mix.

Enjoyed the listen.

fj

Hi, Scott !

I like your tune very much
Superb indeed ! ....and I like
your voice !


Take Care !

Cheers
Dani

Scott, your vocal carries this nicely with the minimal backing! Great tune as is and would work with a full backing IMO! You write some pretty good stuff! Thanks, Torrey

Simple works very well with this tune. Enjoyed your vocal performance. All the right choices were made in putting this top level production together.

Charlie

By the way, can you post the correct acoustic guitar? Acoustic guitar (RT23909) doesn't work.

Thanks,

Charlie

Much enjoyed the live singer songwriter vibe you created. Great vocal.
Josie

Hi Scott,

I had the honor of having a pre-listen and I can only only repeat what I said then: Fantastic write (because I know a young lady tha tthis song could be about.)

I think that 'slim' arragement is fantastic, and you know how much I dig your voice and singing.

Very, very well-done.

And like I as said, 'Can't understand why you're still working in the 'ed-biz' when you could easily make the grade as singer in a Johhny Cash cover band ...

All the best, Scott,

Stefan

Scott,
Very good lyrics and performance! Perfect reminder that good songs do not have to be packed like sausage (my problem :))
Liked it! Thank you for sharing.
Misha.

Scott,
Its no surprise your voice is strong enough to carry a stripped down production and hold the interest throughout.
Of course it helps that this is a strong write with interesting imagery and a good hook.
Proof that less is more; nicely done!

Robert

Thanks, Ray. I like this key to because it's in the lower part of my register.

Scott

Thanks for the suggestion, Nigel. I did have a shaker for percussion originally, then I decided to take it out.

Peter, thank you for the kind feedback.

Thanks, Dave. I appreciate the comment about the vocal because I thought it was a bit shaky.

Good vocal, good song. Is there really anything else that needs to be said?

I like it!

Great lyric with a bit of "connect your own dots" regarding the relationship.

Wonderful imagery throughout and well carried by your vocal.

Janice says "warm" describes all the aspects!

The two RT's carried the tune well. The lyric and melody offered plenty of variety without the need of additional tracks.

Nice!!

J&B

Thanks a lot, Bob!

OM, yep, keeping it simple, just me and a guitar and bass. Thanks!

Thanks, Marty for your thoughtful comments.

Thanks, Floyd. I like simple, but I ain't no simpleton. (I think there's a song there.)

Nicely easy-does-it. A lot of Cat Stevens feeling, to my ears. The lyric is amply mysterious and open, with a lot of contrasting visuals. She's not an easy one to figure out, is she? Very much enjoyed.

Ezekiel,

Love listening to your tunes . . . they always have a great vive and this is no exception. Great choice on the simple production—I wish I could show that restraint sometimes. Rich and heartfelt vocal. Beautifully done!

All my best to you,

Deej

Thanks for your kindness, Dani!

Torrey, I appreciate your comments!

Thanks, Charlie. The correct guitar RT is 2930.

Josie, thank you for the listen and comments!

Stefan, Mein Herr! You and I could tour as Johnny and Elvis. Hahahahahaaaaaa!

Thanks, Misha. I like that: "packed like sausage." Ha ha!

thanks so much, Robert!

Hi Ezekiel,

This song has an understated elegance, emphasized by your vocals.
The lyrics are wonderful and your presentation is what I said about your song.
I wondered what made you write these lyrics. I think I don't know a person, like Stefan, so that explains my wondering.
And I was also thinking would it be nice with some other instrument, like strings or a cello? To answer this myself: yes it could, but in the way you brought it, it's not necessary at all.

I enjoyed listening,
Hans

Nothing I'd rather do ;-)).

And I already thought of a name for that tour: "From Heartbreak Hotel to San Quentin"...

I like this one a lot, Scott. Really well written and a lovely warm and resonant vocal. I can picture you doing it on stage with a trio of female backing vocalists.
Regards,
Leon

Thanks a bunch, David!

Janic and Bud, I glad you noticed that. I left the relationship open for the listener, so it could be a daughter, sister, spouse, etc.

Tangmo, thanks for the listen and comments!

Thanks so much, Deej!

Hans, I didn't write this song about a particular person, although I know people who fit bits and pieces of this song. I had come up with the line "I'm the calm before her storm" and wanted to write a song around it, so I ended up creating a character for my song.

LMAO!

Thanks, Leon. I would love to have a trio of female backing vocalists!

Or even better: 'From Heartbreak Hotel to San Quentin: A Mess Of Blues...'

In intro reminded me of For What Its Worth!

Loved the vocal and lyrics. The instrumentation was perfect for this song; great creativity here.

Loved it.

Very pleasant song... the acoustic guitar was a good choice. I enjoyed listening to this and I didn't miss other instruments.

Well done!
Will

Hi Ezekiel's Storm,

The simplicity of the arrangement allows you to showcase your nice voice. It is pleasant this intimate atmosphere and I enjoyed it.

Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JanJackflash

I really like the melody and lyrics!

I think the song would also work very well in a higher tempo with more instruments.

Yea this is a nice simple lay out and performed well, Nice lyrics !!. The guitar has a flanger sort of a sound to it, A honestly think if the guitar was a bit more clearer this would stand out better !!!.

tHANKS

This is a great sounding song Scott. I particularly like the lyrics.

Good job!

Mario, Will, Derochette,Alexander, Beatmaster, and David:

Thanks so much for listening and providing feedback!