Level 5 (The Ballad of Liddle Alf) - Rock

[snowdoguk]

Inspired by Paul's exciting lyrics, everyone has put in really brilliant performances to get Level 5 to this "level". Thanks to everyone who submitted auditions, also to those who aren't featured in the song. Your ideas, time and effort are/is greatly valued. This track is the result of a co-write involving Paul, Andy and myself.

A special thank you to Mr. Portugal, namely Paulo, for his wonderful effort and patience in getting the mix and mastering to sound so fantastic.

Lyrics: Paul Dempsey (PVD)
Drums: John Wooten (Jwoo10)
Keys and Production: Paulo Gomes (Paulo)
Vocals: Steve McAndrew (The PleasureDome)
Bass and Keys: Andy Gupta (AndyG6508) - (Andy's original key riff and synth parts were the stimulus for the song)
Guitars/Spoken Vox and Musical Arrangement: Mike Woodford (SnowdogUK)

Level 5

Music - Woodford/Gupta 2010
Lyrics - Paul Dempsey    2010

(v1)
You've finally reached level five
Somehow you managed to survive
You've gone farther than we thought
Now the challenge gets more intense

(v2)
The tiny elf with shifty eyes
Misleads you with all his lies
Be careful or you'll get caught
He's the beast's first line of defense

(chorus)
You're looking to make a name
On line in a virtual game
That no one has ever won
You're always battling the beast
That at the very least
Will send you back to level one

(v3)
The unicorns have lost their powers
As they fly around the towers
But they're going counter clock wise
And only the time matters to you

(v4)
And the elf drinks from the chalice
Swears he's got the keys to the palace
Again he deceives you with his lies
While you're searching for a clue

(bridge)
You're confronted by a priest who says give into the beast
But somehow he looks like the elf
To reach the maximum level you have to deal with the devil
But be warned, it could cost you a little of yourself

(chorus)
You're looking to make a name
On line in a virtual game
That no one has ever won
You're always battling the beast
That at the very least
Will send you back to level one

[PVD]

Mike:

Thanks for posting, I hope I wasn't too much of a pain in the ass and I hope you understand.  I really like this and it is well done.

Everyone worked very hard and Steve's vocal are quite the match for this as was your Vincent Price impersonation.

Thanks again.

Paul

[jwoo10]

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy... Nice Job everyone!!!! Thanks for letting me play too!

Dayum.... I love this site!

[AndyG6508]

Hey Gang,

Good to see this up in the finished section!!

Paul - It was good to see this maturing into a full scale collab after I first promised to set this to music - it took nearly 2 years but what the hey:). Nice whimsical lyric too.

Mike - It was thrilling to co-write some of the music with you (I love co-writing - it takes the song places where you'd never expect to go). The main guitar riff is too catchy for words. Oh, you must alter the credits to Spoken Section : Mike "Vincent Price" Woodford . Well done and not by 'arf Liddle Alf!

Steve - Stratospheric "Highway Star-esque" vocal - you continue to amaze. Its a pleasure to listen to any song helmed vocally by you.

John - Super drumming yet again - your feel for a tune is uncanny - I bet you took one listen and knocked it off in 10 mins.

Paulo - Thanks again mate - your keys nicely round off the sound - incredible textures. Your grace and patience while being innundated with mix suggestions is exemplery - and you came off with a wonderful mix!!!

Thanks for letting me being part of the ride all the way up to level five!

Cheers
Andy

[Pleasuredome]

Thanks again all

What I produce musically is based upon the stimulus and inspiration generated by the track. There are very occasional times when the track leaves me struggling but this certainly wasn't one of them.

With this stable of seasoned pro musicians there is no way to go wrong and once more, thank you guys

Onwards and upwards to level 10!!!

[Paulo]

It's all said... yeh, it became just fine.

I did not know that this took 2 years to put together, the first time I heard was with Xan's Keys and it sounded cool to me.

Thanks for letting me in and, it was the first time I had the pleasure to work with Mike.

[snowdoguk]

It's all said... yeh, it became just fine.

I did not know that this took 2 years to put together, the first time I heard was with Xan's Keys and it sounded cool to me.

Thanks for letting me in and, it was the first time I had the pleasure to work with Mike.

I don't think it took two years Paulo... it was born from Paul's lyrics and Andy's keys riff a few months or so ago when we put the bed tracks and demo together.... also a great pleasure to work with you too Paulo 

[Paulo]

May I erase all my files from the original thread? It's got an ape file in there, I wonder if those who want it, already got it.

[snowdoguk]

May I erase all my files from the original thread? It's got an ape file in there, I wonder if those who want it, already got it.

That sounds like a good idea.... I'll post the ape here in the first thread so it will still be available....

[j]

Great stuff fellow rockers!!

love the solos in this song! (Paulo/Steve), the Gillan vocal crescendo's.. solid rhythm section.. love that spoken vocal break..with the Spirit Of Radio style guitar backing..

you guys aced it... as always! 

[McLovin]

I really enjoyed watching this develop.  This to me appears to be a true collaboration with each and every personality shining through.

Awesome production guys!

[Tricia41]

Excellent!!!!   

[Stoney]

Cool track guys ...very nice work everyone 

[snowdoguk]

Great stuff fellow rockers!!

love the solos in this song! (Paulo/Steve), the Gillan vocal crescendo's.. solid rhythm section.. love that spoken vocal break..with the Spirit Of Radio style guitar backing..

you guys aced it... as always! 

Thanks j !!!  Really glad you like it...

[snowdoguk]

I really enjoyed watching this develop.  This to me appears to be a true collaboration with each and every personality shining through.

Awesome production guys!

Everyone directly involved really did produce something special for the track, and ideas and help from others not directly involved also helped to develop it. Thanks for listening Jay.