co-write with Cameron Earnshaw. try it now. hope you like it.

http://taxi.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=peer&action=display&thread=14864

Roadside Rest

I can see the evening shadows, of the Superstition Hills
When I drive out here at twilight, in my dented coupe-deville
Park beside a nearby canyon, where blackbirds and echoes nest
I can hear the children laughing, at the I-10 roadside rest

And I picture that old school bus, and the guy behind the wheel
Gin and coffee in his thermos, next to broken glass and steel
And a chilly breath of sadness, wells up in my aching chest
When I hear the children laughing, at the I-10 roadside rest

Then they set that driver free, on a technicality
And I waited on the courthouse steps that day
Two shots from a .38, and that killer met his fate
Then a jury of my peers put me away
When we’d come to pick up garbage, in our orange prison vests
I could hear the children laughing, at the I-10 roadside rest

Served my sentence nice and quiet, and I made a quick parole
But despair’s a timeless prison, for an empty, tattered soul
Breezes whistle ‘round their crosses, when they blow through from the west
I can hear hear my daughter laughing, at her peaceful roadside rest

I can see the evening shadows, of the Superstition Hills
When I drive out here at twilight, in my dented coupe-deville…

©2009 Cameron Earnshaw/Robert George

Robert, it sounds like the file is corrupt. Might want to reload it. Soundclick can be such a pain in the butt.

Tricia,
Guess it's not just my PC...good.
LOL
Neil

try it now. new link to cameron's site.

Hi Rob,

Great tune. I listened to the studio demo and about 1/2 of Cameron's worktape. The phrasing on the worktape is, IMO, WAY better than on the studio demo. Cameron 'owns' the song when he's singing it. The studio singer is a great singer, but I wish he'd of spent a bit more time studying the lyric.

It's a super good tune regardless. Somebody should pick this up as an album cut IMO.

Peace,

Ian

thanks Ian. I loved Cam's worktape, too. I think the singer "studied" it just fine...those Nashville singers will put there own touch on the song unless the writers are there in the studio to explicitly guide them. I don't think the average listener will have a problem with it.

I don't think so either... it's just that when I listened to the worktape, I noticed how honest and perfect the vocal interpretation was. Cam just tells the story better. Nevertheless the pro demo is very pro!

Best of luck w/ this really good tune Rob.

Peace,

Ian

It's a great story. I listened to both versions and I think the studio version missed the mark a little. You can feel the pain better in the co-writer's piano/vocal version.

Kevin

Hey Couch,

Real powerful song. Beautifully produced ( I listened to the studio version ) It's dark but compelling also. Rarely I can say no nits, it just works, lyrically and musically. Nice work.

cheers, niteshift

PS - one of those songs that's a crowd stopper in a crowded pub.

thanks guys.

niteshift, Cameron's worktape was great. still, I was shocked when I first heard the demo. man, it was top-notch.

Yeah, just went back to the worktape. That version would be used, in a live pub situation, after the full song has been known and widely known.

The two should be used as side by side learning experience as the difference between a worktape, and a finished product.

Outstanding song.

cheers, niteshft

Hi Robert

I couldn't listen to the pro version yesterday -- but I'll try again

The original performance gave me chills over and over. Well done. jm

JM, I can't argue with those who like Cameron's worktape. I prefer George Harrison's worktape of While My Guitar Gently Weeps. but I don't think you'll be disappointed in the studio version.

Hey Couchgrouch,
Awesome feel to this song! Can't call up the worktape? Great prosody between the story line, lyrics, and demo singer! Love the "dented coupe-deville" line, never heard that before. Some song images you hear a gazillion times! VERY cool turnaround with it being the daughter. Just have a couple questions,...are there more blackbirds or black crows in that part of the country? Crows always make a movie more haunting. My biggest question is with the "laughing children". Are they the children from the accident? If so, why are they and the daughter laughing? Is that the way the singer wants to remember them? It seems to me alot of emotions would be going on during an event as described,...not to be confused with "laughing". Just my opinion of course! Great song, good luck with the plugging!

Droptine

thanks droptine. I don't know the ratio of blackbirds here in Az to elsewhere. the children were laughing before the crash.

It's good. Lyrics and music both. Music reminds me a little bit of Johnny Cash's 'Hurt'. I like the story - a story worth living, worth telling.

Robert and Cam...just elegant work here...
Cam your vocals are spot on....and Robert, for me, your lyrics are a master class....this is so cool old-school 'classic' to me and I can hear Waylon 'wailing' on this...


Thanks for the listen...
Larry

Hi Couch,

I can't get the work tape to play so I'll have to take your word that it has even better "feeling" than the demo, because the demo is pretty awesome. The straight, almost mechanical delivery brings to my mind a man who has dried up inside and is only a walking shell now. Very vivid images throughout, a fine write all the way.

Ricki

thanks Larry.

Ricki, while I loved the worktape I definitely crank the demo around my house, haha.

Rob,
I got the studio version and it sounds great. Reminds me of Cliff Side Dive.

Good luck,
John

thanks John. I remember Cliff Side Dive. this is a little more succinct.

This is really great, love the lyrics, music all of it..this one should go all the way..enjoyed it...glyn

thanks glynda.