Welcome Guest! | Login  | Total items in cart: (0)
SE IT ES FR DE GB US

Mixposure.com - Home

Members
selftort - offline  
Login to send a message
Mixposure Artist Signup
Advertisements
Artist Calendar
March, 2010 View Large Calendar
S M T W T F S
01
 
02
 
03
 
04
 
05
 
06
 
07
 
08
 
09
 
10
 
11
 
12
 
13
 
14
 
15
 
16
 
17
 
18
 
19
 
20
 
21
 
22
 
23
 
24
 
25
 
26
 
27
 
28
 
29
 
30
 
31
 
Page Stats
TODAY
Total Plays: 9
Total Streams: 8
Total D/loads: 1

ALL TIME
Total Plays: 2,862
Total Streams: 2,531
Total D/loads: 331
Total Page Views: 22,271

REVIEW INFORMATION
Comments Written: 760
Reviews Received: 893
Syndication
Recent Favorites
I CAN SEE IT IN YOUR EYES / Gary C solo I CAN SEE IT IN...
bri-an
Stream HiFi Button
In Two In Two
azwel
Stream HiFi Button
Liberate Me Liberate Me
TCP
Stream HiFi Button
Altro Mondo (dedicated to Corrado Rossi) Altro Mondo...
SYNGULARITY
Stream HiFi Button
8804 8804
Randy Cline
Stream HiFi Button
The Ugly Duckling Song The Ugly Duckling...
Carciello, Grant,...
Stream HiFi Button
Isaac's Apple Isaac's Apple
SYNGULARITY
Stream HiFi Button
Sam Ash
?

Artist - Self Tort | Songs (32)

Song Focus - Two Grand Wager (with Carol Douglas)

Avg 5.00 / 5
Total of 5.00 votes
Click to enlarge
Genre: Folk-Rock
Credits: Carol Douglas and Brian Ralston
Song: Two Grand Wager (with Carol Douglas) Stream HiFi Button
Album: Tortology (not yet released) Stream HiFi Button
Embed: Song Embed Code HTML/BBCode
MySpace: Embed Song to MySpace
Post To MySpace!
Song Information:

Carol and I became friends on the original mixposure site and to date she is the only OMD friend that I have met in person. We have done a couple of collabs together and I have always admired her work with lyrics.

She approached me after hearing A Paris Tale, as she also had some lyrics that were inspired by a newspaper article she had read. She asked if I would be interested in trying to put them to music. The song literally jumped out at me from the lyric page, but has taken some time to record. There are stacks of tracks in  this song with violins, violas, cellos, accordions and multiple guitar parts. Still not sure about the final guitar tracks and the mix generally, but hopefully it's getting there.

It's in the style of bands such as Steeleye Span which seemed appropriate given the nature of the lyrics. Hope you like it. Feel free to make any comments for improvement. Carol has kindly agreed to me using the track on my next CD so if there are any ways it can be improved please let me know.

Label: Song ISRC:
Copyright: Writers licence:

Lyrics:

A Two Grand Wager
(C.Douglas/B.Ralston)


In the year of 1800, the Bank of England made a move
A workman said they'd blundered and the blunder would be proved
The new gold vault was strong and safe so they offered him 2 grand
No way the Bank of England could be rifled by this man

A Two Grand Wager
Worth more than a million pounds today
A Two Grand Wager
The workman made them pay it all
He made the government eat its hat
And gratefully decree
That the workman was indeed a man
Of deep integrity

Now some admired his honesty but some said what a fool
He just waited patiently surrounded by a pool of nuggets
When the staff arrived he wryly started to explain
He'd entered through a trapdoor from the sewers and the drains

A Two Grand Wager
Worth more than a million pounds today
A Two Grand Wager
The workman made them pay it all
He made the government eat its hat
And gratefully decree
That the workman was indeed a man
Of deep integrity

What an honest man he was
He was honest to a fault
When he could have easily stolen
All the nuggets from the vault

Instrumental break
A Two Grand Wager
Worth more than a million pounds today
A Two Grand Wager
The workman made them pay it all
He made the government eat its hat
And gratefully decree
That the workman was indeed a man
Of deep integrity

Copyright Carol Douglas and Brian Ralston

Recent entries for Two Grand Wager (with Carol Douglas)

Posted: (22)

Login or Signup MEMBERS | ARTISTS to post a new review!

Report Abuse
User Image
By Hydrogen3 17 May 2009 10:03 AM Reply

I have heard this on the Mix radio show before! Has a celtic feel to it! Love the vocals and very well arranged! Nice!

User Image
By Dragonstale 16 Mar 2009 07:12 PM Reply

Ah...now this has me tappin me feet and thinking of Steeleye Span somewhat...excellent collab Brian and Carol...you certainlky have th eright vocal for it Brian...I'm off to see if my bank'll gimme a two grand wager...but i doubt it. they won't even gimme a two bob one!!! :) I love this...a download for sure. thanks for sharing...Gordon

User Image
By Carol Douglas 11 Jan 2009 08:55 PM Reply

Brian, I just can't thank you enough for this and the other collaborations. In fact I feel honoured that you wanted to work with me.
You have the uncanny ability to know exactly what I have in mind for stuff...then you deliver it perfectly!
Sincere thanks also to those who've posted below about the song.
In admiration,
Carol.x

User Image
By Lhansen 27 Dec 2008 04:46 PM Reply

Right off the bat this grabbed me! I would gladly bang beer glasses while listening to this. Excellent! I love lyrics like this. Good playing and good vocal delivery. My hat's off to you folk!!

User Image
By TheAutumnleaf 25 Dec 2008 06:48 AM Reply

Great Song !!!! Wonderful instrumentation and Great Vocals.... Great Feel.....Very distinct style...
great story ....and The whole song was like a drama enacted.....Beautiful Piece of work..
Best regards
Jay From The Autumnleaf

User Image
By TCP 22 Dec 2008 09:42 AM Reply

Perfect example of the attention to details. Great vocal job Brian, and all the fine nuances of this piece. Wonderful blend of instrumentation that expertly suits the lyrical content. It all works supremely here. I never fail to be entertained and inspired by your work. Great!!! ~Blake

User Image
By Shane 16 Dec 2008 02:30 AM Reply

darn- i typed a review and it dfailed-- test -- shane

User Image
By bigddyc 07 Oct 2008 11:05 AM Reply

now some might say...Hey Cee....this aint your kinda music.......they would be wrong....my feet were tapping from beginning to end.....lively lovely music with a vocal performance that adds authenticity....impeccable musicianship and songcrafting....well done!

Peace!
Cee

User Image
By saitkoray 27 Sep 2008 08:47 PM Reply

ohh my friend i do love the guitar melodies and harmonies...very good vocal line...very welldone arrangement...great job my friend..classical folk sound, i heard and this is perfect...so lovely..

peace...

User Image
By PIPERON 19 Sep 2008 08:56 PM Reply

Seriously, I need a beer to listen to this track, those square dancing immediately appearred in my mind. Too bad, in real life, I can't drink and dance due to my poor body. Brain, you should be proud of yourself - singing at this age with such energetic passion - man, I felt so depressed, I can't do that. Carol definitely has a heart for words that are so refinded and joyful. A neat collaboration indeed.

With million of love from Singapore.
Piperon - One and Only spiritual flute player on Earth.

User Image
By syntopia 16 Sep 2008 03:42 AM Reply

Oh Brian, what a lovely song. I love the irish style very, great instruments and wonderful vocals. One of my fav songs from you. The mood are fantastic and touch my soul. Very great collab.

Sven

User Image
By Ab1 15 Sep 2008 09:47 AM Reply

brian i hope you saw the review for black rain i wrote.. your vocals were totally awesome on that one.. maybe the best i've heard.. this is a totally different kind of song.. more troubador style.. reminds me of the tale of jacque alot.. love the squeezebox.. and the melody lead on guitar with smooth tone.. it's grand story telling which is your hallmark.. kudos to carol.. and you've expressed her lyrics strong and well.. give em hell mate.. give em hell.. cheers.. :-)

User Image
By Tom Hoelle 15 Sep 2008 08:03 AM Reply

Hah! What a great tune! The lyrics are fantastic...nice job! And the music bringing them to life is spot on! ...and bring to life it does (lively and articulate are a couple'a words that come to mind) I love it when the music conveys the sentiment of the lyrics, and that's exactly what's happening here! Nice one!

Tom

User Image
By reapersg 11 Sep 2008 05:23 PM Reply

simply a great song to listen to! Carol's lyrics tell a cool story and Brian delivers in a big way. You're another one Brian,
your hook lies in your delivery and you hit it every time!

User Image
By FungusDace 11 Sep 2008 03:26 PM Reply

WOW! YOU NAILED THIS! AWESOME MUSIC!!!! Just to good! just love it man! CONGRATS ON THIS KILLER TUNE!!! Blown away! Its just REAL GOOD!!!!
Top Marks!!!
DACE>

User Image
By Chrickon 11 Sep 2008 01:31 PM Reply

Very well put together!! great arrangement and performance. Like the instrumentation and i agree with margot on that "folky vibe"Awesome!!
Great collab!!
Great listen!!

Christer

User Image
By WILDHONEYPIE 11 Sep 2008 11:22 AM Reply

Hey Brian and Carol! I really enjoyed this folky, musical story you two put together-- and it's arranged very beautifully, indeed. It does have a celtic tone, and the music is perky and fun. Lyrics are outstanding as well. Very, very well done and enjoyable.

Gina

User Image
By WhereWolf 11 Sep 2008 11:12 AM Reply

WOW..... This is songwriting !!! Brian and Carol awesome collab !The attention to detail, tasteful playing ,,superb production make this one outstanding song. Brian, you have an incredible ear for what works,everything in its place..:-) BRAVO !!!!

Larry T.....

User Image
By Syngularity 11 Sep 2008 06:35 AM Reply

Carol is a legend in the independend scene, her lyrics are incredible and her talent to find the finest collaborations for most soulful performances has made me a fan and a friend of her, already years ago. I remember that you've already met her, Brian, and you must have spent such a good, creative time.... Nothing less to say than you are a GENIUS with your HOT power voice and the power-upspeed folk arrangement. Solos remind me a bit of Mike Oldfield's earlier times when he still played on real instruments, with 1,000 fingers, as it appeared to me. And I wish you 1,000 reviews now, if any song deserves it - then "Two Grand Wager"! Love'n'hugs to you and Carol.
Pascal

User Image
By Dazed 11 Sep 2008 06:15 AM Reply

very cool tune. Carol I loved the lyrics on this song. Very well done all the way around. Brian you did a fantastic job with the music and vocals. Cathy melody and a fantastic hook. I really like what you two have done!

User Image
By Ab2 11 Sep 2008 02:23 AM Reply

Love this lively little number..Brian sings carols lyrics to great effect here. :-)Really like the "folky" vibes oozing out of this one...The music`s really appealing here Brian.:-)A wonderful "collab" Carol and Brian.. congrats :-)

Peace n lov mags :-)

User Image
By Farrell Jackson 10 Sep 2008 10:54 PM Reply

What a great, fun song! I love the musical arragement Brian and Carol's lyric are put together cleverly to cover a true story. I like this a lot! Those are some pretty tasty Celtic riffs on that guitar! Nice collab and enjoyed it immenscely!

Farrell

Would you like to review?

Join Mixposure.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.