Monday, February 20, 2017

PBGB version of "Under The Southern Cross"

I wrote "Under The Southern Cross" in 2011 as a response to Cyclone Yasi which caused so much damage and loss of life in Queensland.

At the time, I recorded my own version of the song, and we went on to also record this PBGB version in The Shed in trio mode.  This has only recently re-surfaced after being inexplicably "lost" on a hard drive for over 5 years.

At the time, trio mode (Chris Ralfs on bass, Peter Reid on drums and vocals, and myself on guitar and vocals) was our regular lineup - this version is a good indication of how we were sounding, although I have added some keyboards and percussion and re-sung the vocals.  Other than that, it's pretty much live.

To me, this is the "golden" period of PBGB when we were original, with each of us working to our strengths in writing, singing and playing.  I miss the creativity and simplicity of these times, and the feeling of potential every time we "had a crack" at a new tune.

So, this version shows Pete's ability to provide a driving rhythmic backbone, Chris' relentless but inventive basslines and my slightly "out there" guitar work and vocals.  I'm also pretty pleased with the production on this.


Under The Southern Cross 
©2011 Neil Porter 

Dark night 
Under the Southern Cross 
Hold tight 
Hold tight 

Star bright 
Look at the things we lost 
Do right 
Do right 

Dark night 
Under the Southern Cross 
Hold tight 
Hold tight 
Hold tight 

Big rain 
Out of the southern sky 
Big fright 
Big fright 

Hard pain 
After the longest dry 
Not right 
Not right 

Dark night 
Under the Southern Cross 
Hold tight 
Hold tight 
Hold tight 

Hold tight, hold tight 

SOLO 

Don’t know 
How much it’s going to cost 
Hold tight 
Hold tight 

Can’t say 
How many lives are lost 
Hold tight 
Hold tight 

Dark night 
Under the Southern Cross 
Hold tight 
Hold tight 

Hold tight

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