Who's Online Now
9 members (VNORTH2, bennash, couchgrouch, Gavin Sinclair, David Gill, Fdemetrio, Sunset Poet, Gary E. Andrews, Everett Adams), 3,730 guests, and 316 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
Wasting My Time
by VNORTH2 - 03/29/24 12:25 PM
Backhand Blue
by Gary E. Andrews - 03/29/24 07:48 AM
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
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
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 1,213
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
#1166127 07/03/20 08:12 AM
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
S
Serious Contributor
OP Offline
Serious Contributor
S
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
https://www.reverbnation.com/pollychase/song/31916581-brighter-day

Can't find a way,
can't find a way,
so I'm prayin fo-or
that brighter day.


Tried to get a job
when I went downtown,
but there's no work anymore,
there's no work to-o be fou-ound.

So tell me Jesus,
what's left for a man,
when he's already done
the best that he can.

Sometimes I'm u-up,
other times I'm down,
sometimes I wonder
why am I ha-angin rou-ound.

Oh tell me Lord,
where can we tu-u-urn,
when there's nothing left to spend
and nothing to be earned.

My mother taught me early
and she taught me well,
don't go down any roa-oads
that would only lea-ead to he-ell.

Oh yes she told me
what's right and what's wrong,
she said long as I love Jesus
I will always be stro-o-ong.

Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,559
Top 200 Poster
Offline
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,559
I like the song and the lyric. I think there needs to be some diversity though between the verses and the chorus. They, at least to my ear, carry the same progression and melody. For me, it got a little repetitive. That being said, I like the lyric a lot and the melody.

It reminded me a bit of Springsteen from the Nebraska album or Ghost of Tom Joad … lyrically and musically. Thx for sharing.

Dave

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,916
Likes: 9
Top 40 Poster
Offline
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,916
Likes: 9
Hi Polly.
I like the general tone and your voice.
I think Dave is right about the lack of diversity.
Maybe use one of the verses (verse 1 would work) as a chorus and go into the chord of D there just to make a change.
You could add a harmony there 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

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,126
Likes: 29
Top 100 Poster
Online Content
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,126
Likes: 29
Enjoyed your song Polly.

Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
S
Serious Contributor
OP Offline
Serious Contributor
S
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
Thank you for listening and for the comments and suggestions Dave, Vic, Martin!

Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
F
Top 50 Poster
Online Content
Top 50 Poster
F
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
Yes I thought of Bruce also with the workmanlike lyric and austere folksie things he sometimes did when he went towards the folk scene. Maybe woody guthrie

But musically it's a bit robotic and not quite there.

I think by the time you get to the Jesus part the listener is tuned out, something as simple as a chord change go to the four perhaps?

I know this style is more lax and doesn't require a lot of change but something in there would help.

Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 1
D
Top 200 Poster
Offline
Top 200 Poster
D
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 1
Polly,

Dave nailed this . . . really reminiscent of something that Springsteen would have done. Even in the way you sing it, the prosody. The song works well enough for me, but I get what others are saying about diversity. Maybe you could consider slowing down the tempo in one verse, maybe introducing some stops, and then pick back up in the chorus? Or potentially a key change later in the song-- though I’m not sure that trick would work all that well on this one. Good tune as is though, Polly. Enjoyed it!

All my best,

Deej

Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 19
Top 200 Poster
Offline
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 19
I enjoyed this Polly.
This has an Arlo Guthrie reminiscence to it, for me.
I really like the lo/fi sound to this recording.
Love it!
-Tom

IronKnee #1166189 07/04/20 09:23 AM
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
S
Serious Contributor
OP Offline
Serious Contributor
S
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
Originally Posted by IronKnee
I enjoyed this Polly.
This has an Arlo Guthrie reminiscence to it, for me.
I really like the lo/fi sound to this recording.
Love it!
-Tom


Thank you!!

Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
S
Serious Contributor
OP Offline
Serious Contributor
S
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
Thank you Deej, Fd. I understand your comments about needing more diversity. I was aiming for plain simplicity with this song though, trying to sound very folkie. But I see your point.

Key change? Nah. It's often done in country, although I don't always like it, but I have not heard it done in plain old folk. But thank you for the suggestion! I might try to write a song some day that changes key. I have studied classical and jazz so who knows maybe I can do that.

Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
F
Top 50 Poster
Online Content
Top 50 Poster
F
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
No, for classic folk you don't hear much change, that's because the sentiment is the thing, what' your saying is most important. If it's too entertaining or polish it takes away from what's beimg said. I'm not sure we are in that era any more and unless you are Woody Guthrie or Bob Dylan it be hard to get people to pay attenion.

I posted a classic folk tune a while ago, and everybody wanted changes, I'm like that's not what I'm writing here.But your audience will be limited.

Check out my folkie tune if you will

https://www.soundclick.com/artist/default.cfm?bandID=1431078&content=songs


Last edited by Fdemetrio; 07/04/20 10:47 AM.
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
S
Serious Contributor
OP Offline
Serious Contributor
S
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
That's a nice song Fd. I wouldn't necessarily call it folkie though, especially not with a piano.

I personally love the sound of the real traditional melodies and chord patterns, and that's what I try to imitate in my folk-style songs. I don't even hear them as simple, just different than our modern popular styles.

I do get listened to, by certain people, who happen to resonate with the traditional sounds. It's not for everyone.

Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
F
Top 50 Poster
Online Content
Top 50 Poster
F
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
That's not piano thats acoustic guitar lol, I tried to use pickings that sounded like a Merry go round, to paint the picture . I guess it does sound like a spinnet. It's about as folk as I get. But there is reverb which you dont hear much of in that style.

I'd say do what feels natural to you, the main person you have to please is yourself , and some will understand what your trying to do.

Last edited by Fdemetrio; 07/04/20 11:08 AM.
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
F
Top 50 Poster
Online Content
Top 50 Poster
F
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
Oops now I know why you heard piano, I posted the wrong song lol
Working at the mall

https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm?songID=13980988

Last edited by Fdemetrio; 07/04/20 11:18 AM.
Fdemetrio #1166204 07/04/20 11:23 AM
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
S
Serious Contributor
OP Offline
Serious Contributor
S
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
Originally Posted by Fdemetrio
Oops now I know why you heard piano, I posted the wrong song lol
Working at the mall

https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm?songID=13980988


Beautiful. I really like all your songs I heard so far. And great singing and guitar.

Fdemetrio #1166205 07/04/20 11:25 AM
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
S
Serious Contributor
OP Offline
Serious Contributor
S
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
Originally Posted by Fdemetrio
That's not piano thats acoustic guitar lol, I tried to use pickings that sounded like a Merry go round, to paint the picture . I guess it does sound like a spinnet. It's about as folk as I get. But there is reverb which you dont hear much of in that style.

I'd say do what feels natural to you, the main person you have to please is yourself , and some will understand what your trying to do.


Well yeah I guess there is no other way. I do try to vary my style somewhat though, and not all my songs are as traditional sounding as this one. But it is those traditional sounds -- and I don't even know exactly how to explain them -- that resonate most with me. I love old time fiddle music, and bluegrass, and all that.

Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
F
Top 50 Poster
Online Content
Top 50 Poster
F
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
Thanks. yeah andthat style was big at a time when attention spans were greater than they are today. If you don't hook them right away they tune out . But the good thing is the audience for your style are people probably all the same age and are willing to sit and listen.

But even if this kind of stuff is not commercially popular there are still artists making it. Every genre still operates even though we never hear most of it.

I'm sure somebody released a traditional folk, nothing but acoustic guitar and had harmonica album today, probably hundreds of artists released something like this today alone.

Last edited by Fdemetrio; 07/04/20 12:06 PM.
Fdemetrio #1166207 07/04/20 12:09 PM
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
S
Serious Contributor
OP Offline
Serious Contributor
S
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
Originally Posted by Fdemetrio
Thanks. yeah andthat style was big at a time when attention spans were greater than they are today. If you don't hook them right away they tune out . But the good thing is the audience for your style are people probably all the same age and are willing to sit and listen.

But even if this kind of stuff is not commercially popular there are still artists making it. Every genre still operates even though we never hear most of it.

I'm sure somebody released a traditional folk, nothing but acoustic guitar and had harmonica album today, probably hundreds of artists released something like this today alone.


There is an audience for it at some of the open mics. Sometimes I even got a free beer. Of course, now the open mics are online so there's no free drinks anymore.

Last edited by Songbird52; 07/04/20 12:10 PM.
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
F
Top 50 Poster
Online Content
Top 50 Poster
F
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
Hey you're lucky, when I did gigs, it was either free beer and no pay, or pay and no free beer. Never got both. I remember having an argument with a bar owner and he said you drank 10 beers do you think that grows on trees? I said no barley leaves...lol

Yeah hopefully open mics come back after the virus blows away for good.

Fdemetrio #1166209 07/04/20 12:22 PM
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
S
Serious Contributor
OP Offline
Serious Contributor
S
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
Originally Posted by Fdemetrio
Hey you're lucky, when I did gigs, it was either free beer and no pay, or pay and no free beer. Never got both. I remember having an argument with a bar owner and he said you drank 10 beers do you think that grows on trees? I said no barley leaves...lol

Yeah hopefully open mics come back after the virus blows away for good.


Haha, yeah you could say beer grows on trees, or at least some kind of plants.

I miss the good old days of real life open mics. But today there's a real life 4th of July music party! Yay!

Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
F
Top 50 Poster
Online Content
Top 50 Poster
F
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
Nice, im going to Bro's for first pool party of the year, not much brewing today though

Last edited by Fdemetrio; 07/04/20 12:26 PM.
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
S
Serious Contributor
OP Offline
Serious Contributor
S
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
I guess we'll be keeping a distance, but I'm bringing my bluegrass banjo that can be heard from a distance.

Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
F
Top 50 Poster
Online Content
Top 50 Poster
F
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
Yeah these folks were doing the social distance ing thing for so long now, we're allowed in nj to have gatherings up to thirty but I think maybe 15 are going

It's been a long boring spring, but we're doing a lot better than other states now, during April we were the hardest hit.

Fdemetrio #1166213 07/04/20 12:39 PM
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
S
Serious Contributor
OP Offline
Serious Contributor
S
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
Originally Posted by Fdemetrio
Yeah these folks were doing the social distance ing thing for so long now, we're allowed in nj to have gatherings up to thirty but I think maybe 15 are going

It's been a long boring spring, but we're doing a lot better than other states now, during April we were the hardest hit.


I'm in NY state, which won the prize for the worst. But it seems ok now.

Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
F
Top 50 Poster
Online Content
Top 50 Poster
F
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
Now all the denier states are getting hit. Just hope they dont track it back

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 844
Likes: 1
Top 500 Poster
Offline
Top 500 Poster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 844
Likes: 1
Hi Polly...We are who we are musically. And I "get you"...Even your tune "Brighter Day" isn't really bright...I too am a Balladeer & l get it...

That said, This needs a Bridge to give it the diversity mentioned above....Maybe here @ MY MOTHER TOLD ME (You will need to sing differently, with a different melody to fit the Chord Progression & maybe change some lines after "My mother taught me")... Please NOTE...I cannot save the CHORDS to go over the words where it should be. EXAMPLE the D chord is supposed to be over the word early. But the Progression for the BRIDGE would be

Em-D-G-(D/F#)-Em-Am-C-D (CAPO IV)

I played this on acoustic with Capo IV

Em D
My mother taught me early

G D/F# Em
and she taught me well,

Am
don't go down any roa-oads

C D
that would only lea-ead to he-ell.

back to Chorus:

G Em etc

Can't find a way,
can't find a way,
so I'm prayin fo-or
that brighter day.




Steve Altonian---"I'll just do my best & let God do the rest"

http://www.stevealtonian.com
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
S
Serious Contributor
OP Offline
Serious Contributor
S
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 123
Thanks Steve, I'll try it!


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
Topics125,718
Posts1,160,952
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