“Mudville (Well, Well, Well, Well)”, a new song by Ho Jo Fro, is a November 1, 2024 release of music performed in duet with my narration as lead vocalist. The song talks about two people who have lost each other but have the same love in their hearts; these feelings have not dried up after a long time. The author’s lyrics, Paul R. Johnson, have the singer in mind, him playing one half of a duet with the beautiful Iyla Elise. The song gets new wave treatment over rock and is, therefore, both contemporary and, at the same time, older on a timeless scale.
The plot develops along the lines of the song’s verses, where former lovers plot to reunite after years of distance. Their relationship was hampered from the start due to the circumstances surrounding their separation and the bitterness stemming from it toward their lost partner. Still, they do share some normalcy across the board. The song features a chat style that is pleasant and also helps to immerse the listener in the story. The story of the band and the story behind the band are equally enjoyable in “Mudville”. The song was recorded at Tim Ryan’s Studio 607 in Ivy, Virginia, and not only features a build-up of trumpet calls that are spread out, vigorous beating of the drums, and a cringe snare drum solo, but it also requires all these elements quite a bit to enhance its productivity. Tim Ryan contributed to guitar and bass, Will Evans played trumpet, and Jim Ralston contributed to percussion, with the ease needed to fill the sounds produced with depth and dynamics. The outburst before the snare solo stands out because it injects a level of rawness in the voice, consistent with the song’s emotion.
The song does not play the typical role of just being a song, as there is an excellent integration of sounds with the British rock band The Who’s fandom and a more casual new wave performance. The creators of this piece of art intended to engage the hearer as best as possible, which was accomplished through the catchy chorus lines and the ever-changing, complex, and dynamic voicing. “Mudville (Well, Well, Well, Well)” is hardly promotional; it’s something worth waiting for the audience. The message comes through many powerful lines placed in just the right places. Ho Jo Fro creates a whole spectrum of feelings with their artwork, and many will enjoy the magic of this song for a long time. For storytellers and efficient music designers, this piece is a creation that should be held with both familial and fiduciary regard.
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