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https://90dbband.bandcamp.com/track/california



California

©2015 Robert Randall Burke

Well, I went to California
Cause they said it never rained
Nearly drowned down in Laguna
When the mud slides came
All the pretty people
Scrambling for fame
But nobody knows your name.

And all the saints and sinners
Are gathered by the sea
To hear the newest prophet
Who looks a lot like me
The thing you've always wanted
Is the thing you'll never be
And nobody knows your name.

California
California
Some day soon
I'll be comin' home.

Well I went out in the desert
Just to see the stars
And I ended up in Bakersfield
Playin' in the bars
But they don't need no prophets
So I didn't get too far
Cause nobody knows my name.

Tom's Waitin' on the corner
Tryin' to bum a smoke
I offer him a Camel
He takes a righteous toke
He says this music business
Is nothing but a joke
And nobody knows your name.


California
California
Some day soon
I'll be comin' home
Some day soon
I'll be comin' home.







Regards,


Bob

I like that style of chorus.
Good structure.
Well written.
Nice melody.

Have fun!

Country Springsteen...If you want a better critique, generally the lyrics posted is a good idea....Too much reverb on the vocal. I would back off a bit...

Nice tune

Nice vibe to this. "Country Springsteen" is not far off the mark

Dylanesque. Pretty.

Well,
I would say this song is ready for the Big Time. Excellent overall. The Singing Brakeman, Jimmy Rogers wrote a song Entitled: CALIIFORNIA BLUES recorded and made famous by none other than THE WONDERING BOY, Webb Pierce. It may be posted on youtube.

I like it...

Very nice song.

The reverb only bothers me early on when it sounds "gated" and snaps off in the middle of a tail.

Mike

Guy,

Thanks for the listen and kind comment.


Regards,

Bob

"Ended up in Bakersfield", like that line. That's where I ended up! Nice tune and lyrics

Sounds good to me. Maybe give the vocal a little more presence
Lyrics are great.

Vic

Well done, Bob:

Enjoyed my listen. Wouldn't you love to hear what "The Eagles" would do (would have done) with it? Yeah, or those other two guys mentioned above... LOL! Keep 'em coming.

Steve,

Thanks for the listen.


Regards,

Bob

Gavin,


I'm from South Jersey, and Springsteen is from North Jersey, but I guess I'll take that as a compliment. Thanks for the listen.


Regards,

Bob

Martin,

Thanks for the listen and kind words.


Regards,


Bob

Ray,

Thanks for the listen and kind words.

Regards,,


Bob

Neil,


Thanks for the listen.


Regards,


Bob

Mike,


Thanks for the listen.


Regards,


Bob

Jane,


Thanks for the spin. Appreciate it.


Regards,


Bob

Hello Bob,


VERY enjoyable.


Calvin


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

Hi Bob

What can I say about this great song...

It was a real pleasure for me to listen to, and reading the lyrics was a joy. Although your diction is so spot on anyways.

I'm having another listen..

God Bless Roy

Really love the vocal. I enjoyed the laid back style of it. Just an easy going tune that sucks you in. Very 70 singer songwriter vibe. Almost thought I was going to hear a cover of Going to California from Zep when I opened the thread. Reverb didn't bother me. I enjoyed it.

Dave

Robert,

First off, that vocal right off is just so engaging. I was going back and forth at first on whether the reverb should be dialed back, but the more I listened the more I think you have it just right. And the write is just terrific—married well to a Springsteen like feel. Just beautifully done. Enjoyed this a ton!

My humble regards,

Deej

Calvin,


Thanks for the listen.


Regards,


Bob

Roy,

Thanks for the listen and kind words.


Regards,



Bob

Man, I feel like I just got to hear a lost Warren Zevon piece, both writing-wise and performance-wise. Great tune and great presentation.

On the mix, listen to how spare and unaffected the acoustic guitar sounds, then hear the vocals come in—the guitar is extra dry, and the vocal is extra wet. I would dial back the vocal reverb, ideally on the "Mix" dial of the reverb plugin, just reduce its presence by half or so. And then I would also add a touch of reverb to the super-dry guitar, to get them both sounding in the same room.

Great stuff! A really solid standalone song.

Bob I really like the song. You have a real good voice.
I was kind of hoping there would be a bridge to explain where home was.
Never the less I would be very proud if I wrote this song.
Tom

Dave,


Thanks for the listen and kind comments.


Regards,


Bob

Deej,

Thanks for the listen. Appreciate it.


Regards,

Bob

I enjoyed this. I think you've gotten some good feedback on the production re: the verb. You have a nice voice. Like Tom, I was wondering where home was and I think a bridge might serve to break this up a bit and solidify the narrative.

Just a thought.

Mark,


Would have answered sooner, but we had a little hurricane to deal with. Thanks for the kind words and suggestions. I attribute the reverb to mixing fatigue- after a thousand listens everything seems to blend together. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!


Regards,


Bob

Bob,

A really nice listen, loved this melody. I liked the arrangement too, but agree with Mike, you could tweak the reverb a bit. I always like to feel I hear the reverb when I solo the lead vox, but then when hearing the song with all the tracks it "almost" disappears. There are exceptions with certain garage rock songs where heavy reverb is part of the general effect wanted. When the reverb is a bit too much, the song sounds more like a live recording which can be cool if that is what you desire.........but with this sweet ballad, I think backing off a bit will keep the vox a little more in front and warmer--JMO.

I absolutely loved this song, and nice job singing it too Bob!

steady-eddie

Tom,


Thanks for the listen and kind comments.


Regards,


Bob

Wendy,

I don't believe every song needs a bridge, but that's just my opinion. I also think the 'narrative' is solid as it is, but once again, JMO.


Regards,

Bob

Good song, many positive comments here to back that up! Best of luck with ut
Travis

Eddie,

Thanks for the comment re/ reverb. Reverb is very subjective, and I'm no expert tweaker. Appreciate the listen and thoughtful comments.


Regards,

Bob

Travis,


Thanks for the listen and kind comments.


Regards,


Bob

This might sound odd, but this would have fit right in on some of Warren Zevon's albums. I'm a big Zevon fan so I mean that as a compliment.

Scott

Scott,

Thanks for the listen and kind comments.


Regards,


Bob