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#822958 09/13/24 04:13 PM
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The Rider

A song we recorded many years ago with zero thought (on my part) to the band aside from A and B substyle choices in BiaB. So this was fun to revisit.

This song is a bit of American history (and mythology) and a whole lot of cautionary tale with regard to disruptive technologies. For those unfamiliar with the Pony Express, here's the Wiki. This genre of Old West music was wildly popular in the USA 60 years ago; Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs is my favorite album example of that style. Our vocalist learned to play the guitar by playing along to this album, which is pretty cool, and he REALLY enjoyed singing this song.

THANKS in advance for any comments/input. Know there's a lot going on in the forum of late...

Lyrics: R.W. Davis
Lead Vocals: D.A. Hughes
BGVs, music, arrangement, production, mix, master: me (Think this is my first posted BGV. Dusty didn't sing one at the time so decided to stretch a bit. He's obviously much more skilled, but I had fun doing this. So there's that. Ha!)

Style is _CNTRY34.STY (Melodic Country Waltz)
RealTracks in style: ~1123:Bass, Acoustic, CountryWaltz Sw 140
RealTracks in style: ~2050:Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment CountryWaltzJohn Sw 140 (played MIDI transcript using Wave Grand Rhapsody)
RealTracks in style: ~2055:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking CountryWaltzBrent Sw 140
RealTracks in style: 1298:Pedal Steel, Rhythm CountryWaltz Sw 140
RealDrums in style:NashClassicWaltzSw^1-a:SideStick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride
(This is the stock RealStyle. The piano, guitar and steel tracks were faded in/out to provide the dynamics.)

He’s been riding all night
With the bag in his hands
His horse is so tired
As it races ‘cross the lands

The hooves beat up a cloud of dust
He wipes away the dirt
He turns his ear towards a sound
As a bullet rips his shirt

Down a steep ravine he rides
The outlaws on his trail
He kicks the horse with his spurs
As he protects the mail

West, west, head west, young man
No matter who pursues
But you’ll get no glory
As you bring the news

A dozen men hot on his back
Their rifles miss the mark
His horse is fast and terrified
And they lose them in the dark

The next station is abandoned
No riders can be found
So he grabs a fresh horse
And continues westbound

He enters the last station
His final destination
All bloody and worn
His clothes are all torn

He dodged an uncertain fate
The mustachioed man begins to laugh
“Sorry, boy, you’re a little late.
We’ve already gotten a telegraph.”

West, west, head west, young man
Communication is desired
One day you’ll be replaced
By messages through the wires

He collapses to the floor
The crumpled letter in his hand
He thinks about his sacred oath
And smiles at the man

Last edited by DC Ron; 09/13/24 04:21 PM.

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DC Ron #822995 09/14/24 04:07 AM
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Ron,

Great song. I love the roving nature of the song and the band works so well.

Love the vocal - steady and clear. Really tells the story. The mix is excellent.

Extremely nice work all around.

Bob

DC Ron #822998 09/14/24 04:24 AM
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I love the romantic side of history and the ballads of Marty Robbins.
Nice clear vocal which, when time permits, could be improved by changes to some of the phrasing or lyric, which seems rushed and awkward
e.g. "as it races across the lands" to " as she (or it) rides o'er the lands".
Worth working on.

Vic

DC Ron #823013 09/14/24 06:10 AM
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I really like your choice of the 3/4 time signature, it fits the song very well.
Even though your song has a different vibe, your storytelling reminds me of Knopfler's solo stuff.
Great story, great storytelling.
LOVE it!


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DC Ron #823020 09/14/24 07:21 AM
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Very well done.

I like this kind of song.

The Pony Express. They preferred young boys barely into their teens and orphans. Small, lightweight, naive, and orphans. The life expectancy of those riders wasn't very long and with no family to notify, a disposable and easily replaced commodity. Between the bandits, outlaws and Indians, they had a hard road to ride.


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DC Ron #823041 09/14/24 12:33 PM
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RW,DA,DC...

Good write, good vocal, good BAND.
Good mix.

A story well-told.
The Band fits nicely. Subtle and supportive.
(I did expect you might add one of the Spaghetti Western bartones from BIAB)

fj

floyd jane #823049 09/14/24 01:23 PM
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Originally Posted by rsdean
Ron, Great song. I love the roving nature of the song and the band works so well. Love the vocal - steady and clear. Really tells the story. The mix is excellent. Extremely nice work all around. Bob

Thanks, Bob. Dusty did especially enjoy this one since Marty Robbins was an early influence.

Originally Posted by vicarn
I love the romantic side of history and the ballads of Marty Robbins. Nice clear vocal which, when time permits, could be improved by changes to some of the phrasing or lyric, which seems rushed and awkward e.g. "as it races across the lands" to " as she (or it) rides o'er the lands". Worth working on. Vic

Vic, THANKS for the listen and the notes! I (of course) share your love of the romance of the Marty Robbins ballads. I'm not the lyricist, but I do like the phrase "races 'cross the lands" more than "rides o'er the lands". My role in our collaboration is to squeeze a song out of a set lyric, and I always think on reflection I could have done a better job with my choices. Will keep your notes in mind should we ever crack this one back open.

Originally Posted by B.D.Thomas
I really like your choice of the 3/4 time signature, it fits the song very well. Even though your song has a different vibe, your storytelling reminds me of Knopfler's solo stuff. Great story, great storytelling. LOVE it!

Thanks, B.D.! Marty's classic "El Paso" was in 6/8, and I'm sure that influenced my time signature choice on this one. I'll attribute the storytelling completely to the lyricist. I do love Knopfler's story songs. "Romeo and Juliet" (with Dire Straits) is as perfect a song as there will ever be in my mind.

Originally Posted by Guitarhacker
Very well done. I like this kind of song. The Pony Express. They preferred young boys barely into their teens and orphans. Small, lightweight, naive, and orphans. The life expectancy of those riders wasn't very long and with no family to notify, a disposable and easily replaced commodity. Between the bandits, outlaws and Indians, they had a hard road to ride.

THANKS, Herb! I love this kind of song as well. A lot we remember about The Pony Express, was mythologized by Buffalo Bill Cody and his Wild West Show. We only know now that he was never actually a rider as he claimed...

Originally Posted by floyd jane
RW,DA,DC...Good write, good vocal, good BAND.
Good mix. A story well-told. The Band fits nicely. Subtle and supportive. (I did expect you might add one of the Spaghetti Western bartones from BIAB) fj

Thank you, Floyd! BiaB DOES have great sounding baritones. I was going to craft the production in the style of Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs, but when I relistened to the album and checked the credits, I was stunned to be reminded that this album only has vocals, guitar, bass and drums. Now the BGVs are tight and layered, and the lead guitarist is the incomparable Grady Martin, but still...that's pretty mind boggling. So anyway, I kept the pedal steel and piano because I liked them, but refrained from further embellishments like the harmonica I REALLY wanted.

But...Glad you liked the tune as it is!


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DC Ron #823099 09/15/24 08:30 AM
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Based on the title and previous songs, I was expecting something fast paced galloping pop ala Rider In The Sky, not a waltz ballad. I'm glad to be surprised smile The music matches nicely with the illustrative and nostalgic story how technology beats the horse in the long run. Professional vocals as always. Fine band, the pedal steel creates nice athmosphere and the drums ride nicely. I was just wondering how a fiddle would work in the intro & outro.

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DC Ron #823117 09/15/24 02:36 PM
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Janne, happy to have surprised you! You're right, I might have chosen "Riders in the Sky" as an alternative inspiration, since that's a GREAT song in the same genre. But "The Rider" is closer to "El Paso" in style, which may explain the time signature and tempo. I experimented with fiddle, harmonica, horns and even strings in this arrangement but tossed them all out in order to create a sparser, more authentic to the genre arrangement. Even as-is, "The Rider" quite a bit denser than either "Riders in the Sky" or "El Paso" though "Riders in the Sky" has a really cool horn section. Those guys could do a LOT with a little back in the day, and they didn't even have BiaB!!


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DC Ron #823118 09/15/24 03:51 PM
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Hi, Ron.

Well written story, appropriate arrangement and vocals.

Loved where you backed the instruments off for that stanza.

Shades of Mary Robbins, with the main character dying in the end.

Nice! smile


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DC Ron #823127 09/15/24 05:33 PM
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DC,

Your songs are getting better and better and better!

This is really a great write and composition and production all around. Fantastic idea and instrumentation and delivery by everyone.

Kudos!

DC Ron #823131 09/15/24 06:07 PM
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I doubt that many will be unfamiliar with the pony express as it's an archetypal part of US wild west history, plus it featured in so many ww movies and TV series. In the UK we have a Freeview channel called TalkingPictures TV which shows lots of oldies - movies and TV series - mostly from the 30s to the 60s, so lots of Westerns and a lot I remember seeing as a kid. Those shows and movies were seen all over Europe, including the then communist black as when I was in Romania in 63, aged 12, "The Lone Ranger" movie was on in a tiny village cinema.
Great song and perfect instrumentation for it.


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Good song Ron, excellent vocals mix & master - lovely clear sound & production!
Well done,

Carl

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Hi Ron,

As mentioned, this brings to mind Marty Robbins from the early 1960s.

The 3/4 time signature was a perfect choice. A well-written song and produced so superbly. This works on all levels. A sincere tip of the 10-gallon hat.

Alan


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Hello Ron,

Let me start with what David wrote. You are getting better and better all the time with your songs.
And I already enjoyed them, where will that leads us to?
Choosing a waltz for this song is a good decision; it adds an extra dynamic.
But I read others wrote that too, so now you know for sure it was a good decision ;-)
I liked the lyrics, but most of all the way you sang them. Great voice!

Hans


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Hi Ron
Wow. Absolute TOP Song
Sounds really great
Pro Vocals !
Everything is perfectly coordinated
Congratulations
Andi ;-)

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I really like the theme of the song and the way it is interpreted with a good choice of instruments.
Laurent

laurent4114 #823228 09/16/24 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by dcuny
Hi, Ron. Well written story, appropriate arrangement and vocals. Loved where you backed the instruments off for that stanza. Shades of Mary Robbins, with the main character dying in the end. Nice! smile

Thanks, David! Yeah, it's interesting to me how much Marty's story songs created musical interest for youngsters and shaped a generation or two. Know I was crazy for his songs, unhappy endings and all...

Originally Posted by David Snyder
DC, Your songs are getting better and better and better! This is really a great write and composition and production all around. Fantastic idea and instrumentation and delivery by everyone. Kudos!

Why, THANK YOU, David! I think the quality of the arrangements and production are definitely benefitting from my just TAKING THE TIME to listen carefully and get it as right as I can. And all that goes a long way in shaping the listening experience for any song. Or so I think...

Originally Posted by WaoBand
I doubt that many will be unfamiliar with the pony express as it's an archetypal part of US wild west history, plus it featured in so many ww movies and TV series. In the UK we have a Freeview channel called TalkingPictures TV which shows lots of oldies - movies and TV series - mostly from the 30s to the 60s, so lots of Westerns and a lot I remember seeing as a kid. Those shows and movies were seen all over Europe, including the then communist black as when I was in Romania in 63, aged 12, "The Lone Ranger" movie was on in a tiny village cinema. Great song and perfect instrumentation for it.

Chay, glad you enjoyed the song! Funny story (to me)...Was in Dubai for work in about 1990. The Korean employees in the hotel lounge were excited to see us. "Tomorrow is our America theme night--you have to come back for that!" And so we did. The three bartenders were dressed in cowboy gear, from the bottom of their boots to top of their Stetsons. The servers were dressed like...well you can imagine. When we walked in they shouted an obscenity laced "Howdy!" because, well...this WAS America theme night after all, right? We had a great time singing western Karaoke songs, the highlight being "A Boy Named Sue". It was a night to remember. Obviously. Which is a long way of saying...I sometimes forget how ubiquitous wild west mythology is around the world. THANKS for the reminder!!!

Originally Posted by camog
Good song Ron, excellent vocals mix & master - lovely clear sound & production! Well done, Carl

Carl, THANKS for the listen! Know this is not stylistically close to the beautiful instrumental tunes you are posting, but I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Dusty's excellent vocals are a joy to work with. He makes everything better. smile

Originally Posted by Al-David
Hi Ron, As mentioned, this brings to mind Marty Robbins from the early 1960s. The 3/4 time signature was a perfect choice. A well-written song and produced so superbly. This works on all levels. A sincere tip of the 10-gallon hat. Alan

Hi, Alan! Hope you and Di have had a better week. This was a lot of fun for us, and I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Originally Posted by Birchwood
Hello Ron, Let me start with what David wrote. You are getting better and better all the time with your songs. And I already enjoyed them, where will that leads us to? Choosing a waltz for this song is a good decision; it adds an extra dynamic. But I read others wrote that too, so now you know for sure it was a good decision ;-) I liked the lyrics, but most of all the way you sang them. Great voice! Hans

Thanks, Hans, that's so flattering. But I don't want to take all the credit: The lyrics were by my brother, and the vocals were by Dusty. I TOTALLY agree they did a fabulous job!

Originally Posted by PROJECT M
Hi Ron Wow. Absolute TOP Song Sounds really great Pro Vocals ! Everything is perfectly coordinated Congratulations Andi ;-)

THANKS, Andi!

Originally Posted by laurent4114
I really like the theme of the song and the way it is interpreted with a good choice of instruments. Laurent

Laurent, THANKS, I like the theme a lot, too. It's a wild west song, but with a twist that says something about today. Appreciate the kind thoughts!!


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Love this stuff, Ron, and a great song to present the flavor of the Old West. Last night we just finished the Netflix presentation of Wyatt Earp and The Cowboy War. I really like how those BGVs lift up the vocal. You fill these compositions with such accomplished talent in your collaborators. Excellent mix and a very enjoyable write.


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Ron...great song and great style...as I listened the first time I was captivated by the story line and hoped the whole time he would make it to the end of the line...if I were him I would have been tempted to cut the telegraph wires but that's just me...Dusty's vocals are always right on and he's one of my favs...BTW, Dusty Hughes is the perfect name for a singer in this genre...his name sounds like a picture by Charles Russel or Frederic Remington laugh...great job on BGV's, arrangement, mix and mastering...those of us who grew up in the 50's and 60's grew up in a cowboy culture no matter where we lived...great story telling and delivery!


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firesong #823336 09/17/24 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by BabuMusic
Love this stuff, Ron, and a great song to present the flavor of the Old West. Last night we just finished the Netflix presentation of Wyatt Earp and The Cowboy War. I really like how those BGVs lift up the vocal. You fill these compositions with such accomplished talent in your collaborators. Excellent mix and a very enjoyable write.

THANKS, Marty! On a lot of our early songs like this one I just put them out as fast as I could, since time (for me) was at a premium. But I always had a better arrangement and the BGVs in mind. Now time is more available, though it seems there's still never enough. So I'm like the guy in the "Time Enough at Last" Twilight Zone episode. Just hope I don't step on my glasses (you'd have to watch the episode). Appreciate the listen and the Netflix recommendation. There's always something on there I should watch but have never heard of...

Originally Posted by firesong
Ron...great song and great style...as I listened the first time I was captivated by the story line and hoped the whole time he would make it to the end of the line...if I were him I would have been tempted to cut the telegraph wires but that's just me...Dusty's vocals are always right on and he's one of my favs...BTW, Dusty Hughes is the perfect name for a singer in this genre...his name sounds like a picture by Charles Russel or Frederic Remington laugh...great job on BGV's, arrangement, mix and mastering...those of us who grew up in the 50's and 60's grew up in a cowboy culture no matter where we lived...great story telling and delivery!

Dan, yep, back in the day, seems we were all cowboys at some point. Ha! Dusty Hughes is a great "trail name" indeed. I might have been tempted to cut the wires, too. The most interesting part of the backstory that I learned in researching these lyrics was the Pony Express oath:

"I,………..,do hereby swear, before the Great and Living God, that during my engagement, and while an employee of Russell, Majors and Waddell, I will, under no circumstances, use profane language, that I will drink no intoxicating liquors, that I will not quarrel or fight with any other employee of the firm, and that in every respect I will conduct myself honestly, be faithful to my duties, and so direct all my acts as to win the confidence of my employers, so help me God.”

So...no wire cutting for these hombres! THANKS for the listen and the kind thoughts. smile


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DC Ron #823519 09/19/24 11:40 PM
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Ron,

I really enjoyed "A Bit of American History (and Mythology)."
I also really liked the use of country waltzes.
It really captures the atmosphere of the era.
The vocals are great too.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

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Originally Posted by animarorecords
Ron, I really enjoyed "A Bit of American History (and Mythology)." I also really liked the use of country waltzes. It really captures the atmosphere of the era. The vocals are great too. Enjoyed my listen a lot. Best regards. Shigeki Adachi

Shigeki, THANKS for the listen. I was worried about these lyrics being gibberish to our global forum membership, since they are very USA-specific, but I've been pleasantly surprised. Glad you enjoyed the tune!!


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DC Ron #823603 09/21/24 03:08 AM
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Man, I used to love watching those old westerns back in the day, good times!

Good write, nice melody, and great vocal. Excellent mix, and nice job on the BGVs!

Good one, Ron, listened a couple of times.

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Ron
It's late here so sorry for a short comment.
Loved this and it ticks all the right boxes.
regards.

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Love that voice; one can hear he enjoyed singing it. Also lyrically love the parallels to modern-day changes. Nice piano touches too.

BYOBand #823713 09/22/24 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by BlueAttitude
Man, I used to love watching those old westerns back in the day, good times! Good write, nice melody, and great vocal. Excellent mix, and nice job on the BGVs! Good one, Ron, listened a couple of times.

Dave, THANKS for the listen! Yep, it's hard to describe just how popular the western was in the early days of television, through the 60s and beyond. Watching TV without seeing a western would be like visiting YouTube and not seeing an influencer. It just...didn't happen...

Originally Posted by Izzy
Ron It's late here so sorry for a short comment. Loved this and it ticks all the right boxes. regards.

Izzy, glad you liked the tune!

Originally Posted by BYOBand
Love that voice; one can hear he enjoyed singing it. Also lyrically love the parallels to modern-day changes. Nice piano touches too.

THANKS! Dusty is a marvelous vocalist indeed. His voice is GREAT, but his interpretive ear is the thing that just makes my head spin. That's a nice waltz piano indeed. Faded it in and out to add a rhythmic push when needed. It's subtle but cool...THANKS for noticing.


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Excellent storytelling, with a good mix of drama, irony and pathos. It's a yes from me.


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Ron, everything works so well on this track, and it has that authentic Marty Robbins, gunfighter ballad sound.
Hard to believe there was "zero thought" re the band - they sound like they're in the studio with you.
I enjoyed the singer and your BGVs too.
Mike


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DC Ron #823731 09/22/24 10:08 PM
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Hi Ron,

You, RW Davis and DA Hughes have done a great job.
This is very easy to listen to and a great story.
The three of you sure maintain a high standard of song writing and song presentation.
Musical expertise is always a signature of your works.
This one is no exception.

I thoroughly enjoyed your story telling.
--Noel


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Noel96 #823785 09/23/24 02:34 PM
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Three consecutive replies from Australia. That's pretty cool.

Originally Posted by Ghostgum
Excellent storytelling, with a good mix of drama, irony and pathos. It's a yes from me.

Brian, glad you enjoyed it! "Drama, irony and pathos" sum up my life, or so it seems. Ha!

Originally Posted by mkg50 (Mike G)
Ron, everything works so well on this track, and it has that authentic Marty Robbins, gunfighter ballad sound. Hard to believe there was "zero thought" re the band - they sound like they're in the studio with you. I enjoyed the singer and your BGVs too. Mike

Thanks, Mike! I only gave zero thought to the nuances of a suitable production approach beyond assigning the A and B substyles. It was always on my "One day I'll go back and do that..." list. Which is quite a long list. But I did get to scratch THIS song off of that list. THANKS for the BGV comment; they were a lot of fun...

Originally Posted by Noel96
Hi Ron, You, RW Davis and DA Hughes have done a great job. This is very easy to listen to and a great story. The three of you sure maintain a high standard of song writing and song presentation. Musical expertise is always a signature of your works. This one is no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed your story telling. --Noel

Hey, Noel! Gee, I might be blushing a little, maybe a lot. I'm definitely the weak link in our collaboration, which probably makes me work a little harder at it. I share your appreciation for this story and the supporting lyrics. R.W. is a talented lyricist for sure. It's a good day when I wake up and there are fresh lyrics in my inbox. smile


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DC Ron #823853 09/24/24 04:13 PM
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Nicely produced. Clear sound. Someone mentioned adding a spaghetti western guitar. That would a cool addition. Vocal sounds good but delivery is somewhat choppy. Good song,

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Originally Posted by Ezekiel's Storm
Nicely produced. Clear sound. Someone mentioned adding a spaghetti western guitar. That would a cool addition. Vocal sounds good but delivery is somewhat choppy. Good song,

THANKS for the compliment on the production/sound. Funny, because when I listen to the sparse production on the original Marty Robbins source material, it makes "The Rider" sound like a Phil Spector production. Ha! Which is why I didn't add a baritone guitar or even the harmonica that I REALLY wanted in there. I was going for a certain style. The choppy delivery was another stylistic element by me. Sometimes when you swing for the fences you're Aaron Judge, and sometimes you're Joey Gallo. Oof! THANKS for the listen and the notes!


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DC Ron #823962 09/25/24 06:58 PM
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I definitely expected some spaghetti. No prob though.
Well done - a cool mix & band. I'd probably have put more reverb on te vocal but I think that's just a sub in my head for baritone with spring reverb & trem.


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rayc
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DC Ron #823990 09/26/24 06:35 AM
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Very clean sound and a great feel. The 6/8 groove feels like the movement of the horse to me. Very successful.


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rayc #824013 09/26/24 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by rayc
I definitely expected some spaghetti. No prob though. Well done - a cool mix & band. I'd probably have put more reverb on te vocal but I think that's just a sub in my head for baritone with spring reverb & trem.

THANKS, Ray! In acknowledgement of the many baritone suggestions, I was going to produce a special version, but...there are no BiaB 3/4 SW8 baritone guitars near 150BPM. So I played an overly busy version over the first part, just for fun. And it WAS a lot of fun.

The Rider (with a side of spaghetti)

Not really a baritone, but baritone-ish...

Last edited by DC Ron; 09/27/24 02:16 AM.

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Heartbreaker #824014 09/26/24 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Heartbreaker
Very clean sound and a great feel. The 6/8 groove feels like the movement of the horse to me. Very successful.

Thanks! That's a cool comment about the groove, since this is one of a handful of songs I wrote while walking and using my stride as a metronome. It was exactly the gallop of a horse I had in my head when I wrote this. Glad you liked it!


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DC Ron #824260 09/29/24 11:04 AM
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Apologies. This is brief as we continue to have internet issues after the hurricane — so this refers to both posts.

We really enjoyed the waltz time. It provided perfect movement for the excellent vocal and lyric.
Great narrative and a period of history we are fond of reading about.
Well performed and a great mix and band. And we like the baritone bit also.

J&B


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DC Ron #824264 09/29/24 11:35 AM
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This is in everyway pro!
Every part of the song is beautiful
I hear Jethro Tull there and there.!?

JONA #824289 09/29/24 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Janice & Bud
Apologies. This is brief as we continue to have internet issues after the hurricane — so this refers to both posts.

We really enjoyed the waltz time. It provided perfect movement for the excellent vocal and lyric.
Great narrative and a period of history we are fond of reading about.
Well performed and a great mix and band. And we like the baritone bit also.

J&B

J&B, hope you guys are ok! My mother, sister and brother were all in the Georgia path but came out of it in good shape. Know many weren't as fortunate. Glad ya'll liked the tune!

Originally Posted by JONA
This is in everyway pro!
Every part of the song is beautiful
I hear Jethro Tull there and there.!?

Thanks, Jona! LOVE Ian Anderson. If he's in there, he's welcome to stay!!


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