Bad Day At Black Rock
#filmbookchallenge
Congratulations to John, Ann and Graham for their success last month. At first I found this challenge daunting once I landed on a film I love the song came pretty quick and gave me time to let loose on production which I’ve never done before. Not sure what the mix is like but was great fun! Lots of Blood, Death, Guilt etc in the lyric.
This is Bad Day At Black Rock, inspired by the film of the same name and one of my favourite films. It’s 1945 and a stranger, Macreedy, gets off the train at a desert hamlet called Black Rock. He’s come to find a man called Komoko as he is wants to give him the medal that his dead son won saving Macreedy’s life. However, he cannot find Komoko and clearly there is a dark secret in Black Rock….
I’ve gone a bit overboard on production and video having found time to dive into GarageBand and use the Focusrite thingy that I bought about a year ago. Added guitar and bass parts – percussion is courtesy of the GarageBand app.
Very good – one of your best, Alan. The tune and structure really match the lyrical content. Well done with the arrangement and the visuals too. I need to watch that film now!
Thanks Paul, really appreciate it. It’s a film I first saw years ago on TV after night out. And it stuck with me and I keep going back to it.
I always enjoy your songs Alan – this one is fantastic! Love the whole production (I’m also learning to use GarageBand) – it all fits together perfectly.
Thanks Anne – that’s very kind. I’ll keep using GB too as it seems pretty intuitive.
A debt to a dead man never can be paid – what a great line and a great song too – like it a lot.
Thanks Dave!
That’s spot on Alan. Great idea for a song. I liked the way the two guitar parts spoke to each other on the track. Well sung as always bud. 👌Hey GarageBand is cool. I do all of my recording work on it. It’s actually a great little program.
😁✌️🌻☮️
Thanks Phil! Yes, it was a lot of trial and error with GarageBand but it does get easier to use. Will stick with it!
Love the melody driven by that cool unforgettable bass part. Powerful dynamics in a twangy acoustic soundscape. That is one great tune. Checks all the boxes for me personally. Is that on an album? Great job!
Thanks Steve. That’s really kind. Not on album. Just recorded this weekend – first time I’ve “produced” something myself using rudimentary kit at home.
Well done Alan, great song and production I have yet to venture into these things 👏
Thanks Ann!
great song, great guitar and great video. very catchy. wish I could do garageband like that. mine just sounds like a messy music day at a nursery when I try it. well done
Thanks Neet! I had a lot of trial and error and since found some helpful vids on YT about getting best from GB.
Cool! Good work on Garageband and I was totally absorbed in the song – I stopped listening critically and just found myself enjoying the music. That’s the highest praise I can give.
Cheers mate! You inspired me to try GB with your song last month.
Great arrangement. The mix sounds good to me, maybe a little more oomph needed on the kick, but that’s a personal preference. I don’t know the film, but I really enjoyed the song.
Thanks Julie – really appreciate it.
A great take on the theme and really good performance and production. Another cracker!
Thanks Cath!
That’s mightily impressive, Alan! The production & video are great but it’s that melody & those lyrics that really delighted me. That’s the heart and you kept it beating throughout. Always quality 😎.
Thanks Suzanne – that’s really kind.
Love it Alan. Very clever visuals and well produced, especially if you are just getting to grips with recording. Really enjoyed it. Taking inspiration from a film is one thing, but telling the story of the film is quite another. Great stuff.
Thanks Graham – really appreciate it!
Great film and, as always, a great song too Alan.
Thanks Glyn
I really like your guitar work and the relaxed, compelling way you told the tale you wished to tell in your song, which has a memorable tune and a fine flow of words.
Thanks Philip