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Laying Low
by dajama

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Guest views: 605
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Song comments: 18
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Plays: 50
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Downloads: 23
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Submitted on: Sep 06, 2008 - 07:07:25 PM
Last Updated: Sep 06 2008 - 07:07:25 PM
Description You should know that this one strained my singing ability to its limits. It took me a ridiculous number of takes to get it as it is here, so please excuse any bum notes; the idea of re-recording any more made my eyeballs wither! The solo was also kind of tricky for me, so what you hear here is actually two takes stuck together. If you can spot the join, don't tell me!

Hope you like it.

Peace.
Lyrics Laying Low

Cursing my fortune and begging for change
Burning my shelter and dancing for rain
Walking in circles, Tte better to see you
Turning uncertain and starting to fall

You know it’s high time
You know it’s high

It won't be yours 'til you let it go
All your laying low's left you a ghost
It won't be yours 'til you let it go
All your laying low's left you a ghost

Asking forgiveness and stealing away
Begging for chances like you want to stay
Walking on empty, the better to feel you
Losing direction with no-one to call

I don’t know why I do what I do
Fan List

Peter Bauckham

MarkHolbrook

Feter

lavalamp

Skean

Rocha Malhada

lengold

guitapick

egobandit

stevel

lank81

davisamerica

blaky smith

Ejh

jiguma

thetiler

rtcooper

SJB

timothy devine
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said 123 days ago
Dream like...
wonderful guitar and vocals.... so mellow and full. Nice transition into the drums and bass. Dajama... nicely, very nicely done. Especially the lyrics... the stop and think about what I'm listening to. Boy that change that led into the guitar solo... excellent, as is the guitar.

Extreme kudos.

Jack

dajama said 123 days ago
Thanks, Jack
I'm getting more into using chord changes that really aren't supposed to be, if that makes sense. I tend to go for the same changes over and over (there are a few of them featured here, too!) and I'm trying over the past few months to go for something different, even if it seems discordant at first. Sometimes it works, and sometimes...Thanks for checking this out, and for your encouraging words. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace.

Peter Bauckham said 123 days ago
You're sounding
quite different on this one David. Some very interesting changes - I can see way it was quite a challenge - but you've done an excellent job - the solo is great. Looks like I'm going to have to burn another CD of your songs.

Peter

dajama said 123 days ago
Thanks, Peter
I'm flattered that you consider my music worthy of burning! Glad you liked this one. It was challenging, but also satisfying; even now, after it's done, I hear a lot of flaws, and things I would like to be better, but it's also reasonably close to how it sounded in my head initially, and that's not only rare, but also kind of miraculous! Thanks for stopping by and checking it out. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace.

MarkHolbrook said 123 days ago
Wonderful...
David... If this is straining to sing then I have no idea what it is that I do!!!

This is simply brilliant. The vocals are incredible in my opinion!

The guitar solo is really great to. I love the mix, the general sound.. This one keeps you guessing in a great way.

Yet another killer hit from dajama!!! Way to go!

dajama said 123 days ago
Thanks, Mark
You're way too kind. I'm glad you liked it, thought! Thanks for the nod on the lead; as I mention above, it was a struggle to get it right in one take, so I opted for cheating. I know my limitations! Glad you also enjoyed the singing; this song contains my entire range (in fact, it strays outside my range in a couple of places!) Thanks for stopping by. Much appreciated as always. Cheers. Peace.

Feter said 123 days ago
Laying Low
just so dee my friend ...just soulfull ..very moving
yes the singing ..moved me ..as the guitar song with
the drums ..would love to hear the bass boost a bit !
great great song ..thnx alot for sharin !!!!

dajama said 123 days ago
Thanks, Feter
I'll take soulful any day! Glad you liked it, my friend, and thanks for the comment on the bass. I do everything on headphones (monitors are still on the wish list!) so I sometimes get the bass wrong. Listening to this again, I think you're right. I'll fix it for the greatest hits album! Hee hee. Thanks again. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace.

LunaTrick said 123 days ago
Nicely done
Great harmonies - and vibe!

dajama said 123 days ago
Thanks, man
Glad you enjoyed it. The harmonies were hard work for me, so I'm delighted you think they worked. Thanks for checking it out. Cheers. Peace.

lavalamp said 123 days ago
wow man
This has some great changes, first of all. Terrific piece of writing, almost a CSN & Y vibe.

This may be the best I've heard in a while. Vocals were top notch.

Dave

dajama said 123 days ago
Thanks, man
Glad you liked it. CSNY, eh? Cool. I think the urge to slather the vocals on probably came from the fact that I've been listening to a lot of Fleet Foxes recently - my current favorite band. They do amazing harmonies. Thanks for the kind words, man. I loved your latest, by the way. Cheers, dude. Peace.

Skean said 123 days ago
Nice one
I love everything in this even if I have hangover right now but this is good music too my brain... Well produced.. Bravo

dajama said 123 days ago
Thanks, man
Glad you like it. Hope it helps the hangover! Thanks for checking it out. Cheers. Peace.

Rocha Malhada said 123 days ago
difficult
A tough chord progression here, but you've executed smoothly; the chorus counter is great, then the picking sets it off nicely.

. - Harold

dajama said 123 days ago
Thanks, Harold
The changes are a bit different, for sure. Like every song I write, it was written on the acoustic, and the changes were a result of me kind of playing around with a dropped 'D' tuning (which did not make into the final song) and seeing how different chords sounded. I was tempted to change some of the changes (huh?) to more 'smooth' progressions, but i thought the track would lose its vibe. Glad you think it came off. I appreciate your stopping by to check it out. Cheers. Peace.

lengold said 123 days ago
David...
you just get better and better. Great song, lovely vocals, guitar solo.
Cheers
Len



dajama said 123 days ago
Thanks, man
Glad you liked it, and thanks for the encouraging words. Always appreciated. Cheers, man. Peace.

sloparts said 123 days ago
Great track David
Love the back tracks on this one my friend. The acoustic guitar is so clean sounding, and backed up by the Bass and Drums track it very cool. It has a lot of dynamics to the whole song, which is very good.

You have to really listen to the lyrics and be paying attention. One time through was not enough to get the story line completely figured out, but when I did it all made sense, perfectly.

This is a very cool song David, I like it more every time I listen to it. It's going on the iPod for sure.

Be well and be cool,

Ed

dajama said 123 days ago
Thanks, Ed
I'm really glad you liked this one. Thanks for the comment on the guitar sound; there was a bit of fiddling around involved in getting to sound right to my ears. Glad you think the drums and bass work; I was going to omit them initially, I guess because I thought it was a bit predictable, but in the end I went for it, and I think I'm glad I did. Glad you enjoyed it, my friend. Thanks again for stopping by. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace.

guitapick said 123 days ago
Listened first...
...then read the description. I know what it is to be self-conscious about my voice. But this ain't opera, David. I think your voice is perfect. Great song. Love the chorus. Sweet solo.

dajama said 123 days ago
Thanks, man
I really appreciate your words about the solo - high praise indeed coming from you. And as for the voice - well, I know my limitations, but sometimes the songs just come out this way, and I find myself struggling. I have a bass riff I wrote two years ago that I still can't play! I'm glad you think it sounded good. Thanks for stopping by. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace.

egobandit said 123 days ago
fantastic
Dont worry I wont tell you anything that might be wrong because I cant find it. A beautiful song excellent leading also I could only hope to play like this one day.. Downloaded thanks!

dajama said 123 days ago
Thanks, man
I'm stoked you like this. You're way too kind; truly high praise coming from you. I loved your latest - a truly original track. I'm glad you liked the lead; nice to think it was worth the effort. Thanks for checking this out. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace.

Ejh said 121 days ago
I hear the stretch...
...not so much in your vocal chops or abilities, but just in terms of hearing you going for someplace you haven't yet been...

I love the nice clean zzzzhhh of the rhythm guitar(s), and I more-than-love the guitar solo...

The lyrics are great, and, well, I'm a sucker for a waltz feel...

The general build of the song and arrangement is strong, the vocal layers sound tight to me, and you do some really cool things with the drums and bass. It's hard to get expressive drums in 3/4 time...

Ed

dajama said 120 days ago
Thanks, Ed
Really glad you stopped by. Thanks for the nod on the acoustic sound; I like it too! Yeah, this is something a bit different, I think. I just go with what comes to me! The next thing I'm working on is quite a bit different, but then there's that very tempting LIOLI8 challenge...More hours in the day! I need more hours in the day! Thanks for checking this one out. I'm delighted you enjoyed it. Cheers. Peace.

davisamerica said 121 days ago
hello brother ...
Came back to properly comment on this great track. First off ... the vocals and lyrics are moving and really well done. Really love the backing vocals. What is so darn funny is I originally began listening to your work and heard an "electronic" musician ... or so I thought. Over the past few months you have given me a look at a whole different and wonderful side to your talent. You have a whole section on my itunes. The solo was perfect and the "join" was invisible to my ears. All in all my good friend ... this track rocks .. and will now download!

dajama said 119 days ago
Thanks, man
I really appreciate your comment. I'm glad the lyrics made sense; I always think that if something in the words 'clicks' with someone, then I must be on the right track! Interesting about the electronic musician thing, because the next thing I'm working (well the one after the next) kind of has an electronic vibe. I would do a lot more of that kind of music if I was better at it! Thanks again for stopping by (again!) and checking this out. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace.

jiguma said 117 days ago
Clean as a whistle
Another lovely acoustic sound Dave - I forget what you play, but you seem to have nailed the black art of getting it to sound good in a mix. Absolutely lovely bass/kick sound - big in the mix, punchy without booming - another black art. In fact the production across the board is first class.

Good song (I like the chord structure/melody a lot), great playing and singing - have I missed anything? Nope,
Top post!
Neil

dajama said 115 days ago
Thanks, Neil
I'm delighted and flattered that you enjoyed the acoustic sound on this. I play an Alvarez 5047 (I think that's the model...!) recorded through an SM58, and I love the sound I get out of it. But I'm even more excited that you like the bass sound, since you are the king of 'getting the bass sounding just right in the mix' (we'll think of a snappier title later...). As mentioned above, I almost didn't put any drums or bass on this at all, but I'm glad I did. Thanks for stopping by to check this out, and thank you for your kind words - much appreciated. Cheers, my friend. Peace.

ic42 said 104 days ago
it is unique
a strong unique sound. these are lost chords that waltz in your hands. the guitars are well played. it is emotional singing, slow and urgent to listen. it is a complex song, which you make it sound simple to do. 0x0

dajama said 102 days ago
Wow
I am very flattered, and you are way too kind. I really appreciate the comment on the chords, because some of the changes in here were kind of different and a bit experimental for me. And thank you also for your nice words about the singing. Your support is very encouraging. Many thanks. Peace.

SJB said 98 days ago
super
Another great song expertly played sung and recorded. I was surprised to read you use a SM58 for the guitar - I was expecting to read you had some two thousand dollar condenser mic!
One to down load to the iPod.
All the best
Steve

dajama said 97 days ago
Thanks, Steve
Glad you stopped by to check this one out and delighted you like it. Yep, I take a very low-end approach to recording (dictated by circumstances rather than choice!) and just hope for the best. I use the SM58 for acoustic guitar and vocals and it usually works out for me. Thanks for your nice words about the track. Coming from someone of your talent, it's really flattering. Thanks again, man. Peace.

timothy devine said 47 days ago
Great lyric, very hip
What a cool song, with some really great chord changes.
The layered vocal is cool.
The drum, I didn't anticipate but really comes in nice. Cool drum pics
I like that you kept the guitar solo acoustic/ nice solo
I'm in love with the chorus/dark yet catchy.
i am just digging the way you record your acoustic/ it sounds alive
great recording!





dajama said 38 days ago
Thanks, man
Glad you liked this one, and thanks for going back and checking it out. Interesting you mentioned the drums - I wasn't sure about including that, and I'm still not sure I want it there, but it is what it is! Thanks also for the nod on the solo; it was a challenge to do, and I'm pretty happy with how it worked. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks again for stopping by to check this out. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace.

Artist Profile
dajama photo
dajama

Artist Bio ...[more]
Artist Music
Hoping for a Hurricane (2008)
Red Moon (Our House)
Trapdoor w/ Micheal_Wark
Waiting For The Hit (LIOLI8)
You Are Here
Laying Low
Caroline Knows (MJ Covers)
Talking to Myself
I Woke Up
Dirty War (MJ Live Aid)
Struck Dumb (MacJams Coffee House)
Soul Free Miracle
I'm Gonna Lose This Game Again (House of Blues) w/ Feter
Turn Away Slowly w/ Ejh
All I Ever Hear
Screaming
What I Do To You
Find Yourself
Dreamers w/ davisamerica
Heathen
Astray
If The Stars Fall
Take It As It Comes
The Minstrel Boy (V4C01) w/ rschletty
The Spirit
One False Move
Hypnotized
Shooting For The Moon
Falling Angel
Stars
Hoping For A Hurricane