[Oli Dickinson]

This is a much older song than the ones that I've posted recently. But I wanted to give it another airing.
Here it is;

TRIAL AND TORTURE

Don't think you need to be a Saint,
You're more than just a man.
I've watched parts of me grow faint,
But I'm doing all I can.
In my dreams I see you paint
Yourself into my hands.

There's a heart in you that lives
To move me to tears.
There's a part of you that gives
Myself as to you I appear.
Still there's have of us that sits
Inside the ambit of my fear.

And they never felt the same.
And they never came to understand our epitaph.
And they soon forgot my name.
And they cut me at the throat out of your photograph.

Trial and Torture - let them come.
Let them do their worst - The worst is already done.
I could run, but what's to run from?

It's not my choice to part with you
But parting within
Is what I've not the heart to do.
Without the strength to sin
Every time we start we're through
Before I dare to let you in.

And they never wrote our book.
And they never found my credit in your reference.
And they didn't even look.
I'm the culprit; I'm the cause; and I'm the consequence.

Trial and Torture - let them come.
Let them do their worst - The worst is already done.
I could run, but what's to run from?

There's that ghost that was your touch
Haunting my shell.
Everybody knew so much;
But you knew me so well.
I kept confidence, but trust
Is only timing what you tell.

And they never wrote our book.
And they never found my credit in your reference.
And they didn't even look.
I'm the culprit; I'm the cause; and I'm the consequence.

Trial and Torture - let them come.
Let them do their worst - The worst is already done.
I could run, but what's to run from?

[massa]

Hey Oli,

Oh no, I'm afraid I'm going to have to give you some criticisms of this one:

Firstly - I can see who I think is Saddam Hussein over there to the right   ------------------>

To be honest, he's wrecking your tune! I keep thinking of them finding him in that hole like The Psammead from Five Children and It by Edith Nesbit.

I don't like you're (I don't know what to call it) your 'ornament' on your vocals where you end with: hands, and fear, and in, and tell, and the thing you do with 'done' at the very end. You should just cut the vocal short and do a piano instrumental there.

The worst is already done, The worst is already done.
I could run, but what's to run from?

I had to listen to that bit a few times, I thought the first time you played it it was awkward as it wasn't what I was planning to hear, but now that I've gone back and listened to it a few times I quite like it.

Now for the good points - your playing is amazing, and the rest of the song, and the memory is gorgeous as always. I particularly like your pre-chorus' about the photograph and the book. That melody is particularly sweet.

I rather envy your writing talent to be honest, you're really emotionally mature in your lyrics.

Oh yeah and I LOVE your belt buckle, is it an eagle? 

[TNMC]

You've an excellent sense of melody and structure, Oli. Who are your influences/favourite artists/composers? Anyone in particular? Your songwriting style is very european (specifically english) in that there doesn't seem to be any real influence from across the pond in the tunes you have posted so far (and thats neither specifically good or bad). Would you care to talk about your subject matter? I'd be interested to hear the real meanings behind what you write about.

Andy from Neverwas

[Oli Dickinson]

Hey.

Thanks for the feedback.

The vocal phrasing at the end of the verse-lines came about when a friend of mine said that she's like to hear me use my voice more as an instrument than just a vessel for lyrics. But I take the point that maybe it is a bit hammed-up - I've thought so myself in the past. I'll see if I can simplify the phrase.

((Is that what you meant by Sadaam Hussain? The Arabic structure of that phrase? If not - should I be worried that there's an ex-dictator haunting my living room?))

As for my influences, I've always liked Tori Amos (I think, if you play piano, you kinda have to) and songs like Northern Lad, Putting The Damage On, Baker Baker and Hey Jupiter are probably the most akin to a "singer/songwriter" style for her. Other acoustic songwriters I admire are Damien Rice, David Ford, John Grant, David Grey, etc. But my favourite kind of music is quite a bit heavier - I like Muse, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Creed, You Me At Six, Thrice, 3 Doors Down, Panic! At The Disco, Pain, Foo Fighters, Greenday, etc etc etc .

The subject matter of this song is about a previous relationship. In a vacuum, it was really good. But was sabotaged by people we knew. I hope there's no malice in the song towards "You", but only towards "Them". I suppose I'm always a bit reticent to explain the story behind songs. Maybe I'm scared that they'll find out, lol.

Thanks again for your comments.

Oli

[massa]

Hi Oli,

  Huh? No I literally meant I see Saddam Hussein over there --------> when playing your song, on youtube, you know how it comes up with related videos? Well him and a whole other bunch of folk related to trials and torture are there. Can you not see dead people? 

I agree with what you say when you say "The vocal phrasing at the end of the verse-lines ... hear me use my voice more as an instrument than just a vessel for lyrics." but yeah I just don't think that sounds very pleasant.

Great influences. I too love Tori, and Damien Rice (I wish he would hurry up and release a new album), and I used to like David Gray, but thought his last albums have been a bit drear. I find it surprising that you like those bands as that doesn't come across at all in your music, I too am a fan of P!ATD and Paramore, but then I too am like that, in that I love electro-pop music and I certainly don't write it.

[Dutchbeat]

Hi Oli,

I think your voice is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!

a part from 2.07 onwards is a bit too melodramatic for me, perhaps some of your changes in tempo ar a bit too much for me

but the things you can do with voice and the sound of it is excellent 
your talents are very clear

Yes, keep the music coming!!!!!!!!!!!