JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback MP3 Feedback Forum The Marfa Plain

This is the first song that I've written in several years that I liked well enough to take to a recording studio. I did that last night. So far it is only a "guitar/vocal" but I plan to ramp it up with base,drums,piano texturing, sax lead and maybe steel petal texturing. This is a rough mix and a little heavy on the reverb.

I live in Houston but one of my favorite things to do is ride out solo to far West Texas on my motorcycle and explore the Chihuahua desert and mountains of West Texas and Southern New Mexico. I try to get that done once or twice a year in the spring. The song is an expression of what that does for me.

I'm going to sit with the GV for a little while and consider how to add the other instruments. If anyone has any sincere suggestions to make about the song�feel free. I don't mind negative criticism at all, as long as it illuminates some aspect of the
song. Thanks. Martin

https://www.reverbnation.com/skunkofhoustontexas?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav

The Marfa Plain by Martin Lide

V1
Sometimes life a'int easy
It pushes back too hard
Seems everything I try
Falls short by a yard

Sometimes all the color
in my world turns to gray
That�s when I feel my soul
thirsting for a change

TURN
So I'll ride out there again
And feel the healing wind
On the Marfa Plain.


V2
I'll dust off my motorbike
Fill it up with gas.
Fire the engine up
Aim it to the west

When I get out to the desert
There's something that I can't explain
Something 'bout that endless space
Fades away my pain.

TURN
And I've come out here again
to feel the healing wind
on the Marfa Plain

CH
I'll ride out on the Marfa Plain
My tee shirt drenched in desert rain
Chinati winds cool down my skin
Finally feelin' whole again

Sun sets low in a Texas sky
Kissed by mountains like buttered knives
Smearing reds and yellows on fading blue
Makes my life feel so new

When I come out here again
to feel the healing wind
on the Marfa Plain[color:#3366FF][/color]

sounding pretty sweet as is Martin!I think when you add the other sounds,def need a steel or slide guitar.Love these ridin' songs!Mike

Thanks Michael.

I like it...but...I think you need to tighten up the second half of V2.

going out to the desert
something I can't explain
about that endless space
fades away my pain

that is all:)
I didn't listen to it because I am currently without speakers, (I have a 13 year old son who blew his out and took mine) that's just my take on reading through, it may flow perfectly with what you've written. I'll be getting speakers one day soon and hopefully be able to listen to all of this beautiful music I've been missing out on.

Hi Martin:

I listened and really enjoyed hearing this exactly the way you recorded it. Naturally, most of us want to hear our songs "in full bloom" but this is pretty darn near perfect just the way it sounds now. Welcome to JPf and best of luck with your music.

----Dave

Thanks Caroline. I understand what you mean about the 2nd verse. I purposefully strung out those lines in an effort to break the vocal melody loose a little and change the dynamic going into the turn or pre chorus. Having said that and having listened to it this morning...that may not be working so well and I may need to trim it just as you said. What you suggested is pretty close to what I had before I tried to make the change.

I appreciate your comment.

Thanks Dave.

This is pretty awesome the way it is Martin. Add too much more and you may lose that intimate feel, but that's my less-is-more attitude showing through. Isn't Marfa where people gather to watch the unexplained lights in the sky?

Ricki

Thanks Ricki. And yes Marfa,Tx is where the "Marfa Lights" are. They are at ground level and are well off in the distance. That State of Texas built a viewing platform. My wife and I have seen the lights but they aren't that big of a deal. As you face south into the desert, they dart around in a tiny portion of the horizon plane way out there. My suspicion is that they are actually some guys riding around on ATVs with flashlights.

Thanks for your comments,

Martin

Hi Martin,

So beautiful!

Great imagery, and you really captured your experience in this song.

This song will sound nice with added orchestration, as well, but I like this uncluttered sound that lets me hear all the nuance in your emotionally honest singing. The chorus gives me chills. Great work!

Mike

Thank you Michael. Not just for listening to my song but for hearing it.

Regards,

Martin

Hi,

Love your relaxed open style....I like all the space around the vocals, so I wouldn't clutter it up with too much orchestration...doesn't need it IMO

Production wise....I would pull back on the reverb at the start and bring it in just a little later....

Great work... Some very nice stuff on your reverbnation page...

iggyiggy

Hi Martin,


VERY nicely done, not sure IF anything else even needs to be added !!

Calvin


Someone Else's Face vi[color:#000000]deo [/color]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtaz5UzPO_c&feature=youtu.be

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

Thanks Iggy

Sometimes I get too much space around the vocals.

I don't have plans for orchestration. I've worked up an electric lead. It feels good but I never know if they are going to sound good until they are in the mix. If...it sounds good, then I'll go forward with piano and Steel petal. If not...gonna try a sax lead.

Thank you very much for listening and commenting. And thanks for commenting on my RVN page.

Martin

Thanks Calvin. I'm a guitar player at heart so it's in my nature to wanna add stuff and see how it sounds.

Thanks for commenting.

Martin

I went to the studio today and added bass guitar and an electric guitar solo to the mix. It is still a rough mix. I've yet to add...piano,steel petal and drums.

If anyone would like to offer an opinion...Do you think that the solo would be better as a saxaphone? It is my guitar solo but my feelings wont be hurt at all if your opinion is in favor of sax. I want it to sound the best.

https://www.reverbnation.com/skunkofhoustontexas?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav

Thanks,

Martin

This week I added steel pedal to this song. The mix is rough. Next week am gonna add piano and drums. Then redo whatever may need redoing. Then mix it and move along. If anyone would like to offer a comment or suggestions, good bad or otherwise...would be appreciated.

https://www.reverbnation.com/skunkofhoustontexas?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav

Martin

I added some artwork for the song using a sunset pic from West Texas and a pic of me on my bike overlaid with some text. If any of you cares to look, here is the link. Click on the small picture by my name to see the full size pic.

https://www.reverbnation.com/skunkofhoustontexas?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav

Martin

Last post.
It appears that some of you all have followed the progression of this song from g/v to fully produced. Judging from the hits on my RVN page. For anyone interested in giving one more listen the final mix is done. I'm an amateur but the song turned out pretty well with the help of some pros. I'm vocals, bass, rhythm and lead guitars. Glenn Sharp on piano. Brian Thomas on steel pedal guitar. Don Payne on drums. Recorded at Sugar Hill Studios in Houston. Jonathon Chan, engineer.
To all who commented...thanks. Prolly do another song towards the end of next summer. Will post up then. Merry Christmas.

https://www.reverbnation.com/skunkofhoustontexas?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav

Like this.

I'm grateful that you do.
Have a Happy New Year.

Martin

Martin,

The production is very nice, love the melody on this and great vocal. I'm not too sold on "fades away my pain", but that is just my opinion. Very nice, can't wait to hear what else you have up your sleeve!

Tammy

Thanks Tammy. Happy New Year,

Hi Martin:

I dropped in for a listen and it made me wonder what Willie would do with your song? That honest vocal of yours reminds me a bit of Willie and of a friend over in Shreveport, Don Mason. It's a great song and I'm torn between versions. Both are good but I believe I still prefer the original version you posted. Can't blame you for experimenting 'cause I do it all the time. I'd kill for your vocal ability, though! LOL!

Grind away at it, my friend. You have a ton of talent in so many directions.

Happy New Year,

----Dave

Dave...Your comments are always so pleasant and appreciated. Have a very happy new year.

As for my voice...it has become competent. But I have a very limited range and have to do workarounds on single song vocal melodies for weeks and months to adapt them to my limitations. Nonetheless, thank you for the encouragement. And as you also know, though sometimes frustrating, songwriting is a hobby that one can derive uncountable hours of in-the-moment pleasure from just being engaged.

Again...Happy 2017.

Martin

The original link seems to be gone, might want to edit and re-direct to the latest version. I take it that the proper song is Marfa (texas), not The Marfa Plain. Nice production, you've got an overall nice sound going on here. The studio did you right.

Thanks Kevin.

Happy New Year,

Still loving it, Martin.

Ricki

Thanks Ricki. Happy New Year to you.

Martin,

I got a message that the link had expired..........so I couldn't listen. We'll try maybe tomorrow.

steady-eddie.

https://www.reverbnation.com/skunkofhoustontexas?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav

Sorry about the glitch Eddie. I updated the link (I hope). It should now take you to the start page. Marfa is song #5.

Martin,

Hey Man, this'n is a "keeper." Absolutely love this, both lyrically and melody. I'm a little envious, as I was experimenting with this "verse"now classic chord progression myself but couldn't find a melody that wasn't taken........but you have with this melody! Love the turn, a great transition.

I don't think I heard your original production, but what I'm hearing here sounds real good--I don't think you want this production so busy that it takes away from the lonely/pensive feeling that you are evoking with this song.

Brilliant!

steady-eddie.

Thank you very much Eddie. Happy New Year to you.

Hey Martin.....Fantastic Song (Melody and Words and your vocal is spot on.

Leave it AS IT IS.......Just fantastic...

Barry

Thanks Barry. Happy New Year.

Kept meaning to return to hhis Martin having heard it previosly.Exceptional,y top draw stuff.
Thanks for the listen
Travis

Thanks Travis

I don't know where the link is for this but this is the best song Marty ever wrote. Not for any other reason is it takes you somewhere and is interesting. And I like the intimacy of it.

I ran into a guy from Texas today...and he says my favorite part of Texas is marfa. Immediately I thought of this song.

I said marfa plain? He says no marfa lol .

I googled marfa plain and said I heard it's a great place, he says he'd never heard it but intends to go.

Embarrassed me that the song link was not there.

But best song he has

that is a great angle Marty

22k views of a song that I took down years ago. Strange.
Never expected to see this again. Did it in a studio with session guys. I think I could make it sound better now with Studio One at home. SUNO could definitely improve it.

A few years back, Brian ask for nominations for his awards. Without any prompting from me, two people suggested this one and another that I had written.
If I recall correctly, it was remarked that this song and the other were mind-numbingly mind numbing. Same ol' tired same-old. Nothing new to offer the world.
So, not everyone liked it.
C'est la vie.

Regarding "plains,"
Marfa is a West Texas desert town at elevation 4800 feet ASL. At that elevation there is enough moisture in the air to support grassy plains. If you head south on 2810 towards the Rio Grande, you descend to about 2000 ft ASL. It is 32 miles of pavement out of Marfa across gradually descending grassy plains before you hit dirt and descend into Pinto Canyon and a more barren desert landscape, which is gorgeous. That 32 miles of descending grassy plains is what I wrote the song about.

I believe that those grassy plains also appealed to a New York artists named Donald Judd, who was so taken with the interplay of plains, sky and light that he moved there and made it a Mecca for minimalist art.

Where is link to song?

I took the song down. There is no link.
I decided that Marfa was too esoteric.

And, as someone pointed out on FB once, Marfa sounds like someone with a speech impediment trying to say Martha.

Bullshit, it's a really good song.

I'm sure the FB comment was years in the making