Who's Online Now
7 members (VNORTH2, couchgrouch, Fdemetrio, Gary E. Andrews, Perry Neal Crawford, Sunset Poet, Guy E. Trepanier), 4,370 guests, and 257 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Register Today!
Welcome to the Just Plain Folks forums! You are currently viewing our forums as a Guest which gives you limited access to most of our discussions and to other features.

By joining our free community you will have access to post and respond to topics, communicate privately with our users (PM), respond to polls, upload content, and access many other features. Registration is fast, simple, and absolutely free; so please join our community today!
ShoutChat
Comment Guidelines: Do post respectful and insightful comments. Don't flame, hate, spam.
What's Going On
Does Billy Joel belong in top 10?
by Fdemetrio - 03/28/24 11:10 PM
It Is Done
by Sunset Poet - 03/28/24 07:44 PM
Music Industry Summit, Athens Ohio
by Gary E. Andrews - 03/28/24 06:14 PM
Can you save me from me
by VNORTH2 - 03/28/24 03:11 PM
As human as yo
by ckiphen - 03/28/24 09:55 AM
Fox News Reports Stunning Archeological Discovery.
by couchgrouch - 03/27/24 08:02 PM
Wasting My Time
by David Gill - 03/27/24 07:42 AM
Song available
by JAPOV - 03/26/24 03:38 PM
YELLIN AT CLOUDS
by David Gill - 03/26/24 03:20 PM
"Reliving" the great Lou Rawls!
by Brian Austin Whitney - 03/26/24 01:49 PM
::: The Best In My Life :::
by Bill Draper - 03/26/24 01:32 PM
The show must go on
by ckiphen - 03/26/24 09:06 AM
NYC Motel 1972
by rpirone - 03/26/24 12:43 AM
usic Industry Summitt
by Gary E. Andrews - 03/25/24 11:32 PM
The Rant Arena
by JAPOV - 03/25/24 07:39 PM
Song available
by Raymond Byabazaire - 03/25/24 11:55 AM
Song available
by Raymond Byabazaire - 03/25/24 11:55 AM
Lancaster Festival, Lancaster, Ohio
by Gary E. Andrews - 03/25/24 10:51 AM
Wasting my time
by Rob B. - 03/25/24 03:45 AM
Tom Waits.. What's he building
by Fdemetrio - 03/25/24 12:09 AM
Rick Beato, bad lyrics
by Fdemetrio - 03/24/24 11:23 PM
Inspirational Videos Post Them Here
by Sunset Poet - 03/24/24 11:27 AM
Used to take a Genius to Mix
by Fdemetrio - 03/23/24 11:00 AM
"Broken Places"
by Gary E. Andrews - 03/22/24 07:45 PM
All You Are Is A Lie
by Sunset Poet - 03/22/24 06:55 PM
Pour Choices
by Gavin Sinclair - 03/22/24 05:29 PM
Billy's 30 year overdue song.
by Fdemetrio - 03/22/24 01:30 PM
Make my dreams come true
by ckiphen - 03/22/24 10:51 AM
Top Posters
Calvin 19,857
Travis david 12,264
Kevin Emmrich 10,941
Jean Bullock 10,330
Kaley Willow 10,240
Two Singers 9,649
Joice Marie 9,186
Mackie H. 9,003
glynda 8,683
Mike Dunbar 8,574
Tricia Baker 8,318
couchgrouch 8,160
Colin Ward 7,911
Corey 7,357
Vicarn 6,916
Mark Kaufman 6,589
ben willis 6,114
Lynn Orloff 5,788
Louis 5,725
Linda Sings 5,608
KimberlyinNC 5,210
Fdemetrio 4,990
Neil Cotton 4,909
Derek Hines 4,893
DonnaMarilyn 4,670
Blake Hill 4,528
Bob Cushing 4,389
Roy Cooper 4,271
Bill Osofsky 4,199
Tom Shea 4,195
Cindy Miller 4,178
TamsNumber4 4,171
MFB III 4,143
Sunset Poet 4,126
nightengale 4,096
E Swartz 3,985
JAPOV 3,973
beechnut79 3,878
Caroline 3,865
Kolstad 3,845
Dan Sullivan 3,710
Dottie 3,427
joewatt 3,411
Bill Cooper 3,279
John Hoffman 3,199
Skip Johnson 3,027
Pam Hurley 3,007
Terry G 3,005
Nigel Quin 2,891
PopTodd 2,890
Harriet Ames 2,870
MidniteBob 2,761
Nelson 2,616
Tom Tracy 2,558
Jerry Jakala 2,524
Al Alvarez 2,499
Eric Thome 2,448
Hummingbird 2,401
Stan Loh 2,263
Sam Wilson 2,246
Wendy D 2,235
Judy Hollier 2,232
Erica Ellis 2,202
maccharles 2,134
TrumanCoyote 2,096
Marty Helly 2,041
DukeWill 2,002
floyd jane 1,985
Clint Anglin 1,904
cindyrella 1,888
David Wright 1,866
Clairejeanne 1,851
Cindy LaRosa 1,824
Ronald Boyt 1,675
Iggy 1,652
Noel Downs 1,633
Rick Heenan 1,608
Cal 1,574
GocartMoz 1,559
Jack Swain 1,554
Pete Larsen 1,537
Ann Tygart 1,529
Tom Breshers 1,487
RogerS 1,481
Tom Franz 1,473
Chuck Crowe 1,441
Ralph Blight 1,440
Rick Norton 1,429
Kenneth Cade 1,429
bholt 1,411
Letha Allen 1,409
in2piano 1,404
Stan Simons 1,402
Deej56 1,385
mattbanx 1,384
Jen Shaner 1,373
Charlie Wong 1,347
KevinP 1,324
Vondelle 1,316
Tom W. 1,313
Jan Petter 1,301
scottandrew 1,294
lane1777 1,280
Gerry 1,280
DakLander 1,265
IronKnee 1,262
PeteG 1,242
Ian Ferrin 1,235
Glen King 1,214
VNORTH2 1,212
IdeaGuy 1,209
AaronAuthier 1,177
summeoyo 1,174
Diane Ewing 1,162
ckiphen 1,120
joro 1,082
BobbyJoe 1,075
S.DEE 1,040
yann 1,037
9ne 1,035
David Gill 1,032
Tony A 1,016
argo 986
peaden 984
90 dB 964
Wolvman 960
Jak Kelly 912
krtinberg 890
Drifter 886
Petra 883
RJC 845
Brenda152 840
Nadia 829
ant 798
Juan 797
TKO 784
Dayson 781
frahmes 781
bennash 763
teletwang 762
Andy K 750
Andy Kemp 749
tbryson 737
Jackie444 731
Irwin 720
3daveyO3 704
Dixie 701
Joy Boy 695
Pat Hardy 692
Knute 686
Lee Arten 678
Moosesong 668
Katziis 652
R.T.MOORE 638
quality 637
CG King 622
douglas 621
R&M 614
Mel 614
NaomiSue 601
Shandy 590
Ria 587
TAMERA64 583
qbaum 570
nitepiano 566
pRISCILLA 556
Tink2 553
musica 539
deanbell 528
RobertK 527
BonzaiWag 523
Roderic 522
BB Wilbur 513
goodfolks 499
Zeek 487
Stu 486
Steve P. 481
KathyW 462
allenb 459
MaxG 458
Philjo 454
fanito 448
trush48 448
dmk 442
Rob L 439
arealrush 437
DGR 436
avweek 435
Stephen D 433
Emmy 431
marquez 422
kit 419
Softkrome 417
kyrksongs 415
RRon 408
Laura G. 407
VNORTH 407
Debra 407
eb 406
cuebald 399
EdPerrone 399
Dannyk1 395
Hobart 395
Davyboy49 393
Smile 389
GJShades 387
Alek 386
Ezt 384
tone 380
Marla 380
Ann_F 379
iggyiggy 378
coalminer 377
java 374
ddreuter 371
spidey 371
sweetsong 370
danny 367
Rob B. 364
Jim Ryan 360
papaG 353
Z - man 350
JamesDF5 348
John K 348
Jaden 344
TheBaz 340
Steggy 339
leif 339
tonedeaf 336
rickwork 334
Eddie Ray 332
Johnboy 328
Bob Lever 328
Helicon1 327
lucian 326
Muskie 321
kc 319
Z. Mulls 318
ptondreau 313
ONOFFON 312
Chris B. 310
trush 304
ed323 297
Ellen M 294
markus-ky 293
lizzorn 291
nicnac49 290
Char 286
ktunes 285
Top Likes Received
JAPOV 86
VNORTH2 45
bennash 38
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#1114392 08/28/16 12:50 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Top 40 Poster
OP Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Good morning JPFers. Thought I'd try something a little different so have a listen and let me know what you think. A simple guitar/vocal was taken to a much higher level with a minimalist approach by my friend Mike Zaneski. Thanks Mike.

https://soundcloud.com/rickib/constant-cold

I’ll tell you lies
Hold truth aside
Do it for the warmth of you
Let you win
Give up on him
See how much hurt I can undo

I thought love simple
As this winter snow
Nothing here is easy
Just constant cold

The pale sun hides
While grey skies climb
The real world howls from the north
Can you hear me
Still care for me
Don’t you know I’ve changed course

I thought love simple
As this winter snow
Nothing here is easy
Just constant cold

I never knew how solitary hearts grow weary
I’m drowning in you, you’re everywhere but here

I thought love simple
As this winter snow
Nothing here is easy
Just constant cold


©Ricki E. Bellos (BMI)

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,831
Top 30 Poster
Offline
Top 30 Poster
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,831
Curtain call... Rikki:

I believe this is one of your best... on all fronts. Mike's musicality certainly helps but your vocal was superb in a quiet, reflective, Streisand sort of way! Those two "pregnant pauses" are so effective, allowing the listener to "catch up" with the song and it's powerful lyric. Bravo, my friend(s)! Loved every minute and second of "Constant Cold!" ----Dave

Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,985
F
Top 200 Poster
Offline
Top 200 Poster
F
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,985
Ricki (and Mike)...

I'll second Dave's observation. This is among your best - my favorite, I think...

A beautiful write. A beautiful vocal!! The perfect production for the song.

Would have fit nicely on Joni Mitchell's "Blue" album.

Awesome.

fj

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,916
Likes: 9
Top 40 Poster
Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,916
Likes: 9
Yes, Ricki.
A favourite of mine too.

Vic


It's never too late? Yes it is, so do it now.

If, given time, a monkey can write the complete works of Shakespeare maybe there's hope for me.

http://store.cdbaby.com/cd/vicarnold2

http://www.soundclick.com/vicarnold

http://soundcloud.com/vic-arnold

Vicarn #1114403 08/28/16 04:10 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,325
Likes: 4
Top 40 Poster
Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,325
Likes: 4
Hello Ricki. Loved it man. Beautiful, melodic and thoughtful. Well done. smile

Douglas


"Is this a practice? They are all practices." John Denver

www.soundclick.com/dougmurphy

Skype Contact: douglas.murphy8
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Top 40 Poster
OP Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Thanks Dave. Mike has worked his magic yet again. Glad you liked it.

Ricki

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Top 40 Poster
OP Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Thanks Floyd. You gave me the shivers mentioning JM. She's been my hero since forever. Glad you liked it.

Ricki

Vicarn #1114435 08/28/16 07:00 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Top 40 Poster
OP Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Thank for taking time to listen, Vic. Glad you liked it.

Ricki

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Top 40 Poster
OP Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Glad you liked it, Douglas and thanks for listening.

Ricki

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,857
Likes: 1
Top 10 Poster
Offline
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,857
Likes: 1
Hi Ricki,

What a real nice piece of work.
WELL DONE.

Calvin

The Blood Of My Youth.....
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,650
Top 100 Poster
Offline
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,650
Outstanding vocals on that one Ricki

Had me thinking of Heart-Ann Wilson's (?) vocals on Dreamboat Annie.....

Great job on your part!

Tom

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,711
Likes: 18
Top 50 Poster
Offline
Top 50 Poster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,711
Likes: 18
Dave, Floyd. Vic. Doug, Calvin, and Tom..

When Ricki initially asked me what I heard accompanying her song here, I believe I said "not much."

The story, the emotion, the sadness..is all just bursting out of this song..

Much of the time, an arranger is like a film composer. If it's all there on the screen, one needs to make the music felt, and not so much consciously heard.

And that's how I felt about "Constant Cold." --It was all there, and I didn't need to amplify any of her thoughts or emotions as much as simply provide a proper container for them. A bit of starkness seemed to match the song's emotional content.

Floyd, I was thinking Joni Mitchell's piano work on "Blue" as I put together that accompaniment. Great ears, there!

Thanks for listening, all, and Ricki--I agree with the consensus here--this is definitely one of your best, and it's my favorite of yours, and I love just about everything I've heard of yours; but there's a directness to this lyric and vocal that's kind of brave as well as sadly beautiful. smile

Mike


Last edited by Michael Zaneski; 08/30/16 07:36 AM.

Fate doesn't hang on a wrong or right choice
Fortune depends on the tone of your voice

-The Divine Comedy (Neil Hannon)
from the song "Songs of Love"
from the album "Casanova" (1996)
Calvin #1114580 08/30/16 12:25 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Top 40 Poster
OP Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Thanks Calvin.

Ricki

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Top 40 Poster
OP Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Thanks Tom. Never had a Wilson comparison before. smile

Ricki

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Top 40 Poster
OP Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Thanks Mike, for all you did to bring this one to life. Your "not much" addition was perfect.

Ricki

Joined: May 2015
Posts: 457
Top 500 Poster
Offline
Top 500 Poster
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 457
Quite haunting ... nicely done!

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,126
Likes: 29
Top 100 Poster
Online Content
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,126
Likes: 29
I knew upon seeing the post title that a collaboration between you all would be good. The music captured the lyrics real well. Nice tune.

Last edited by Martin Lide; 08/30/16 03:28 PM.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,325
Top 10 Poster
Offline
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,325
this is fantastic!I always thought you had that Carley Simon sound Ricki,this one seals it.Great cowrite!Fine job too Michael.Mike

Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,521
Top 200 Poster
Offline
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,521
"I never knew how solitary hearts grow weary
I’m drowning in you, you’re everywhere but here"

This one will rip the paint right off of your heart.

Lots of strong things going on here with the write, vocal and production.

Mesmerizing comes to mind. We enjoyed the listen!!

J&B



Check out our new album Janice Merritt "Am I Blue Enough?"
on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon and others.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Top 40 Poster
OP Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Thanks for listening Jimmy.

Ricki

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Top 40 Poster
OP Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Thanks Martin. This is actually the 8th song Mike has produced for me. He takes my simple guitar/vocals and, voila! Magic happens. I've never been disappointed.

Ricki

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Top 40 Poster
OP Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Thanks Mike. That's been said before but I can't hear it myself.

It's not really a co-write but Mike Z is certainly a huge part of why this came out so well. He's so intuitive when it comes to music, it's like he's in my head, hearing what I'm hearing and then making it a reality. And that's how the magic happens. smile

Ricki

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Top 40 Poster
OP Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Thanks for taking time to listen and comment J&B. Rip the paint right off your heart...that's a new one for me! smile Glad you enjoyed it.

Ricki

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,711
Likes: 18
Top 50 Poster
Offline
Top 50 Poster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,711
Likes: 18
Jimmy, Martin, Michael, Janice, and Bud..

I'm so happy that you've listened to this beautifully sad song of Ricki's and found it as moving as I did. smile

I learned something about reverb producing this one. It occurred to me that a bigger hall and more "wet" reverb sound would actually underscore the emotional content of the lyric. It literally sounds like she's sitting and singing in a very large space--and it seems to make her seem that much more alone, somehow..I think I was always using reverb intuitively, like that, but it never became an overt thought 'til a few days ago. Reverb can really play a big part in creating tonal variations to the emotions in a song.

Rock on, everyone.. smile

Mike

Last edited by Michael Zaneski; 08/31/16 09:35 PM.

Fate doesn't hang on a wrong or right choice
Fortune depends on the tone of your voice

-The Divine Comedy (Neil Hannon)
from the song "Songs of Love"
from the album "Casanova" (1996)
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,909
Top 50 Poster
Offline
Top 50 Poster
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,909
Lovely song all 'round.
Well done!

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Top 40 Poster
OP Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Thanks for giving it a listen, Neil.

Ricki

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,941
Likes: 3
Top 10 Poster
Offline
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,941
Likes: 3
That is a super vocal and an overall well constructed song. Mighty fine lyrics, too. Mike did a great job on the production -- just letting the song shine on through. I enjoyed my listen a lot.


"Good science comes in peer reviewed journals. Conspiracy theories come in YouTube videos. "
Kevin @ bandcamp: Crows Say Vee-Eh (and Kevin @50/90 2019)
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Top 40 Poster
OP Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Thanks Kevin, for listening and your kind words. Mike definitely worked his magic. Glad you enjoyed it.

Ricki

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,985
Likes: 22
Top 100 Poster
Offline
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,985
Likes: 22
Hey Ricki,

Made me think of some of my Carly Simon albums that I haven't heard in a long time. Loved your vocal approach, nice and tender, yet poignant. Nice work Michael as well. Beautiful song musically and lyrically--love the cello bottom!

steady-eddie.

E Swartz #1115261 09/09/16 12:21 PM
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,559
Top 200 Poster
Offline
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,559
Wow! This is killer. Fantastic write and performance Ricki. My favorite of yours by far. Great job Michael, as well. I think all the comparisons above are spot on ... a little Joni Mitchell as Floyd said, a little Carly Simon as Ed said and a little Ann Wilson as Tom said. Quite a good mixture to have. Add a little "Songbird" flavored Christine McVie style and to a lesser extent Sandy Denny and you have this tune. Beautifully done.

Dave

E Swartz #1115331 09/10/16 01:10 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Top 40 Poster
OP Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Thanks for listening and your thoughts, Eddie. Mike has the touch.

Ricki

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Top 40 Poster
OP Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Wow Dave, thanks for that. I knew there were a lot of voices in my head, now I have names for them all! grin

Ricki

Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,616
Top 200 Poster
Offline
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,616
The write and your vocal performance are simply beautiful Ricki.

Mike your arrangement captures the delicate emotions of the piece, brilliantly. You never cease to amaze.

My favorite combo... piano and cello. sweet

Nelson #1115500 09/13/16 12:27 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Top 40 Poster
OP Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,895
Thanks for listening and your comments, Nelson.

Ricki


Link Copied to Clipboard
Support Just Plain Folks

We would like to keep the membership in Just Plain Folks FREE! Your donation helps support the many programs we offer including Road Trips and the Music Awards.


Newest Members
chriscastle, yasir252, cathennashira, Samwise, HappySousa
21,470 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums117
Topics125,717
Posts1,160,950
Members21,470
Most Online37,523
Jan 25th, 2020
Just Plain Quotes
"If one man can do it, any man can do it. It is true. But the real question is, if one man did it, are you willing to do what it takes to do it as well?" –Brian Austin Whitney
Today's Birthdays
warriorgirl (2024)
Popular Topics(Views)
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5