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Ariadne's Thread
by   Wyndsok
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Tragically, in these days of rampant pseudo-intellectual academic iconoclasm, the classics go virtually untaught, soβ€”for someβ€”an explanation of the theme may be in order.

An ancient Greek myth tells the story of King Minos, his lovely daughter Ariadne, and a terrible and blood-thirsty half-man/half-beast called the Minotaur, who lived in a huge cavernous labyrinth.

Many a brave soul had entered the labyrinth with a view to slaying the beast, but invariably ended up getting hopelessly lost in the maze, and ultimately falling prey to the Minotaur.

Enter the hero Theseus, who agrees to try his hand at this deadly task!

Meanwhile, Ariadne had fallen madly in love with Theseus, and is concerned for his safety. She gives him a huge ball of thread or twine, which he is to gradually unwind as he proceeds into the labyrinth.

Long story short, Theseus succeeds in slaying the monster, and---thanks to Ariadne's ball of thread---is able to find his way back out of the maze. There's much more to the tale, but this will suffice.

I like the thought of Ariadne's thread as a metaphor of a good woman's love, and its salutary effect on her man's sanity.

So now you know...

This song is a bit of an experiment. While always remaining true to my folk-rock and classic-rock roots, I occasionally like to get a bit out of my own comfort zone.

I wanted to combine Phil Collins influenced percussion, and some Robert Fripp-ish lead soloing, with my usual roaring about on the guitars, and not-so-restrained caterwauling.

I went with Midi for the bass on this one because, about a week previous to recording the bass parts, I semi-crushed my right hand at the wrist in the hinge of a friend's closing electric garage door opener. (What a DOOFUS!) The palm of my hand still had some swelling, and I had numbness and tingling in two of my fingers. Anyway, although it was healing up rather rapidly, I didn't think I'd be able to manage playing live bass. The Midi track sounds pretty good to me... Critical comments thereon are certainly welcome.

C'est la vie!

Anyway, I hope you folks enjoy this one. Ain’t love grand?

Be well all!
Released: 22-Jan-2024
Category: Rock
Application: Logic Pro
File type: mp3
File size: 15.4 Mb
Plays: 32
Downloads: 1
Weekly plays: 1
Weekly downloads: 1
License: No derivative works allowed
Lyrics
ARIADNE'S THREAD

I
In moments of dark solitude
...my own reflections' vacant gaze,
---echoes of my inner dialogue---
produce a blinding haze.

II
The heart is like a labyrinth;
full of twists and turnings.
---So easy to veer from the path;
get caught in aimless circling.

CHORUS:
Your love is like Ariadne's thread;
leads my heart out of the maze.
Helps me find my way
back home 
once again.

BRIDGE:
Like shredded paper in a whirlwind;
My mind is spinnin' round and round.

But when I'm in your arms,
I am free from harm.
Both feet on solid ground...

III
Like an explorer of the underground,
lost in the caverns of remorse;
or a stranger in a strange land;
thrown from his horse...

CHORUS:
Your love is like Ariadne's thread;
leads my heart out of the maze.
Helps me find my way
back home.
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Comments
artist
Reminds me a little of Kill Bill. Listening through my laptop built in speakers. The bass kicks in nicely. The big echo fade vocal transition to the instrumental section was super smooth. I mean this in the most positive way I can: the panned rhythm guitars are a tone I have always sought to try to NOT create in my recordings, and you have found a wonderful purpose for the tone here. Mind opening for me. I dig the lead tone. Digging into the lyrics now. Yep I relate to these words and thoughts. I feel quite similarly in my own path. It is funny/tragic.. the classics are rejected when their wisdom is most appropriate. But I guess that's what we're on the world to do, create new classics that find new ways to deliver the same old truths!
Latest song: Fare Well
11 months ago
artist
Perceptive commentary here Noah. Re the guitar tone: it's a distorted Tweed. Heard it somewhere. Thought it might work with this tune... The lead tone was an attempt to duplicate one of Robert Fripp's lead tones. Mine, for good or ill, came out "fatter." As for your closing word re "wisdom": I concur. To idolize the old at the expense of the new, or to idolize the new at the expense of the old, seems like the quintessential "fool's errand." Nuff said! πŸ˜‹
Latest song: This Desert Place
11 months ago
artist
Very cool story and song to go with it. The vocals here kind of remind me of Adrian Belew a bit and the solo does bring Fripp to mind. Bravo here.
11 months ago
artist
Never stop delivering the music the way you like it, your own pleasure is the most important thing when it comes to play music. Appreciated!
11 months ago
artist
Super song, strong ...... ! really good, reminds me of Bowie. Add to my Fav's
Latest song: INK AND BLOOD
11 months ago
artist
Mark, Thierry, and Gary: Thanks guys for the words of encouragement (along with the wild comparisons)! With my own tunes I tend to bounce back and forth between "Wow, this turned out great!" and "Yikes, what was I thinking!" I guess it's a mood thing. In the end one has to ignore one's shifting moods and just cast one's bread upon the waters... πŸ˜‹
Latest song: This Desert Place
11 months ago
artist
So many of my favs mentioned: Fripp, Belew, mythology, and I even a vibe of Bowie. Needless to say I liked this quite a bit.
Latest song: The Manager
11 months ago
artist
Mike this piece is representative of your body of work. The production serves the recording and is bright and clean. Thank you for posting your work here.
Latest song: Skate on By
11 months ago
Reminds me very much of David Bowie in expression..liked that effect at 2:29 followed by phaser...along with fade at 3:08 and around 5:40 ( my system kept buffering)
11 months ago
artist
Sammy: Those of us who have decades behind us share so many musical heroes! But the Bowie comparison always surprises me, as the only song I know by him is Major Thom! Thanks for clocking in friend! πŸ˜‹
Latest song: This Desert Place
11 months ago
artist
superb work Wyn! i love it! thank you for sharing...very appreciated!!! =)
Latest song: travel radio III
11 months ago
artist
Daug, Thank you so much for your continual friendship, support, and encouragement over the years. Be well! πŸ˜‹
Latest song: This Desert Place
11 months ago
artist
Joyce, Thanks for patiently going through the whole piece. This one runs a little long I know. Glad you enjoyed it! 😘 Gian, Thank you for giving this a spin. One never knows in advance how folk are going to respond. I used to try to guess. Finally gave that up! Ha ha... πŸ˜‹
Latest song: This Desert Place
11 months ago
A super track. I like the song structure and the idea. I like the choice of instruments and the guitar pedals. Wonderful vocal. Really good
11 months ago
artist
Kenneth: Hey friend, thanks for lending an ear. As for the pedals (presuming you are referring to the effects) I don't think one ever fully outgrows psychedelia! πŸ€ͺπŸ˜‹
Latest song: This Desert Place
11 months ago
artist
Wow it sounds brilliant my Bose earphones love it all. Awesome vocals!!
11 months ago
artist
Dee: Bose earphones! Might have to get a set... My Mac has Bose speakers and I love 'em. Thanks for the thumbs up on the vox. πŸ˜‹πŸ˜˜
Latest song: This Desert Place
11 months ago
artist
Nice tune. I love the bass. Is it a Ricky?
Latest song: Why?
11 months ago
It does have a little bit of that Bowie inflection going on, I do agree with the others. A fine production from you. Impassioned vocals. Lead tone sounds good too! The concept is a good idea. The music supports this!
11 months ago
artist
Shaun: Thanks for listening. Re the bass... No, it's not a Ricky. (Couldn't afford one!) You should have read the "liner notes" bro. This is one of a couple of times I've resorted to using my keyboard. I prefer playing live bass, but the use of the keyboard instead worked rather well here. 😐 Todd: Thanks man. It helps to have good material as a source of inspiration. Have you listened to "Madam X"? GR646 got his inspiration for that fab tune from a painting in a museum! πŸ˜‹ Take care gents!
Latest song: This Desert Place
11 months ago
artist
Agree with Sammy re the Bowie effect Well enjoyed
11 months ago
artist
Thank you Omar... There's that Bowie thing again! Guess I need to dive into his work and get a sense of what it's all about... Be well friend! πŸ˜‹
Latest song: This Desert Place
11 months ago
Yeah, it sounds like Bowie, Fripp, Belew and hints of Collins, but only, to my ears, as obvious influences and confluences, and anytime someone references Greek myths I'm on board (screw you, Norse mythology -- Greek's so much more fun). Is prog glam a thing? Well, it is now. This is a solid track, man. Hope your hand's better.
11 months ago
artist
Hi John: When you get to be my age the influences, whether conscious or subconscious, are LEGION! Ha ha... Anyway, I like the idea of "prog glam"! Oh, and I'm with you on Greek vs. Norse mythology. It's not just because more of the Greek stuff got passed on than the Norse. The latter's myths are not as deep, nor are they as interesting, as the former. I have the same complaint about Celtic myths as the Norse. (And I am of Scotch-Irish descent on my father's side.) So glad you dropped by to listen and comment my friend! πŸ˜‹
Latest song: This Desert Place
11 months ago
listener
Have you ever watched the movie, 'Labyrinth', starring David Bowie? It's one of my favorite movies, this song would have fit perfectly. Love this!
 
11 months ago
artist
Danielle: I haven't seen Labyrinth. I'm intrigued! Now I will have to find the DVD... Thanks for the kind words AND the movie tip. πŸ˜‹πŸ˜˜
Latest song: This Desert Place
11 months ago
artist
The midi bass sound good ! And the song is a trip. Impressive. Love your vocals !
11 months ago
artist
Dyl: Thanks for the thumbs up, especially re the bass and the vocals. Much appreciated friend! πŸ˜‹
Latest song: This Desert Place
11 months ago
artist
Really enjoyed this , it reminded my of David Bowie meets Kurt Cobaine..... 5* πŸ‘Œ
Latest song: UPlift
11 months ago
artist
Thanks Dave! Glad to see you here. Ya know, I was hesitant to post this song. I wasn't sure my "experiment" worked out as well as I had hoped. But folk seem to like it, so what the hell do I know!?!? πŸ€ͺ
Latest song: This Desert Place
11 months ago
artist
Enjoyed. Nice vox.
Latest song: The Good Byes
11 months ago
artist
You had me at the title-Love the vocals and the melody structure-It does have hints of Mr Jones and more than a little visconti production-very,very well done
Latest song: Pinnochio
11 months ago
artist
Tele and Al: Thank you gents for taking the time to slog through this piece. Glad you enjoyed it. πŸ˜‹
Latest song: This Desert Place
11 months ago
artist
Epic!!! A folk-rock opera! You have written a story that's well painted with words and music! Your backing is so good too!!! Loved every minute of it through my headphones!
10 months ago
artist
Hi'ya Stan! Always a pleasure to see your smilin' face my friend! Glad you listened on the headphones. Pretty much all my tunes include dynamics which are best appreciated that way. Thanks so much for giving this a spin, and taking time to comment! Be well! πŸ˜‹
Latest song: This Desert Place
10 months ago
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