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Joined: Apr 2008
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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-coldI’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)
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Joined: Feb 2005
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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
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Joined: Jul 2013
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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
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Yes, Ricki. A favourite of mine too.
Vic
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Hello Ricki. Loved it man. Beautiful, melodic and thoughtful. Well done. Douglas
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Thanks Dave. Mike has worked his magic yet again. Glad you liked it.
Ricki
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Thanks Floyd. You gave me the shivers mentioning JM. She's been my hero since forever. Glad you liked it.
Ricki
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Thank for taking time to listen, Vic. Glad you liked it.
Ricki
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Glad you liked it, Douglas and thanks for listening.
Ricki
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Joined: Apr 2002
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Hi Ricki,
What a real nice piece of work. WELL DONE.
Calvin
The Blood Of My Youth..... http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart
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Joined: Sep 2005
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Outstanding vocals on that one Ricki
Had me thinking of Heart-Ann Wilson's (?) vocals on Dreamboat Annie.....
Great job on your part!
Tom
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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. 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)
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Thanks Tom. Never had a Wilson comparison before. Ricki
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Thanks Mike, for all you did to bring this one to life. Your "not much" addition was perfect.
Ricki
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Quite haunting ... nicely done!
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Joined: Aug 2007
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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.
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this is fantastic!I always thought you had that Carley Simon sound Ricki,this one seals it.Great cowrite!Fine job too Michael.Mike
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"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.
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Thanks for listening Jimmy.
Ricki
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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
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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. Ricki
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Thanks for taking time to listen and comment J&B. Rip the paint right off your heart...that's a new one for me! Glad you enjoyed it. Ricki
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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. 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.. 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)
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Lovely song all 'round. Well done!
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Thanks for giving it a listen, Neil.
Ricki
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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.
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Thanks Kevin, for listening and your kind words. Mike definitely worked his magic. Glad you enjoyed it.
Ricki
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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.
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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
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Thanks for listening and your thoughts, Eddie. Mike has the touch.
Ricki
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Wow Dave, thanks for that. I knew there were a lot of voices in my head, now I have names for them all! Ricki
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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
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Thanks for listening and your comments, Nelson.
Ricki
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