SAC challenge #1- Here is my tune. I was compelled to use a harmonic device from the Hoagy Carmichael era moving from a tonic diminished chord to a tonic major. It gives it a jazzy/bluesy edge. The libretto seems to be from the point of view of someone who has had enough of a disfunctional relationship. It's the rhythm of the phrase seems to  drive the pocket...there are verses, choruses, bridge patterns and pre-choruses. I don't have a blog set up so I'm having to use the soundcloud "description" to relay my experience with the process. It was great to have a deadline and some parameters to follow. All of the other submissions sound great. Good work everyone.

Downbeat

Here is my week 2 SAC songwriting challenge. 

Southside of Kingston

So, here is my SAC #3 song. I tried to set up some collaborations, but it seems as though nothing came of it. So this song is a collaboration with singer songwriter Kara Stanley, who isn't signed up for the challenge but we co-write easily; given that I ran out of time to get a partner through the FB page, I felt like I had to just try to avoid missing this weeks assignment. I hope it counts. 
Lyrics:
Waiting on Rain  					Paradis/Stanley 2016

You can tell by the waves
That a boat has gone by
The trails in the sky speak of planes
The aching in my heart lets me know 
We’re apart
Oh Darlin’
I’m just waiting on Rain

The Grass has gone dry
Lightning flashes in the sky
Trees tinder to a flame
But we always swore
Not to slam the door 
Oh Darlin’
I know I’m to blame

Bridge
Wise Men say that the darkest hour is 
Just before the dawn
It feels like midnight in the broad daylight
Oh Darlin’
Why have you gone

I never did learn
Forgive and forget
Though I sure bet it’s a tough cheek to turn
Ghosts take flight in this 
Lonely house at night
Unwanted guests that stay 
Until dawn

I’ll follow you west until the
Water’s around my feet
And to see once more
If there is a tenderness
Between Sea and shore
Oh Darlin’
The Rain is gonna pour

Bridge

It will fall from the sky Blinding my eyes
Washing this heart free of pain
But with your hand in mine
The world will be fine 
Oh Darlin
Here Comes the rain


Waiting on Rain

SAC #4, What was initially two ideas- one being a fun, funky Little Feat inspired thing married to a kind of Steely Dan bridge. The lyrics are really just fun with wordplay, a collage of images and silly rhymes. Again this is a co-write with my partner Kara Stanley. I'm a bit burnt out from my gigs this weekend so I'm just getting this in under the wire. Hopefully the frankenstein union of the two elements works.
Lyrics:
On the flipside of the pocket
My love is like a rocket
Oh don’t it put a step in your shoe
On the flipside of the pocket

The handle of the gavel
The judge he unravels
Oh don’t he look so mean 
With his hand there on the gavel

Bridge
Love, No ones here but me and you
Curly blue
Is the smoke that follows us around the 
Room

The Gambler’s on the river 
He doesn’t even shiver
Oh he’s got ice in his veins
That Gambler on the river

Sweet Rose lit a candle
It caused quite a scandal
Nearly burned the whole thing down 
Sweet Rose and her candle
Bridge

Your Love is like a tango
A whirling Fandango
Oh don’t it put a step in your shoe
Your loving like a tango

For a thought, it’s a penny
A kiss I’ll give you many
Oh don’t it put a step in your shoe
Your kiss bright as pennies


Simon Paradis

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