JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback MP3 Feedback Forum *** Hold Me Now ***

First new song of the year.

Just 3 verses and a chorus but I actually wrote a little harmonica riff and managed a bit of piano.

Big money shakes up small community... in the name of progress.
It was a bit too much change for one resident and he makes his feelings known in a letter to the town Council, which is read in open session as we picture him driving down the road, trailer in tow.

The letter was titled "Hold Me Now".

Well "Mr." Nelson, I'd say you have a fine song here! Heart felt lyric and delivery and man I wish I could play the harmonica like that! Keep them coming!

Tom

"To divide and concur didn’t take much time, they spread a little money and watched the ties that bind, unwind."

An excellent write, Nelson. A beautiful song.

A lot of heart in it.

floyd

Wonderful words, Mr. Nelson:

It needs more backing for the melody or a stronger instrument (guitar or piano)carrying the tune along to make the words stand out even more. This one is a Gem, my friend. Beautiful write. Thanks for sharing. ----Dave

Hello MISTER NELSON !

Always happy to check out a Nelson tune.
Killer voice as always but I think I agree with Dave about the music.

ps....still better than anything I could scrape together :-)

Calvin


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

What a fantastic song Nelson.Some mighty fine writing and i like your harmonica riff for sure.Mike

There is no mistaking the Dylan flavor, complete with harmonica.

Hi Nelson,

Loving this new work of yours.

I like the uncluttered arrangement. I'm not sure your voice or composition needs too much going on before it's taking away from the power of your vocals and words. That said, if there was some kind of build to the song, it might feel a bit more dynamic. I love it, though..especially when your harmonies kick in..

Mike

We like the write, the vocal and the sparse open arrangement.

"To divide and concur didn’t take much time, they spread a little \money and watched the ties that bind, unwind."

Strong!!

It all works well and the mix sounds good on our monitors.

Enjoyed it!

J&B

Sounding good, as expected, Mr. Nelson. You never disappoint. Well told story with production to support it.

Watching the ties that bind, unwind

Almost seems like that sound be the title. as it tells the story in a nutshell.

Ricki

Thanks for the spin and the kind words.

Thx a bunch Floyd

Thx Dave
Appreciate your time and insight.

Hey Calvin always appreciate your time and insight.
I'll see what I can do about that dang music.

Glad you liked it and as always appreciate the spin.

One of my favorite artists here and your songs never disappoint. I always wonder when I am going to hear your tunes on our local independent radio stations around here (I thought I already had, but that was someone who stole your sound!).

Great as always. Wonderful writing my old friend who I have never met yet.

Thx for swinging by Jim.

I added some piano under the verse, thinking that maybe it and
the harmonica at the end of the verses would help a bit.
I'll let it continue to marinate and see where it goes.

Always appreciate your time, your ears and your insights.

Hey Nelson!

What a fabulous write here! Lyrically really strong my friend, and you have a Dylanesk/Chapin combination vibe going on--but that's kind of "you" when you think about that. I think any songwriter that has a "little" going on with some of the great writers/performers is following a pretty good formula! Nice performance as well, and great melody.

One possible arrangement sug should you re-visit that area--(not a nit). I'd like to hear you leave the harmony out of the 1st chorus and keep it for the last two, which in my mind, may enhance the song's "build" and even empower the chorus the 2nd time around. Not sure........just food for thought--use, try, or lose. Super write my friend!

steady-eddie.

Hi there Nelson,

Well, on the eve of July 4th, this is was certainly a treat to listen to. Some lovely lyrics and I thought the musication was just right.

I especially enjoyed this section, which is so bittersweet and full of awesome internal rhymes:

Well the town has changed, such a crying shame, stained by the pain of watching the ties that bind, unwind.


Thanks for sharing,
Beth

Nelson,
Nicely sung, played, arranged and most importantly written. The time and care you have taken are evident.
you are a good songwriter Nelson,
Tom

Thx a bunch folks. Appreciate your time and kind comments.

Thanks for stopping by Ricki.
Yeah, it was a toss up between "Hold Me Now" or "Unwind".
Hold me now, won out... 4 now.

Missed this one. Very well done Nelson. Great telling of an all too common story in this country now.


Now you can go to Phillips and have a crab cake to celebrate!


Regards,

Bob

Mr. Nelson, You're a born storyteller and a songwriter and this one rings of the truth. How many small towns across America have seen this story, or some variation of it, played out over the years? It doesn't take much to make people suspicious and jealous of each other, to turn one against the other. Some people see the Devil's work in this. But I don't think the Devil has to lift a finger. All he has to do is sit back and laugh at human nature and tally up the score. This one should fit right in to that CD you're working on.

Thank you Kevin
As always... U R 2 Kind

Hey Eddie
As always, appreciate you stopping by and sharing your insight.

I've been fiddlin with it every since reading Dave and Calvin's post.

I did what you suggest to a lesser degree to the piano in verses 1 and 2. I cut the first 1/4 off and played the whole piano part in the 3rd verse.

My trepidation with your suggestion is, I don't think my vocal is good enough alone and on the other hand I don't think the harmonies are good enough to make the change any more dramatic or dynamic, when they come in. To my ears neither is that great but together... bla blaa... they get the job done.
I'm sure that makes absolutely no sense.

That being said, I went back into file and muted the harmonies in the first verse. I'll make a copy of it and listen to it for a few weeks... Hell it may grow on me, eh?

Thx again

Thank you, Beth.
I’m so pleased you enjoyed that line and the song, in general.

Thanks for the spin and kind words Tom.
U R 2 Kind

At times I feel I'm loosing my mojo/interest in songwriting and sometimes I feel I'm bordering on obsession.

Hey there Mr. Nelson,

A little late to the game on this one, but i am glad I am here. I am always in awe of your songwriting and performances. They always give such an easy going vibe. I can picture myself sitting in a recliner with the headphones on in a dark room and just listening to your stuff all night long. Can't tell you how much I dug this song. Great work, as always.

Dave

Thx Bob

Phillips is for tourist.

Brother, ain't that the truth.
I always appreciate your time and insight, Dan.

I really want to write a cool hip song one day but until then... here we are, eh?

Hey Dave, I really appreciate that, man.
(warms my soul)

Hey, better late then never eh?

VERY GOOD SONG.
LIKE A JERRY JEFF WALKER TUNE

Thank You, Neil

Nelson, definitely a Dylan feel to this one which is a good thing!! Good song!! :)))) Scotty

Thx Scotty
Appreciate you stopping by.

Just giving it another listen -- sounds as good as last time (ha, ha). Love the flow and freedom of your tunes.

Nothwithstanding all of the hits on this thread...never saw this song. Extraordinary lyric. Nice art.

Thanks Buddy

Thank you Martin
Appreciate you stopping by

I love it. How songwriting's done. Good one!!

Great write Mr. Nelson, I love story songs based on truth like this and have written some myself. Normally I wouldn't complain about a simple typo but you wrote "divide and concur". Concur has an entirely different meaning than conquer and if it were me I would change the spelling just so I don't look like a rube.