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Ronin .​.​. Afterword

from Afterword by Alternative Communication

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about

A Ronin is a wandering samurai who has no lord or master.

This song came together quickly when Brian was challenged to produce his second song for the album. He had been contributing to Janette and David’s compositions and had also taken the lead on writing the musical themes for “The Lives of Others” but had struggled to write another coherent musical theme despite many promising ideas. He started by programming multiple martial rhythms and a marching synthesizer bass line. These were used to develop a relentless musical landscape on which layers of instrumentation could then be built. Janette and David were quickly on board and the resulting assault on the senses was set to close the album.

On repeated listenings however, the brutal intensity of the piece suggested the need for an associated coda, which could defuse the tension and offer some resolution. [BK]

Afterword

I had an initial piano theme, which merged nicely into a nylon strung guitar progression that Brian was developing. I added some lyrics on the theme of the fragility of forgiveness and hope amongst the wreckage of conflict. I added a fretless bass line, and the resulting file was sent to David. He responded with a second piano that delicately picked out the inherent vulnerability that is implicit in the lyric. In addition, his heavily processed electric guitar channels the uneasy ambivalence inherent in such fragile times. [JK]

lyrics

Afterword

On the silent morning, after the storm
We bring our weapons; we come to lay them down
All of us are yearning for some kind of peace
For release, for release

The land around us is derelict and dead
Collateral damage in our hearts …
A single note of birdsong hangs in the air
And all of life is there …

Prayers for the children, who were born into a world of war
None of the adults could explain what all of it was for
What any of the genocide was for

Crimes of omission eat at the heart
The things we thought we could have done
But all we’re left with is the here and now
The here and now is all the time we have

Will those who judge us understand our crimes
when we barely understand ourselves?
Every parent yearns to see their child grow up and live, grow up and live

Prayers for the children born into peace
None of the adults is able to explain
How to be as one, in harmony,
The balance of maintaining some self-doubt

credits

from Afterword, released January 9, 2023
Lyrics to Afterword: Janette Kidd

Music: Ronin - original idea by Brian Kidd; developed by Janette Kidd, David Reid and Brian Kidd
Janette Kidd: Bass guitars
David Reid: Organ; Guitars; synthesizers
Brian Kidd: Drumbox programming; Guitars; Guitar synthesizers; E-bow; Bass synthesizer; drones/atmospherics
Mixed by Brian Kidd

Music: Afterword - original idea by Janette Kidd, developed by Janette Kidd, David Reid and Brian Kidd
Janette Kidd: Fretless Bass guitar; Piano; Lead and backing vocals
David Reid: Piano; electric guitars
Brian Kidd: Atmospherics; Nylon-strung guitar
Mixed by Brian Kidd

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about

Alternative Communication image

Alternative Communication Perth, UK

Alternative Communication is based in Perthshire,
Scotland.
We began in 1980 at University as friends with
common musical interests. We composed our
own music, self-releasing 3 albums until the group disbanded in 1985.
David A. Reid (solo artist) and Brian and Janette Kidd (Not for Pussies) continued to
compose and record until, in 2019, they reconvened. ... more

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