For the Want of You by Tom O'Brien on The Pipeline at IndieMusicPeople

For the Want of You
This is a song I wrote a few months back and just recorded. I kind of imagine a big band behind it.
It's sort of a torch song. Thinking back to how crazy I could be in relationships. Imagining sitting at a bar, feeling that "want." It's kind of a lonely song, but I'm not there emotionally right now, in fact, life is pretty darned good. I hope you enjoy this. It's a little quirky:

For the Want of You

Thanks for listening!

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Stoneman

6/18/2014 8:50:00 PM

Very interesting flavor for this one. It sort of reminds of Hawaiian island type songs. Its got that laid back, sitting on the beach and sipping a Mai Tai kind of feel to it. I can almost hear the waves crashing in the distance. My wife and I have spent a many night listening to music on the beach with a man doing an acoustic set in the background. As a matter of fact, if you changed the rhythm of the strums and changed the guitar into a Ukulele, this would be pure island music. Anyway, as always, great lyrics and song structure. This is very different from what I am use to hearing from you but I liked it. I kind of like "different" as it tends to lead to growth.

Much Respect Tom!

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Richard Scotti

6/19/2014 6:40:27 AM ---- Updated 6/20/2014 2:48:18 AM

You have really captured the the big band sound of Glen Miller and others from that era in this very well crafted song with mature insightful lyrics and smooth catchy chord changes. It's a little quirky as you mentioned but it's sincere and direct without being corny. The vocals have a lot of heart too.

My wife and I have been listening to a music channel on our TV called "singers and swing" at dinner time because it's so relaxing. (good for digestion!) People always talk about the 60's as a "Golden Age" of music and it certainly was but so was the the generation before that one.

Thank you for writing a song that pays tribute to the "other Golden Age" of music..We can all learn something from that era. You continue to surprise us with your ability to think outside the box. You have mastered the art of unpredictability! Great song. Great execution.

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Tom O'Brien

6/19/2014 6:06:21 PM

That's cool, Stoneman, how you re-imagined it an island song. I can totally hear that. Cool drinks and mild ocean breezes sound pretty good right now.

Richard, I can always count on you to be an excellent audience and creative writer - you know how to make a guy feel good. I'm glad we "get" the same things.

There's a cool little high school radio station in ritzy Atherton, California that plays nothing but swing and big band. 89.1 FM. Radio used to be so much fun!

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Steve Ison

6/21/2014 2:31:39 PM

Lovely song Tom..Beautifully crafted musically with a wonderful thoughtful lyric-which you consistently create better than just about anyone i know..Can sooo hear a big string section here (which i imagine you're going for with the big band idea here )..

The main reason i'm not keen on many big band era songs isn't cos of the tunes but that kinda Bing Crosby style vocal which i don't like..Your vocal on the other hand sounds natural n effortless here tho..

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Tom O'Brien

6/23/2014 3:21:04 PM

Thank you Steve. Yeah, definitely big strings in this one. I have a good friend who is a great arranger. Don't know when I'd scrape up the money to hire strings, though.

I played it for a friend of mine and he imagined Elvis Costello doing it. That'd be fun.

I know that corny, almost insincere sounding vocal style you're talking about. I'm glad I didn't fall into that trap. I think I'm finally beginning to write for my own vocal range instead of just writing in whatever key the song seemed to demand.

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