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Tom O'Brien
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1/30/2011 12:33:12 PM
Welcome back IAC!
I've missed you all. Glad to see we're up and running.
Here's a new song. Tell me what you think:
Running Horses
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Richard Scotti
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1/30/2011 1:17:38 PM
---- Updated 1/30/2011 2:06:00 PM
The chorus is excellent!! The words are interesting but not very compelling. The "glass is half empty" is somewhat cliche as are some of the other lines and the music in the verses lacks the variety that would make the words come alive. It's hard to get away with writing these kinds of lyrics in 2011. Boy/girl themes and unrequited love were OK in the early 60's but today's rock songs have to have some gravitas, especially in the classic rock mode which is where you seem to be at. But nonetheless, I see the passion and the hard work that goes into every song you write. You have good skills. You just need to up your game a bit. You have a unique voice that has a terrific alternative sound while still retaining a classic feel. Your voice on top of a professionally produced song would be a knockout.
I realize I have sort of have an unfair advantage since I use other singers to sing my songs but it's only because I know what I'm good at and what I'm not good at. Perhaps if you maximized your strengths and minimized your weaknesses you would do very well. Get some good players to back you up. Your music really rocks and the right musicians would make your songs come to life the way my singers make my songs come to life. Wearing too many hats can have it's problems, so I just wear the hat that fits me the best. I play and record all the instruments myself but I can't sing. I'm strictly a songwriter/producer. not an "act". I'm pitching my songs, not me as a performer, so I would never put my terrible voice over a great production because that would be very self-defeating! Believe me when I say it was a painful decision to not sing on my songs but I had to face reality because I wanted to go to the next level. Also, I write melodies that I'm not capable of singing so it would be a shame to only write mediocre melodies to fit my mediocre voice. This is why I'm not ashamed to ask for help. I'm not a one man band and neither are you but you're a musical force to be reckoned with and that's why I'm taking so much time to write this post. When you reach your potential you'll have killer songs. I respect your ambitious hard work and that's why I'm sharing my personal story with you.
Lyrically and musically, the chorus of Running Horses is really fab! If you could get the verses up to that standard it would be a great song. There are songs today that have light-weight words like "Hey Soul Sister" but the great performance and the hooky production make up for that deficit because they're fantastic. In many songs the words carry the music and sometimes the music carries the words and sometimes they carry each other. But when neither the words nor the music are are doing the requisite compensating, the result is less than satisfactory.
You're a prolific, creative songwriter and I think this song has much potential. I've written songs with great choruses and weak verses but I never waste a great chorus so I just write new verses. Sometimes you have to deconstruct a song in order to rebuild it. I know you have the talent to do better on Running Horses.
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LyinDan
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1/30/2011 8:40:42 PM
Richard, are you trying to be me? hahaha, just kiddin. You're too tempered. :)
Tom, I liked the vibe a lot (and that's most important, I think). Good performance. Sure, it's not, in it's current state, as Richard says, a runaway hit, but it's damn sure a solid album cut.
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Richard Scotti
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1/31/2011 5:08:43 AM
Well said, Dan. I wish I had your talent for saying it all with such brevity. I use too many words! I've always admired your honesty and think that's a good example for all of us.
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Tom O'Brien
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1/31/2011 9:57:15 AM
Richard,
I sure admire your candor and professionalism. You really write what I need to hear - honesty.
I have a goal to do some studio recording this year with some friends who are very good musicians. I think that ought to make a difference in quality.
I thank you for the comment about my voice. I'm never sure if it's good enough or unique enough. I know I can carry a tune, but is my tone compelling or is it just OK?
I know this is not the most original song I've written - sometimes I just want a catchy sound.
I'm not apologizing. I believe in my songwriting skills foremost. Every song written is an exercise. I keep trying different things in order to get better. It's interesting that my sound often comes out as classic rock, because even though I listened to it a lot in the day, I don't think much of it any more.
Bob Elliott and I have got some music in the works that is going to be very different from either of our music individually. Keep an eye out for it. I think it's going to knock some socks off.
Thanks again for taking the time to listen. You too, Dan.
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Richard Scotti
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1/31/2011 3:06:12 PM
Tom,
You have a very compelling voice. I hear a hint of the Irish brogue in you which is a sound I'm very fond of. Have you ever checked out the Pogues? They are an Irish rock band formed in 1982 by Shane MacGowan. They will inspire you to bring out more of that Irish passion. I also hear traces of Van Morrison in your voice too.
Good luck with your collaboration. I'm sure it will be fruitful.
And when you have a band behind you playing right in the pocket, your voice will be more in the pocket too. Don't be afraid to turn your voice up in the mix. You'll gain confidence when you hear that solid sound behind you and you'll belt out the words the way the band is belting out the music.
About predictability: It's kind of an over used word and the meaning is somewhat ambiguous. It's not a bad thing when used correctly. It's often intentional rather than accidental. The repetitive nature of a groove is frequently used in either bluesy songs or folk/rock songs which are based on either blues or traditional folk music progressions which are not meant to be have shock and awe with every line or reinvent the wheel. They are meant to be accessible and hypnotic as they tend to lead up to something which is surprising when the groove finally changes.
Also, as I mentioned in another post, sometimes a "predictable" section of music or as I prefer to call it: a repetitive section of music is pushed forward by exciting lyrics, vocals, or production. Truth be told, if one is well versed in all kinds of music, there is no such thing as a totally "unpredictable" section of music or lyrics because one can predict what is going to happen in ANY song when one is familiar with chord structure and theory or if someone just listens to a lot of music. That person always knows what to expect. That does not mean that the song has a fatal flaw. In fact sometimes knowing what's coming is what some people find comforting because they look forward to what they're expecting! The word "predictable" is often used by A&R reps as a elite and condescending word that is code for "not good" and the word doesn't really have a highly technical meaning that is based on a real knowledge of music. In Dylan's All Along The Watchtower: it's only 3 chords and no bridge!! Every single line is exactly the same music and yet it's a great song because the lyrics and the guitar solos are carrying the song. It's the same with some older Dylan songs like Blowin' In the Wind or Times They Are a Changin'. These songs have the same chord changes as thousands of traditional folk songs. You can predict every line, but again its the words and the vocal delivery that make every line sound new and surprising. A complex musical arrangement would detract from the vocals and the lyrics. It's repetitive, simple
music on purpose, not by mistake.
I'm sorry for going off on a tangent but I had to get this off my chest.
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Richard Scotti
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2/1/2011 11:48:41 AM
---- Updated 2/2/2011 9:35:00 AM
Tom,
Don't be concerned about sounding like "classic rock" (whatever that is) because all categories are bullshit. The decimalization of the decades is very arbitrary. Don't get hung up on terms like the 60's or 70's. It's all meaningless. Great songs transcend categorization. Someone recently said that a song of mine was great but it sounded like it could have been a hit in 1989 and therefore it wasn't up to the right standard. How ridiculous! Did the world change when 1989 became 1990? That's what I mean by saying that classifying decades is so arbitrary. Life does not fit into neat little 10 year packages. Music is a river the flow continuously through our lives. All the decades are part of one river.
A great song can be a hit in any decade. Of course we need some kind of shorthand to talk about music. It's not a crime to label music by style or era but we can't be slaves to that kind of practice or judge all songs by date. Some songs by Prince sound like they pay homage to past eras. Does that mean that Prince is not a viable modern artist? All great songs incorporate vibes from every era. They are a hybrid of the all the influences that one has experienced.
Most listeners simply do not care about genre. (imo) They just want to hear great music. And that should be your only goal - to strive for greatness. When you write from your heart, you get what you are and you can't be somebody you're not. If you try too hard to control the subconscious it becomes the conscious which is not heartfelt but contrived. It sounds like it's not the truth and the truth is what most people (imo) want in music. They wanna believe that you mean what you say, that you feel what you say.
We are products of everything that has gone before us. 2011 is just a number.
We can't obliterate the past and say it never existed. What does the term "classic rock" mean? Old? What does "Alternative rock" mean? What is it an alternative to? What is "modern rock?" How does one define "modern"? Can you see the absurdity of it all? Just write from your heart and soul. Write what turns you on. Write who you are. Strive for greatness. It may never come for you or for me but it's the striving that makes it worthwhile. The journey is more important than the destination. Sometimes perseverance is a form of greatness in itself.
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The Man With No Band
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2/1/2011 12:56:52 PM
Me like ...
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Chris Hance
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2/1/2011 1:45:18 PM
Me too,
Cheerz Tom :)
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Richard Scotti
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2/1/2011 4:49:21 PM
Nice to see you again, Sam. Hope you start hangin' around more. I would love to hear what you think of my song: Inside "The Outlands". I really feel it's a Sam kind of song!
Check out my other two songs if the spirit moves you: Tower Of Love and Dance To A Different Drum, conveniently located right on this page for your enjoyment :-)
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Tom O'Brien
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2/2/2011 6:53:12 PM
Richard,
I love The Pogues. Talk about compelling singing. Shane MacGowan could take Happy Birthday and sing the hell out of it. I believe every word that comes out of his mouth. And that is certainly a virtue to emulate. Sometimes I feel everything I'm singing and sometimes not so much. I admit to occasionally writing things that aren't 100% heartfelt sometimes, but for the most part, I do feel like I'm singing about my philosophies: Love is the way, take care of each other, we're all part of the same thing. Those tend to be the songs that really work. I tend to lean more in that musical direction, hopefully.
In songwriting, I think one of the main things is not just sincerity, but originality. If you can say what has been said before, but say it in an entirely new way, you've got something. The songwriting world is lousy with cliches. You mentioned the one I used: when the glass is half empty I will still be your man. Guilty. But then I went on to say, "If it's drained, then we'll see, that is just who I am. I think that put a slightly original spin on it.
It's funny you hear a slight Irish brogue in my voice. When I visited Ireland, they wanted me to sing more like an American, because I was so influenced by their lovely way of singing that I think I adopted the brogue without realizing it. I may have been also influenced by years of singing solo and in bands at many Irish pubs in San Francisco. Ah, I think I'll go buy some Guinness. Good times. Good times.
I do appreciate your in-depth analysis and wish there was more of it on the Pipeline, not just of my music, but of all the great (and, face it, not so great) music here.
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Richard Scotti
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2/2/2011 11:04:56 PM
---- Updated 2/3/2011 2:50:21 PM
Tom,
I enjoy encouraging people and much as I can especially when they have so much potential as you do. Since you defended part of your song I think it's only fair that I point out that my post a few posts up from here that mentions "predictability" was directed to your critique of two of my songs where you used that word. I didn't want to sound defensive so I chose not to say it to directly to you. It's similar to what you just said. You said you put a spin on something that changed it from what I said it was and I respect that. I hope you can respect my reasoning as to how I put a twist on what you were saying about my songs. Let's not go tit for tat on this issue. I said everything I wanted to say about the matter in the "predictability" section of my post. I invite all reviews, good and bad and I respect all opinions. I don't want to get into the habit of defending my work. But we can agree to disagree in an agreeable way! You explained what you were doing in your song and I explained what I was doing in mine. It's all very subjective. There's no right or wrong here. Let's let this little chat be a teachable lesson for both of us and let it go. It's a slippery slope when one starts defending his or her songs. We've both made some good points about our songs and I think we should just do what we do and feel confident about it. I hope you'll respect my need to let us both have the last word and continue being honest and constructive as we always are in our reviews. I saw your point in a different light and I hope you saw my point in a different light as well. Peace-out!
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Tom O'Brien
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2/4/2011 6:30:36 PM
Respect, brother!
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The Man With No Band
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2/5/2011 9:14:10 AM
I'm enjoying this thread ... :) ...
hey thx Richard ... I've been peeking in but once again am having a few health issues so I haven't been my usual loud self ... lol ... I will get around to listening to your tunes very shortly and will most certainly give you a shout ... I am starting to feel my oats again !
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The Man With No Band
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2/5/2011 9:37:54 AM
Dance to a different drum ...
Very nice on the ears ... Sound track material for sure ... (Thinking Lion King or better yet the movie with the penguins ... Thumbs up ... Nice work here Richard !
Tower of Love ...
Think I heard the first version of this ... Although clear and concise, this one isn't my cup of tea ... Not that it's bad, it just doesn't hit home for me ... mainly I think it's the tempo ... The lyrics are upbeat and IMO deserve a snappier beat and more energy ... but I'm sure others will disagree with me ...
The Outlands ...
Hey ! ... where is it ? ... I have a feeling you are doing some Scotti to it and I imagine it will be back soon ... :)
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