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Hi Y'all Here's something from 2006, when my home studio was dinky, but I had fun being creative with what I had. I was a fairly new here. This is one I don't think needs any remixing. What do you think? Can you hear all the words? The mix is so dense, that I recommend listening to the Bandcamp version, which is a higher bitrate stream. I love channeling Jim Morrison, sans histrionics. Bill Cooper wrote a wonderful lyric and was a patient gent while I crafted the sound for this. Bill had a work ethic that was quite inspirational. He wrote, and rewrote and rewrote--I'm sure there are a few still here that remember him. Anyway, that's "The Secret" -- keep the vision alive, 'til you get it on paper. Thinking of you, Bill, wherever you are. http://michaelzaneski.bandcamp.com/track/the-operas-never-over-til-the-fat-lady-singshttp://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=908328&songID=11669777The Opera's Never Over ('Til the Fat Lady Sings) Words by W.L. Cooper Music by Mike Zaneski Somewhere west of midnight I woke up in a dream. Front row at an opera like none I’d ever seen. On stage were broken bottles, a rusty old car door. A flock of seagulls pecking on a rotten apple core. Chorus Adam’s garden lay in shambles, the wilderness ablaze Mother nature shackled like a slave Here and there a patch of green, a spot or two pristine But the opera's never over ‘til the fat lady sings. V-2 Was dirty baby diapers scattered on the ground Soaking up raw sewage from a ransack’d backwoods town Evil clouds were rising from a distant factory. To feed an acid river and suffocate the sea Chorus Adam’s garden lay in shambles, the wilderness ablaze Mother nature shackled like a slave Here and there a patch of green, a spot or two pristine But the opera's never over ‘til the fat lady sings. bridge The sky gave way to Vultures circling over oyster bay Oil slick on the beaches a red tide on it's way I rolled over in my dream, tried my best to scream But the opera's never over ‘til the Fat Lady sings. Chorus Adam’s garden lay in shambles, the wilderness ablaze Mother nature shackled like a slave Here and there a patch of green, a spot or two pristine But the opera's never over ‘til the fat lady sings. (C)2006 All Rights Reserved
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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hey this is really good stuff. good music good words NICE PERFORMANCE. I really enjoyed what you did vocally here... Mother nature shackled like a slave and here... I rolled over in my dream, and the musical ending was PERFECT ! Calvin http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart
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Hi Michael, This is quite unique and very cool. The only thing I wondered about was v1 had everything on a stage and then v2 on the ground. I felt like v2 should have said something like "and then" or something to take it from the stage to the ground. It all sounds really good! Dottie
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hey this is really good stuff. good music good words NICE PERFORMANCE. I really enjoyed what you did vocally here... Mother nature shackled like a slave and here... I rolled over in my dream, and the musical ending was PERFECT ! Calvin http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart Thanks, Calvin. Yeah, Bill's lyric was very inspiring to sing. "Mother nature shackled like a slave" just came out of my mouth with a Morrison snarl--how else to sing that? I am glad you enjoyed it! MIke
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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mike.... definietly morrison influence!!! very unique lyrics!! great job! :))) scotty
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yeah cool, I hear a little morrison in there too
http://www.soundclick.com/louistwinn"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." Thoreau
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Hi Michael, This is quite unique and very cool. The only thing I wondered about was v1 had everything on a stage and then v2 on the ground. I felt like v2 should have said something like "and then" or something to take it from the stage to the ground. It all sounds really good! Dottie Hi Dottie, Thanks, it did come out kinda different from most other music--it's kinda like music for a newer "Mad Max" type of post-apocalypse scenario. Dottie, I think Bill's idea was that the singer's attention simply moves to the "ground of the stage" -- so, you know, the singer is indeed still viewing an opera, albeit one in a dream. Mike
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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Wow. Cool dark vibe here, Michael. The issue for me is it's hard to tell when your chorus starts and your verse ends. They're a little too similar to tell. check this out - it may help out with that concept. http://www.successforyoursongs.com/past-newsletter-issues/issue-1/Aside from that, I think you have a cool, unique vibe happening here. Good stuff!
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Wow. Cool dark vibe here, Michael. The issue for me is it's hard to tell when your chorus starts and your verse ends. They're a little too similar to tell. check this out - it may help out with that concept. http://www.successforyoursongs.com/past-newsletter-issues/issue-1/Aside from that, I think you have a cool, unique vibe happening here. Good stuff! Well let's see, Mr. Cesari, How's about the chord progression goes from being three consecutive parallel minor chords, that go through three key signatures, in the VERSES, then to a more traditional chord progression of IV to V to vi, in the chorus? How about because the vocal itself, is an average of a fifth higher, in the chorus? How about because the instrumentation changes, sometimes COMPLETELY, with every new section? In short, Mr. Cesari, I have to disagree with you. In fact, I went to the link you provided, and who'da thought? it's a link to your web site, your own personal blog. I see you have some credentials to your name. Perhaps you might consider that I might read your blog, if I didn't feel like I was just "spammed" and what you say is not really sincere, since you seem to have a rather "narrow" concept of what can distinguish a chorus from a verse--let alone that gleaning the "rules" from a few hit songs, namely, the ones that you like, will give ME a BETTER idea of how to write my songs. You might SERIOUSLY consider that not all songs want, nor would they benefit, from following the "gleaned rules" of a few hit songs.What "appears" arrogant about your post is that you "assume to know" my intentions with this song, or what context it was intended to exist in--AS IF ALL songs were written with "hit song" mentality at work. That sir, is indeed VERY, very narrow minded. I myself have theories about songwriting. Here's one for you: Music should follow ORGANICALLY from the lyrics. One should forget about writing "hit songs" and put ones ear to the lyric, and find out what IT wants, and then proceed from there. In this way, one is more likely to write something that "feels real and true" -- that everything works together, to make an organic whole. Stop worrying about writing hits, and start worrying about writing songs with integrity. I respect a writer who looks for "the soul of the song" and not the writer who removes every last ounce of it, trying to make it sound like what he/she thinks will "sell." You might also consider that there are MUCH, much better ways to introduce yourself to a new forum, a new group of people. The first step towards feeling that you are sincere, is that you now actually read, and reply, to the responses to your short, "spam-like" critiques. The irony here is that your essays seem to have much to offer, but folks will be less apt to go check it out, because you seem to lack the sensitivity to have figured out that you just don't march into a new place and then make a critique that "just happens" to be something that you have essayed on, in your blog, and then drop your link into the post, as if it were the "answer to our prayers" -- instead of actually introducing yourself like a normal person, and trying a more humble approach, and actually inviting dialogue. But alas, dialogue is not what you want, is it? There is a forum to announce your website, sir. Try the "Songwriting Message" forum for starters. Mike
Last edited by Michael Zaneski; 05/30/12 04:58 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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mike.... definietly morrison influence!!! very unique lyrics!! great job! :))) scotty Thanks, Scotty!
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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Hey Michael,
Yeah, spooky stuff.
Great production, and layering. I can hear some Morrison in there, and also Nick Cave as well.
Structurally it's a great piece, very listenable and intricate in it's musical arrangement. Especially like the percussion. To my ears the mix is just fine, a lot of space and seperation, and a clear sound.
Nits ? Nope, don't have any really, I think this one is done.
cheers, niteshift
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I think this is a very unique piece. There's some Leonard Cohen vibe, mixed with americana/western music, but the music is partly electronic, so it suggests sort of tv/media imagery to me.
As is now the tempo enhances the western vibe, methinks. If you lowered the tempo it might bring the poetic qualities of the piece more to the fore, especially in the first verse, but of course make it longer and more experimental.
I especially liked the layers in there. Very well done, that's where the west was won to me :-)
justsomethoughtsoffthecuff
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Powerful lyrics Michael, some skilled work here, that hits home in my own community where they are buying up acres to begin fracking, My well, and aquafier, in jeopardy, my water rights stolen by huge bonus fees to a neighbor full of greed, all to reclaim oil and natural gas, and chemicals to make plastics. And if my well is contaminated or dried up by the withdrawal of 4.5 million gallons of water per drill, I will have to drill my own new well at my expense. A costly dilemma. Love the song it truly hits close to home. ~~Write on Michael. ~~~MFB III
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yeah,a real cool peice!I have to agree with Songcabinet,i'm feeling a Leonerd Cohen vibe to it although i know that Jim loved to write about this subject.This def has a mad max type movie soundtrack to it.It's good to hear some of your work!
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Just a brilliant write. Hats off to Mr. Bill.
Very creative musical arrangement here Michael as is the production / mix.
Wonderful musicianship.
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Cool vibe. A real "artistic" piece that's a fun listen for us way off "Rue de Rivoli" listeners.
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“I usually start with a title or maybe a little rhyme or phrase.” - Harlan Howard
Co-writing = Compromise!
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yeah cool, I hear a little morrison in there too Thanks. I honestly have a hard time trying to figure out how to sing like myself. So I usually try bending it towards sounding like somebody else. I have recently tried writing more personal songs. I think they will demand my own real voice! The prospect frightens me, a bit. Mike
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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Hey Michael,
Yeah, spooky stuff.
Great production, and layering. I can hear some Morrison in there, and also Nick Cave as well.
Structurally it's a great piece, very listenable and intricate in it's musical arrangement. Especially like the percussion. To my ears the mix is just fine, a lot of space and seperation, and a clear sound.
Nits ? Nope, don't have any really, I think this one is done.
cheers, niteshift Hey, Nite! I love the Cavester; I remember first hearing his "The Carny" and "From Her To Eternity" In Wim Wenders' movie, "Wings Of Desire" and have been a big fan, ever since. Yeah, I am a compulsive remixer, and re-arranger, but I'll leave this one alone. Thanks! Mike
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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I think this is a very unique piece. There's some Leonard Cohen vibe, mixed with americana/western music, but the music is partly electronic, so it suggests sort of tv/media imagery to me.
As is now the tempo enhances the western vibe, methinks. If you lowered the tempo it might bring the poetic qualities of the piece more to the fore, especially in the first verse, but of course make it longer and more experimental.
I especially liked the layers in there. Very well done, that's where the west was won to me :-)
justsomethoughtsoffthecuff Hey Magne, You are the third or fourth to mention Leonard Cohen, who'm I love, but wasn't consciously channeling on this one, but hey...once he's in your blood, there he stays. It's funny, mentioning layers. I try to work 'tabula rasa' and let things build up organically, and did so in this one...I love the "Terje Rypdal" guitar sound I got on this, but haven't been able to get it since. It's probably Mr. Organic telling me that I am trying to aggrandize, instead of 'keeping it organic.' He would know, I suppose! Thanks again. Mike
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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Think the mix sounds great don't think it needs any changing at all. Very dark song, sounds quite cinematic!
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Think the mix sounds great don't think it needs any changing at all. Very dark song, sounds quite cinematic!
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I am glad I listened Michael.
This kind of lyric:
Evil clouds were rising from a distant factory. To feed an acid river and suffocate the sea
Is very poetic and well thought out.
Your music matched it and your voice is great. A mixture of the Doors and the Phantom.
Doug
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Great great work. Truly creative and well executed. Very enjoyable to listen to.
Thanks for creating,
Mike D.
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Powerful lyrics Michael, some skilled work here, that hits home in my own community where they are buying up acres to begin fracking, My well, and aquafier, in jeopardy, my water rights stolen by huge bonus fees to a neighbor full of greed, all to reclaim oil and natural gas, and chemicals to make plastics. And if my well is contaminated or dried up by the withdrawal of 4.5 million gallons of water per drill, I will have to drill my own new well at my expense. A costly dilemma. Love the song it truly hits close to home. ~~Write on Michael. ~~~MFB III Wow, MFB...how are your neighbors dealing with this situation? Is there anything that you can do, petition wise? Or is the greedy neighbor controlling everything? And to make plastics? Well, that's totally disgusting, and I can understand your frustration. Perhaps life and art will collide for you, here. The worst thing is feeling helpless--like there's 'nothing to be done.' Mike
Last edited by Michael Zaneski; 06/04/12 08:54 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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yeah,a real cool peice!I have to agree with Songcabinet,i'm feeling a Leonerd Cohen vibe to it although i know that Jim loved to write about this subject.This def has a mad max type movie soundtrack to it.It's good to hear some of your work! Hi Michael, Thanks! Yeah, I am a big fan of Leonard Cohen, so he kinda sneaks into whatever I do, I think! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Mike
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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Just a brilliant write. Hats off to Mr. Bill.
Very creative musical arrangement here Michael as is the production / mix.
Wonderful musicianship. Hi Nelson, I appreciate your kind words. I really didn't have a grip on what I was doing, in 2006, but just kept forging ahead. I only arrived at the strange minor chord sequence by accident, having left the same 'verse sequence' side by side a version, up a half step. Then I heard my accident, and loved it. Mike
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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Cool vibe. A real "artistic" piece that's a fun listen for us way off "Rue de Rivoli" listeners. Thanks, Kevin. You and I both lean towards artistic statement. I'll take "Rue de Rivoli" over I 'rue this here can of ravioli' any day. They have better Italian food, there, for one Mike
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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Bill was the master, I was amazed at the stuff he wrote, that he ultimately rejected. Seemingly ego-less, he could 'kill a darling' without batting an eye. Thanks! Mike
Last edited by Michael Zaneski; 06/04/12 09:59 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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Think the mix sounds great don't think it needs any changing at all. Very dark song, sounds quite cinematic! Thanks, Dave That means a lot, coming from someone who shares many of the same influences. Cheers, Mike
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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I am glad I listened Michael.
This kind of lyric:
Evil clouds were rising from a distant factory. To feed an acid river and suffocate the sea
Is very poetic and well thought out.
Your music matched it and your voice is great. A mixture of the Doors and the Phantom.
Doug
Thanks! I only recently brought myself to any LLoyd Weber, more recent than 'Jesus Christ Superstar' -- and although I found the music not up to, say, a Steven Sondheim's caliber, thought 'Phantom' at least quite enjoyable. Mike
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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Great great work. Truly creative and well executed. Very enjoyable to listen to.
Thanks for creating,
Mike D. Thanks, Mike!
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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