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https://soundcloud.com/user-47797156/dance-little-sister

I wrote this song years ago to cheer up my beautiful, Christian little sister who had temporarily gotten connected as a young teen to one of those mini-cults for whom seemingly everything humanly enjoyable was a sin and to which there was a demon in every doorknob. They didn't like her dancing, and made no bones about it.

I wrote it on acoustic in a major key (or at least using major chords) but it didn't really work until I revisited it in a minor key (or at least with minor chords).

It was one of the first "already written" songs I transcribed to BIAB and found a nice midi style, key, and tempo in the Raycharles style...especially appropriate since he is my all-time favorite male vocalist. I thought it might be fun in this remix/remaster to include a bit of the song in that style at the beginning.

Eventually I sent the BIAB demo to a friend and frequent collaborator, Phil Close intending for him to make this simple little ditty a showcase for his awesome percussion and drum skills. My instruction to him was "Go Nuts!". Clearly, he took me up on it, changing just about everything except key and tempo. I won't give away his secrets, but the band is all him. It may be the nutsiest thing I've ever done--in music, at least.

His original mix pretty much buried the vocals (at my request) because I wanted the focus on him, not me. In this remix/remaster, I've brought them forward a bit more. It was the last production from my old "studio" before I shut it down and changed my life.

I'll issue a caveat/warning that the last verse may be heard by some as "sacrilegious". That wasn't my intention at the time, and I still don't think it is. But I know there may be other views on that, and that's OK with me. I wouldn't get so philosophical-and-stuff about a little dance number except for that fact. If I "put words in His mouth", I still don't think I did anything more or other than her accusers did.

I don't know if the song had anything to do with it, but she did indeed soon-enough get free.

Enjoy, if possible, this little song with an intended audience of just one.

Lyrics and Music and vocals by me. Arrangement and band by Phil Close. "Mixed" in reaper with izotope and other effects (primarily Nectar 3 Elements near the end of the chain on vocals), and mastered with OZone 8 Elements

Dance Little Sister. dance till you're free
Won't nobody complain 'cause it's alright with me

Go on and dance, little sister
Dance till your heart is free.
I'll go and put the music on
Ain't no-one here but me.

Do you want heavy syncopation or four on the floor?
An 808 or a 911? I'm crying for more.
Go on and dance little sister...

You can do the hokey-pokey with your fingers in my hair.
Just don't twist, little sister, while you still got 'em there.
Go on and dance little sister...

I'll set the Casio up, give you something to do.
I got a hundred preset rhythms, baby, gotta be one there for you.
Go on and dance little sister...

I've been talking to Jesus, yeah, just something I do
Told Him you sure got some move. He said, "I think so too."

Go on and dance little sister.
Dance till your heart is free
I'll go and put the music on.
Ain't no-one here but me/

Don't remember what the original sounded like, but this sounds great! Your vocal really works for this piece.

Thanks for the backstory too (loved the "there was a demon in every doorknob" line)

Superb. Some serious and wonderful playing,singing and songwriting.

Loved it.

Peter

Hi Tangmo,

I wholeheartedly agree with Dave. This sounds great... really great! Your lyrics are excellent and your vocals are fantastic. Phil's arranging is outstanding! His imagination is unbelievable... and his ability to play a multitude of instruments is s-o-o-o-o-o impressive!

Stunning listening!

All the best,
Noel

A good 5 1/2 minute listen.

A well-written rock/story write. Very solid lines that do not "get in the way" of the "Rock" of the music.

Your friend/band leader Phil is impressive. The tracks are quite Cream-like.

Cool vocal.

I like the mix.

Enjoyed the listen.

fj

Nicely done! Love the upbeat nature of this tune, and the groove is excellent. It is really catchy and I can see this certainly getting a dancefloor moving. Top notch vocals and lyrics too, and an interesting story behind the tune as well.

Thanks for sharing

At last- a song that`s a perfect fit for The Farfetched Tangmo Band!
This is a terrific write - no explanations necessary, though the very personal inspiration is interesting- and the sound your collaborator has come up with is a great melange of styles.
Good vocals and mix ( I might have liked those wild drums just a bit louder).

Robert

Hi Tangmo,

wow - I am flabbergasted, exhausted, trembling, ecstatic, enthusiastic and and and - WHAT A SONG !!!

Congratulations on ...

... the music
... the write
... the guts to choose the subject
... the singing
... the success you had (I'm sure it was your song that chased the demons from the doorknobs and set her finally free)

and last, but definitely not least

... on a friend who's obviously a complete (adorable) madman being able to write and produce such an unbelievably terrific arrangement.

Oh yes, and on a remarkably entertaining backstory ...

To me this was a real lesson, no, it was like spending a dayin a song writing and producing master class.

Just stunning!

Regards,

Stefan

It's a happening thing.
Well done both of you.
The drum intro was a bit of a bang on the skull though.
Nice work - vocals work well.

Great fast-paced blues-rock-dance tune. It brings me vibes of wild dancing videos from the Woodstock festival, great song to celebrate its 50 year anniversary. Really crazy arrangement and drum/bass section give some catchy modern dance rhythms. I really enjoyed your vocals and effects too!

Janne

Well, I'd certainly be nice to that guy -- Wow! Great chops on EVERYTHING.

Love the backstory and the song's message and so happy that she freed herself.

Yeah, like I think floyd alluded to...this could be a lost Cream cut. All the more reason to like it

All is good. Vocal, lyric, instrumental tracks and the mix.

It was a heckuva five minute ride...engaging from the get go. Gonna go have another listen or two.

Great!

J&B

There's some really great playing in this song, and the energy is really great! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, Dave. I always look forward to your comments, but especially when a piece features one or more of the old crew.

Thanks, PeterF. I'm glad you enjoyed.

Thanks, Noel. I did my bit, but this one is a Phil Close number. I was so lucky.

Thank you Floyd. I know you are a guy who works hard to deliver finely cut jewels, so I'm pleased you could hang in there for 5 and 1/2 minutes of sinful musical indulgence.

Thanks, Deryk. Maybe this song for an audience of one translates a bit.

Thanks, Robert. Yeah, this is very much in the spirit of Farfetched Tangmo Band. We just do what we want. I asked for "drums" and got what I got. Still makes me laugh.

Stefan, Stefan, Stefan. Of all the people I've "met" on this forum in the last year or so, you were the one I was most secretly hoping might get the biggest kick. Secrets out. Thanks so much.

What a cool groove to this song. Super vocal and wowser on your choice of instruments. Loved this.. Loved the organ

The vocal sounds like it is filtered with a notch filter which I think works really well for this song. Enjoyed the listen.

Really cool song, and wonderful tracks by your friend!! He created a real authentic 60's sounding track.....the era that will always be my favorite! Really enjoyed it!! Take care. Greg

Oh baby, you came up with a butt-kicking sensation, so what wuld you suppose me to do other then freak out...? It's soooooooo good !!!!

Hello Tangmo,

I was a little surprised because the tune starts completely different from the intro.
The guitar solo is really amazing.
Overall rock'n'roll, but very creative and very new.
The vocals are also wonderful.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Thanks, RayC. Not sure which set of drums kicked you in the head or how, but I'm glad you're ok.

Thank you, Janne. I've been deeply affected in my life and song-writing by images from Woodstock. I'm not sure what Phil's inspiration was, except he knew I liked things a bit crazy. At the time, he was playing in two "alt-country" bands, so I think "crazy" was on his mind too.

Thanks Janice & Bud. I'm pleased you got some juice out of it.

Thanks, Ember. I know it's not the greatest showcase for the full capabilities of BIAB, but not only was the program essential to establish the important things like key and tempo, I also cut vocals to the BIAB backing. Phil built his parts around those.

Thanks, ScottC. I loved the organ too.

Thanks, Mark K. I had to look to see what I had done. I used more than one EQ setting (on top of doubling) and the last in the chain had a dip in the 700 hz range. I'm not completely sure that's a "notch filter", but it's what I did. Seemed to remove some of the "room and boom" and let the band cut through better.

Thanks, Greg. Yeah, on this one, I was just singing on a Phil Close piece in the end.

Thank you, Shigeki. I'm pleased you enjoyed.