Day 8
RAMMIN’ JAMMIN’ TUMBLEWEEDS
Day Eight is here! Once again, many many thanks for coming along on this ride with us.
The concept of playing “the hero” has, indeed, changed over time. (And how). The “black hat” versus “white hat” scenario, while effectively ageless and timeless, has, too, evolved.
Without question, the “good” and the “bad,” as we define them in our world, can prove quite subjective… Yet the idea of standing one’s ground, regardless of what is being “stood up for,” has pretty much remained consistent.
“Be resolute!” “Stay firm!” “Don’t Give up on what you believe!” These things still mean something.
Additionally, a delicious context can help reinforce the passion behind this show of determination. Yes, indeed…we all have our tumbleweeds, waddies, hoosegows and varmints to deal with.
OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF MAKERS
Before we take you to today’s showdown, dig this… Sometimes, we find ourselves overwhelmed by the insatiable drive to capture a musical idea. (This song was just such an instance). When that happens, it must somehow be preserved before it is forgotten. In those instances where the needed instrument is not available, we find alternative methods of expression:
THE MUSIC (SONG 8) – “TWELVE O’CLOCK RUNNING”
“Just take it in hand and raise it to the sky and drink to me one more glass of wine“
Written by Andrew Roman and Robert Steel
Produced by Elm Treason
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Realm Tones Music
A guitar-driven gallop that rolls with its musical boots on. A bit of the Old west? Check. A bit of hard rock? Check. Riffs? Harmonies? A driving rhythm? A kickin’ solo? Check times four. The train is arriving right on time. Time to stand up, keep firm and check this one out:
“TWELVE O’CLOCK RUNNING”
(Listen now. Roll with it!)
LYRICS
The twelve o’ clock keeps running, gunning along the line. Oh, rain, shine, right on time.
Her wheels stop for nothing. How many here will show? Oh, sun sets, it’s me, alone.
And should it be it’s them instead of me, just take it in hand and raise it to the sky
and drink to me one more glass of wine.
The twelve o’ clock is coming among the willows, ride. Oh, could be it is my time.
She’s here, bold and stunning, my two feet on the ground. Oh, there ain’t no backing down.
And should it be it’s them instead of me, just take it in hand and raise it to the sky
and drink to me one more glass of wine.
Caught between the clock and a hard place, but like the clock, I’ve got time on my hands
and I can’t lose face. I can’t lose face.
And should it be it’s them instead of me, just take it in hand and raise it to the sky
and drink to me one more glass of wine.
EXTRA EXTRA BONUS CONTENT
Bobby gives an example of how one idea spurs another.
Andy elaborates on the “various rhthyms” of this song.
Copyright 2021 Realm Tones Music, LLC
Just getting better all the time fellas and the video’s are a real treat to watch…you have both put so much in to all this and its been an awesome ride to be on…
Thank you for saying all that, Ellen. VALIDATION!! 🙂 This has been our total and complete pleasure to have you on this little album trip. Thank you for the tremendously positive feedback. TWELVE O CLOCK RUNNING is a special one for us, no doubt. We were VERY focused on the melodies here.. We wanted the music to breathe and still ride with full accessibility. We wanted it to jump off the page, so to speak, without having to “work on” feeling it. We wanted the impact to be immediate. THANK YOu for everything, Ellen.
I am all things “cowboy”. I love this and definitely like how you put the “word locker” songs to good use. Then again, you have always shined on this! Well done Fellas!
Hey, brother! This definitely has a touch of that cowboy vibe without being TOO “El Dorado.” LOLOL…. I thank you sincerely for the terrific compliment. It’s like we had too many cool individual “sections” of different potential songs that we knew could be put to good use in some way… it was just a matter of figuring out how! REALLY appreciate you commenting on this one.. and we very glad you like it so much. 🙂
Ok, castanets, nice! Kind of a mash up of Who power chords and Zeppelin 3ish mandolins. Gettin a Munsters vibe off that lick LOL! You guys are on the way to creating your own genre! Respect!
See? We’re not another everyday acoustic rock and roll band. LOLOLOL! Seriously, love your assessments….. In fact, the section in between the verse and chorus, where Bobby does his mandolin magic in rapid time, was inspired by the Zeppelin song “The Song Remains the Same. ” It probably doesn’t sound like it, but the feel, that vibe during that that instrumental passage is actually influenced by that song. The key for us is to ALWAYS make sure the sections flow and that it is interesting to the ears without being self-indulgent. Being technically proficient is one thing, but we always ask….does the song make you FEEL something? Is there a part of the melody that hits hard? Is there a hook that isn’t hackneyed, overused or boring? Is there a line that makes people say, “Woah, yes!” The playing obviously must be good, but nailing the technical aspects of it – EQ, mixing, reverb, blah blah – means nothing if the song doesn’t CONVEY something outside of “Hey, here’s my funny song! Here’s my tragedy song! Here’s my blues tune! Here’s my epic! Whatever…” We do the best we can in making songs that are going to reach people. It’s like having all the ingredients to make a cake on the counter… but just throwing them together in a bowl and mixing doesn’t make the cake…. Now, whether or not we do that isn’t up to us. Any way, you lift us up, brother. You truly do. There’s no around that. We are grateful to you. In a big way.
Another great song to dig! I read an earlier comment that mentioned a “Munsters” vibe. I felt the same thing. great song none the less. I really think that since you produce your own music it really frees you both up to take as much time as you want and focus on different sounds, instruments, etc. You both are masters of your own universe and you’re sharing that incredible universe with us, the listeners. Thank you Elm Treason for an amazing ride so far. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Thank you so much, Paul! Having you along for this ride has been truly our pleasure. Thank you for taking the time to listen to the music. We know it’s time consuming to do so, so our appreciation is beyind words.
What a sound….it’s like a time warp
So clever and witty….It’s a movie and a soundtrack all in one…awesome job brothers…..bravo !!
Thank you, Vincent! I (Andy) simply love how you put it! A movie AND a sountrack! That covers it, brother. Gotta say…it has been a joy and pleasure having you checking out our new tunes. Your commentary has been a gift! Thank you, man. It is GREAT having you in our corner.
What a song! One of my favorites not just on this album, but any album. And so multicultural… My mandolin riff in the fast “chase scene” part was inspired by a sword dance from Derbyshire, England, the intro is sort of Good Bad & Ugly Native American and western cowboy, the chorus sculpted from a Jewish Mediterranean style song, Del Shannon, metal……who knew we could cram and jam all that STUFF in there and make it sound so NATURAL like it just BELONGS there? For that bridge section, I woke up one early Saturday morning with that melody and lyrics in my head complete (rarely happens). I ran right down to the basement and recorded it around 6 in the morning and sent it over to Andy. I told him that I could do another take if he wanted…but he ended up using that exact FIRST recording i did in the early Saturday morning. I must have been in the zone. Clint Eastwood would be proud. E PLURIBUS ULMUS!
Without a doubt, simply one of the best memories I (Andy) have of our collaborative history. So proud of this one.
Well done gentlemen, great song, and all the background instruments complete it, and yes Bobby, the mandolin and puns take this collaboration to another level!
Beautiful feedback, brother. So glad you dig this one. Bobby’s ability to bring home the mood of a specific motif through the chosen instrument (and how it’s played) is a strength that is incalculable (Andy writing here). The band collectively is so much stronger than we could have done individually. THANK YOU for the killer encouragement.