Hi MCS,
During the making of Earthman for the Stonehinged album everyone came up with loads of tracks for the song enough to make two versions. As we could not fit in all the contributions for the album cut, I thought of making another version, based on the left out parts which included Billy's wonderful keys tracks, and inviting Steve to handle the vocals.
As it happened, Steve came in with an awesome lead vocal and a wonderful array of backing harmony vocals which complemented Billy's stunning guitar and keys tracks perfectly. We also re-did the bass and drums for a fresh feel, and here is the result.
My friend Jeff Muller was kind enough to mix the song in his studio and he insisted on everyone who dropped into the studio to listen to the song....so I think it must have struck a chord
.
The general consensus was that the track sounded like a Bowie-Floyd-Beatles-Queen hybrid, who am I to disagree?
Thanks again Billy, Steve, Jeff and Eric.
It's also especially nice to get this version "released" on the eve of John Lennon's birthday!
Thanks for listening
Andy
EARTHMAN (c) Andy Gupta 2010
VerseSo we have come again
To the blue planet near the sun
We've travelled miles many miles from home
We'd promised to return.
But what we see on here
Though progress has been made
Time after time the same mistakes
Shows there's a lot to be done....
ChorusEarthman
Can you tell me what you've done
The gifts left behind were to build a better world
What have you learned in all these years
The History book on the shelf keeps on repeating itself
VerseWhy can't you realize
That life is an unique thing?
All around we can see
The desolation that lifelessness can bring
But what we see on here
Is the urge to self destruct
Pain hunger greed suffering
And we had thought you were the chosen ones
ChorusEarthman
Know it's not too late
To save the weeping Planet in your hands lies your fate
To live in peace and in harmony
An ideal state for Man we've done it so you can
BridgeSo is this what it means to be human
Where nothing can be drawn in black and white
The complex ways of a human mind
Greys the areas
There's no black and white
No total wrong and right
ChorusEarthman
Help us show you the way
The guardians from the Milky Way can set you free
Paradise - for all mankind
Will fill our inner beings and overflow our minds
Outro Now it's time to bid farewell
Return to our alien world
We decide not to intervene
A young child learns to crawl before he starts to walk
The personnel:Casia : co-write on lyrics
Billy Playle : guitar, organ, synth, piano and guitar solos
Steve McAndrew : lead and backing vocals
Eric Koskas : drums
Andy Gupta : lyrics, music, bass, leslied guitar
Jeff Muller : mix/mastering
The link to the Stonehinged version, showcasing the talents of Stonehead and J on drums and keyboards is:http://www.musicianscollaboration.com/forum/index.php?topic=7052.msg131727#msg131727
