I knew this guy. Many years ago.
Maybe you knew him, too...


ANY PORT IN A STORM


he's hell-bent on finding
the ghost of garbo
with that golden key to his heart
that lady of ladies
that link to pure love
that line on a heavenly art
but he marks out his watch
in an unlikely place
for the queen of romance to appear
the prey is so easy
in this jukebox saloon
when he wins he's not sure that he cares

  any port in a storm
  a boy must keep himself warm
  any port in a storm

the life of the party
that prince charming smile
the little boy is an easy sell
quick to give in
for the sake of a friend
he knows he plays his modest well
another cinderellla's ready to try
to fill the dream he's hoping to find
and he wouldn't want to miss
that magical kiss
when love takes him from behind

  any port in a storm
  a boy must keep himself warm
  any port in a storm

now, who's to say
who turned out
to be less than the other planned
don't waste time
looking behind
find a woman to lend a hand

  any port in a storm
  a boy must keep himself warm
  any port in a storm




The production here is a "tribute" to one of my all-time favorite songs.
If you know the song, you'll likely recognize the sound/style.
It (the production "model") is not used often - which has always surprised me.

The Band:

RealTracks in song: 908:Bass, Electric, SmoothBallad Ev16 065
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 2066:Piano, Rhythm NewAgeAnswers Ev16 110
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 2100:Piano, Rhythm PopModernGrooveSync4s Ev16 075
RealTracks in song: 1064:Trumpet, Soloist SmoothJazzBallad Ev16 065


Comments always welcomed.
Have at it.

floyd

Beautiful song!!! Beautifully written, arranged, and sung by a man who knows how to do it. I don't think I know the song it's modeled after, but I'd like to hear it. The vocal and melody with the lovely chord changes really bring the melancholy loneliness home. The metaphor (title) works perfectly, and most of us know a character like this. I love the lonely sound of the horn and the rich reverb which makes it sound like a voice calling in the distance. Sometimes the playing is a little busy I feel, but such is the limitations when we can't have these musicians in our living rooms. Wonderful job Floyd!! Take care. Greg

Even before I listen to your work I know Im in for a treat.
Great work all round Floyd.
Rob

Hi Floyd,
Greg is much better than me expressing my thoughts.
I totally agree except that the horn is too busy. I perceive it as perfect. This is another one I can't stop listening to.

Guenter

Wow Floyd! I like this a lot!

The haunting trumpet reminds me of the one in Henley's NEW YORK MINUTE, but that's about the only thing in the song that steers my thinking in that direction.

This is the most reverb I can remember hearing in any of your songs, and I like it. It can be problematic when people use it to disguise a bad mix, but used to produce a mournful mood as you've done here I think it works quite well. But then I like reverb even when it's used too much.

I loved your opening lines:

where do you come up with stuff like that?? That would never cross my mind in a million years!

I also liked the line
Actually, I like every single line, but those two struck me in particular.

The interaction between the piano and the trumpet is just phenomenal! The dynamics in the piano are particularly enviable.

I liked the way you allowed the trumpet to end in its own time. It adds a wistfulness that would have been diminished if you went for the clean ending.

I have more to say, but I'll stop there and wait ti see what others have to say. Congratulations on maintaining your perfect batting record of nothing but home runs for years in a row!

Hi Floyd. Really enjoyed the lyrics (which are not too obvious) and the phrasing which keeps me a little off balance.
Usual great production and vocal.
Not so keen on the trumpet. Cheers.

A very good piece of work Floyd!
Very cool lyrics and once again very well sung.
That trumpet works beautifully.

Rob

Floyd I know I've got to jump in early when you release a song, Otherwise all the great comments have already been said. I could not agree more with all the previous posts. Great song as usual for you.

Beautiful Floyd ! Good balance between the trumpet and the vocal.... Enjoyed my listen....

Floyd,
Really liked the intro and outro a lot - sounded great.
Excellent lyrics, beautifully recorded vocal and great performance.
In two minds about the trumpet where it competes with the vocal in the chorus - but it's growing on me.
A very well written sophisticated song.

Very nice! Great lyrics!!!

Greg - Thanks for all of that... coming from someone who writes the way you do, it's much appreciated...

A bit later, I will link the "model" song I am referring to... it is the production that I am "borrowing", not the song itself (it is a masterpiece of songwriting, so I wouldn't want to be butting up against it..). The amount of trumpet used in this is directly influenced by the "model"..

Love it.

The reverb on the trumpet is PERFECT! Love the way it floats there in the background.

Piano and bass were the only way to go on this.

Good calls on the production. It's easy to add stuff just because you can.... good to see the restraint you used on this.

Cool ending with the trumpet taking it out.....

Wow, beautiful, I know what it reminds me of. I think it was Randy Brecker's solo on Meeting Across The River. Doesn't matter, your vocal is excellent and choice of chords made me think of J.D. Souther in places, of course these are only my references, you can count on someone disagreeing with that, that doesn't matter either.

Thanks, Rob... nice of you to say...

Thanks, Guenter. Nice to know the trumpet "works" for your ear...

Dang Boy!!! You got Mad Skills!!!! Great Song!!!!!!!!!

Hi Floyd. Any sailing metaphor has me hooked from the start. Really lovely. Love those horns. Would love to know the song it is based on. Reminded me of Joshua Kadison but I don't think that is it 'cause I never heard horns in his stuff.

Floyd,

I really like this one a lot - love how the trumpet follows your vocal throughout the song... Very cool.

Bob

Ok...here is my only complaint...could you please just pick ONE thing to be good at? Is it really necessary to do every aspect of a song right on your own? Rant over.

After reading the comments referring to reverb, I was somewhat expecting not to like it. For me, reverb can be used poorly fast, and ruin a song. Yours however is truly, masterfully done. I have NO idea how you do that!? It's lush, rich, with the exact parameters needed.

I totally get this isn't the song you are referring to, but...the horn, reverb,and atmosphere you created reminds me of "Careless Whisper." I'm not someone that goes around listening to it, but that song also created such an intentional mood using some of your same devices.

I was sort of expecting to hear a mic get dropped at the end of the song. I'm not sure if you will get that reference? Great job my friend!