|
|
|
|
#253410 - 06/11/14 02:58 PM
[User Showcase]
Choking
|
|
Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 10212
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 10212
Loc: Florida
|
1978 (or thereabouts) I lived in Lindenwold, NJ. I've mentioned that before in another song from that era. To suppliment the few acoustic-solo-act jobs I could find, I got a job waiting tables at what appeared to be a former Steak and Ale (that Tudor-type building) on the fabulous White Horse Pike. At that time, the restaurant was owned/run by Lola who would play accordian and sing from the small stage, dressed as if she had been a Las Vegas showgirl 20 years prior. (but that's another story...) One day as we were rolling setups, one of the waitresses began complaining about how bad her life was. I listened. She just needed that. Then... I put it all in a song. This is her story... CHOKING i've been here since ten this morning there's no end in sight just my luck, i get stuck with all the drunks tonight when it comes to talking troubles i might raise my voice i'm working as a waitress cause i've got no choice my feet hurt so badly i can barely stand that busboy's so damn lazy he won't lend a hand another dollar tip another pack of kents i'd quit right now if i knew how else to pay my rent sometimes i wonder what it's all for life's just a b-movie with no back door is this someone's idea of a clever joke since i was seventeen i've been choking my old man past away seven years it's been a heart attack at fifty-two his job did him in you bust your [*****] all your life but it never pays he left me here with nothing but three kids to raise i'm forty-six tommorow you think my children care it gets to where you count on them not being there they say to set your sights on the highest star that's just to keep you from seeing where you really are sometimes i wonder what it's all for life's just a b-movie with no back door is this someone's idea of a clever joke since i was seventeen i've been choking The band... MIDI SuperTracks in song: 2066:Piano, Rhythm NewAgeAnswers Ev16 110 PianoCustom Synth is Hi-Q 001 01 Piano, Acoustic, Grand SampleTank.tgs RealTracks in song: 1856:Cello, Background PopCountry Ev RealTracks in song: 1173:Accordion, Rhythm PopCalypso Ev 100 Comments of any kind.... Have at it. floyd
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253412 - 06/11/14 03:02 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: floyd jane]
|
|
Registered: 02/11/03
Posts: 2426
Loc: Warwickshire, UK
Veteran
Registered: 02/11/03
Posts: 2426
Loc: Warwickshire, UK
|
Totally beautiful Floyd. A superb song in a perfect setting. My, what a voice and delivery you have.
John
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253418 - 06/11/14 04:10 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: floyd jane]
|
|
Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 6571
Loc: Davis, CA
Veteran
Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 6571
Loc: Davis, CA
|
Floyd, I've sincerely liked everything I've heard from you, but this is a whole other level. Absolutely beautiful!! It all works perfectly. Love the processing on the vocal. What did you use for that (mic, pre, fx)? Wonderful work! Take care. Greg
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253432 - 06/11/14 08:09 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: floyd jane]
|
|
Registered: 05/23/10
Posts: 1719
Loc: New Zealand
Expert
Registered: 05/23/10
Posts: 1719
Loc: New Zealand
|
Very beautiful in my opinion. Love the drama of the lyrics. Without a rhythm section there is plenty of backing (the piano sounds amazing, so tasteful) but your voice and the story stand out magnificently. The introductory paragraph sets the song up well. Admire everything about this one. Cheers.
Edited by RichMac (06/11/14 08:17 PM)
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253437 - 06/11/14 08:39 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: RichMac]
|
|
Registered: 05/02/14
Posts: 3627
Loc: The Netherlands
Veteran
Registered: 05/02/14
Posts: 3627
Loc: The Netherlands
|
A beautiful, but pretty dramatic song.. You've got a really nice country timbre in your voice. We (Europeans) have to work pretty hard for that  Regards, R & AM
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253445 - 06/11/14 09:57 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: floyd jane]
|
|
Registered: 04/07/13
Posts: 7146
Loc: South Carolina
Veteran
Registered: 04/07/13
Posts: 7146
Loc: South Carolina
|
This is a good song and production. Enjoyed listening. I felt it was the perfect song and lyrical message to understate the music as you did.
Charlie
_________________________
BIAB Ultra Pak+ 2022:RB 2022, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253447 - 06/11/14 10:10 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: floyd jane]
|
|
Registered: 07/15/12
Posts: 1831
Expert
Registered: 07/15/12
Posts: 1831
|
Wow! I want to write one like this! Your vocal phrasing here is amazing. The melody is not a simple one against the sparse instrumental background of your chosen palette and you nailed it. The instruments that you went with are nothing short of inspired! And the lyrics could not be more perfect, a superb portrait of your heroine. They evoke the very best of Tom Waits to me.
Edited by gruverider (06/11/14 10:12 PM)
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253464 - 06/12/14 12:53 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: floyd jane]
|
|
Registered: 05/30/08
Posts: 4997
Loc: Gulf Coast
Veteran
Registered: 05/30/08
Posts: 4997
Loc: Gulf Coast
|
Very moving song with a great vocal. Really like the piano too.
Josie
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253480 - 06/12/14 08:51 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: floyd jane]
|
|
Registered: 06/22/12
Posts: 2885
Loc: Karlsruhe, Germany
Veteran
Registered: 06/22/12
Posts: 2885
Loc: Karlsruhe, Germany
|
Hi Floyd,
as others have already said: It's just beautiful.
And I like the background story.
Another one of your songs that really reached
my heart.
Guenter
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253490 - 06/12/14 11:33 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: Greg Johnson]
|
|
Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 10212
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 10212
Loc: Florida
|
Totally beautiful Floyd. A superb song in a perfect setting. My, what a voice and delivery you have. John John - very nice of you to say - and very nice to see you around - I hope it means we'll be hearing something from you soon!! The voice "is what it is" - and has changed a little over the last few years... the delivery - well, I've had this song for a very long time - and the fact that it was written about a specific (and real) person factors in to how I deliver it... thanks again... Floyd, I've sincerely liked everything I've heard from you, but this is a whole other level. Absolutely beautiful!! It all works perfectly. Love the processing on the vocal. What did you use for that (mic, pre, fx)? Wonderful work! Take care. Greg Greg - That's nice to hear. Thank you. Vocal recording: AT4033a (mic) to an Aphex 107 pre-amp (a good reputation - discontinued - but you can still find them for about $100(?) - Guitar Center has a used one listed for 69 I think..) then an Alesis 3630. fx - iZotope Nectar preset - Alternative and Indie - In Your Face - I probably tweaked the EQ - I usually do - followed by Focusrite Scarlett Reverb - settings - size=35% pre-filter=60% Air=60% Mix=35% I've been toying a LOT with vocals lately and I'm finding that each song is quite unique in what it requires. It is maddening sometimes...
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253494 - 06/12/14 11:53 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: Charlie Fogle]
|
|
Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 10212
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 10212
Loc: Florida
|
Very beautiful in my opinion. Love the drama of the lyrics. Without a rhythm section there is plenty of backing (the piano sounds amazing, so tasteful) but your voice and the story stand out magnificently. The introductory paragraph sets the song up well. Admire everything about this one. Cheers. Richard - So I guess this one had enough of a story for ya?  I'm glad you like it. The piano - one of the SuperMIDI tracks - they are nice to use, but not as easy to audition... There were no piano RTs that provided what I was after for this, so I "went looking"... A beautiful, but pretty dramatic song.. You've got a really nice country timbre in your voice. We (Europeans) have to work pretty hard for that Regards, R & AM Thanks y'all! You guys don't sound "European" to me when you sing - in fact, I was wondering if you were transplants... This is a good song and production. Enjoyed listening. I felt it was the perfect song and lyrical message to understate the music as you did. Charlie Charlie - thanks for the listen and the nice comment...
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253498 - 06/12/14 12:30 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: floyd jane]
|
|
Registered: 12/05/11
Posts: 11794
Loc: GA USA
Veteran
Registered: 12/05/11
Posts: 11794
Loc: GA USA
|
Stronger than a garlic milkshake, that one is. I reached
down in my superlative basket and there's nothing good
enough to hang on this one.
I'm not gonna parse out all the wonderful details but I
will say that if someone isn't moved by this then they have
a very serious emotive deficit.
We're gonna add this to our 25 top three fj songs!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253507 - 06/12/14 02:31 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: floyd jane]
|
|
Registered: 06/23/06
Posts: 2159
Loc: WEST MIDLANDS, UK
Veteran
Registered: 06/23/06
Posts: 2159
Loc: WEST MIDLANDS, UK
|
Magnificent writing Floyd and delivery.
Listening to this, and the harshness and hardship of some folks lives, it was me who was choking.
Superb storytelling - did your "waitress lady" ever hear this?
Wonderful
cheers
ian
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253557 - 06/13/14 04:20 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: floyd jane]
|
|
Registered: 05/12/12
Posts: 2766
Loc: South Africa
Veteran
Registered: 05/12/12
Posts: 2766
Loc: South Africa
|
My goodness Floyd, what a sad song. I kept hoping for a happy ending.
A definite departure from your usual style.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
Right now I'm off to have a whisky to cheer myself up.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253579 - 06/13/14 08:02 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: floyd jane]
|
|
Registered: 07/08/03
Posts: 654
Loc: Sulphur Springs, TX
Journeyman
Registered: 07/08/03
Posts: 654
Loc: Sulphur Springs, TX
|
Great job. Enjoyed it a lot. Very pretty.
_________________________
"The desire for fame is the last infirmity cast off even by the wise."
Cornelius Tacitus
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253601 - 06/13/14 09:56 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: floyd jane]
|
|
Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 3495
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 3495
Loc: Florida
|
floyd, I used to work alongside this grizzled old cigar chomping ex marine who offhandedly says to me one day...The definition of a pessimist is an optimist with experience. It hit me then that life is a struggle for everyone and it all comes down to attitude as to how well you handle your struggle. This song is a perfect slice of real life staged with a character that most of us might have seen at one time or another. Brilliant writing ! The vocal is close to perfect in delivering the emotion and still telling the story. The phrasing is trademark fj. Piano sounds good. Mix is good. Vocal processing sounds top shelf. Nectar2 has some great presets. As a slice of life song, they don't get any better than this. Great stuff, Tom
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253629 - 06/13/14 02:08 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: boehm]
|
|
Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 10212
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 10212
Loc: Florida
|
Wow! I want to write one like this! Your vocal phrasing here is amazing. The melody is not a simple one against the sparse instrumental background of your chosen palette and you nailed it. The instruments that you went with are nothing short of inspired! And the lyrics could not be more perfect, a superb portrait of your heroine. They evoke the very best of Tom Waits to me. Geez, Lawrence... that's just a few too many nice things to handle all at once. LOL. "write one like that.." - I know when I say that it's pretty high praise - been doing it a lot lately - listening to Brandy Clark's "12 Stories" - maybe the best country CD ever penned - songwriting the way it should be done! Appreciate the note on instrumentation. I was going for the feeling you get when you watch a piano singer-songwriter doing this type of song. Kind of surprised that no one has noted the piano track choice... and "..the very best of Tom Waits" - I might have to print that out and tack it on my wall! Very moving song with a great vocal. Really like the piano too. Josie Thanks Josie. Appreciate that... Hi Floyd,
as others have already said: It's just beautiful.
And I like the background story.
Another one of your songs that really reached
my heart. Guenter Guenter - Thank you. Always good to know when a song touches the right places...
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253638 - 06/13/14 03:54 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: floyd jane]
|
|
Registered: 04/20/10
Posts: 5136
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 04/20/10
Posts: 5136
Loc: Florida
|
I remember the White Horse Pike well. Lola too. We called her Lo-Lo-Lo-La-Lola.  Another keeper. Gonna have to make a 3 CD bootleg this year. Keep em comin' Col. Bob Parker Authentic fj Bootlegs, Inc. 2nd Trailer On The Left Pine Barrens, N.J.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253658 - 06/13/14 06:14 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: floyd jane]
|
|
Registered: 03/02/13
Posts: 4254
Loc: Helsinki, Finland
Veteran
Registered: 03/02/13
Posts: 4254
Loc: Helsinki, Finland
|
Hi, Floyd !
What a wonderful write !
I am taken by your mastery
of both writing and
delivering your songs !
This is no easy song to sing
but you nailed it completely !
I am amazed !:))
Cheers
Dani
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#253663 - 06/13/14 06:38 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Choking
[Re: dani48]
|
|
Registered: 08/24/07
Posts: 1780
Loc: Florida, USA
Expert
Registered: 08/24/07
Posts: 1780
Loc: Florida, USA
|
Wow Floyd! I envy you guys whom are able to put into words and create a beautiful song like this one. I could never do that, that's one of the many gifts I do not have. I have to be content with being inspired by something and compose an instrumental. Wonderful stuff as usual my friend (if I may call you that).
Mike B.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box® 2022 for Mac® Bonus PAKs!
Purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2022 during our Mac special (ending July 15th) and you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK*!
What does the Free Bonus PAK include?
-MIDI SuperTracks Set 34: Blues Piano and Organ (9 MSTs)
-Instrumental Studies 16: Fusion Guitar Soloing (6 studies)
-Artist Performance Set 11: Songs with Vocals volume 1 (20 songs)
-RealDrums Stems Set 1 (20 RealDrums stems)
-MIDI Styles Set 84: Look Ma! More MIDI 7 (complete, 15 styles)
-Over 400 playable RealTracks (sfz sforzando files)
-RealCombos Booster PAK (30 New RealStyles, 26 Existing RealStyles, 109 RT's/RD's)
Want even more? Boost your Free Bonus PAK to the 49-PAK for $49 to add:
-60 Bonus RT/RD (20 more than in previous years)
-MIDI SuperTracks Set 35: All Guitar (5 MSTs)
-Instrumental Studies 17: Classic Country Guitar Soloing (6 studies)
-Artist Performance Set 12: Songs with Vocals volume 2 (20 songs)
-RealDrums Stems Set 2 (20 RealDrums stems)
-Look Ma! More MIDI 8 (complete, 15 styles)
Learn more...
*excluding the $49 version upgrade purchase.
Holiday Hours - Canada Day (July 1, 2022)
We are celebrating Canada Day on Friday, July 1st - but we're still here!
Our Customer Service hours that day are adjusted to:
Friday, July 1: 8am-4pm PDT
Regular Hours resume Saturday, July 2nd.
www.pgmusic.com/contact.htm
Happy Independence Day to our USA friends on Monday, July 4th!
New Band-in-a-Box® 2022 Add-ons are Here!
We're excited to say that we've just released some amazing new RealStyles with XPro Styles PAKs 2 & 3 and Xtra Styles PAK 13 for Band-in-a-Box® 2022 for Windows or Mac!
XPro Styles PAK 2 includes 100 fresh new RealStyles that will up the utility and fun factor of the Band-in-a-Box® Pro version by adding 25 rock and pop styles, 25 jazz styles, 25 country styles, and 25 folk styles! XPro Styles PAK 3 goes even further - not only is it packed 100 new RealStyles, it includes 35 RealTracks that are not included with a Pro or MegaPAK purchase - adding even more versatility to what these can do! Sink your teeth into 25 rock/pop styles, 25 jazz/funk styles, 25 country/bluegrass styles, and 25 styles featuring a mix of genres ranging from high energy electro swing to ambient grooves and everything in between.
With the new Xtra Styles PAK 13, we're going to make the number thirteen lucky again! There are 200 new RealStyles for Rock/Pop, Jazz, Country, and Singer-Songwriter. Some examples of what's included: Mellow soundtrack rock, Americana country lullaby, western swing big band, coffee house jazz waltz, jazzy jump blues, songwriter gospel ballad, fast indie rock, vintage clav funk, country pop march, and much, much more!
And they're all ON SALE until July 15th! Purchase Xtra Styles PAKs or XPro Styles PAKs for only $29 per PAK (regular price $49 each)!
Purchase XPro Styles PAKs
Purchase Xtra Styles PAKs
Learn more & watch our video demonstrations
Band-in-a-Box® 2022 for Mac is here!
There are 50+ new features, 222 new RealTracks (20 more than we've released in previous versions), new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, Artist Performances, Xtra Styles PAK 13, XPro Styles PAKs 2 & 3, New "playable RealTracks" Hi-Q sounds, 2 sets of "RealDrums Stems," and more!
We're having a SALE on Band-in-a-Box® 2022 Upgrade purchases until July 15, 2022 - save up to 50% when you purchase a Band-in-a-Box® 2022 for Mac Upgrade!
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some amazing Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Mac 2022 packages! For more even more Add-ons (including 60 Unreleased RealTracks!), upgrade it to the 2022 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Learn more about all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2022 for Mac.
How to: Opening Multiple Instances of Band-in-a-Box®
How to: Replacing a MIDI Track with an Audio Track (RealBand)
How to: Setup and Record with a MIDI Keyboard in Band-in-a-Box® for Windows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36210 Members
64 Forums
74848 Topics
657298 Posts
Max Online: 2537 @ 01/19/20 07:09 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous Topic
Index
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean