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Without Company (but with Rebsie!)


by

DWL

 Genre: Acoustic
No artwork

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Description
A 4 way collab.

Two men, two women and 6000 miles

Tom Franz a good friend of mine in California asked me to sing this song. I don't know why as he has a tremendous voice himself (http://www.macjams.com/song/25474) but not being one to turn down the opportunity to do one of his songs I had a go.

I was really taken with Tess's lyrics and I thought Tom's musical setting was astonishing. I didn't have to do much as Tom's guitar did all the work for me. Rebsie kindly agreed to sing some rather wonderful harmonies and this what we've got.

As I can't post an updated version then a better version is here http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6007072

So from the West Coast of the States to the West Country and the South Coast in England we bring you Without Company.

Without Company © Garvin/Franz 2007

Lyric by Tess Garvin
Music by Tom Franz
Guitar: Tom Franz
Vocals & arrangement : Dick Langford
Harmony : Rebsie Fairholm

When my wounds will stitch themselves
And pain can quench my thirst
When things can get no worse
I'll let you in.

When anger feeds my soul
Instead of crushing who I am
When the wolf befriends the lamb
I'll let you in

For now, I'm none of your concern
Just let me live and learn
'Cause I prefer to be
Without company

When the nightmares I have
Don't come from something real
When I've nothing to conceal
I'll let you in

When I can greet the dawn
Without a sense of dread
When dreams can fill my head
I'll let you in.

For now, I'm none of your concern
Just let me live and learn
'Cause I prefer to be
Without company

Knocking on my door
Or banging on my grave
Makes the same sound
Above or below ground
Until I can tell
If this is heaven or hell

For now, I'm none of your concern
Just let me live and learn
'Cause I prefer to be
Without company

Cheers

Dick
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Song Stats
Hits: 1400
Comments: 58
Fans: 23
Plays: 121
Downloads: 71
Votes:
Uploaded: Nov 24, 2007 - 12:02:51 PM
Last Updated: Nov 24, 2007 - 04:26:39 PM Last Played: Oct 29, 2009 - 09:05:27 PM
Song License
Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Creative Commons

Song Actions
share on facebook share on twitter download song
Keywords:
depression (28), pain (72), sorrow (24), loneliness (cheerful sort of song isn't it?) (1)
Hardware:
Taylor acoustic
Software:
GB4
Comments
apb said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
Wonderous ..

.. an really fantastic song/collab. Great performances all round..the lyrics are what makes this especially excellent for me. No nits .. just a great ballad.
Well done all, pity no download :o(
Check out my latest song called Misplaced
DWL said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
No download?
How do I get a download on the page? I don't see a "download" flag on the song submission.

The lyrics are what got me as well. Succinct and very effective even though somewhat bleak. Tom did a great job putting the melody to them and came up with some interesting chord changes.

Many thanks

Cheers

Dick
said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
this is
a supremely beautiful song. the vocals are par none. the music is mesmerizing. i am in the middle of writing another metal concpet opera, so this is as far from what i am doing musically as it can possibly get. it mellowed me right out. it also made me realize i need to write a metal duet with rebsie!! bravo!
DWL said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
Par none?
That's very kind of you Allen. I've never thought of myself as a singer but Tom thought I should try this. I was rather pleased he did.

Thanks for the comments.

Cheers

Dick

Vic Holman said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
in good company
a wonderful tune. Your vocal really has a great up front presence on this one. Rebsie's back up vocal melds right in there as well. The world sure is a small place when you can get people together and make it seem they are all in one room.
Check out my latest song called November
DWL said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
Thanks Vic
the world is indeed a small place when something like this can happen. The bloody orchestra drank all my beer though.

Cheers

Dick
SmokeyVW said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
lovely
a lovely, and rather sad, ballad

i really like the chord progression of the verse in particular, and the entire piece is wonderful

thanks
Check out my latest song called One For Me
DWL said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
Thanks Ed
Remarkably sad indeed.

I just love these lyrics and Tom's melody. I wasn't sure about my singing at all but this song still brings a tear to my eye each time I listen as the lyrics are so fcking good (regardless of my voice)

Cheers

Dick
peacepiano said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
Email
I got this email notification of a new song by DWL, thought at first it was spam! Good thing I checked it out, this is a really good song. Tom's guitar is indeed excellent. The lyrics are memorable and You and Rebsie sound great. The internet is amazing sometimes.

Thanks
Bill
Check out my latest song called I Should Have Known
DWL said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
I changed my name
long story and maybe a mistake

The internet is indeed a wonder sometimes.

Tom plays a pretty mean guitar but is as self effacing as me so thinks he's done a poor job. I'll point him to this thread.

Thanks Bill

Cheers

Dick


Feter said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
Without Company
So wonderfull so cozy and real elegant song .very true
and honest words ..loved the soft back ground .every
thing on this song so cool and perfect specialy the
singin and the haromny ..KUDOS ! !
DWL said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
Feter, you are a wonder
There should be an award for you for supporting so many people on this site.

Your comments are always thoughtful and incisive.

Thank you very much for your comments here.

Cheers

Dick
pooey said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
Woot
Saddish song, but very well written and executed. Great job!
Check out my latest song called Wake Up (Pooey Remix)
DWL said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
A very sad song indeed
I just hope the writer doesn't have the problems she writing about.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers

Dick
paddler said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
*********
Subtle harmonies,clever lyrics,excellent performance.

That opening harmony on the chorus is beautiful.Its a intimate sound you got on the guitar,dick and every note rings true.

the download option btw is where it asks you if you want restrictive rights - if you choose no - its downloadable

Cheers

Richard
Check out my latest song called Tiger Flame (Halloween Challenge)
DWL said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
Subtle? that'll be Rebsie then
Thanks Richard. All down to Mrs R I think.

I'd love to take credit for the guitar but it was played by Tom Franz (the guy wot wrote the melody)

Comments very much appreciated.

Cheers

Dick


said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
THX for the D-load
Of an sad but beautifully song done by heart feelings it's always a good listening. Kudos you 2.

Peace, Love & Respect
---
Kenta
DWL said 732 days ago (November 25th, 2007)
Thanks Kenta
I wish I'd written it .....

Cheers

Dick
Rebsie said 733 days ago (November 24th, 2007)
Great to be a part of this
I really love this song. The lyrics are deep and honest and cleverly written, the guitar work is delightful, and the chord structure just right.

You have a really beautiful voice, Dick. It was a pleasure to sing along to.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
DWL said 732 days ago (November 25th, 2007)
Thanks for your help and support
Sorry I didn't get the mix quite right on this version and bring out your vocals as they should have been :-(

Cheers

Dick



Rebsie said 732 days ago (November 25th, 2007)
Don't worry about it
It's a subjective thing anyway and I'm happy with both versions.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
MacFerret said 732 days ago (November 25th, 2007)
Love it
Lovely song. Great work all round.
Hardware: Taylor acoustic. Indeed.
Check out my latest song called Ordinary Air
DWL said 732 days ago (November 25th, 2007)
Bonsoir et merci buckets
Thank you M. Furet. I am tres pleased you enjoyed it :-)

Cheers

Dick
said 732 days ago (November 25th, 2007)
Great tune
and nicely complimented by Rebsie; enjoyed this very much, thanks. The overall volume is really loud, but it may be my tired ears :) - I didn't hear any clipping pops in my player, so all must be good...

Again, it's a great song!

. - Harold
DWL said 732 days ago (November 25th, 2007)
Loud?
wow - normally I get criticised for my tracks being quiet.

I'm pleased you enjoyed it though.

Thanks

Cheers

Dick

echoroom said 732 days ago (November 25th, 2007)
Heart felt
Hey DWL - really beautiful piece, almost Cohenesque ... your voice is wonderfully downtrodden.

S
Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)
DWL said 732 days ago (November 25th, 2007)
Hi Steve,
Nice to see you back and glad you saw through my disguise....

Downtrodden? I like that :-) (musn't let my wife see the comment though)

Cheers

Dick


drakonis said 732 days ago (November 25th, 2007)
gorgeous ballad
oooh, this has the music, lyrics, and structure to stretch across time. The updated version is indeed a little better, with Rebsie's harmonies more prominent. The guitar-work is beautiful, the lyrics are touching and well-written, fit right in. The singing is good, but probably could add a touch of emotional bite to the delivery. The backing harmonies (Rebsie & the strings & bass) are really nice... I wanted one chorus or main section added near the end where just the instruments play it, where they swell up and take over. Anyway, very nice folky ballad!
ttfn,
Drakonis
Check out my latest song called Lullaby for the Inner Child
DWL said 731 days ago (November 26th, 2007)
Thanks Mr D
The lyrics have deservedly attracted a lot of attention. Dark stuff indeed and a few people have confessed to me they have been in that place. I certainly have.

I was working with the guitar part and there wasn't space for an instrumental section and in many ways I didn't want one. The instruments are supposed to support the narrative rather than distract from it. The only part where I pushed the backing a little was the introduction of the discords at the very end.

I tried to inject a little emotion into the vocal but I'm not really good enough to do it and it sounded forced so I tried to keep emotion out and be dispassionate.

Thanks for the very thoughtful comments.

Cheers

Dick
damiengh said 732 days ago (November 25th, 2007)
Just beautiful
Beautiful song and beautifully sung.

Nicely recorded guitar too.

Everything Dick and Rebsie touch, seems to add a bit of gold to. This is no exception.

Nice nice nice.
Check out my latest song called Tea and Scones
DWL said 729 days ago (November 28th, 2007)
Thanks Damien
it makes a change from the heavy orchestral and rock stuff I have been doing.

I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

Cheers

Dick
davisamerica said 731 days ago (November 26th, 2007)
right then
didn't have time to post reply the other day...sorry about that. yep this one is a beauty. lyrics are wonderful your vocals backed by rebsie are really perfect. perfect example of why i am such a big fan. hats off to the both of u!
Check out my latest song called No Son(egobandit band)
DWL said 729 days ago (November 28th, 2007)
Nice to have a fan
I really appreciate your comments. I'm lucky to have such good material and collaborators!

Cheers

Dick
sloparts said 731 days ago (November 26th, 2007)
Nice piece of work here Dick
An excellent set of lyrics by Tess, delivered with feeling by you and just the right background By you Tom and Rebsie. Being a bit deaf, I could almost make out Rebsie's harmonies, but I'm sure a person with better ears could hear it just fine.

I really really like what all of you have done here Dick. Bravo for a beautiful song that's very well done.

Be well, the both of you.

Ed
Check out my latest song called Just a little Something
DWL said 729 days ago (November 28th, 2007)
It's not your ears Ed
the vocals were mixed way down originally. Not deliberate but a few other people commented and I remixed it here http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=409319&content=songinfo&songID=6007072
but couldn't post an updated version.

Thanks for stopping by and your support.

Cheers

dick
bud said 729 days ago (November 28th, 2007)
Whoa - this is one intense song
the lyrics are pretty amazing and you do such a great job of putting them across with just the right amount of conviction and resignation. I'm really impressed. This is heavy stuff. Great work all around.
Check out my latest song called try not to think
DWL said 728 days ago (November 29th, 2007)
It's those lyrics resonating
Just wish I'd written it.

Thanks a lot for the comments.

Cheers

Dick

guitapick said 729 days ago (November 28th, 2007)
~
Beautiful tune, people...everything about it...
Check out my latest song called Outside the Corral
DWL said 728 days ago (November 29th, 2007)
Good enough for me
thanks!!!

Cheers

Dick
paul f. page said 727 days ago (December 1st, 2007)
Oh so...
...beautifully conceived and performed...with such restraint in the vocals and the gentle strings to accompany a poignant guitar score. I love songs that don't hit me over the head with their "noise" but that speak to my heart with subtle messages and with longing. You've pulled all of that off so serenely here. (One small thing: fade the ending...clean the end of the track so that it is a smooth fade to nothing). This one's a download for quiet listening over and over again. Bravo (and brava!) to all of you.
Peace.
Paul
Check out my latest song called Double Etude
DWL said 719 days ago (December 8th, 2007)
Thanks Paul
high praise from such a consummate musician.

Good advice on the ending.

As I said before I only wish I'd written the song as it's so good. All I did was sing and any fool can do that.

The singer or the song? I know where my money is ;-)

Cheers

Dick
kristyjo said 726 days ago (December 1st, 2007)
Agreed -
Sad but beautiful. This isn't even one of those 'hopeful endings'. It's just total desolation. Great guitar, I like how your vocals are really upfront and Rebsie is quite far back - It gives the aural feel of being alone, even while other people are nearby.
Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus
DWL said 719 days ago (December 8th, 2007)
I'm humbled!
Tess's lyrics are quite exceptional. I just found out she turned 18 two weeks ago. It's frightening, the quality of what she does now and what she could do. She has an economy of language I can only dream of.

Thanks.

Cheers

Dick


said 726 days ago (December 1st, 2007)
By the Gods!
This is incredibly beautiful. It made me teary-eyed man. Fabulous job on the vocal Dick. I'm so glad you got shot-gunned into singing this. In places you remind me ever-so-slightly of Oysterband's John Jones (which is a good thing). Rebsie's supportive and angelic harmony vocal adds another level of pathos...so fine.

Big thanks to Tom Franz for making Dick do this. We owe ya!

Be well!
DWL said 719 days ago (December 8th, 2007)
Thanks mate
Oysterband are one of my favourite bands although I never had any sense of sounding like the singer.

I was rather disappointed when we supported them in Brighton a few years ago. I'd have liked to have a chat but they didn't turn up until just before they were due to go on and I never did get to say hello :-(

It is a stunning song though.

I'm trying to persuade Tom to join MJ and I know he's following this thread so maybe you'll get to hear from the man himself at some point.

Cheers

Dick
Rebsie said 718 days ago (December 9th, 2007)

Come on Tom, come and join us. We're a very friendly lot and you and your music will certainly be welcome here.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Doug Somers said 726 days ago (December 1st, 2007)
Superb.
The understated nature of the performances create a huge impact. So very tastefully put together all round. This is highly impactful on hearing it, so very moving. Thanks folks!
Keep well,
Doug
Check out my latest song called Desiree (MJ Space Race 2009)
DWL said 718 days ago (December 9th, 2007)
Thanks Doug
I made it deliberately low-key so as not to distract from the the lyrics and melody. I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

Cheers

Dick
said 725 days ago (December 2nd, 2007)
Nice Ballad
I think you should give yourself more cred for your voice. You sound a bit like Ray Davies (SP?) of the Kinks. Song doesn't try to do to much; just rides some great lyrics and melody.
DWL said 718 days ago (December 9th, 2007)
Ray Davies?
Wow, that's a compliment. One of my favourite songwriters.

Thanks.

Cheers

Dick
timothy devine said 718 days ago (December 10th, 2007)
supper song
What a great Lyric
Very well written and performed.
Such a clean recording with great vocal harmonies.
Rebsie is popping up everywhere lately for me, I must vist her music
This is such a moving song.
nice strings/great recording
i love the drama

Check out my latest song called Mankind Needs a Change/WoodstockII
DWL said 706 days ago (December 21st, 2007)
Much appreciated Tim
sorry I took a while to say so!

Cheers

Dick
Ibstrat said 708 days ago (December 19th, 2007)
All around
great song.The guitar sounds fantastic,lyrics are extremely well written(wish I could write lyrics)and your vocals excellent.(wish I could sing)
Check out my latest song called Blues in Bm
DWL said 706 days ago (December 21st, 2007)
Thanks
Yeah, well I wish I could play guitar like you!

Compliments of the season!

Cheers

Dick
BridgeCreek said 663 days ago (February 2nd, 2008)
Fantastic
Bravo to all involved... the vocals are great, the lyrics haunting and memorable, and instrumentation just right. This is a favorite, and thanks for sharing a wonderful piece of music from a performers spanning 6000 miles!
Check out my latest song called Muddy Water
DWL said 660 days ago (February 5th, 2008)
Thanks BC
for checking this out!

Cheers

dick
said 634 days ago (March 2nd, 2008)
Blown Away!
Masterpiece. KUDOS TO BOTH OF YOU!

Really Speechless ...........
Char said 492 days ago (July 22nd, 2008)
Here's a quote from my daughter.
"It's a beautiful piece. I wouldn't change a thing."
I heartily agree. :)

Check out my latest song called Break Away (Mark Holbrook & Awigze)
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Name: dick langford
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Been playing guitar for longer than I care to remember (or so said the witch) Never very interested in music at school (what would I have done with a good teacher?) so it was surprise to find I had a little talent. My latest project is a rock op... [see more]

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