Reviews from

Record of Life

The record of life spins. Who loses or wins?

63 total reviews 
Comment from Kerry Foley Robinson
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is a really awesome song you've penned. The good ole days of records, That was pretty dramatic pulling a gun out on a young boy, that must have been scary.
I love this verse:
"I get high on vinyl
when I open the sleeves.
I get high on Spiral
Staircase and Martha Reeves"
Nicely done lyrics, I still buy albums at antique shops, lol ~Kerry

 Comment Written 11-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 11-Oct-2017
    Yes, Kerry, it was scary when the shop owner pulled the gun on me. If it hadn't been for that, I would have returned to his shop weekly after school to buy records. I am glad you praised that my song celebrated the good ole days of records. I am glad, too, that you are still collecting. I gave it up years ago. Now I am writing my own songs. Thank you for your review.
reply by Kerry Foley Robinson on 11-Oct-2017
    lol, therr ya go, make your own records:))
Comment from Laine Carson
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I enjoyed your poem. I saw some of myself (minus the gun) in the fact that I have owned a lot of vinyl and still collect them. I find that when I play them they take me back to the things I use to do while hearing that particular artist.

 Comment Written 11-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 11-Oct-2017
    Yes, Laine, I got teary eyed as I wrote this song and recalled my love of records. Despite that one incident with a gun, I still hold a fondness for the music of my youth. Thank you for your review. Keep collecting records.
reply by Laine Carson on 11-Oct-2017
    I collect them as you do...from antique shops.
Comment from ExperiencingLiphe
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Times have certainly changed since back in the day. Truth is we never know when our time is up. When we do know it's our time it's too late to turn back. I'm glad you survived that experience. Is the shop still opened where it happened or is something else now? I think our local store has some records but it's probably not a huge selection.

 Comment Written 10-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 11-Oct-2017
    Yes, ExperiencingLiphe, the antique shop had closed down years ago perhaps after the gun-toting owner died. When I visited it four years ago I saw a real estate office there. No, we don't know what's coming around the bend. I'm glad I survived that incident. Thank you for your review.
Comment from krys123
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Cheers, Anonymous Songwriter;
-it's good that you're taking the songwriting workshop as I took one hour. In fact I taken two at different times from Ralph Williamson and one of his predecessors Willie Manchester . Both are affiliated with The Wage Music which is now just Wedge Music out of Nashville. They are my publishers. I written two songs back in nineteen eighty-three the top the one hundred chart. One was called "When It Comes To Love" and the other one was called "Organ Grinder". I haven't entered this contest so I can tell you my Fan Story name is Krys123. I won one of the song and lyric contest here and I'm really happy to see that the doing songwriting and music care at this website. If you join the Fan Music site? They seem to be on a stalemate as nothing is really going on contest wise as there's not enough members. I guess to join the contests.
-By the way your lyrics are superb and you do an excellent job especially with your enjambment which holds through the whole poem within adamant understanding of the conceptual theme of your writing.
-The pictures very appropriate for this writing and supported to the conceptual theme.
-The lyrics move well and can be easily translated into many different music formulations and compositions.
-I could see a quick rhythm at a 4/4 measure with a direct definition of a base riff that would be prominent throughout the song.
-I have my own recording studio, both analog and digital.
-Your song has a lot of promise and I see it could go a long way.
-I play the bass, keyboards, a variety of harmonicas, twelve string and six string guitars and sometimes a little electric guitar is needed.
-I consider my music mediocre at best and still trying to write that hit song as everyone else probably is.
-My website is "alexiskrysyna.com" and so far I have twenty-four songs on the website.
-Good luck in your future endeavors as a songwriter as from what I see and read now makes me definitely think that you are quite an accomplished songwriter or learning to become in a great one.
-Good luck in the contest and take care and have a good one and especially peace and harmony with you always.
Alex

 Comment Written 10-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 11-Oct-2017
    Thank you, Alex, for your generous, six star review. I took the song writing workshop with Jim Bruno at Freight and Salvage in Berkeley because I wanted to know if I had any potential or if the "Get Up Dance" song I wrote was a fluke. Given that all three of my latest songs have placed second or third in FS contests and the feedback from my teacher and peers have been glowing, I feel I may have a future in this field.

    I am still debating the FanMusic site, although I checked it out. I have one more songwriting class to go and am contemplating my next step. Some say learning an instrument like a guitar. Others say collaboration with someone who could play. For the time being I am going to keep writing songs even though the instrument and melody situation is unsettled.

    Thank you for for detailed and encouraging six star review. Congratulations on your win, and thank you for sharing your link to your site. I enjoyed your "Leaving Buffalo" song which reminds me of Dylan. Thanks, too, for wishing me contest luck.
reply by krys123 on 12-Oct-2017
    Hi again! About that FanMusic site; right now it is in limbo because, like I said before, no one is participating in the contest in the contest have not been activated for some time and no one is participating enough to have the contest work. In in over three weeks. There's only been about three or four songs that were helpful. But there is a good site which is called "HITRECORD.ORG"
    this site is new to me but I got turned onto it by another member here and were both trying it out.
    It's quite interesting you and you should check it out and you might find it interesting.
    May harmony and peace be with you.
    Alex
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2017
    Thank you, Alex, I'll check it out. I was just penning my next song.

    Peace.

    Andre
Comment from Wendy Winter
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I felt like I was this young black man while reading this poem. I also found it to be catchy and fun to read. You managed to make a dark and serious story present in a fun and rhythmical way. What a joy to read! Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 10-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 11-Oct-2017
    Yes, Wendy, combining a celebration of records with the prejudices of the shop keeper makes my song unique. Usually, songwriters write an all happy song about records and rock 'n' roll or they write an all sad and angry song about racism and prejudices. Thank you for noticing my successful combination of the two topics in an entertaining way. Thank you also for your generous, six star review. I much appreciate it.
Comment from brenda faye curtis
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I think your song does indeed fulfill the requirements of both assignments, but more than that, I feel it has helped you to address a very traumatic event in your life. Having nearly been shot a couple times in my life, I understand what a life-altering event it is. What a great blessing it is that you're still here, that you can share your experience with others through song. I like the rhythm of your arrangement and the chorus is thought-provoking and compelling.

 Comment Written 10-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 11-Oct-2017
    Yes, Brenda, this song helped me address a traumatic event. I could not have written this several years ago when I performed a live story version which ended with me screaming and crying on stage. Now enough time has passed so that I can transform that experience. It is something that the man almost shot the person who wrote this song. I think about people who did not survive their encounters and never got a chance to write their songs. Thank you for your generous, six star review.
reply by brenda faye curtis on 12-Oct-2017
    You're welcome. Have a blessed day!
Comment from Meia (MESAYERS)
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is an excellent piece of educational and interesting work. I hope you do well with your song writing it is very similar to poetry, I wish I had taken up the guitar when younger. A great write and well done love Meia x

 Comment Written 10-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 11-Oct-2017
    Yes, Meia, I wish I had taken up guitar when younger and had not let go of piano. The songs are coming to me so frequently now, I do not have time to learn an instrument. I may either pick up a guitar or collaborate with musicians who can play.

    Yes, I want to push myself as a poet and storyteller with song. Thank you for your review.
Comment from Ulla
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I know who you are anonymous writer. I remember the story and I reviewed it. This is a wonderful entry, and I hope it will do really well. I could hum to it very easily. I loved it. Good luck. All the best. Ulla:))

 Comment Written 10-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 11-Oct-2017
    Good, memory, Ulla. Thank you for your praise of my entry. I am glad you could hum it easily. Thank you for your review and for wishing me the best.
Comment from ~Dovey
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi Poet!

Wow, what an excellent account of true life put into a song. I also enjoyed the author's notes for added history to this account. The rhyme is excellent and the use of enjambment is expertly handled. I give you an A on this assignment! :)

Excellent work!!

Kim

 Comment Written 10-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 10-Oct-2017
    Thank you, Kim, for your review and A. I am glad you found my song excellent.
Comment from dominador G Robles
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I enjoy reading this lyrical poem. The experience the writer depicted is typical of a young man who loves music. He shops and resided then in Los Angeles at a time when President Carter was President. The lines are simple, direct and amusing. Towards the end, several years later, he visits the places he had been shopping at with a little tinge of nostalgia.The Rhyme and rhythm are good. Congratulations.

 Comment Written 10-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 10-Oct-2017
    Thank you, Dom, for your review and congratulations. I am glad you enjoyed reading my lyrical poem.