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Another 50/90 tune -- discovered I didn't have any demo recordings of this one at all. Turned out mellower than maybe I wanted -- but what can you do?

Kevin

*****************************************
We Chose The Road
(c) Emmrich 2011

(verse)
Start the car and check the map
You drive first and we can chat
gas tanks full and oil's checked
take a right and then two lefts

(chorus 1)
We chose the road or did it choose us
Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference
when adventures of life we come across
ya know it’s hard to not feel lost

(verse)
Past the fields and through small towns
there are many roads we'll never go down
I wonder what lies at the end of them
Do you turn around or's there another bend

(chorus 2)
We chose the road or did it choose us
Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference
I tell you things, but it’s not what I say
it's the silence in-between the phrase

(bridge)
I wonder when it all comes clear
is it now, tomorrow or never?
I can shake my fist, rant and rave
or just enjoy the time together

(chorus 1 again)
We chose the road or did it choose us
Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference
when adventures of life we come across
ya know it’s hard to not feel lost

(tag)
Start the car and check the map
Let’s get going, I feel trapped
take a left and another right
let’s go ‘til our past is out of sight.

Kevin: Vocals, acoustic guitar, slide guitar
BIAB: bass, drums, percussion, acoustic guitars, piano, banjo

Wow Kevin. This is my favorite of yours I think. It bears repeated listenings. Really catchy tune and arrangement and some nice lines in there too. I'm quite impressed.

Your bud,

Stevie

Yeah, that's a nice one Kevin. Starts out literal and then becomes metaphorical. Nicely performed too!

Only one nit. I think this line is a little too rushed:

Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference.

It's possible it can be kept as is and just change the phrasing. Or maybe drop the word sometimes.....

This part resonated with me:

Past the fields and through small towns
there are many roads we'll never go down
I wonder what lies at the end of them
Do you turn around or's there another bend

There was a really cool looking road I used to drive by on my way to work. Drove by it for about 5 years, always saying I'd go down it one day. One day I did and was disappointed - turns out it was better in my imagination.

But if you don't look, you'll never find the gems...

Scott

This is lovely, Kevin. Really nice all-round treatment: groove, music, vocals. The whole shebang.
Good work.

Kevin,
I love this one. This is hands down my favorite of yours as well. It is a great song. I like the arrangement and I do not think that it is too mellow for the lyrics. Your voice compliments the style of the song beautifully. I like the harmony in the chorus. I don't think I heard that in the first chorus, but noticed it later in the song and really liked it. My only suggestion would be concerning the phrasing in the chorus. You seem to be squeezing in words that I am thinking you may not need - just my thoughts. One suggestion -

Did we choose the road or did it choose us
It's so hard to tell the difference
When the thrills of life, we come across
It's so darn hard to not get lost...

Awesome job Kevin, file this one into your greatest hits file!

Tracy

Little_stevie_b: Thanks for the visit and the kind words. Glad to see you hanging around here full-time again!

Scott: I had someone else mention that "sometimes" word -- I'll have to take a look at that! Thanks for stopping on by. I liked that "roads we'll never go down" thingy myself.

Donna: Thanks for the comments. I see you are having another great FAWM. I am stuck at 10, but I'll try and get to 14 this weekend. I have 3 or 4 half-done songs, so I should be OK.

Tracy: I'll definitely take a look at that chorus. Lots of folks feeling that part is a little rushed. Thanks for the visit, listen and kind words!

Kevin

I also think the chorus is rushed. You can use the same words - Start the line early so the chord change comes under "hard" instead of sometimes. That should allow you to fit the words in. You could also just start the line on "hard" that would work too.

I like the harmony under the chorus mostly, although there is one point where it appears to hit the same notes as the lead vocal, which muddies the sound a little. This doesn't help with the sound of the song, particularly with the lyrical base.

I love the subtle electric guitar at the end as well. beautiful support for the melody as well as fitting the groove of the song.

Kevin, This is a gentle, well put together tribute to fate. An easy-going drive down the musical backroads. I immediately noticed the line "the road chose us." You'll be hearing from MAB on that one. Just remind him he borrowed it from some one before you borrowed it from him.

You're really getting your money's worth out of that BIAB software. This is a really nice sounding arrangement. Real good job, friend.

John: Thanks for the listen and comments. I must admit that I am not hearing the "rushness" of that chorus line -- but since so many folks have mentioned it, I guess it has got to be fixed! I'll see what I can do. The 2nd vocals were a last minute add, so there is a little unison here and there -- gotta fix that, too!

Dan: Ha, ha -- that must be MAB's line about "You don't choose music, music chooses you"! Thanks for stopping by and giving it a spin. For me, BIAB was a great purchase. It is not for everybody, though. I like because it does a pretty decent job giving me the sounds I want fairly easily. I sometimes have to go where BIAB takes me, though, but that is a small penalty to pay.

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

I like this too. One little suggestion: "I just can't tell the difference" may work for you too. I do think the music fits the feel of the lyric and vocals well. I think it needs to be a bit laid back.

Hi Kevin,

Well looks like I'm going to jump on the bandwagon here. Very nice on all counts...though yes, that section of the chorus stuck out to me too. I think Mr. Selleck has a fine suggestion to help.

I also like the tone you've used; though it might not have been what you were aiming for originally, I think it's well-suited to the thoughtful lyric.

Speaking of which, I thought your tag was just right , this part in particular:

take a left and another right
let’s go ‘til our past is out of sight

Gotta say, this FAWM has been responsible for some terrific songs. Wonder if I can send a thank you note to someone??

Ciao for now,
Beth

Loved the song and your presentation of it . Great vocal - nicely done. I had the exact same thought as Tracy Harris on the chorus, but its very subjective - I'm always rewriting lines in my head and you probably can do it your way just fine and there are also probably a hundred other ways - in the end you gotta please yourself, Ricky. The feeling of the song was very centered and peacefully adventurous. Loved it.

Pete

Kevin: Tracy got her comment on the first line of the chorus correct, 'cause it jumped right out at me as well. I did like the line about making the past disappear. Nicely sung, I think you did great with this one.
Ott

Oh my, I am a little late responding to this one. My nephew is in town and we are going to do this one in a guitar/bass/vocal format on Friday night. Should be fun.

Lots of agreement on the chose vs. choose in the chorus -- I haven't changed it yet, though.

John: Hey, have you made the big move to the Philippines yet? Thanks for stopping by and giving it a spin.

Beth: Congrats to you on you winning that book at the Taxi thing. I was on-line when it happened, but I didn't know it was you! Thanks for the listen and kind words.

Pete: I didn't what to use "choose" twice so quickly in the chorus. I am leaving it as is (for now!). Thanks for the comments and visit.

Ott: How is songramp going? Well, I know you can't answer.

Kevin

hi kevin, just gave "we chose the road" a listen and i really like it, really like your vocals, reminds me of someone but i can remember who. loved when the banjo came into play, it had a great effect on the atmosphere of the song. i liked the lyric's just like they are. real cool and enjoyable feel in this song.

shalom, dmk

Kevin,
I really like this that first verse is killer. Conciece and clean. The second verse is not as tight. Same with that "difference" line in the chorus.
I think just cleaning up the flow will make this a significantly good song.
This really reminds me of the Avett Brothers. Have you seen them? I think you can find them on Austin City Limits web site.
Good work,
Tom

I like the song! I love when are you singing laid back like you have your feet up. keep up the good work

Kevin,

This is one of your very best.
It reminds me of Paul Simon at times, the writing.

The message is good, the writing is good. You sound good!!! The first time you sing, sometimes it's hard to tell the difference, seemed rushed, but other than that small nit, really nice!!!

Keep up the great work!!

I hope one day I am fortunate enough to do a collaboration with you.

Kimberly

Kevin,

This one is as pretty as you can get.

Kevin

Good words, great technical soft (imperfect) rhymes (sounds conversational and not contrived or forcing rhymes), so if anything, your comment about being too mellow might be right on - seems road songs could be more "driven" home (pardon the pun) with rhythmic, driving beat that might fit the theme better. But in the poignant line about "out of sight" you could slow it down (take out the drums) and bring it to a nice, soft, emotional ending.

Just my two cents pardner!

Hi Kevin,

This was VERY pleasant to the ears.
Good theme !

Calvin


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

Kevin,

How did I miss this one?? Very nice listen!!

Tammy

dmk: Thanks for the visit and kind words! Glad you enjoyed it.

Tom: Hello, Scott said the 2nd verse resonated with him -- it is always interesting how things will hit folks differently. Yes, I know the Avett Bros. In fact line one is dangerously close to the first line in I and Love and You, but I think I successfully diverge after that. I guess I am not that original (ha, ha).

mattdunn: I don't know if my feet were up -- but I was definitely sitting while singing this one. Thanks for stopping by and giving it a spin.

Kimberly: I don't see why we can't do a collaboration at some point in time. Thanks for giving it a listen. I am playing this one live at open mics, so I keep working on the phrasing!

KevinP: Thanks for the listen and comments -- it is always appreciated.

I'll come back for the others a little later.

Kevin

Charlie: Good tips, I'll think about it. Not sure if I will do much with this particular recording -- but I am doing it live so it is always changing.

Calvin: Thanks for the visit and listen.

Tammy: It is really easy to miss stuff when it is busy around here. Thanks for stopping by and giving it a spin.

Thanks to all who listened and commented. ... or listened and didn't comment. ... or didn't listen and still commented ... or didn't listen and didn't comment .... and also to those that don't even know that JPF exists.

Kevin

Very cool tune, both lyrically and musically. Vocals, production, everything came together here. One of the most interesting songs I've heard posted in a while. Really enjoyed it!

Tom W.

Tom W: Thanks so much for the visit and the kind words. I am glad you enjoyed it.

Kevin

I really liked this one Kev, and one things for sure the more songs you do the better your vocal has become.
Love the way your telling this story. Nice changes man, like Jackson Browne.

I tell you things, but it’s not what I say
it's the silence in-between the phrase

GREAT line!

Mike: Funny thing -- I have found that if I actually practice a song until I memorize it, I can actually (mostly) stay on pitch. Most of my songs from the old days were quick 1st or 2nd cut recordings -- I just assumed I would never be on pitch because, well, I never was! Goes to show what a little practice can do.

Thanks for the visit and comments.

I played this one at an open mic last night and the co-owner of the place joined me on mandolin. He followed the changes pretty well and I thought he sounded really good on it. It was fun.

Kevin

Hi Kevin

YIPEE, oh I just love it, absolutely fantastic write, loads of great lines, and it's so damn CATCHY, very clever Kevin. I'm with Mike on your vocal, you have improved heaps, keep up the great work, because I'm a big fan of yours hey.

Yep that's TALENT! I'm very IMPRESSED!

Hugs Michele

Glad I didn't miss this, really enjoyed your vocals. Loved the melody and production.

uh-Oh, I am falling behind again -- on listening and commenting, too. I'll get back in the swing in a couple of days.

Michele: Thanks so much for the listen and kind words. I hope you are feeling better.

Louis: Thanks for stopping by and giving it a spin. You need to post more of your always great songs!

Kevin

Very nice work on this.

Positives: great laid back feel and groove. Once you have the groove everything falls into place. Bridge was thought out and changed the song the way a bridge is suppoed to change/break up a song. Your vocal, not perfect mind you, fits the tune well.

Things to consider: The way you sang "sometimes it's hard to tell the difference" seemed odd, like it was rushed when you didn't have to rush it. It's just a matter of proper phrasing.

I thought you could have opened the tune with that lovely slide guitar that's after the 1st chorus. It would have hooked in everybody listening. The weakest part of the song was the chording in the chorus. It just didn't elevate enough for me. You have really cool bass line going on in the last line of the chorus. I'd like to hear more of that. I also though you could have draw out the last line of the chorus...I know it's haaaard---to not feel lost--especially with that cool bass groove on the beginning of that last line. You've got a great hook--drive it home.

Nice work.

Zeek

Zeek: I'll look at those things you mentioned, for sure. Thanks for the listen and the in-depth comments! Song is already a little long to have a slide in the beginning -- but you could be right.