November KVR (history)

[offthewall]

 
After many, many years of trying I have finally persuaded my wonderful ‘Lady D’ to assist me on a couple of songs.
For the historical theme we have chosen:
November 17, 1558 - Queen Elizabeth I ascended the throne of England at the age of 25, reigning until 1603 when she was 69. Under her leadership, England became a world power, defeating the Spanish Armada, and witnessed a golden age of literature featuring works by William Shakespeare, Edmund Spenser and others.
For the technical theme I have structured a musical call/response for the verse and a lyrical call/response for the chorus.

Gloriana (England’s Fairy Queen)

Lady D :  lyrics and vocals.
Offthewall :  guitars, flageolet, skin drum, tambourine, crowd scenes.

Hail Gloriana, England’s Fairy Queen
Jewels in your crown bright shimmers like a dream
Crowds throw scented roses in your tracks
But can you forget the shadow of the axe?

Gloriana, Gloriana, England’s Fairy Queen
Gloriana, Gloriana, Hail our Fairy Queen
Gloriana, Gloriana, Hail our Fairy Queen

Queen Anne’s daughter and a King’s regret
Henry a danger needing to beget
A Tudor son and not a girl despised
You clung to hope, a throne the glittering prize.

Gloriana, etc

Queen Mary died, sister of bloody fame
Burned into history, woman not quite sane
Shadow Elizabeth in the halls of power
Now you emerge, it’s time, it is your hour.

Gloriana, etc

[kara]

This song is a beautiful travel in time !
I can just imagine the scene just by listening. Very well done.
And Lady D should really sing more on your songs, you're both the perfect duo.

Good luck with the contest

k

PS : Isn't there a time limit anymore on the kvr contest entries ?
 

[folderol]

Love this song, James. It will certainly be getting a vote from me! I think you capture the folksy/medieval style perfectly.
No wonder you kept your 'secret weapon' hidden before. Lady D just wipes the floor with the rest

[elwoodblues1969]

James,

I'm so very enchanted by this mysitcal song....beautiful finger picking with very pretty descents!
Your lady "D" is a perfect fit for this tune & the shimmering sonic clarity & implementation of effects make this song a true gem,as it will be stored away in my file folder to be treasured forever!

You certainly have my vote as well...and if you do not win this contest,I will raise a royal rutkus over it!

-Thom

[offthewall]

 
Thanks for the kind comments, each.
@kara, I'm really hoping that we can do more songs together in the future.
and, yes, there has been a time limit change for this month. It is minimum 2mins and maximum 5mins.
@will, I haven't 'kept her hidden'. It's only taken me 33 years to talk her round! 
@thom, thanks for the 'sonic clarity & implementation of effects' comment.  I really worked hard on this one from the production angle.
It's a strange thing, having the responsibility of a 'partner' in a production. I felt that if I just applied my usual *hurried* standards then I would be letting her down somewhat. I am so enchanted by her vocals that I had to pull out all the stops to ensure the best possible production.
 
I hope it's worked. 
 
James

[Wyatt]

Fantasic job..this one is definitely a time traveler!!

Winners circle material..composition and production are
spot on to these old ears and I am pleased to hear more
from Lady D....Bravo!!

 



Wyatt

[offthewall]

 
Thanks Wyatt,

composition and production are spot on to these old ears

is a particularly welcome comment coming from your (critical) self. 
That's the comment I was hoping for. 
 
James

[Oren]

I am so enchanted by her vocals that I had to pull out all the stops to ensure the best possible production.
::)I hope it's worked. 

It worked. A wonderful vocal performance, and crisp, punchy acoustic guitar track, both artfully recorded and mixed. Congratulations, James!
A recommendation: in the "chorus" section, the timing change coupled with the whistle part provides quite enough emphasis. The other tracks tend to "busy" an otherwise pristine production, and in this song, less would be better.

Oren.

[offthewall]

 
Thanks Oren. You're opinion is highly regarded, especially on the technical matters. 
As for the *chorus* section. Technically, you are probably right ...however, I tend to see music composition through the same eyes as when I paint pictures ... so am always looking for that extra bit of *drama*. The intention with this piece was to tell the story in the verses and to show the enthusiastic crowd at the wedding parade in the chorus. In my *picture* there still isn't quite enough *crowd*.
But we enjoyed it. 
 
James

[kara]

I had to add a big congratulations from Azell 

k

[MarioD]

Fantasic job..this one is definitely a time traveler!!

Winners circle material..composition and production are
spot on to these old ears and I am pleased to hear more
from Lady D....Bravo!!

 



Wyatt

+1

You two are a natural duo 

Tell Lady D she did a fantastic job on this and that she has an outstanding voice.  Also tell her that the D in Lady D now means “Diva”

[kara]

As I expected it ended up in the top 3
Since I didn't listen to other entries there, I don't know if you should have won ?

But a big congratulations here for a 3th place 

k

[folderol]

I must say I think the placing is well deserved, and against some very stiff competition too.

[Wyatt]

As I expected it ended up in the top 3
Since I didn't listen to other entries there, I don't know if you should have won ?

But a big congratulations here for a 3th place 

k

I must say I think the placing is well deserved, and against some very stiff competition too.

++

Hear, Hear!!

Congratulations Brother.



Wyatt