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Posted By: Vicarn Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/11/19 11:14 AM
Mostly Travis' nostalgic lyric about growing up in a small town in Britain. Adjusted and put to music by me.
Aimed mainly at the Brit market. Too fast? Too slow?
Listen on https://soundcloud.com/vic-arnold/our-little-town

OUR LITTLE TOWN
V
Gaslights flickered, dancing to the call of the wind
frost in the air, roof tops and cobblestones white.
Attaching to the eyebrows and whiskers on old men's chins
Collars lifted up against another cold winters night
V
Why do I miss that weather like my favourite dog
Ice patterns on my window glowing if the sun ever shone
And why nostalgic tears about that pea soup winter smog?
Maybe memories of folk and places in a time long gone
Pre ch.
Our little town was a fine town
Take me back to our town
C
Our little town. Terraced houses.
Just two up and another two down
Rented TV in black and white
and laughter from the school play ground
V
Smoky coal fires burning from the black iron kitchen ranges
Dads fast asleep Evening News slides from his lap
Falling to the lino scattering the racing pages
While mum sits knitting, water dripping from the cold sink tap.
B
Factory hooters drone,
queuing for the phone,
rag 'n bone for your old clothes.
Get balloons or donkey stones.
C
Posted By: Sunset Poet Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/11/19 12:25 PM
Pretty song guys.

The BPM seems about right to me. It might seem a little pepp-ier if sped up two or three bpm, presuming that the syllables can be sung fast enough to keep up without breaking down.

Most Daws these days will allow you to do 2 or 3 bpm increases without sounding unnatural.

Martin
Posted By: Deej56 Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/11/19 12:46 PM
Vic and Travis,

This is really well done--enjoyed it immensely. Great melody and catchy chorus; drips with atmosphere and heart. The BPM for me is just right. Terrific job on this one.

Best regards,

Deej
Posted By: Neil Cotton Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/11/19 02:50 PM
The tempo is right on. Great production.

It took almost 11/2 to get to the hook , and I would like to have heard it more frequently. Let folks sing along.

It is quite poetic in phrasing which likely is more aimed at British folk market
Posted By: Travis david Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/11/19 03:32 PM
Hi Martin
Thanks once more for your support.
Any technical bits i'm sure Vic will respond too.
We did two versions of the song version one was at a faster pace so I suggested(rightly or wrongly) a slower take might be better?
This is it.
The other version will no doubt get a posting shortly.
Cheers
Travis
Posted By: Travis david Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/11/19 05:37 PM
Thanks for the listen Dave and your thumbs up
Regards
John
Posted By: Vicarn Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/11/19 07:53 PM
Hi Martin. The first take was about 135 bpm and the second (this one) is 120 bpm.
I was actually quite happy with both but this one was easier to sing.

Thank you for the comment.

Vic
Posted By: Vicarn Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/11/19 07:55 PM
Thanks Deej.
Made my day.

Vic
Posted By: Travis david Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/11/19 10:34 PM
Thanks for the listen Neil maybe a little walk to the chorus but glad you found it worth while.
Yes i think overtly British but i hope that doesn't put anyone off
Cheers
Posted By: Dave Rice (D) Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/11/19 11:22 PM
Hi you two:

Enjoyed my listen and thought the tempo was just about right. Well done on all counts. I agree that it works better for audiences in the U.K. but it works over here, across the pond, as well.
Posted By: E Swartz Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/11/19 11:32 PM
I loved it guys. I enjoyed the nostalgic imagery. I liked everything about it, but do think you might be able play around with the percussion and more harmony at the chorus just to give it a smidgin more mmph there. I really enjoyed this guys, nicely done with an interesting story for sure. I grew up in a small village and can relate a bit. I originally had some percussion options to share, but none that you I'm sure didn't contemplate. Very cool lyrics John, and Vic you've captured the vibe quite well!

steady-eddie
Posted By: Neil Cotton Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/12/19 03:07 AM
Originally Posted by Travis david
Thanks for the listen Neil maybe a little walk to the chorus but glad you found it worth while.
Yes i think overtly British but i hope that doesn't put anyone off
Cheers

Not being put off in any way...just regurgitating some construction I have heard from Ralph Murphy, Jason Blume, NSAI etc.
Posted By: Vicarn Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/12/19 10:17 AM
Thanks for listening Neil and for your comments.

I hope the "hook" in this song is the story itself although the chorus could be another.
Think of other story songs like: The wreck of the old '97, even Hello Mudda, Hello Faddah.
They relied on story as the hook.
"The coat of many colours" doesn't get to the chorus until 1:15. Doesn't need to if you're following a reasonably interesting story.
Hooks are needed when there's not much else going on.

I'm sure Canadians like poetry too. :-)

Vic
Posted By: Neil Cotton Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/12/19 12:25 PM
Originally Posted by Vicarn
Thanks for listening Neil and for your comments.

I hope the "hook" in this song is the story itself although the chorus could be another.
Think of other story songs like: The wreck of the old '97, even Hello Mudda, Hello Faddah.
They relied on story as the hook.
"The coat of many colours" doesn't get to the chorus until 1:15. Doesn't need to if you're following a reasonably interesting story.
Hooks are needed when there's not much else going on.

I'm sure Canadians like poetry too. :-)

Vic


The story and lyric are compelling. Other than passive listening, active listening is good too.
All the best.
Poetry is OK even here... LOL

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Gordon Lightfoot

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they called 'gitche gumee'
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy
With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more
Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty
That good ship and crew was a bone to be chewed
When the gales of November came early

The ship was the pride of the American side
Coming back from some mill in Wisconsin
As the big freighters go, it was bigger than most
With a crew and good captain well seasoned
Concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms
When they left fully loaded for Cleveland
And later that night when the ship's bell rang
Could it be the north wind they'd been feelin'?

The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound
And a wave broke over the railing
And every man knew, as the captain did too,
T'was the witch of November come stealin'
The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait
When the gales of November came slashin'
When afternoon came it was freezin' rain
In the face of a hurricane west wind

When suppertime came, the old cook came on deck sayin'
Fellas, it's too rough to feed ya
At seven pm a main hatchway caved in, he said
Fellas, it's been good t'know ya
The captain wired in he had water comin' in
And the good ship and crew was in peril
And later that night when his lights went outta sight
Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Does any one know where the love of God goes
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?
The searches all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay
If they'd put fifteen more miles behind her
They might have split up or they might have capsized
They may have broke deep and took water
And all that remains is the faces and the names
Of the wives and the sons and the daughters

Lake Huron rolls, superior sings
In the rooms of her ice-water mansion
Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams
The islands and bays are for sportsmen
And farther below Lake Ontario
Takes in what Lake Erie can send her
And the iron boats go as the mariners all know
With the gales of November remembered

In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed,
In the maritime sailors' cathedral
The church bell chimed till it rang twenty-nine times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call 'gitche gumee'
Superior, they said, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early
Posted By: Vicarn Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/12/19 06:48 PM
Thanks for that, Dave.

When I first heard American songs I couldn't understand most of it but that's what made me want to find out more.
I enjoy the occasional trip into the vernacular.

Vic
Posted By: Travis david Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/12/19 11:42 PM
I like a bit of G L. Especially Christian Island a great song. I heard he's touring this year at 80 years old!
Posted By: Calvin Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/13/19 08:51 AM
Hi guys,


Nice teamwork.
Enjoyable chorus.
I think the tempo was about right.


Calvin


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart
Posted By: Vicarn Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/13/19 10:00 AM
Hi Ed.
I did dither over the percussion part. More, less, drums?
I agree there could be a tad more in certain parts but at the same time I wanted to keep it simple. Same with the harmonies. I am still thinking of possibilities.
Thank you for your always interesting suggs.

Vic
Posted By: Vicarn Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/13/19 10:05 AM
I always liked Lightfoot. I often sing his "In the early morning rain". All story hook.

Vic
Posted By: Vicarn Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/13/19 03:34 PM
It's amazing that he is still doing it at that age, but he doesn't have to carry his own gear.
I wonder who I can get to carry mine in a few years time. Hmmm!
Posted By: Vicarn Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/13/19 06:10 PM
Hi again Ed. I tweaked a few things a little and put the acoustic bass on.

Vic
Posted By: E Swartz Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/13/19 07:23 PM
Vic,

Much better! Feels more appropriate with the vibe. Although, I think the dog's bark is about 20 cents sharp...........

steady-eddie
Posted By: Neil Cotton Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/14/19 03:12 AM
Originally Posted by Vicarn
It's amazing that he is still doing it at that age, but he doesn't have to carry his own gear.
I wonder who I can get to carry mine in a few years time. Hmmm!


LIGHTFOOT NEWS

Lightfoot Documentary To Premiere At Hot Docs In April!
Lightfoot "80 Years Strong" Tour 2019!
Lightfoot Working On New Album!
Lightfoot's 80th Birthday Concert in Orilla Review
Lightfoot's Complete Singles 1970-1980
Lightfoot Biography By Nicholas Jennings - lightfoot.ca exclusive review!
Lightfoot Receives Inaugural Massey Hall Honours Award

Short poem

Don’t let your milestone be a millstone
Don’t let a number drag you down
I’ve seen old folks own the floor.
Dancin' like there is no tomorr’
Embrace the future
Passions endure
Posted By: Vicarn Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/14/19 03:20 PM
Thank you Calvin.
Teamwork works well when it works. :-)

Vic
Posted By: Vicarn Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/14/19 08:09 PM
The dog's on autotune.

Vic
Posted By: Vicarn Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/14/19 08:09 PM
Wow! Neil.
You must be a fan.
Posted By: Neil Cotton Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/15/19 02:27 PM
Originally Posted by Vicarn
Wow! Neil.
You must be a fan.

Moderately...I googled it. LOL
Generally not a fan of folk music....like the one above...great writing not a fan however.
I like some of his songs...the classics LOL
As you may have gathered I lean toward Country and rock n roll. "Sundown" is one I like.

The lyric I posted of Mother Natures Circle is not likely to get a good treatment from me.
I should try to stretch myself
Posted By: Vicarn Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/15/19 08:41 PM
I always thought country was derived from folk music. Bluegrass must be.
Posted By: E Swartz Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/15/19 09:24 PM
Bluegrass was Appalachian music that was derived from Scottish/Irish/celtic influences. The Scotts primarily migrated to the mountains here in America liking the "highlands" which reminded them of home--most that came were young and poor and looking for not so much wealth, rather independence and pure adventure. My 5-Great Grandfather Richard Tennant came from the farmlands just south of Glasgow, Scotland in about 1760. I think Country Music evolved from a combination of Bluegrass and early American Folk music.
Posted By: Vicarn Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/15/19 11:00 PM
Thanks for that, Eddie.

Vic
Posted By: Travis david Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/16/19 01:46 AM
I see it was on Sophie's Springboards play list Vic did it get a radio play?
John
Posted By: Vicarn Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/16/19 10:27 AM
I missed it yesterday so will have to do a catch up, John.

Vic
Posted By: Vicarn Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 03/16/19 06:54 PM
Just listened, John.
Yes it was played.
Posted By: MFB III Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 06/25/19 11:50 AM
Stellar song and superb lyrics, love the way you tell the story with such expressive tone, and the music is so easy and fun to listen to.
Posted By: Vicarn Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 06/25/19 01:33 PM
Hi there MFBIII.

Thanks for that.

Vic
Posted By: Gavin Sinclair Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 06/25/19 02:01 PM
Very enjoyable and definitely one for the fans of nostalgia. Funny how even "negative" things like fog and smoke can be attractive in memory because of the fond memories with which they are associated, like the warmth of the people and home. When I smell diesel fumes just for a moment, I get a mild endorphin boost from the association with waiting for the bus with friends as a kid!

I love the verse with the dad's newspaper slipping from his hands as he dozes.

Nice gentle tune. Well done.

I actually checked that my dog was OK when I heard the bark smile
Posted By: MFB III Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 06/25/19 05:02 PM
you are always more than welcome.
Posted By: Vicarn Re: Our little town. Travis & Vic - 06/25/19 05:46 PM
Thanks Gavin.

Exactly so about diesel fumes. It reminds me of going to the seaside on a bus.

What is life without a dog?

Vic
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