Boy that's a deep sound you have at the start....builds very mysteriously. Piano and strings  sit well together.   Almost a church feel to this in places, Matt. Really enjoying that counterpoint with the vocals in the second half.  I am very fond of complicated vocal arrangements.   Well done!  :)

Great stuff! Nice one! Feel free to check us out too ;-)

Beautiful, almost magical. One of your bests

Your music is soulfull and very inspired, thank you!

Haunting piece of music. Love that clean bright piano.

those glistening keyboards sound fantastic.

As the title makes clear here is another one of my sketches. It was one of those ideas that I liked but for whatever reason never developed it into a full song. That said, I like it for what it is.

‘Been Away A Long, Long Time’ came about after stumbling across a simple acoustic guitar line in late December 2013. I basically hit record and just went with it. As usual everything was very spontaneous. The lyrics, the piano, just about every element was a product of me just going with the flow. 

The track is pretty much live. You can hear a number of little mistakes but given that it is more or less a demo track it doesn’t matter. I think the sound quality isn't too bad as well.

I don’t often post these kinds of tracks (trust me I have lots of them) but this one has a nice vibe. I recorded it late at night and I think it reflects a really introspective and warm nocturnal mood.

I’m unlikely to ever take this one further. For some reason I like that it is just quick snippet of a song. It seems to work well when played in conjunction with other tracks of mine. I guess if I ever release my “White Album” this would be one of the filler tracks – I can dream.

I’ll post something a little more complete next time.

Anyway, it is what it is.

Hope you enjoy!

The East Village Vampire
   
   
LYRICS…

I’ve been away a long, long time
Was I ever here?
She never missed me - read her signs
That much is clear

I’ve been away a long, long time
Was I ever here?
I’ve been away a long, long time
Was I ever here?

I’m a ghost / I’m a ghost I know
I’m a ghost / I’m a ghost I know

I’ve been away a long, long time
Was I ever here?
I’ve been away a long, long time
Was I ever here?



Been Away A Long, Long Time (A Vampire Sketch)

Yes, that is David Bowie’s famous ‘Soul Love’ beat you can hear under this song. As mentioned before, I often loop a straight forward beat and write a song over the top.  Usually I go back and re-record the drums once I am finished. However, not in this case.

‘Stranger’ is one of the oldest tracks I have posted from my vault. It is another one of my travel songs that dates back to about 2000 or 2001. To be honest I have barely listened to this one since I recorded as it didn't do anything for me at the time. Still doesn't.

The sound quality is OK, not great. Then again it was supposed to be a demo / guide track. 

The lyrics are pretty typical of that period of time for me. Actually, the opening line was a play on that old Irish blessing which was a nice touch I think.

Anyway, I think this song is pleasant enough for what it is. 

Hope you enjoy!

The Vamp

LYRICS...

Well the road may rise / the road may fall
When you live life as a stranger
I want to lay down baby at your door
But I feel a sense of danger / I feel a sense of danger

Well I drift on through your country side
But it doesn’t really matter
If I ever make it out of this city alive then I’m one hell of an actor
One hell of an actor

Chasing shadows all my life
See me work the pale moonlight
I’m a stranger / I’m stranger

You’ll never know just who I am
Far away in a foreign land
I’m stranger / I’m stranger

See the kingdoms through the night time - faces by day
But now it is nothing more than a memory
Got a picture to preserve you in my mind
But it don’t keep me company
It don’t keep me company...

I put the blues in my shoes and carry the news 
When I live my life as a stranger
I let freedom slip through but now I know what to do
This time I'm going to cage her
I'm going to cage her

Chasing shadows all my life
See me work the pale moonlight
I’m a stranger / I’m stranger


You’ll never know just who I am
Far away in a foreign land
I’m stranger / I’m stranger

Come on...

Stranger (A Forgotten Demo).

World Gone Bad - Words & Music: Pravinand Maharaj

I was born downtown on a bed of rats
From a dirty faced kid to a mean ol’ cat
Mama said son you look just like your dad
It’s hard being good in a world gone bad

Don’t wanna go where I don’t want to be
Don’t want to say what I don’t really mean
What a lowdown rotten life I had
It’s hard being good in a world gone bad

Gonna pull up my boots
Pick up my cane
Put on my hat
Get on the road again
Hit that trail before the break of dawn
You can wait all you want but baby I’ll be gone

Some get their kicks in the back of a hearse
Some drink blood just to quench their thirst
Me I’m on the edge going mad
It’s hard being good in a world gone bad 


World Gone Bad

LOVE IS FREE

Beautiful song, thanks to Jenny for helping me out with the harmonies 

That's What's Up feat. Jenny Daniel (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros Cover)

I had a comment that my previous upload of Delia was a bit too quiet. I listened back and it really was difficult to hear. Sorry about that, hopefully this version is an improvment...

This one's for you Granny x

Delia (Original)

Recorded in studio 2 at the MAC Birmingham. 

Part of the song writing circle.

Lyrics, Guitar and Vocals by Christian J Hill.


Big thank you to Dan Whitehouse.

Sober Inside

New Track! Out Now!
Choose your preferred streaming service here: https://ffm.to/dreamworld

Lyrics:

Go in my direction
Let me show you where I’m from
Feel my intersection
Let me go where I belong

Warning warning warning
We’ve gotta get out of here
Warning warning warning
We’ve gotta get out of here

Dreamworld
It’s not where I used to run
It’s where I used to hide

Roll up roll up roll up
There’s everything that you’d ever want

Dreamworld
It’s not where I used to run
It’s where I used to hide

Dreamworld
It’s not where I used to run
It’s where I used to hide

James E. Gray LINKS:

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Dreamworld

Spotify

Don't give up after one hard day,
You can pull yourself out of this.

Step out of shadows,
And bow,
Take a bow...

Don't give up for one bad day.

Take A Bow (free download)

Original tracks inspired by eclectic influences from around the world.

Feedback is greatly appreciated and keeps the music flowing, so thank you if you make comments! Will be happy to return the favour... 

Please be in touch if you would like to collaborate on any projects!

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