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Joined: Nov 2010
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I read about this man about a year ago and always thought it would make a song. What an incredible life he had. There were some stories that he was the real Lone Ranger too. Maybe. Vic https://soundcloud.com/vic-arnold/bass-reeves Bass Reeves © 2020 Vic Arnold V1 Raised as a slave 'til they took him to war So he ran off and hid out in Oklahoma Learned from Creek, Seminole, Cherokee how to survive in this land of the free. V2 Now as a freed man with colts at his side . For Judge Parker's deputies, miles he will ride Shoots with the left and shoots with the right Took three thousand outlaws, dead or alive. Ch. Dark stranger. Where do you ride? Where ever there's bad men to find. They once called you "boy", it's hard to believe but now it's "Yes, Mr. Reeves". No longer a boy, Mr. Reeves Inst. V3 A master of disguise, he'll dress to deceive. Lives well off the bounty from killers and thieves Folks never get to see many like him. Black man on a white horse with indian friend. Inst. Br. The rewards are handsome for dodging the lead. Food for the family and a roof o'er your head. Ch.
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I'm not aware if a movie has been made about this guys remarkable story, but it would be good to watch. A good take on Bass' career in the Marty Robbins mode. You've written a good country song Vic. I enjoyed the ride John
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. Oscar Wilde
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Hi Vic, I like the story on Bass Reeves well. the song is well done. there has been one budget movie done about him in 2010, and he has been featured in one short, and on at least a couple of TV shows. Everyone wants to paint America as the only country with a history of slaves. The truth is almost every country has owned slaves, and been enslaved over time. Some of England's history is here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/12/british-history-slavery-buried-scale-revealed
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Great Song, Vic:
It really does have a Marty Robbins vibe and your vocal carries the story quite nicely. (As always!) As John said, Slavery was once practiced in England... but it is Biblical and there are so many examples in both Books. If one climbs most family trees... there is a slave-story to be found, negative or positive to be discovered.
Most Americans in the current era do not even understand that there were Freedmen (Free Black Men) who fought and died in the Revolution and most of them lived in the Northern Colonies and even before when New Amsterdam was a Dutch Colony before the British claimed it and renamed it New York.
Congratulations on an excellent song and performance. ----Dave
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Hi Travis. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I did have Marty Robbins in mind. The story is crying out for a modern movie.
Vic
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Hi John. Thanks for having a listen. Appreciated.
I didn't know they made a movie so I just took a look at a preview of it. I wish I hadn't. :-( A little corny isn't it?
Btw, I am aware that slavery goes back to at least the 3500 BC in Mesopotamia and no country since then has been innocent of it. However this isn't a song about slavery.
Vic
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Hi Dave. Thanks for listening and glad you like it. As I said to John, I am aware that slavery was practised everywhere but it isn't a song about slavery. It's more about a man's survival in hard times. But, as you also brought the subject of slavery up, is there something in it that draws the mind to that?
Vic
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Real old fashioned country and western feel to this. Like others, I thought of Marty Robbins. Very nicely done in all respects - lyric, melody, arrangement, performance.
My least favorite part is the "Bass Reeves, Bass Reeves" line. It's not in the text as posted. Was it an afterthought or later addition? It feels to me like it would benefit from a line following it. I can't really think of a good one, so this is just to illustrate what i mean:
Bass Reeves, Bass Reeves Black hand of justice for murd'rers and thieves
It's not a biggie, and when I listened a second time, my ear wasn't expecting that second line as strongly.
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Hi Gavin and thanks for chipping in.
Actually that was an afterthought. Originally it was just an instrumental break. I left it there as a sort of hook after a friend of mine said they liked it.
Vic
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Hi Vic:
In the USA today, our politics are so venomous... almost anything that mentions Black People will get you "branded" as a racist. Those stupid riots in Portland and Seattle are partly ANTIFA and partly BLM. When you look at the news footage, all you see is nearly 60% of brainwashed white kids trying to impose their lawless will on unprotected people. I would send in the National Guard, give them a "bullhorn announcement" advising them to break it up, leave and go home... then, if no positive reaction or retreat, I would fire warning shots over their law-breaking heads.... with the promise that the next volley would be personal!
Thats my solution to the problem. Then I would trace the source of the money behind all this anarchy and arrest those responsible... such as George Soros.
---Dave
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That sounds like a very sad situation for everyone, Dave. We seem to be living in an era of blame somebody else.
Vic
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Hey! I've been trying to log in since last night. Anybody else having trouble?
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Hey Vic,
You should get an award for being a great American storyteller through song! I know you're not an American, but you've done so many awesome songs (this one included) over the years about American heritage, that we should give you honorary citizenship!
Thanks for honoring Bass Reeves! Your refrain, "Bass Reeves" keeps running through my mind!
Lisa
Last edited by Lisa Gundling; 09/06/20 10:31 AM.
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Vic,
Loved the story and the somber melody--that "Bass Reeves" line really stays with you, love that chorus post hook! I do think you can improve the "Bridge" and give it more digression musically to empower that junction.
Nice work again mate!
steady-eddie
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Hi Liza. You are now my official pa. :-) I love history I suppose.
Thank you.
Vic
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You could be right about the bridge, Ed. I probably rushed that a bit. Thanks for the support and comment.
Vic
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Enjoyed the read and the listen very much. Yes its got Marty Robbins written all over it, great job. Best, Gerry
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Thanks Gerry. Love a bit of Marty.
Vic
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Vic--
It may not be too late to become a folk singer--
A unusual piece of History done in your style!
Write on
Mackie
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Thanks Mackie. It's getting later all the time though. :-)
Vic
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Vic,
Never heard of Bass Reeves, but that’s quite the story (having Googled Mr. Reeves after listening to this). A well done re-telling of his life in song. Like the melody and the production on this . . . your usual stellar work. Good stuff!
All my best,
Deej
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Thanks Deej.
Yes, he was quite a character.
Vic
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