Beloved Stranger

This began while listening to U2`s The Ground Beneath Her Feet; hmm I thought, lyrics by Salman Rushdie; how would a rock ballad sound with the shades of meaning that you find in a novel? I don`t think this is quite there, lyrically, but it was fun to write and record with Scott fully invested in the project as always.
The mix is Scott`s (we always both create a mix as we hear the song and then duel for supremacy...Scott`s just captured the feel of the song better this time.
Thanks for your listens and any comments that fit.

Robert


RealBass 1268 El.PopUplift Ev120
ReaDrums POpRock8ths
RT 3642 El. Gtr DublinPop
RT 2459 Piano NewAge
RT 3648 Gtr Ac.IndieFolkPush
RT 3554 StringQuartet PopHall

Beloved Stranger

they say the moon
the moon is held by the sun
Moon Girl show me my orbit
tell me how I`m spun

I waited through winter
teach me the beauty of spring
your fierce grace killing kindness
giving life a sweet sting

heedless of yesterday
of today let there be no end
`til you tell me everything
all am in this world depends
on my beloved
beloved stranger

did we trade passion
passion for the heart`s steady hum
still I dare to believe believe
there are joys to come

we walk the lover`s median
between the known and the unknown
delight in all we`ve hidden
til our cover`s blown
my beloved
beloved stranger

heedless of yesterday
of today let there be no end
`til you tell me everything
all am in this world depends
on my beloved
beloved stranger


© Robert Cordrey Aug. 2022

Robert...you and Scott are such a great team...I really like the melody and your vocal delivery...kind of a Neil Young vibe...the rhythm is captivating and engaging and Scott's guitar work is stellar as usual...I enjoyed the listen...well done...Dan

Thanks Dan for checking out the song. Your comments are very much appreciated

"they say the moon
the moon is held by the sun
Moon Girl show me my orbit
tell me how I`m spun"

Excellent opening verse!

Scott's guitar bits throughout the verses are a perfect fit. I love the solo, but especially the guitar ending.

You've created an other worldly feel with the instrumentation and melody. Nice one!

I like the way you came out of the gate and just attacked the vocal. Really great. Lyrics were a treat as always. I would quote something but I wouldn't know where to start, the whole thing is poetry. Guitar was icing. Strings were oh so nice. Listened several times. Total treat.

What nice to see/hear how you both are working more and more again together, Robbert and Scott!
I enjoyed this very nice song of yours a lot!
Of course very nice (but also a bit difficult) lyrics that are sung with your signature voice, Robbert.
Always a joy to listen to.

But I also enjoyed the guitarplay of Scott a lot. Scott, you were experimenting a bit with it here?
Sounds very good and I had to laugh (a bit) hearing the end of the song where you hit the snares unexpectedly.

Very enjoyable song,
Hans

Robert & Scott,

A terrific listen.
The tracks are really nicely put together. A great sound.
One of your best vocals, Robert.
Scott's guitar sounds good.

A really good mix.

Enjoyed.

fj

Thank you for those positive comments!



I appreciate that; I know I`m no Bono, but its nice to get supportive comments on the vocals.
Scott always delivers on guitar - and , invariably, we hardly need to back`n forth much on what fits the song.





Hans,
I think that ending was my late addition- hope it works!
The lyrics are intentionally a bit highbrow, but thankfully you can always listen to Scott`s guitar!
Thank you for listening and commenting.


Robert

“we walk the lover`s median 

between the known
and the unknown

delight in all we`ve hidden

til our cover`s blown

my beloved

beloved stranger”

Some of our fav lines of many.

We do agree with the Neil Young vibe pointed out by Firesong.
(A good thing in our book).

The vocal and guitar performances well deliver the lyric, melody and the backing tracks support the feel with their choice and mix.

For us you achieved your goal!

Well done.

J&B

Robert and Scott,

I like the vocal line in this song.
Beautiful music and awesome guitar!

Anne-Marie

Robert and Scott,

It's a light and happy sound in the backtrack! The guitar fills really work nicely! Robert you always write great lyrics and know how to deliver them in your own unique style that sounds excellent!

Thanks, Torrey

Hi Robert and Scott,

Thought I had already commented on this a few days ago, guess I forgot to press send

Excellent lyric and vocal, and Scott always seems to add the perfect part.

I've always been a fan of your collaborations, nice to see you working together again.

Thanks Scott, TM and Hans. Your comments are very much appreciated. Really glad you liked the song...

Thanks for your listen and always supportive comments, Floyd!




J&B,
I appreciate those positive comments: thank you!



That`s very kind, Anne-Marie; thank you for listening.



I agree Scott embellishes nicely on this; thank you!

Robert

Double post - sorry!

Robert & Scott ...

Robert, your lyrics always come a cross to me as the lyricist's version of a great poet. You have an uncanny way with words that is remarkable. And your trademark vocals are always so dang nice. Truly amazing!

And Scott, you know haow to make your guitars speak. They carry the same weight as Robert's wonderful lyric. When I see something from the two of you, I know it's gonna be good. This is more proof.

Truly excellent!

Alan

Thanks Floyd, Janice and Bud, and Rob and Anne-Marie for the kind words. Really appreciate your comments. Glad you liked the song

Interesting idea, Scott.
It may be my ears but I think you could up the vocal a little.
It seems to me to get lost behind the guitar. Nice guitar tone though.

Vic

So many things to praise...
-good selection of drums and the rhythm guitars
-strings are mixed very well
-Scott's guitar playing and effects, especially the intro wakes the interest
-lovely lyrics, with many beautiful pearls like "did we trade passion ... for the heart's steady hum", "your fierce grace killing kindness/giving life a sweet sting" and talking about the beauty of spring is bit of a sting when the first snow has just arrived here
-great vocals, I enjoyed especially the "still I dare to believe believe/there are joys to come" part
-the beauty in the melody and in the chords contains a strange spiritual feeling that I rarely experience in music, definitely more than the sum of all the parts.

Janne

Thank you for your support,Dave... more in the pipeline from us.






Alan,
Those are very kind comments; thank you!



Vic,
I think Scott got the vocal/band balance right, but thanks for giving this a listen.






Janne,
A most satisfying review to read; your last sentence about our music is one of the nicest things anyone has said about Spirit Level. Thank you very much!


Robert

Thanks everyone for checking out the song. Really appreciate your comments. Glad you liked the song..

Robert, you and Scott always deliver some of the most creative and unique songs. The lyrics are poetic, the mix is great, the vocal is passionate and the guitar lines compliment the feel perfectly. Well done, Tom

Sheer poetry. The trademark Robert fragility and sensitivity wrapped up in a love song. Stunning, from the nuanced lyric writing to the incredible (yes, absolutely incredible) singing, guitar and production. What can I say, except for: please keep the music coming. Balm for the soul, and much needed for us all. Thanks for sharing!

Hi Robert
Great song
Sounds excellent and creates a great mood
Not least because of your excellent singing
Also the ending is really cool
Great work
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

What? How could I have missed this? I seek out Spirit Level songs. This post was over 2 weeks ago. Sheesh.

Man, I really like the flow of this. Scott won, huh? I'd like to hear both versions --always. The mix is perfect, and I really like how your guitar plays well with the strings, Scott. Excellent lyrics as always, Robert, and you plow right through the difficult assignment with apparent ease. I really like the whole idea of the song, and the way you guys developed it.

Thanks everyone again for taking the time to listen to the song. Really appreciate your feedback. Glad you liked the song

Robert and Scott,

Robert, you are a true storyteller. You are a true troubadour.
Scott's guitar supports this song really well.
I think your collaboration is one of the best on the forum.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Always great to hear another Spirit Level tune!! You guys have created such a cool sound together!! I think production and mix carry the composition across very nicely...particularly the strings/guitar combo!! More good stuff from SL!! Take care. Greg

Great vocal with some of the best lyrics around

Great groove and a super backing band

Fantastic guitar chops and guitar tone

I really enjoyed this

Many thanks for your listens and comments Tom, James, Andi, Marti, Shigeki, Greg and Mario.

Robert

Hi Robertkc

nice song full of sweetness both in its lyrics and in the orchestration. (nice use of the RT 3554). It is well done. I appreciated.

Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

Robert,

Man, I love that chorus section, it's a beautiful sound! You always have such deep lyrics and deliver them in your own unique style! Scott's guitar fills compliment the song nicely and they sound good!

Thanks, T

SL,
Another gem. Cool Indie tune. Can't go wrong with Robert's lyrics. Nice guitar by Scott. Good drive & good mix. Excellent addition to Spirit Level catalog. Enjoyed it and thank you for sharing.

Misha.