Through the 16th and 17th centuries, European explorers searched for a legendary (mythical) "City Of Gold" - El Dorado - in the New World ... (see below links to learn more)

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/archaeology-and-history/archaeology/el-dorado/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Dorado

In 1849, Edgar Allan Poe published a poem about the search for El Dorado.
I will post that below...

In 1979, The Philadelphia Inquirer published a 2-page story about an all-night diner in the bowels of downtown Philly... and the cast of characters that found their way there in the wee hours of the morning. The El Dorado Diner. (I tried, but could not find an archve of the story).


I combined it all into a song (a rather long one - there was a lot to tell).
There are references to the Poe poem - which you will only "get" by reading the poem (the post below this - it's quite short).
Most of the characters in the song came from the Philadelphia Inquirer article.

Telling the story (singing the song) with just an acoustic guitar is "okay", but lacks something...
That "something" is now available (to me... to us), by the magic that is provided by Band-In-A-Box.
May the golden gods bless everyone at PG Music for giving us this incredible gift!!!


EL DORADO

he stops in the door til he's noticed
shouts that he's journeyed long
from somewhere in space
but they all know his face
old man, quit putting us on

the food and the coffee are cheap here
so the talk fits in just fine
spaceman orders pot roast
potatoes and gravy
gets the coffee for his panhandled dimes

   your search for el dorado
   is coming to a close
   the city is cold
   where shadows unfold
   to reveal what the gallant night knows

they drink their filled of what they can afford
then flock to the el dorado
the bars have all closed
each of them knows
there's no other place he can go

the sign in the window invites "tables for ladies"
but no lady would ever come near
so they provide their own company
talk to themselves
or to the shadows that directed them here

   your search for el dorado
   is coming to a close
   the city is cold
   where shadows unfold
   to reveal what the gallant night knows

the general talks of the big war
he bought his bravery from a man down the street
a pawn shop hero
battling beer
oh, too often he falls in defeat

joseph is a prophet of doom
the stock market will crash, wait and see
so jimmy gave his savings
for holy cross in the seventh
doc gives them opinions for free

   your search for el dorado
   is coming to a close
   the city is cold
   where shadows unfold
   to reveal what the gallant night knows

swaying to the jukebox while doc sing along
JP serves his ghetto gourmets
a spatula for his septor
a crew cut for his crown
his kingdom, this all-night cafe

jimmy and the general dream of winning
the spaceman and the prophet watch the door
JP and the ladies
who never come near
dance one final waltz 'round the floor

   your search for el dorado
   is coming to a close
   the city is cold
   where shadows unfold
   to reveal what the gallant night knows
   the gallant night knows





The Golden BAND:

Style is _JBALADP.STY (Jazz Ballad with Piano (85 RS))

RealTracks in style: ~481:Bass, Acoustic, Jazz Ballad Sw 085
RealTracks in style: ~487:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Jazz Ballad Sw 085
RealTracks in song: ~750:Sax, Tenor, Soloist Jazz Ballad Sw 060
RealDrums in style: JazzTerryClarke^02-a,b:Brushes



I hope you enjoy the journey.
The search continues...

floyd

Eldorado
By Edgar Allan Poe

Gaily bedight,
A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
Had journeyed long,
Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.

But he grew old—
This knight so bold—
And o’er his heart a shadow—
Fell as he found
No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.

And, as his strength
Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow—
‘Shadow,’ said he,
‘Where can it be—
This land of Eldorado?’

‘Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,’
The shade replied,—
‘If you seek for Eldorado!’


Source: The Complete Poems and Stories of Edgar Allan Poe

floyd,

Well that was stunning. Wonderful story telling, melodic chorus, nice jazz band (an unexpected twist) and no surprises an excellent vocal.
Lots of talent on display and another excellent song to add to your list.

Peter

Well, it's exactly as you described it, with exactly the same level of polish I'd expect from you.

More importantly, I enjoyed the listen.

WOW!!!!!!! What a tale, what a vibe, what a production, and WHAT a vocal....love the performance and the rich sound!! This is absolutely captivating, ABSOLUTELY!!! Some of the best writing I've ever heard ANYWHERE!!!! This is pure DORADO!!!!! Wonderful Floyd!!!! Take care. Greg

A bit of Tom Waits with a gallery of characters ankle deep in life archived by an excellent melody and a fine, fine, fine voice.
Up there with the sipp'n whiskey Floyd.

Well, that has to be one of the coolest songs I've ever heard on this site!

Really well done, Floyd, loved everything about it.

Floyd,

I'm blown away by this song...

I love the way you have put this together and also the way it showcases your versatility.

"swaying to the jukebox while doc sing along
JP serves his ghetto gourmets
a spatula for his septor
a crew cut for his crown
his kingdom, this all-night cafe"

AMAZING STUFF!

Bob

Great work on this Floyd! Quite enjoyed the overall vibe to this. Thanks for sharing!

gallant night (knight) love it

stretching the writing muscles !!!

a fine write, great presentation

reminds me of BJ Piano Man (great scenery, fleshed out characters)

It's like I know these guys, I've wandered into this place needing a late night caffeine fix

I can smell the grease and feel the dying dreams

feel a bond with these soldiers

enjoyed the heck out of it,

Kenny

Floyd,

This is really cool. I like arrangement you chose for this.

I can totally hear Tom Waits doing this. In fact, it sounded very much like a Tom Waits song to me, just sung by someone with a silky smooth voice, and not a truck load of gravel.

Great write man!!!

Pure wonderful story telling here. Love all the imaginary. I sure it was challenging to write but you pulled it off masterfully. Reminds me of Jimmy Webb's storytelling. The vocals are excellent and love the foreboding melody. The instruments provide a sassy, jazzy sort of 1920s backdrop for this story. Great prosody!!!

what a mix, what a story, what a song, and what a singer.


Excellent sound all round on this.

Really enjoyed this.

Thanks for that very nice review, Peter!!

Floyd,

One of the best lyrics I`ve ever read on this site ( yup, they make a darn good read without the music),and the music is just right to get the feel of that diner and those brokedown characters.
Brilliant in all respects!

Robert

Thanks, David. Glad you enjoyed it...

cool take on some jazz. I like reading the poems of the classic writers.

Very nice feel. The story and the band bring images from time of gold rush. Excellent arrangement and vocals.

Janne

With my bronchitis I'm not supposed to be around smoke; but this club was worth it!

I'm not kidding when I say I NEVER know what your songs are going to sound like. Seriously. Over the course of a few months think of the styles you've covered.Saying it's a Floyd Jane song only gives you that it will be a well written, well produced, well delivered song. Beyond that...you'll just have to listen.

You know I love the "mood" a song creates. This is ALL mood with a great story. What an ambitious lyric write that is pulled off (seemingly) effortlessly.



This line specifically gave me goose bumps/pimples/? with how you sang it. Your timbre was PERFECTION for it. The whole song was sung really well.

I found the bongo solo in the middle out of place though (just seeing if you are paying attention). The sax was beautiful as was the treatment of the bass and drums.

That's all I've got without going on too long. Great song man! Great song!

Excellently thought out, written, sung, & produced...
I also liked the play on Poe's words, like your use of "to reveal what the gallant night knows"...
It makes me wonder...
If Poe were alive today would he only be a poet, or would he also be a songwriter presenting songs on this forum?