Feb 2022 ss022622k superskirmish window cello spoken word ukraine
Thanks to @corinnecurcio for the prompt "Window."
Ended up as a anti war spoken word piece. improv with one revision. I didn't quite make it to the end when recording over the loop, but the accident kind of worked for the sudden ending. No swearing but creepy war scene so NSFW. Also this loop is hammer-on cello as my right arm is injured...apologies for short comments.
Windows rattling they’re coming
Windows rattling they’re coming
They’re really coming
They’re coming after us
Better run better hide
try to get out
Warning Sirens are echoing
around the streets
Warning Sirens are echoing
around the streets
Images flashing online
in realtime
men in tanks
all kinds of ranks
pushing into the land
as hard as they can
for reasons and places
we do not understand
inexorable march of humanity
an everlasting arch
our Achilles heel
slashed once again
do we fight back
do we hold back
do we run away
are we against this?
are we for this?
one last kiss
before they flee
Feeling terrified?
That’s ok that’s normal
cause an army is coming
we are on our sofa
watching on demand
wringing hands
ringing ears
Warning Sirens are echoing
around the streets
Windows start to crack
as the tanks rumble by
A lone guitar
player stands
this old rocker
upright hard as a rock
un-plugged no amp
but electricity ready to flow
though his fingers
ready to start shredding
riffing as the windows are shattering
in our music video
of his last time performing
The tanks stop no one
no one moves
not even they want to take down
this devil with the blues
Then they receive a call
the highest up has seen it all
Push forward you fools
push forward my tools
Warning Sirens are echoing
around the streets
The tanks start up
he stands there
in his silent protest
long hair flowing in the wind
a strange symbol of rational peace
can he withstand the onslaught
let’s see because
he’s lifted up his guitar
he is getting ready
he is about to start
his arms is raised
his determined look
he has the first phrase
(and
is about to start the song)
@tamsnumber4 Mar 2022
Powerful and dark, good spoken word with that ominous track. Thanks for posting this in the Ukraine Thread.
@chroes Mar 2022
Oh, this is so heavy. Powerful piece, the driving beat, the repeating patterns in the background. The way you speak most of the lyrics, but not all. This is... harsh.
@kahlo2013 Feb 2022
Powerful and frightening contemporary song. So well delivered. Hard to say so much as it is so disturbing but you capture not only the fear and tension but you do a fabulous job raising the issues and questions that surround the invasion.
@richardmasters Feb 2022
Absolutely gripping song. The lo-fi groove had me from the start and your delivery is almost otherworldly, and so perfect for the stream of images and sounds that you conjure with your words. This is dark, mysterious, and strange - an alchemical, heady brew!
@hoppiern Feb 2022
Powerful. I like how you intersperse sung parts with the spoken word. This is a very effective song! Great take on the skirmish prompt!
@jwhanberry Feb 2022
That surprise ending is sooo dramatic. Wow. A real live guitar hero challenging the madness. Good work. The hammer on cello is a good sound. Hope your arm gets better soon.
@crutherford Feb 2022
woah... what an intro to a song. i'm all in. this was fantastic. excellent skirmish!!!
@andrea Feb 2022
Wow, this feels so alive and real. The music and spoken word work so well together. I love the guitarist resistance. A great take on the prompt. A very powerful piece!
@sunfire Feb 2022
Powerful stuff! Intriguing and intense!
@sheslin Feb 2022
Love the drums and maybe bass underneath the spoken word. Cool kinda creepy guitar add. We sure don’t understand this! “Warning signs are echoing around the streets” - I love how you delivered that line. The musical chaos towards the end of the song is amazing. That last verse, and the ending - I have chills. Just an amazing take on the prompt. Wowza!
@cindyrella Feb 2022
This is timely and so powerful! The drum beat reminds me of the Natives Americans. Incredible song!
@berni1954 Feb 2022
Powerful message. I love the rock guitarist as the guy in Tiananmen Square. The world never found out what happened to that guy, but I suspect, that, like your guy, he too was silenced after making his stand.
@keithcuts Feb 2022
timely message!
thought well conveyed in song.
well done on the prompt!
@mikeskliar Feb 2022
wow, this is a very cinematic and vivid scene- and the music and the lyric work together for this- really impressive and 'real'! love the spoken word in there, and that guitar in the background...
@unknownbecky Feb 2022
Wow. So ominous and relentless. Definitely feels a lot like I have been feeling this week. Very effective!
@j8e2t56 Feb 2022
I think the chopped off ending is perfect! This is a great spoken word performance, and the ponderous bass and scratchy guitars provide a background of inevitability and dread. The raised guitar in the face of onslaught...sticking a flower in a gun barrel seems tame by comparison. Great skirmish!