All the Tea in China

[michael11]

I wonder what it is about the Brit's mentality that as soon as they know you don't like something they do it more!!!!

[sedge]

haha funny thread! Hugs Nick : )

[Len911]

When I saw the title, "All the Tea In China", I was thinking Van Morrison and my favorite song of his, "Tupelo Honey". "You can take, all the tea in china, put it in a big brown bag for me......" Which is really sort of cool Nic, because you have a lot of soul in your voice much like Van Morrison. Up until this song, I thought you had hired a black vocalist, now I am thinking it is your voice??? I really like this song, I think the vocal and words really make this song stand out.

[nick.moxsom]

Thanks, Len.

Yeah, it's me singing, and thanks for the compliments. I'm glad you like it. We'll be posting an updated version pretty soon, once we get the groove right. Hope you like that one as much.

Nick

[mojobone]

Yea verily, to the eighties production style. (though eighties is really big in the clubs hereabouts-maybe keep this version up your sleeve for a pertinent opportunity) ) The main culprit is that slightly swirly synth pad in the background. I love the song, but it could do with either a bouncy caribbean/world music feel Or (more likely) a Neo-Soul treatment; back off the reverbs a bit, or maybe substitute a subtle sixties-style plate, add Phil Spector-ish kit drums (maybe keep the conga accents)and most importantly, I think the vocal delivery is too laid-back. (too James Taylor, not enough Bruno Mars falling on a grenade) I think you need it to be more emotionally fraught. Needs a bridge, or maybe just a key change for a lift, toward the end. Maybe jack the tempo a bit, too. Think Duffy/Winehouse production and a Maxwell vocal. Or maybe ring up Terence Trent D'Arby, see if he's busy, heh.

[nick.moxsom]

Hey, Mojo,

Thanks for your thoughts on this. Originally i was trying for a 'timeless' approach, hoping the song would stand on its own, but then this version just sort of happened, and we put it up to see how it would fly.

It's now in a new stage of development, and may be heading down a more reggae route. What I'm reassured about is that its adaptability shows it's a good song in basis, and we just need to get it right.

Cheers for your time, and we'll post again when we're closer.

Nick

[bete]

Nick and Magne,
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your song and look forward to hearing your final version of "All the Tea in China". I wish I could see the lyrics. Is there some way I can see them -- maybe a PM? I agree with Casey that an alternative to 'companion' in the first line could work better.

To everyone,
It's good to get back on Forum. I've missed hearing from all of you.

Bette

[nick.moxsom]

Bette,

Thanks for your kind words. If you follow the ReverbNation link to the track there is a Lyrics button you can push to see the words.

Oh, and welcome back.

Nick

[AndrewCavanagh]

All the Tea In China is a brilliant lyrical hook.

Much of the melody is good and the chorus is well constructed melodically speaking.

You've also got the lyrical hook placed perfectly in the chorus.

In my opinion the rest of the lyrics while having some really interesting rhymes and colour are not strong and the song meanders with very little direction or meaning.

This is most likely because you haven't worked out what the real concept is behind the song by asking some questions:

# Who is singing this song?

# What is he/she singing it about?

# What his happening in his life that's bringing him to the point of singing about all the tea in china?

# Is there a story behind this? If so how does that story fit into the song structure (2 verses and a bridge). Will the story lead naturally back to the chorus?


Musically the song needs a little more formed structure. It sounds like 2 verses a bridge and the same chorus would work (verse/chorus/verse/chorus/bridge chorus)

To me a couple of the musical parts sound like they should be extracted and used as part of the bridge with song going straight from verse to chorus then verse to chorus with strong lyrics in both to hold the tune (the music lends itself to strong lyrics but doesn't attention well on its own in my opinion).


Finally if you'd like to sell this song a lyrical rewrite as a country song would probably work.

The rhyme structure and musical style would work if the lyrics were rewritten and the song was demoed by a Nashville studio.

Country songs are usually easier to place with a recording artist (the market is much larger which is why such a huge percentage of professional songwriters work in country music).

But keep in mind the bar for lyrics is VERY high in country music.

You simply can't get by with okay or even good lyrics. They need to really stand out...every word perfectly written in the perfect place.

I hope something I've written here is useful to you.

You did mention earlier you wanted some brutal feedback so I tried to avoid pulling punches.

This is a song I'd be happy to collaborate on if you're open to that.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

[feaker66]

Wow, this is just great.

The vox is perfect. (and clear)

Scary James Taylor resemblence.

Nice mix

paul