MacJams.com - Song: The Crowded Years by jiguma

The Crowded Years
by jiguma

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Guest views: 695
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Song comments: 44
Tokens: 0
Plays: 117
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Downloads: 35
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Submitted on: Sep 10, 2008 - 11:11:01 PM
Last Updated: Sep 14 2008 - 05:22:14 PM

Description The bones for this have been around since April, and I've been working on it between other projects. I used to know exactly what it was about, but now all I can really say is that it is simply a comment on how we can make our lives as "crowded as we like, but the things that mean most (to me at least) are still family and friends.

I started it when I was going through a few dramas with leaving work, which accounts for the first verse.

Thanks to a few people who have made suggestions when I ran this past them.

All me this time - midi drums.

Name change thanks to Ed (Ejh) wouldn't want your iTunes lists to be confusing Ed! This was always the alternative title anyway.

Lyrics The Crowded Years
© 2008 Neil Porter

I’ve been sinking in the sand
I’ve been stumbling as the ground beneath me
Slowly slips away
I’ve been bending over backwards
Trying to find the pieces
Picking up the pieces
Before they drift away

We’re all living the crowded years
Losing all our time that’s going
Down the drain and out to sea
I’ve been trawling through the oceans
Trying to trace the reason
Trying to find the reason
Time just drifts away

Give me hope
Give me dreams
Most of all
Give me real love
Real love will never let you down
Give me time
Give me dreams
For my family and friends
Might not always be around

You’ve got one eye on the market
You’ve got one ear on the phone and
Your shoulder’s to the wheel
You feel hijacked by the mortgage
Your life’s just not your own
You’ve been looking for the pieces
And they just drift away

Give me hope
Give me dreams
Most of all
Give me real love
Real love will never let you down
Give me time
Give me dreams
For my family and friends
They won’t always be around

I’ve been trawling through the oceans
Always find some comfort there
I’ve been climbing every mountain
Love to breathe the country air
Let’s not lose our history
Let’s not believe their lies
Our stories aren’t just luxuries
Our families aren’t just ties.

We’ve been living the crowded years
While we’ve been doing something else
Life’s been stripped to the bone
I’ve been climbing every mountain
Trying to find the pieces
I’ve been picking up the pieces
But they drift away

Give me hope
Give me dreams
Most of all
Give me real love
Real love will never let you down
Give me time
Give me dreams
For my family and friends
I won’t always be around

Hardware Seagull S6 acoustic
Fender Tele
Fender Precision Bass
Rode NT3 mic
Behringer UB802 mixer/preamp
Yellow tambourine
iMac G5
Yamaha PSR 300 midi keyboard

Software: Logic Studio

Fan List

DWL

Ejh

apb

SJB

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	Feter said 119 days ago
	Real Love Man ... you Orch of rockin folk just so rich and sound so fully ...this son gis so groovey ! a sure bassman song ..it booms so good ..thnx alot for sharin !!!!

	jiguma said 119 days ago
	Feter! Thanks as always for your listen and comment. This is the first song that Jan (my wife) likes so much that she asks to hear it, so I must be doing something right :) The bassline is big in the mix, and kind of holds the whole thing together - "bass glue". Peace, Neil

	sam2000 said 107 days ago
	thanks العاب / العاب بنات / العاب فلاش / العاب تلبيس / العاب طبخ / العاب سيارات / العاب بنات فقط / العاب بنات جديدة / باربي / العاب باربي / صور بنات / صور مضحكه / صور اطفال / صور سيارات / صور حب

	blaky smith said 119 days ago
	Family and friends. which beautiful subject ! Excellent at any point of view Neil, I like very much your style with an harmonious marriage between vocals and this nice work on guitars... You just give me a little of work to translate the text but I have to admit that this work is worth. Then, thank you Neil... Marc

dolby said 119 days ago

Funky!
Great song and arrangement Neil. And this is pretty funky stuff! Great drum track - love the rhythm. If I have one 'constructive' criticism it's around the start of the "I've been trawling through the ocean's" section there seems to be a wobble on the tuning (maybe a slightly out of key chord, or something?). It might be my ears but I definitely heard something not quite right.

That aside, a really enjoyable tune.
Cheers,
Phil

	Skean said 119 days ago
	Yep As always I like what u doing... Cool that your wife like it too then you can be proud as you should be... Enjoyed the listening very much.. Cheers

TobinMueller said 119 days ago

Anthem to the times
An anthem to the times. Most excellent lyrics. Totally dig the verses. My ear thought the chord/harmonies/bassline used in the chorus seemed as if the bass moved into a different chord than the vocals, maybe because I expected chord changes every second beat and it stops doing that during the chorus. Also, my ear wanted a more substantive ending, since fades always seem like unfinished business; consider a mix that lets the guitar finish its riff and then fade into feedback or something. Nice track, excellent song crafting.

jiguma said 119 days ago

Tobin
Thanks for the listen and comment - always appreciated!

I've listened over and over and can't hear the bass moving into a different chord - I guess this is where it would be handy to be able to sit down in the same room and have a listen together. Until just before I posted this, it only had the single harmony, and I'm wondering whether the extra one (LH speaker) might throw that section out a little. I'll keep listening for it.

I had thought about different ways to end this, and feedback had crossed my mind - problem is I'm playing direct into the preamp/mixer with the Tele, and I'm not sure how to use plugins to create selective feedback yet. Will chase that as its probably something worth knowing.

Thanks again for the listen Tobin - I'm off to check out your autobio.
Cheers,
Neil

	rtcooper said 119 days ago
	STAND and DELIVER Good Writing Well Told. Complex with fine Focus. Still think I would have raised the Vocal a touch, especially the Catch with the Second line in. (And doubled the Tele, which rings fine at the Outro). Top Production Values, as Always. Fine Song with Powerful Emotion. A Celebration. Compliments and Highest Regards, Coop

	jiguma said 118 days ago
	Coop OK, so I didn't follow your kind suggestions - well, I did a little bit. I tried the double track on the Tele and it just got in the way of the tone I already had. It could definitely have been louder though. Thanks as usual for the listen - and for all the great collabs we've done. Hopefully we'll have something to post soonish ;) Cheers from NSW, Neil

	rtcooper said 118 days ago
	POINT OF VIEW WELL, they weren't so much "suggestions" as bouncing ideas around. I'm hearing a FINE SONG, here. We've got some things all but ready to go. Will send questions and comments tomorrow, eh? Very Best and, again, Compliments on This One, Coop

	Ibstrat said 119 days ago
	Takes me back to "Music From Big Pink". Man you are a great bass player- that bass is just hitting me exactly right.What a great song, definite download.Lead guitar is perfect.

	lengold said 119 days ago
	Neil, this is just a wonderfully written and performed song. I am getting massive Paul Simon vibes from it (both song and production qualities) and that really can't be a bad thing. Cheers Len

	magnatone said 119 days ago
	Real Love this is terrific neil - really love the sentiment in these lyrics, and of course your vocals and all the instrumentation are at the usual high jiguma standards. Thanks for this......

	lavalamp said 119 days ago
	Nifty Neil You're on fire lately. Musically this is quite terrific. The bass is exceptional. Petty-ish, regarding the vox. Great groove, my friend. Nothing wrong: Catchy, creative and cool. Dave

	DWL said 119 days ago
	Very nice! Great work all round. Loved the lyrics and some very interesting melodic movement. I think the guitar breaks could have been a bit more up front but that's just me. Cheers Dick

	screamalexz said 119 days ago
	:) cool, i rather like the lyrics and airy vocals :)

	michael2 said 119 days ago
	nice really cool song with great harmonies. drums sound great too. what's really grabbing me is that bass. really nice sound to it. is that going through an amp? the sound almost sounds like one of those old ampeg flip tops. very cool.

jiguma said 119 days ago

Michael
Thanks for the comments - especially about the bass. The Precision is run direct into my Behringer preamp/mixer and then, through the wonders of Logic Studio, is transformed into pretty much anything I like. This is "Warm DI" setting with a "British1" "Clean Tube Amp" through "UK 2x12 open" speakers, miked with a "centred" "dynamic" microphone - all virtual, which is lucky as my bass amp is in a rehearsal room a kilometre away.
Thanks for giving me an excuse to write all that down :)

Cheers,
Neil

	michael2 said 118 days ago
	oh man that's genius. thanks for taking the time to give me the run down.

	said 119 days ago
	Wow! Excellent! Quintessential folk-rock! Reminds me just a little bit of Tull's "The Dog-Eared Years." Really nice chorus, but the verses got that classic "hook." Be well friend!

	craft said 119 days ago
	ye Love the guitar.. So cool and so bright... Your vocals sounds really good.. The bass is to loud in the mix (I think).. A great song

dajama said 118 days ago

Nice
Very cool. This has a really catchy vibe to it; the melodies in the verse and the chorus are memorable and really sweet. Some excellent lyrical touches here ("Your nose is to the wheel/You feel hijacked by the mortgage" - excellent!) Love the acoustic sound on this, and some nice changes in there. Very nice lead, by the way (maybe a touch up in the mix?) and the bass is brilliance - no hype. Love your vocal, and the harmonies are really tight, too. A great song. You're on a roll! Nice one, my friend. Peace.

jiguma said 118 days ago

Dave
Thanks as usual for the visit and comment Dave. The lyrics were inspired by a TV series ("Class" by Pria Viswalingam http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pria_Viswalingam ) I saw last year. I usually try to jot down interesting ideas for lyrics, and this series was full of them. It was described as a series "that looks at the slow death of egalitarian Australia. A society changing into an economy in which new wealth-driven divisions are widening the gap between rich and poor". Good food for my fertile imagination! Since your post I've uploaded the correct lyrics too - some minor changes.

I have the message about the guitar volume now - it won't happen again :)

Thanks again Dave - your latest is a beauty - have listened, but not commented yet.

Cheers,
Neil

	egobandit said 118 days ago
	I love everything Except the line I wont be around.. I have been grapplin with mortality and your lyrics are on the positive side but for me it hits on the other side if you know what I mean great song just out and out great!

Remark80 said 118 days ago

Great Groove
I love this song, great production. Some personal thoughts... The way you deliver the vox reminds me a bit of Cracker. When you get to the chorus, however(Give me hope...)I would have loved to have heard your voice run up to a higher level. The way it stands now your delivery blends in with your verses a bit. The overdubbed vox throughout are excellent, I just would have liked to have heard more of a difference between verse and chorus. Again great tune and lyrics I can relate to the mortgage comment.

Vic Holman said 118 days ago

sounds good to me
the bass is takes on a almost lead with everything supporting it. the whole balance has nice cozy wrap around feel. I personally tend to like vocals sitting in a mix. I hear them very clearly. everything stands out on it's own. I dug the semi-hyper solo which adds a notch up to the energy of the whole tune. although I wouldn't have minded it carrying on a little longer, because I thought it was very cool.

Jim Bouchard said 118 days ago

Boom!
What a bass sound! Great interplay between the drums and the bass, very playful. I think it is the harmony that sort of sets the chorus off, as others have pointed out. I wonder how it would sound with only one vocal track, and no harmony. The ending is a little odd. Such a fast fade when it sounds like the guitar is just about to finish whatever it's been noodling. I love the electric guitar solo in this, great tone.

jiguma said 118 days ago

Jim
Thanks for the listen and comment. The bass sound is detailed above, but I must say that it took quite a time to get it right. I still think that getting a good bass sound is one of the more challenging parts of production - I've learnt to make sure there are enough mids and treble in there and that the very bottom end is kept in check as much as possible.

As mentioned above, I'll give the "no harmonies" idea a try in the chorus. I've wondered also if a change in instrumentation might do it. The low notes "real love" in the chorus were always going to be a problem - hard to hit and hard to make interesting.

Cheers,
Neil

Joe Brady said 118 days ago

Interesting Sentiment
Hi Neil! Great work on the drums, bass, and guitar! Nice groove and well used by the lyrics. Daily struggle to make the choice that reflects what you value the most and not waste valuable time. Did I get that right? That's what I get out of it, and it works well for me;-). Not sure if the bass or the vocal is to blame for the wobble in the chorus, probably one of the harmony vocals, but the wobble is significantly less or absent on the first version of the chorus; nothing a little tweak won't fix. The bridge and the verses are really well put together musically, solid as a rock; and I love that lead.
Cheers,
Joe

	said 118 days ago
	Really Love this song. two points: the bass is perfectly played, but a touch to loud the rhythm although in time, but i think the rhythm of the guitar is fluctuating. otherwise i expect it was intended. I write this, because this song is one of the best i've listend the last time. incredible good vocal harmonies and lyrics!

thoddi said 118 days ago

guitarman
Hey, you're getting pretty good at that guitar thing:) The soloing is just cool and raw - perfect for the tune. I totally dig it!

Also like the groove in this one. This is a challenging rhythm to keep tight, and I feel the acoustic guitar is trying to get in charge of the rhythm and picks a fight with the drums at some places... That's drum-loops for ya;)

But I can see why your wife likes this one. Light and good melody/feel of the whole tune.

jiguma said 118 days ago

Midi not loops
Thanks for the listen Thor - a nice compliment on the guitar, thank you!

The rhythm thing is more about the acoustic getting out of hand I think - as you say its a challenging rhythm to maintain. I could have gone back and done some extra pencilling on the drums, but it seemed a bad idea when the guitar was perhaps the culprit.

The workflow I use is perhaps something I need to look at. I usually use a click track (well, a basic kick and snare track) and record to that. This means that sometimes the drive I'm after on some of my tracks isn't there when I'm recording the basic building blocks - guitar and bass in particular. Its not usually until towards the very end that I start to pencil the drum track. I'll try re-doing the acoustic and bass tracks AFTER the drums are completed in future and see if that makes a difference.

I really appreciate you mentioning that Thor. Its something I've been aware of but it wasn't at the top of my "things to do" list.

Cheers from Oz,
Neil

	sloparts said 117 days ago
	Great song Neil Love the lyrics, and your delivery is spot on. I can feel the emotion that went into this. All the playing is first rate, with the possible exception of the drums. ( Just kidding you about the drums, they great too) Excellent song and a great mix Neil, this ones a keeper. Be well and be cool, Ed

	rsorensen said 117 days ago
	damn this is a big, warm, full mix - and a wonderful, upbeat catchy song to boot. really like the key shift when you sing 'most of all give me REAL love'. It makes the song for me. Love that loud muddy bass and am I really hearing TWO fuzz guitar solos?!?! finally!! good to hear you crank it up. top post, neil. One of your best for sure. downloaded and faved

	Moviz said 117 days ago
	As always your lyrics are top notch and with the great sounds you've produced here, you made a great song. Love how you kept those vocal harmonies going side by side. Great catchy beat too, cheers M

	VicDiesel said 117 days ago
	Well, that was real! Solid groove, great guitar playing, and a good song. Very much enjoyed.

	eleveneyes said 116 days ago
	Real love! Real love indeed. Great song Neil! Especially love the bass line. Great harmonies, cool feel, nice guitar work too. Thanks for this one!

	bug67 said 116 days ago
	Fantastic! Great collab all 'round, guys. Really enjoyed it!

	Char said 116 days ago
	Jan has good taste. I was going to say Paul Simon, but Len beat me to it. Wonderful. Thanks.

	Ejh said 116 days ago
	Okay...is this 'Real Love' or 'Crowded Years'.... If the former, it's the third song of that name in my iTunes files... On this one, Neil, I continue to like your simpler, clear and clean acoustic sound, and I absolutely love the 'Neil-goes-crazy' lead lines... Used the wrong color tambourine, though, and I think you know that... Ed

	TEXASFEEL said 116 days ago
	Upbeat Like the upbeat groove. Especially like the bass groove. I think this is one of my favorites that you have posted here. Thanks for sharing.

	Macaudion said 115 days ago
	Well Really cool sound, Neil! Totally dign' the beat! Pretty sweet piece of art! I liked that crunchy gtar solo. Hey, I just spend almost two months in you fine country! Fun fun people, those Aussies...

	BossHook said 115 days ago
	A fantastic jam, great punchy writing and awesome presence in the mix. Great chorus hook.

saymme said 115 days ago

( 8 - this is not an 8 its a bigeyed smiley 8 )
This song is incredible - You are a master with getting Lyrics puzzled together in the right way(!)!LOVE*M ALL & The part where You sing *i'll not always be around..' is like the icing on the cake - You hit "The Head on The Nail" we say : ) : ) & REAL LOVE , so Happy to hear Your wife likes this (& I hope She had a real nice Birthday-this must've been a good B-daypresent) Love the guitar solo - could've been more of it !! GREAT SONG - love the morgagepart - Highjacked by the morgage - thats just BRILLIANT & 'bending over backwards'..' HAhhahhAHHHaha !!!! KUDOS I'll have to put all the lyrics here..Like I said You're a master with words. so many People recognize themselves in this - We say getting caught in the "Squirrel-wheel" Ekorrhjul in swedish - thats always been my biggest dread.. ! havent got stuck there but got stuck w being poor lol..Could've been WORSE though : ) : ) (hope to buy a mic by the end of the week) I'm amazed by the way You make the rythms/harmonies flow (don't know if thats the right words in English) it must've been difficult to do this.. HOPES & DREAMS & REAL LOVE - The MostImportant . .. !
Courtsey to You Neil !

	EZamor said 114 days ago
	The Crowded Years hey, really good song, this one! fun guitar work, got be boppin my head right away. cheerz, -=ez

timothy devine said 114 days ago

Hey Neil
How come i haven't been over to hear this sooner
Well, very busy, but well worth the wait.
I really dig the bright strum on the ol' 6strings
You got such a great rhythm sense.
Its the bass player in u
the bass in this rules!
Cool rippin guitar solos
I'd have faded the ending with the rippin solo going a nother minute
I love the theme / so true
and the drums, man you are good with that!
i could dig trying that some more
I see you can really taylor the drums to the tune
great tune
peace out
tm

apb said 113 days ago

Jiggy grooves

really excellent blend of a fair bit of country.. pop, folk and rock. Lyrics are superb, clever, catchy.. good sentiment and very accessible message.

Mixwise: I'd also say the bass is a fraction too loud (great sound though) .. most noticeable for me when it's louder than the nice guitar solo(s).

Loved that Seagull acoustic sound.

Arrangement suggestion: a 3rd voice/part harmony, higher up might be the boost the "Give me hope.." as I felt the chorus perhaps needs to stand-out a little more from the rest. Might give it a touch of Dan Reed Network .. hmm ..

Darn good stuff Neil.

jgurner said 112 days ago

All the hope you can give
The first two verses really pegged how I've felt life has been going here for a while, but life always picks things back up.

From the opening percussion this one just really picks you up and carries you away. Even when you take on the heavy stuff, there's always such a bright, hopeful feel to it, like there's nothing too heavy to take on.

Got this one blasting out the speakers and it just sounds and feels good. Thanks, Neil!

	Doadars Uncle said 101 days ago
	Hey Neil! You've got a lot of great messages, here. Nice recording. Clean and positive! This is giving me some good energy for the day! Thanks, Man!

	Jarvoid said 100 days ago
	So it's the age of the Crowded Years is it? That expresses quite a lot and explains what is going on,so much to do and I was convinced the government was syphoning hours out of our days!!!Great song, I don't think I've managed tyo get over here before,might be a bit out of my league,still G'day to you from me Jarvoid and I'm going for a mooch round the old back catalogue. Cheers Jarvo

	thetiler said 99 days ago
	You do a very good job of combining percussion with the strumming and singing. Nice combination indeed. Impressive harmonization's. Way To Go ! It all seems to jell all quite well.

	SJB said 98 days ago
	great G'day Neil, I'd be happy just to listen to you playing your bass with nothing else going on! Chuck in the excellent guitars and your distinctive vocals and I'm a fan for life. That telecaster lead sound you've cooked up is brilliant. Waiting for the next one already! Cheers Steve

	stacey said 39 days ago
	Dude! You are killing me! This is great! I am adding more and more to my "MacJammers" playlist!

	jiguma said 119 days ago
	Merci Marc Sorry about the translation exercise - I'd post it in French, but I suspect it would take me a lot longer to do that than for you to do the opposite. I think I was feeling a bit unsure about things when I wrote this, and it seemed that "family and friends" and "real love" were the things I really cared about. I'm glad you enjoyed the song. Neil

	jiguma said 119 days ago
	Phil Any wobbly bits are almost certainly in the vocals. Parts of this were really easy to sing - others were a bit of a nightmare. The harmonies in particular were so close that it was really easy to stuff up. We'll be living near Neuchatel for 2 months next year - maybe we can catch up. Thanks for the listen and the comment - always appreciated. Cheers, Neil

	jiguma said 118 days ago
	Kenta Thanks as usual for stopping by for a listen - always a pleasure to see your comments. Neil

	jiguma said 118 days ago
	Len Paul Simon - interesting. Some of my earlier stuff got "Simon and Garfunkel" comments - I guess I have probably absorbed a fair bit of Simon over the years and Garfunkel's harmonies were always an inspiration. Glad you enjoyed the tune Len - thanks for listening. Neil

	jiguma said 118 days ago
	Karen Thanks for the listen Karen - it's all fun :) Neil

	jiguma said 118 days ago
	Dave I really appreciate you dropping over for a listen - glad you appreciate the bass too. The bass track is reminiscent of a song the Rusty Dusty Brothers used to do, and I was pretty keen to get it into something of my own. Cheers from Oz, Neil

	jiguma said 118 days ago
	Dick Yeah, I know - solo too soft :( Maybe instead of turning up the lead, I turned up the bass - will get it right when it goes onto the next CD. Thanks for listening and taking time to comment - much appreciated. Cheers, Neil

	jiguma said 118 days ago
	Chance Good to see you back around the traps - just like old times. Thanks for dropping by, Neil

	jiguma said 118 days ago
	Mike Thanks for taking time out from your sabbatical to have a listen. "Quintessential" - now that's almost as good a word as "plinth" :) I don't think I've heard Tull's "The Dog-Eared Years" (I left them to their own devices after "Aqualung"), - must check it out. Now go and have that sabbatical my friend - I'll leave the light on for you. Neil

	jiguma said 118 days ago
	Craft Thanks for listening - I'm interested that you thought the bass was too loud in the mix, especially to hear what sort of setup you were listening on. With a lot of my songs I find that they sound fine through my 'phones, my monitors, my stereo (reasonably high end) and my car stereo, but they sound overly bassy on my iPod. I'll look into that. Cheers from Australia, Neil

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	jiguma said 118 days ago
	Tim I know what you mean - I guess I was taking a long-term view, and its kind of inevitable that we will all "not be around" eventually. I guess its a matter of recognising that and (for me at least) trying to make the most of whatever time we do have. Take it easy Tim, and thanks for the listen. Cheers, Neil

	jiguma said 118 days ago
	Sean First, thanks for listening, and even more, thanks for the CLOSE listen. I think you are correct about the chorus - I'm not quite sure what to do about it, but I'll certainly try a few things - one of which will be Jim's suggestion of removing harmonies in the chorus. Thanks again, Neil

	jiguma said 118 days ago
	Vic Glad you dropped in for a listen Vic. The solo is one of my favourite part/s of the song in some ways - I'm not a lead player, but seem to be able to manage this particular style OK, and I love the high energy that lots of noodling around a few chord shapes can achieve. Downside is that I can rarely replicate a solo. Cheers, Neil

	jiguma said 115 days ago
	Cheers Ed I fixed the name for you :) Neil

	jiguma said 115 days ago
	Macca! Great to hear from you!! So, you enjoyed Adelaide then ?! :) Neil

	jiguma said 112 days ago
	Joseph! Great to see you back around the traps. Thanks for the comment and listen - glad you could relate. You might enjoy my collab with Lisa and Jim Bouchard too http://www.macjams.com/song/45786 Cheers, Neil