Country Down by Wise Owl
the first time i listened to a Beck record, i was 13 years old listening to Midnite Vultures on CD on headphones in the dark, lying in bed while my parents thought i was sleeping. i was listening harder than i'd ever listened to music in my life -- i desperately needed to understand Beck's music, because the girl i was in love with loved Beck. she was so much cooler than me, and it would be most significant accomplishment of my life if i could get her to like me.
she lent me the CD, it smelled like her. that record blew my mind apart in that bed, and it crushed my spirit. it was so intimidating. it was more creative, more original, sexier, and cooler than i felt like i could ever be in my entire life. ever since then i've tended to use Beck as a reference to tell me how i'm doing -- does the music i'm making scare me enough? "if i heard this in bed that night, would it make me want to quit music like Beck did?"
later on, i was working as an audio engineer in some sessions with Beck right after Morning Phase came out, and i heard him play the new songs for the first time. i got ahold of Morning Phase and listened to it just like i listened to Midnite Vultures when i was a kid. every song is a jam, but Country Down stood way out to me. it's because it was the first time i heard Beck's voice and i could see myself in it. for the first time, he wasn't someone high above me who i couldn't reach. it was like i was lifted up and now could be in the company of my heroes. i felt like i could do it too.
i hope you enjoy my version of Country Down, a lot of respect and care went into it and it's the culmination of dreaming and daydreaming about what it would sound like when i finally did it. well, i did it and here it is.
this one is dedicated to Pop, my dad, who passed away about halfway through the recording of this song. Pop loved listening to my music, and i'll enjoy making much more in his honor. i didn't pick the song for him, but it's fitting -- he was a real country man
Tracklist
| 1. | Country Down | 4:09 |
| 2. | Country Dub (featuring Black Market) | 4:15 |
| 3. | Country Down (Beck vocal) | 4:09 |
Credits
Written by Beck Hansen
Original song appears on the 2014 Capitol Records release Morning Phase by Beck
Recorded, Produced, Mixed, Mastered by Brandon "Wise Owl" Niznik at Adult Tree House in Los Angeles, CA
Drums recorded by Mike "Prince Fatty" Pelanconi
Vocals, Bass, Guitars, Piano, Organ, Percussion - Brandon "Wise Owl" Niznik
Electric Piano - Stan Loken
Lead Guitar - Nathaniel "Black Market" Bridges
Drums, Percussion - Winston "Horseman" Williams
