Subject: "Pale Blue Colored Lies" -- audio for review.
Posted by: DGR |
Hi folks ... just finished up the demo for Ria's challenge of a few weeks back. You can pick up the audio at a couple of different places.
For those with Windows Media Player, click on over to:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/donrowe_music.htm
Those with RealPlayer can go to:
http://donrowe.iuma.com
Lyrics follow, and thanks to all in advance.
Don Rowe
Pale Blue Colored Lies
© 2001 Don Rowe
Faded flowers
In each vase
Dusty photographs
In frames
Left over from the years
Gray reminders
Of a time
When we could almost
Truly smile
Or cry an honest tear
Chorus
Pale blue colored lies
Our self-protective lines
Told so many times
That they've become true
Making our lives look
The way we'd like them to
This lover's compromise
Of pale blue colored lies
Doubting shadows
In our mind
Means somewhere
There must be a light
Can we still find the source
Some reflection
Of the truth
Might still resemble
Me and you
In better times before
Chorus
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Subject: Re: "Pale Blue Colored Lies" -- audio for review.
Posted by: pafaustine |
Hi Don,
I remember this lyric and I liked it the first time around. Sounds like you found the right presentation for it. You've matched the tone quite well - a fine combination!
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Subject: Re: "Pale Blue Colored Lies" -- audio for review.
Posted by: DGR |
Thanks Paul ... yeah, this one struck me, from the moment I first saw the suggested hook, as a little atmospheric sort of Brian Ferry/Roxy Music number. Thanks for the listen.
Don Rowe |
Subject: Re: "Pale Blue Colored Lies" -- audio for review.
Posted by: RobertK |
I think this is the type of material that really needs an expert singer to inject a bit more heart into the song. I realize one-man home recording is tough, and as a proto-demo you convey the gist of the song adequately, but there are too many moments of slightly off-key and/or awkward phrasing.
There's a less-stringent standard of critique applicable if you make no claims to be a performer, and this is merely meant to be proto-demo. But if you want to generate other artists' interest in performing the material, I think you're going to have to shell out for a pro demo singer.
Like you mentioned, a Brian Ferry kind of singer would convey things better.
On another level, one of the nagging questions I had during the reading and the listening was about the symbolic meaning of 'pale blue' - I saw no reason why lies in general, or even specifically within the context of this song, gained significance by being described as pale blue.
What am I missing? For example, in the first verse you mention "grey reminders", and grey is often used in a symbolic way for something that sterile or old, so there's no problem making the connection there. But what is the like significance of pale blue?
Also, the whole 'colored' throw in seems redundant and there merely to fill metre. "Pale Blue Lies" is just as apt, if not moreso, than "Pale Blue Colored Lies".
The Velvet Underground put out a song (about 100 years ago it seems) called "Pale Blue Eyes", and the pale blue was a reference to the object of the singer's desire, leastwise his/her eye color - within the tone and music of the song, the pale blue served as an image for the personality of the singee, i.e., someone who tends to linger on the outskirts rather than approach matters head-on, and a washed out, or 'pale blue' fits that purpose.
In short, a weak or shy person might naturally be visualized as having 'pale blue' eyes, as opposed to deep brown, fiery green, etc.
I'm not seeing any like 'pale blue' connection here in your song. |
Subject: Re:
Posted by: DGR |
Hi Robert. Well, God knows I'm no Brian Ferry in the frontman department ... my only real strengths as a lead singer lie in the fact that I show up for sessions on time, sober and usually knowing all the words. As for the lyrical phrasing, sadly I'm also no Frank Sinatra.
By the same token, I'm no Mark Knopfler in the guitar department ... I'm no Benmont Tench in the keyboard department ... I'm no Peter Erskine on drums ... no Pino Palladino on bass ... no Trevor Horn behind the mixers ... and no Bob Clearmountain in the mastering lab.
Fortunately, at this point in my life, I'm also harboring no illusions about fame, fortune or anything else even remotely resembling a professional career in popular music. I enjoy writing lyrics, and composing music for them ... and if on the off chance someone else happens to dig what I do ... therein lies my artistic satisfaction.
The phrase 'pale blue' (suggested by another writer) showed up on my screens as meaning "slightly sad." So the groove got cut in modal D-minor (saddest of all keys) ... and to the best of my poor abilities I attempted "wistful" in the vocal performance. This lyric isn't a deep well ... so any plumbing for a profound meaning is going to get you an empty bucket. I wrote the words as set-dressing for the arrangement, in the hopes that the occasional interesting turn of phrase or two, and an occasional rhyme scheme twist might carry it.
But if it didn't for you, hey that's cool too.
Thanks for the listen, and all the best.
Don Rowe
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Subject: Re: "Pale Blue Colored Lies" -- audio for review.
Posted by: Liana |
Hi Don, knowing all reasons for the vocals, I think you pulled this one off to show the style of vocals that would go very well with this write. I think its very good (cause I can imagine Brian Ferry doing it)...A man of colour, a man of vision...
I like the abstract feel of pale blue coloured lies.....sometimes its just a catch ...keep on enjoying what you do ...one day you may write a song for a female, then I can do it for you  oh but I do a good male vocal impersonation ask Paul ..he'll tell you..:)
Cya |
Subject: Re:
Posted by: DGR |
Thanks Liana ... coming from someone of your vocal prowess, I'm going to take the liberty of considering your comments as the highest praise my singing's likely to get anytime soon! 
Glad you liked it, and weren't too bothered by the lyrical abstractions. You were quite right ... the words were just a catch.
And I have several lyrics that would fit female lead vocals. One day we'll have to see if we can't get our computers together for a collaboration of some kind. I'd really like to hear what my words might sound like in the throat of a diva such as yourself!
Don Rowe |
Subject: Re:
Posted by: budtower |
Hi Don:
I'm kinda in the RobertK camp. The "Pale Blue Colored Lies" was sort of lost on me too, though the choice of the minor key conveyed to a certain extent the underlying message of the song--loss. While the lyric is sort of enigmatic, it does get the general point across. What I would do with this lyric though to "kick it up a notch" as chef Emeril Lagasse says on the Food Network is either make it clearer or MORE engimatic (and I prefer the later option).
Who the hell knows what "MacArthur's Park" by Jimmy Webb is all about ("Someone left the cake out in the rain, I don't think that I can take it, 'cause it took so long to bake it," etc.), but that tune was a smash, in part I think because the imagery was so strong, fresh, and left of center that it just caught the imagination.
As to the vocal performance, I'm also with RK. I think his comments and mine too are made to be helpful, not hurtful. I like the melody and what I call "vibe" of this song, but that vibe would be more powerfully conveyed by a singer with greater vocal dynamics. Don't take that as an indictment of your voice, Bob Dylan certainly didn't. It's just that certain songs work better with certain voices.
For instance, my girlfriend says our venerable host on this site, Dan Gray could sing "ring around the rosy" or the Beverly Hillbilly's theme song and all the girls would swoon as he has such an incredible gift (better than Michael Bolton in her humble opinion with which I concur). I think I have a decent voice, but I can't believe how much Tim Buppert brought to life my tune "We Are America" (see a recent post of mine here to get to the track).
Any way, good tune over all. Keep up the good work.
Peace,
Bud
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Subject: Re:
Posted by: DGR |
Thanks Bud ... I appreciate the audition. I also hope Dylan lives forever, or at least longer than me ... that way there'll always be at least ONE person I can sing rings around!
Stevie B. made a comment that kind of fits my own modus operandi in this matter. Something to the effect of how a pro singer would make my songs more powerful, but in the process, take them away from me. Somehow the song just wouldn't be "mine" anymore ... I trust I make myself obscure.
And don't worry -- your's and Robert's comments have been taken to heart. Though not "bad", I'd rank my own vocal performance on this one about 85%. I'm going to live with it for a couple of weeks and get more comfortable with it, then recut the vocals. I think a 100% performance is going to get this one where I want it to go.
Again, thanks for the listen.
Don Rowe |
Subject: Re: "Pale Blue Colored Lies" -- audio for review.
Posted by: steve biederman |
Hi Sir Don,
Since rarely does anyone on these boards pay much attention to the music (ok, this board is the rare exception) I'll just comment on "Pale Blue Eyes" from a musical perspective and let those who are more swayed by the written word tackle it from a lyrical perspective. It has, to me, a kind of '80s feel. Not my favorite stylewise but I can appreciate what I hear in there. Nice, minor key hauntingness (ok, so I made up a new word) in the feel of the song. Catchy enough in the rhythm dept. Some nice keyboard 'riffs' in there. With some added guitar work to complement that part in the background this would really be embellished nicely. Knowing that you're not a guitar player (if you are I wasn't aware of the fact) I realize it's not within the scope of your home demo production capabilites at present and we have to work with the tools we have. Still, this one lends enough to my ear, at least, to imagine how it would/could sound with a little instrumental embellishment added and that is a good thing. One of your better compositional efforts as far as I'm concerned. I think I said something to that effect on your last one but to me, at least, you seem to be getting more progressive in the composing dept. To be truthful, the first few songs of yours I heard sounded pretty much the same in a lot of ways. I could pretty well predict before listening what the rhythm and mood would be. Now you're starting to give some variety. Good for you. Perhaps one of the reasons for the "sameness" in your past recordings is in your vocal phrasing. Let your hair down and experiment (when you're home alone), not caring how silly you may think it sounds. Blast some emotion in there. Try not to sing like Don Rowe. Not that singing like Don Rowe is a bad thing, but you'll expand your horizons and find new voices you didn't know you had in you. It will also open new avenues to you melodically and rhythmically. You might also consider working with another composer just for the fun of it. Playing off of each other's strengths and style variances might open up a whole new sound and would be a heck of a lot of fun just for the experience. Anyway, like I said earlier, this is not the style of music I write or listen to that much, as I am quickly becoming a fossil musically, but I can appreciate it for what it is, a pretty darned good bit of composing. Look forward to your next one, bud.
Steverinski
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Subject: Re: "Pale Blue Colored Lies" -- audio for review.
Posted by: steve biederman |
Me again. What I was really getting at in the last part about working with another composer is someone who also does a decent job on the production end as well. You could team up with someone who plays instruments you don't and styles you don't and mix your instrumental skills with theirs and come up with some pretty interesting recordings. You could send mp3 files of different tracks back and forth til you come up with a decent working mix and then, if you want to go for a more definitive recording, you'd have the tempo down so you'd both be in sync and could work together from cds for a more professional sound.
Steveroni |
Subject: Re:
Posted by: DGR |
Thanks on both counts, Steve. What you said is more encouraging than you may realize, since on this next little collection of mine, I'm shooting for variety ... which is a first. Hence the difference between something like this, and "Even Rich Girls Sing The Blues" -- which I think you've heard & commented favorably on as well.
I'm your basic "strummin'-four-chords-in-DADGAD-tuning" sort of a guitar player. But I do have a friend who's quite accomplished, and I'll probably be tapping him for some lead work on this one before it's finally "in the can."
I'm also grateful for the encouragement to try for a little more "impression" in the vocal approach. I mean, face it, sometimes you just got to drop the pretensions and cop somebody, right? I'm definitely going to be kicking that angle around as I work to embellish this one.
Again thank for the time and the kind words.
Don Rowe |
Subject: Re: "Pale Blue Colored Lies" -- audio for review.
Posted by: RobertK |
Steve's review left me realizing that I myself should have remarked more on the things that were nicely done, and the compositional aspect surely is there, as per his words.
Often when dealing with someone whom I respect at having achieved a certain level of expertise in the endeavor of discussion, I curtly address what I think are the areas of concern and forget to go over what I liked (in the sense that one deals with one's colleagues in a 'no-nonsense' manner, rather than the encouraging 'kid-glove' treatment demanded when dealing with one's protege and/or neophytes in general).
Please take the fact that I didn't stop and mention all the atta-boys that I rightfully should have as 1) a product of my dour Norwegian background, exacerbated by military experience, and 2) a supreme compliment of how I view your songwriting prowess. |
Subject: Re: copping somebody else
Posted by: steve biederman |
Quote:
Thanks on both counts, Steve. What you said is more encouraging than you may realize, since on this next little collection of mine, I'm shooting for variety ... which is a first. Hence the difference between something like this, and "Even Rich Girls Sing The Blues" -- which I think you've heard & commented favorably on as well.
I'm your basic "strummin'-four-chords-in-DADGAD-tuning" sort of a guitar player. But I do have a friend who's quite accomplished, and I'll probably be tapping him for some lead work on this one before it's finally "in the can."
I'm also grateful for the encouragement to try for a little more "impression" in the vocal approach. I mean, face it, sometimes you just got to drop the pretensions and cop somebody, right? I'm definitely going to be kicking that angle around as I work to embellish this one.
Again thank for the time and the kind words.
Don Rowe
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Actually Don, even though you try to emulate someone else, it ends up with you making something of theirs, yours, and it becomes a part of you. It won't end up sounding like anyone else but you but will really embellish your own style that you create. My own personal vocal stylings are the result of many different influences that have evolved into my own sound which varies from song to song and style to style so don't fret being accused of being a clone of someone else. It will be Don Rowe and his unique vocal styling. Go for it, bud!!
Stevebannanabannabeve
Steve |
Subject: Re: "Pale Blue Colored Lies" -- audio for review.
Posted by: DanGray |
Hi Don,
There is something oddly compelling about this piece. The key you used is cool... definitely adds to the mood. It reminds me of an 80's band I can't quite put my finger on (and of course Bryan Ferry). I have only a couple of comments. First, I'd like to hear a bridge or a break in this song. The music is so compelling, I think it's a break I'm hearing. Then come back in with a short chorus (the second half I think). Second, I do think there is a distinctive quality about your voice. It's interesting to listen to IMHO. You're using a PC to record the vocals right? I would go back and redo a few of those lines where the intonation is off. It seems that you did the song all the way through without any punches, but frankly, if the tools are there, I would use them. I don't know too many home recorders who have the ability to get through an entire recording quality song without punching some stuff. It would substantially add to the final product IMHO. In the alternative, if you've captured the feel for the song and there are some slight clunkers (btw, I'm not picking on you here... I do this ALL the time!) I would HIGHLY recommend the Antares pitch correction software. It's truly amazing once you get the hang of it. I just finished a demo where I captured the mood of the piece (actually wrote the lyric and the melody the first time I sang it through) and I can't seem to recapture it. BUT, there are some clunkers in there. So, I'm going to run it through the software and let technology do the rest.
This could be a very compelling piece I think, as the accompaniment is truly wonderful. I'd go back and polish it a bit, and I think you've got a winner.
Good luck!
Dan
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