Brown Bread (with Rebsie on harp)

DWL

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Description

This is the last actual song in Amokopera. You're supposed to leave the theatre crying and singing this.

The hero has not had such a bad life and as he slips from this world he is surrounded by a loving family (unlike the guy from 'Nobody Loves You When You're Old'which precedes this song).

A choir of angels (thanks Rebsie) sing some wonderful harmonies and Rebise plays a REAL harp (none of this software stuff for us - well except for the steel drums, trumpets, strings....)

I really struggled on this mix so feel free to comment on what it should have sounded like.

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Lyrics

to be posted later

Song Stats

Hits: 1545
Comments: 46
Fans: 17
Plays: 100
Downloads: 72
Votes:
Uploaded: Dec 16, 2007 - 11:34:47 AM
Last Updated: Dec 16, 2007 - 12:38:13 PM Last Played: Nov 03, 2009 - 12:08:05 AM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Keywords:

death (146), happiness (34), gabriel (6), harp (71), calypso (5)

Hardware:

Strat, electric 12 string, acoustic 6 string, acoustic harp, electric bass, Samson condenser mic, Rode condenser mic, Scottish 30 string harp

Software:

GB, modified BIAB drums

Comments

echoroom	echoroom said 711 days ago (December 16th, 2007)
	But it's happy!! Well, sort of, as the protagonist is obviously dead. I love the calypso feel to this, and can imagine the audience leaving whistling this... very Pythonesque! Mix sounds great to me Dick, nice harping n singing from Rebsie too! Does this mean Amokopera is finished??!!! steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

DWL	DWL said 711 days ago (December 16th, 2007)
	Thanks Steve not quite finished. Two more songs (one nearly done and one unstarted) and the overture. I'm still not sure of the mix but thanks for the comments. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

	said 711 days ago (December 16th, 2007)
	definately get the python/idle comparison but the first thing that struck me when i heard this was 'this is a ray davies/kinks lost song' :-) as i said elsewhere...fantastic

Feter	Feter said 711 days ago (December 16th, 2007)
	Brown Bread Now this is all so new and unexpectable for DWL !!! sure its a cool song and very much soothin one . and I m very impressed by Rebsies Harps playin totaly so new and awesome ..what a surpise though .thnx for sharin it ..!!! Check out my latest song called A Night With Feter feat'(Roxylee sloparts crissew johnwhitehead and Yamin AL Yamani )

DWL	DWL said 711 days ago (December 16th, 2007)
	Hi Feter you should get an award for your services to MJ! I really appreciate the comments and your continued support. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

Epileptic Gibbon

Epileptic Gibbon said 711 days ago (December 16th, 2007)

Anyone who had a harp
First thoughts when hearing this: Ian Dury, 10cc, Buddy Holly, Adam Faith. On reflection though I also understand why certain parties thought you might have out Eric-Idled Eric Idle. Wonderful lyrics and a terrific overall sound. I'd like to go out singing this. I'm really looking forward to hearing the whole opera.

Check out my latest song called Fiddler Off the Roof w/Komrade K & Caroline

DWL	DWL said 711 days ago (December 16th, 2007)
	Buddy and Adam I'm impressed Mr EG. You got the pizzicato strings. I'm so pleased :-) Thanks in abundance. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

	said 711 days ago (December 16th, 2007)
	This is fantastic :-)

DWL	DWL said 711 days ago (December 16th, 2007)
	High praise, thanks Bryn :-) Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

sloparts	sloparts said 711 days ago (December 16th, 2007)
	You are the master of camp Dick Love the tune and the lyrics. Excellent mix and Eric Idle better keep an eye out over his shoulder my friend. This is some really great stuff. I also can't wait to hear the finished opera. Bravo to you and Rebsie for a magnificently well done job. Ed Check out my latest song called Just a little Something

DWL	DWL said 711 days ago (December 16th, 2007)
	Camp? hmm maybe I'm pleased you enjoyed it Ed. Mr Idle might be suing me at some point. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

Vic Holman

Vic Holman said 711 days ago (December 16th, 2007)

ballad of brown bread
immediately the bass grabbed me. a bit of The Ballad of John & Yoko.

Has a happy overall appeal. ( not that we are glad he's gone)

Nice to get a calypso feel from this as well (considering, there is nothing but snow & ice outside) really warmed me up.

I have to wonder that when you first started this project, did you know what you were getting yourself into?

You are a Superman, Dick.

Check out my latest song called November

DWL	DWL said 710 days ago (December 17th, 2007)
	Superman? That'll wearing my underpants outside my trousers then :-) or is that "shorts outside my pants"? Anyway, no I didn't really know where this would take me and I'm kinda surprised that I've got so far. Like eating an elephant really. Thanks Vic Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

paul f. page

paul f. page said 711 days ago (December 16th, 2007)

Like Gibbon, below...,
...I, too, am anxious to hear the whole opera from start to finish without interruption. This LAST song is really well-mixed and has such a terrific feeling to it. Your vocal reminded me of Anthony Newley...and I am a big fan of his two moderately-successful musicals in th 60s. Very comfortable with spoken asides that just feel so natural. Rebsie's harmony is just the ticket here: perfectly suited to accompany and finishing up the overall sound. (Not to be too critical, but check out "brown" each time it begins the refrain. Lead vocal is just slightly under pitch...easy enough to fix I would think.) This is such an ambitious project and I feel lucky to be hearing the first cut of it all. Wonderful. Thank you, Dick.
Peace.
Paul

Check out my latest song called Double Etude

DWL

DWL said 710 days ago (December 17th, 2007)

Thanks Paul
An almost complete version of the 'opera' is at http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=661117, all in order just press play!

I really appreciate the comments Paul, it's been a long road and still more to come. I've had to drag all sorts of styles out of my bag of musical memories and it's great to get positive support from musicians I respect.

I was aware that my singing was not of the highest quality and was going to do another take but I've been hampered by a throat infection which makes me sound like Captain Beefheart!

It will be fixed!

Thanks again.

Cheers

Dick

Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

guitapick	guitapick said 711 days ago (December 16th, 2007)
	"Brown bread... ...now I'm dead". LOL Funny and, musically, really cool. Up note to it. Check out my latest song called Outside the Corral

DWL	DWL said 710 days ago (December 17th, 2007)
	I like funny we get too serious about music sometimes! We need a bit of a larf now and again :-) Thanks Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

lengold

lengold said 711 days ago (December 17th, 2007)

Dick
This is fantastic - what a great idea. A very, very well written song and performance. The mix sounds perfect to me. Maybe the spoken part in the left channel towards the end might be a tad louder - but could just be my ears.
Touch of the Oliver's about it (a really good thing IMO).
Really enjoyable - I can't wait for it to be finished too.
Cheers
Len

Check out my latest song called Dodgy Doughnut

DWL	DWL said 709 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
	Oliver was an inspiration Graeme, who wrote most of the lyrics and the melodies, saw the whole "opera" as a cross between Oliver and Tommy. I'm also looking forward to completed project! Many thanks for your comments. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

Rebsie	Rebsie said 710 days ago (December 17th, 2007)
	Nowt wrong with that mix You're totally bloody amazing Dick. I'm very proud of you and proud to be involved in the opera. I want this played at my funeral. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

DWL	DWL said 709 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
	Couldn't have done it without you! On the subject of funerals you aren't the first to say that. Sheila intends playing it at mine and it's gotta be better than Robbie Williams singing Angels :) Thanks Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

Rebsie	Rebsie said 709 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
	If anyone has the gall to play Robbie Williams at my funeral I'll find someone in the congregation with mediumistic skills, and heckle. We should do a whole album of funeral songs - think of the gig opportunities! Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

sir dennis crowther

sir dennis crowther said 710 days ago (December 17th, 2007)

Cor lumee &
Blimey. No, not an East London Funeral Directors, but my impression at this chez d'ouevre (that's poached eggs for the uninitiated amongst us). The mix is perfect. Don't touch a thing.

Rebsie's input is incalculable (well, I suppose you could count the bytes) but what I mean is that she has brought a lightness to the overall levity and the lead electric harp is faboso.

Well done to all three of you.

Sir Dennis

Check out my latest song called this is it

DWL	DWL said 709 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
	Cor blimey guv'nor you must be some kind of Tom Sawyer the way you use those lemon curds. Much appreciated Chas! Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

peacepiano	peacepiano said 710 days ago (December 17th, 2007)
	Another Another stirring chapter in the Amok opera! Chorus works very well. Maybe your struggle in the mix is using the software steel drum, trumpets, strings.... Of course this would sound better with a real orchestra, but it sure sounds good to me as it is. Thanks Bill Check out my latest song called I Should Have Known

DWL	DWL said 709 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
	A real orchestra would be great but I bet the mix will be even harder :-) Thanks Bill. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

	said 710 days ago (December 17th, 2007)
	English accent The accent is compelling to my Midwestern ears. Brown bread? You're dead? Did the bread kill you? I love the jubilation in the face of misfortune. Cool song.

Rebsie	Rebsie said 709 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
	Just to enlighten you, Richard ... It's cockney rhyming slang. E.g. "he's brown bread" means "he's dead". English accents is one thing we're both good at. :) Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

DWL	DWL said 709 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
	Ah the joys of a common language thanks for dropping by Mr S, much appreciated. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

Mystified	Mystified said 710 days ago (December 17th, 2007)
	Bryn made me come listen.... (actually, I told Rebsie I'd get caught up on my listening, too)... But I finally made it here! LOVE this!!! What a terrific song. So catchy, so buoyant. Clever lyrics, wonderful singing/playing. You two make an awesome collab team!! :D Kudos! Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

DWL

DWL said 709 days ago (December 18th, 2007)

Thanks Mysti
Most of the credit should go to Graeme Hobbs who wrote the lyrics and the melody and would have sung it himself if he had recording equipment where he lives in Spain. All I did was make up the other stuff and get Rebsie to lend credibility to my efforts.

Thanks for the comments I'm pleased you enjoyed it (and I owe Bryn one)

Cheers

Dick

Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

rtcooper

rtcooper said 709 days ago (December 18th, 2007)

ONE MORE TIME
Cheeriest "Dead" song I've ever heard. Such Brit humour, Brilliant!

The 60s Calypso beat send up is Seriously Good.
Compelling Driver without drawing any attention to itself.

The Vocal sounds a tad short, while still crystal clear. Sounds like it could be opened a dB or two in the 2K to 4K range to mix with the top of the instrumentation. This is hardly an issue, just an observation.

Proportions and Production are truly top-shelf and Radio Ready.
The wit is total gift. Superbly written (I'm still thinking about the dogs).

appreciation and very best regards,
Cooper

Check out my latest song called Intimate Anyway

DWL

DWL said 709 days ago (December 18th, 2007)

Thanks Mr Cooper
a very fine crit indeed.

The vocals weren't my best and I may redo them or maybe Graeme wil but I'll bear in mind your suggestion. I just play about with the EQ until I get something I like so it's useful to have particular area to aim for.

I know it's odd but this is supposed to be a real "feel good" number. It's the last number and needs to reinforce the the basic moral of the story. This is very simple and it's that love is the most important thing.

By welcoming death he acknowledges he's had a great life and is surrounded by a warm and loving family. He's given rather than taken all his life and it's left him a better and happier person. A bit smaltzy I know but it works for us.

Thanks again.

Cheers

Dick

Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

damiengh

damiengh said 709 days ago (December 18th, 2007)

Had to
I had to go back to the beginning to listen to the opera from the beginning. Boy am I glad I did.

You Brits no how to do it. You just know how to poke fun and make light of the things in life we let ourselves get freaked out about. Life.........you just have to laugh about it, what else can ya do?

I am so glad to have had you on me tune, I feel privileged.

Check out my latest song called Tea and Scones

DWL	DWL said 709 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
	Beyond the call of duty ! but I'm impressed. Strangely enough both Graeme and I are pretty serious blokes really but life's too short to write too many serious songs. We all need a laugh now and again :-) Thanks a lot and thanks for listening. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

michael2

michael2 said 709 days ago (December 18th, 2007)

whatever you do
leave it be. this is sweet perfection. i am so happy to be hearing this song right now. the mix is perfect; did you hook up with Anthony Newly on this one? seriously, leave the mix alone and worry about making sure that when you get this thing filmed, that it's done in Technicolor. Might be nice to have a redhead with a bouffant as your starlet.

Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

DWL	DWL said 707 days ago (December 20th, 2007)
	Redheads and Tony Newley that's a potent mix. Thanks Michael, I'll have trouble concentrating now. Bouffants and pencil skirts..... Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

paddler

paddler said 708 days ago (December 19th, 2007)

hehe
I havent got an overall vision of the opera yet,but good you mentioned that link earlier on.I could also see this in a Fools and Horses special.Nowt wrong with yer vocals and captain beefheart is one of my all time favs by the way.In Birmingham we didnt have much rhyming slang but we do have 'kipper tie' and my cousin once fell on his Cannock - on a car park we were crossing.Cannock Chase same as boat race I think.Bloody hell - I didnt know rebs played the harp - its a bit ironic that I asked her to sing on a song then stuck a synth harp all over it.Love the steel drums too.
All in all - really catchy - with a chorusline singing this and the bows it would definately be whistled down the plate of meat(?!)

Happy Days,Dick

take it ham n' cheesy - Rich

Check out my latest song called Tiger Flame (Halloween Challenge)

DWL	DWL said 706 days ago (December 21st, 2007)
	Thanks Richard It's taken a while but it's coming together. Ham and cheese indeed! I think you meant frog and toad ;-) Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 707 days ago (December 20th, 2007)
	So Simple You make song writing seem so simple, with your simple song writing style. This is really fantastic Dick. Who woulda thought that the brans behind the Kinks was in our midst. Glad you don't ever hold back here. You're an inspiration for fearless originality and disorderly conduct. A hero to us all. Bob Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

DWL	DWL said 706 days ago (December 21st, 2007)
	Nice to see you Mr Apendages Pleased you liked this. I just want to reiterate it's Mr Graeme Hobbs the plaudits should be directed at. I am but a conduit. Many thnaks Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

Sir Bass	Sir Bass said 706 days ago (December 21st, 2007)
	online i can dig it. Check out my latest song called Funky Jazzy Sonic Fusion

DWL	DWL said 706 days ago (December 21st, 2007)
	Yo! Much appreciated. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

Alannah	Alannah said 704 days ago (December 24th, 2007)
	biba_Nova MADE me come here ...... A British-ish conga under the pogo stick sound to it ....... Now I am gonna break out my "coconut-bra" and dance around the room .... where did I leave that skipping rope ..... Check out my latest song called I'm Drownin' - Smokey VW (feat Alannah) + Outtaorbit

Doug Somers	Doug Somers said 654 days ago (February 11th, 2008)
	Brilliant!! So catchy and instantly likable that to have this in my head for the rest of the day will be a pleasure. The light hearted nature of this tune belies the wonderful craft in its production - which is absolutely first rate. Cheers Dick, I'm off to hear more... Doug Check out my latest song called Desiree (MJ Space Race 2009)

	said 632 days ago (March 4th, 2008)
	Great! Great mixing here between the music and vocals .. Enjoyed this very much, it seems that you had a lot of fun making this. Thanks for sharing! WOW .. Smiling! Take Care - Yeman A. Al-Rawi

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Name: dick langford

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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