05 February 2004 (Thursday)
MP3 Demo - Download Here (2.6mb)
I wrote and recorded this all today. Probably my fastest writing/demo turnound ever. It's inspired by a news story I read about a pickup truck flooded into a drainage ditch just north of Louisville, KY. After the wreck, the driver still got out and tried to walk on, but ultimately drown. They found his body the next day. I dunno... the words & melody just came to me, and I figured out the chords when I got home.
I threw an impromptu mandolin part into the demo (being called "Kentucky Blue" and all), and since I didn't rehearse it or anything please forgive the couple of sour notes. Also forgive the scratchy voice, as it's still not totally recovered from being sick. The song is less than 3 minutes... and I almost feel like it should be longer. But I don't know what a third verse could be about. Maybe a longer solo? Any suggestions?
Kentucky Blue
lyrics/music by Burr Settles
they pulled him from a ditch
not half a mile from where the truck was found
he couldn't scale the pitch
with mud and water all around
just north on 65
before the county line
six inches on the road
like tears from heaven flying through the air
they said the way was closed
but he just had to get somewhere
just north on 65
before the county line
Kentucky Blue
just north on 65
before the county line
he would not yield to the flood
the Elysian field was in his blood
Kentucky Blue...
Comments: 4
I dig it! and though I can see how it could seem a bit short, I don't see how you could add more except maybe repeating "just north on 65 - before the county line"
I think it's good the way it is.
Eric [05:29AM CST 05-Feb-2004]
maybe i could get away with singing the first verse again between the bridge and the second chorus? that's kind of a typical thing to do...
burr [09:30AM CST 05-Feb-2004]
I'm really digging this song Burr...it's dreary and very rainy day sounding. I think it's a perfect length. If I could make a suggestion I would take out the very last thing you play and instead just sing the outro over and over and fade it out. It's one of those songs I'd want to hear just drift off into nothing...
hopper [12:36AM CST 06-Feb-2004]
y'know, i thought about a fade out, or maybe just ending on that weird minor C-chord thing (i'm crap at music theory). but i was tired and just decided to resolve it instead. but that's a good idea, matt.
burr [08:37AM CST 06-Feb-2004]