Originally Posted By: MarioD
I am late to the party but I'll super glad that I did!

I think this is the best of the best! Everything about this is perfect!

Everything that I wanted to say has already been said so I will add my usual "why in hell haven't you been signed yet?"!



Thanks and much appreciated. If somebody tried to sign us we'd run for the hills! Too much fun 15 years into retirement and no interest in going back to work for sure. Glad you liked it.


Originally Posted By: Noel96
Janice, Bud, Tom, floyd...

I reckon that this is in the top 5% what you've ever written. It's brilliant. The images are eidetic. In my mind, they were so vivid that the whole lyric unrolled like a scene from a movie. Janice's outstanding vocals captured the mood and she was the perfect narrator for the story. "Mystic Chords of Memory" is such a fantastic phrase - you have a great ear for titles, Bud.

...click on image to view full size

Just in case you're interested...

... after I read the phrase 'Mystic Chords", I ended up going on a little bit of a journey. I've only ever known 'chord' to mean a harmonious group of musical notes or a straight line connecting two points on a circle's edge. When I read Lincoln's speech, though, the context in which he used the word (stretch, strain, break) indicated that he took 'chord' to mean a thread or string. In this sense, I would have used 'cord'. Interesting. So it was off to the Oxford English Dictionary.... there I discovered that 'chord' in the sixteenth century did mean a string or small rope and it was still used with this sense in the 1800s. It also meant the string of a stringed instrument (such as a harp, lute, etc.). From there, it's more modern meaning developed, I guess.

I mention the above, because it's outstanding how 'chord' in these lyrics simultaneously has musical overtones (pun not intended) as well as strings of thought that link the character's memory to the past. Very, very excellent lyric writing smile

Also... I thought the chorus was spectacular.

Quote:
now no more crowds... no more cheers
he turns the radio up... downs a few more beers
in the corner, a battered Martin left for dead
while mystic chords of memory play... in his head


I really like the line "radio up...downs a few more beers". The back-to-back words with opposite meanings is cleverly conceived. Equally skilled, though, is the personification of the Martin guitar... battered and left for dead. In my head, these words created an image of a well used guitar tired and gasping and worn out by the years - so much information in so few words!

Overall, this song truly is outstanding in every regard.

All the best to you all,
Noel


Noel, we always look forward to your observations and insights. Yes, when I first read the Lincoln quote I thought of threads of memory weaving back into time. The idea of guitar chords was an attempt to turn it into a bit of a double entendre. I'm delighted that you noticed that. And thank you for the the great links that you included. We are also excited that you pointed out the chorus and the he "up down" line. I felt perhaps I was on to a decent write and we hugely appreciate all of the nice things you said. And thanks again to floyd for his huge contribution. And to Tom for the perfect guitar tracks.

J&B

J&B Videos
J&B Soundcloud
J&B Website