|
Post by davidhanners on Feb 14, 2007 16:49:46 GMT -5
I believe I'm coming to see your point, Marshall. The presence of the rock could prompt a modern-day protagonist to wonder what the story was behind the rock. In that light, I think there were a couple of ways the writing of the song could've been approached, and both can tell the story.
|
|
|
Post by dradtke on Feb 16, 2007 12:26:10 GMT -5
Todd, I'd like to hear it, too. Can you email it?
dwradtke at msn dot com
|
|
|
Post by Cornflake on Feb 16, 2007 20:22:29 GMT -5
David Hanners, a similar thought occurred to me. There are several ways to write this song. As I told Todd by email, I think the rock being a ways away from where the girl is actually buried is, for some reason, the emotional heart of the story.
|
|
|
Post by Marshall on Feb 20, 2007 20:18:23 GMT -5
"Eh ! Good enough."
Just listened to it again. I think it works fine in musical form as is. I also think the real title is "Beside the Cedar River." That melancholy musical/lyrical phrase is the reoccurring anchor in all portions of the song. And musically, the Cedar River takes on the roll of the symbol that I was looking for.
|
|
|
Post by Village Idiot on Feb 20, 2007 21:23:01 GMT -5
My honest opinion is that is does work fine in musical form, but not with me. The melody is fine, but there's not enough variation for my flat-affect voice to make it anything but boring after a two minutes, and the thing lasts five minutes. I do like the song, but I think it needs somebody else's voice. A mando, violin and maybe a harmonica wouldn't hurt either.
|
|
|
Post by Cornflake on Feb 20, 2007 21:47:10 GMT -5
I disagree. It's a good song. Modify it until you like it with your voice. Add a countermelody or an instrumental bridge, modulate, buy a harmonica rack...do whatever it takes.
|
|
|
Post by davidhanners on Feb 20, 2007 23:29:33 GMT -5
I find myself in agreement with Cornflake. The song is what it is, and it is you. I know that sounds flighty or new-agey, but you're not someone else. You are you.
If you feel you need to do something, just work on your dynamics. Bring your volume down on the really important verses in order to force people to listen to it closely. And remember Guy Clark's invaluable advice: Less is more.
|
|