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<title>bratello's music...</title>
<description>The poster says it all: how far back we go, what kind of music we grew up with, what our general outlook is, etc.  “We” are a (grammar to high) school buddy of mine and I.  Many miles apart now, we jam and lay down songs when we meet, as long as there is a drummer around and some studio time available.</description>
<link>http://bratello.bandamp.com/</link>
<webMaster>admin@bandamp.com</webMaster>
<item>
<title>Air that I breathe</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1727.html</link>
<description>Started as a poem.  I have to admit that I was so happy with it I had to turn it (minus couple of verses) into a song (usually it's the other way around so it may show).   I also have to admit that...no, rather you see (and hear) for yourself.  Cut me some slack for ESL, ie English as a Second Language (though neither J. Conrad nor V. Nabokov ever asked for it).  Comments, as usual will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

Here it goes (All caps for easier reading [u]only[/u]--can not get used myself to the smallish old type serif typeface we have to deal with. Sorry, mud):

I DON’T CLAIM I’M A WINNER OR THAT I EVER WAS
I CAN NOT SETTLE DOWN AND I NEVER KEEP SCORES

I JUST NEED SKIES ABOVE ME AND THE EARTH RIGHT BENEATH
SOME COLD WATER TO DRINK, MORNING AIR TO BREATHE

FRIENDLY CHAT IN THE EVENING (NO GOSSIPS, PLEASE!)
SOMETHING TUNEFUL TO HUM AND I FEEL RIGHT AT EASE

BUT SOMETIMES, JUST SOMETIMES, EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE
I CAN NOT HELP MYSELF I BREAK DOWN AND CRY

FOR THE FEW THAT I LOVE ‘CAUSE THEY ARE GETTING OLD
FOR THE MANY WHO SOLD SO CHEAP THEIR SOULS

FOR SOMEBODY WHOSE DREAMS I HAVE SHATTERED SO BAD
FOR THE WAYS OF THE WORLD THAT ARE DRIVING ME MAD

IS IT ALL THAT UPSETS ME? NO, I WOULD BE A CHEAT
IF BESIDES WHAT I’VE SAID I WOULD NEVER ADMIT

THAT I CRY MOST OF ALL FOR MY OWN BROKEN HEART
FOR THE SENTENCE YOU NEVER ALLOWED ME TO START

FOR THE NIGHTS I WAS UP AND THE DAYS I WAS DOWN
FOR THE DESPERATE THOUGHTS SPINNING ROUND AND ROUND

STILL I’M GREATEFUL TO YOU FOR THIS COLD WINTER DAY
CLOSE YOUR EYES FOR A SECOND HEAR WHAT I HAVE TO SAY

YOU’RE THE SKIES HIGH ABOVE ME AND THE EARTH RIGHT BENEATH
YOU’RE THE WATER I DRINK AND THE AIR THAT I BREATHE</description>
<pubDate>Sun, 15 Jan 2006 16:35:40 -0500</pubDate>
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</item>
<item>
<title>Baby cry (Don't despair)</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1695.html</link>
<description>The sax solo is anti-climatic when it should be the other way around...Anyway, listen, comment, vote if you feel like it.  Thanks.</description>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2006 19:21:38 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Body shop</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1660.html</link>
<description>(For those who may not know, &quot;body shop&quot; in the US English is a place where you take your car to have a dent fixed, not a cosmetics store to buy an eco-friendly moisturizer).  Sung in Russian by a car mechanic friend of ours (for authenticity's sake. See my &quot;album&quot;).  Additional local flavor added by an accordion.  Enjoy and tell me what you think.  Regards to all.</description>
<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2006 22:20:30 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Both of us</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1952.html</link>
<description>At the time we thought it good even if simple, we still do.  What do you think?</description>
<pubDate>Sat, 04 Mar 2006 18:48:39 -0500</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.bandamp.com/user/files/1952.mp3" length="4834743" type="audio/mpeg" />
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<item>
<title>Do you remember?</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1694.html</link>
<description>Me like it.  Hope you too.</description>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2006 19:14:24 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Even for a moment</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1826.html</link>
<description>Kinda scraping the bottom of the (musical) barrel, but still hoping that someone likes it.</description>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2006 18:35:32 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Girl Who Slept</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1860.html</link>
<description>Another piece of &quot;light entertainment&quot; for your approval/disapproval/enjoyment (if any), in anticipation of &quot;heavier&quot; stuff to be posted soon.</description>
<pubDate>Fri, 17 Feb 2006 08:05:45 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Happiness</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/4041.html</link>
<description>Here is another one. See if you like it.</description>
<pubDate>Fri, 19 Jan 2007 10:27:40 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Heaven's Out of Reach</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1899.html</link>
<description>Don't be surprised by the first chord of &quot;Heaven's Out of Reach&quot;--it is actually the last chord of &quot;The Forest&quot; (a song that that I uploaded earlier): on our self produced CD &quot;Heaven's Out of Reach&quot; fades in right after &quot;The Forest&quot; with no &quot;space&quot; (sorry, forgot the right term for it) in between. Hope you like it, but let me know either way.</description>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 Feb 2006 17:27:45 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Here, now and with me</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1751.html</link>
<description>For those who don't mind a &quot;silly love song&quot;.  (I swear I'll never rhyme &quot;weather&quot; &amp; &quot;together&quot; and I'll never be off key even slightly, hear &quot;clever&quot; at 33-34 sec., again...)  Comments/votes will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.</description>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2006 17:08:42 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Just One Day</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/2089.html</link>
<description>At the time we thought it our &quot;tour de force&quot; or, for all of you who don't speak French, our &quot;piece de resistance&quot; (just kidding, comrades...).  Anyway, we like it, but will most probably re-record this song in order to add some inner development (it is a bit too &quot;monotonous&quot; in its present form).  Tell us what you think--as always your comments are welcome.</description>
<pubDate>Mon, 20 Mar 2006 10:43:44 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Knocking on your door</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1682.html</link>
<description>&quot;Knocking on your door&quot;.  10 year old short song (I swear I sing better now) with a long name that did not fit into the &quot;title field&quot;... (Come on, Mr System Administrator, give us a least 25 spaces for a title).  Otherwise, enjoy, vote and give your opinion, if you feel like it.  Thanks.</description>
<pubDate>Sun, 08 Jan 2006 17:06:47 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Knocking on your door (Remix)</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1950.html</link>
<description>Re-mastered, re-mixed, re-posted, re-&quot;bettered&quot; (as in &quot;smoother flow, better drive&quot;).  But you'd be the judge and let me know, if you feel like it.</description>
<pubDate>Sat, 04 Mar 2006 18:11:29 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>May May</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/2090.html</link>
<description>Here is another one for your listening pleasure. (&quot;May&quot; as in March, April, May, etc.).  Love song, of course, and on an optimistic side too (unlike most love songs).  Give us your opinion, rate it.  It helps.</description>
<pubDate>Mon, 20 Mar 2006 11:09:58 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Metro (Closed For Good)</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1662.html</link>
<description>Tell me if I'm &quot;abusing&quot; bandAMP (i.e. too many songs at once).</description>
<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2006 08:02:30 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Metro (Remix)</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/2008.html</link>
<description>Had to do it for the sake of a stronger beginning, a better ending, few new details and a smoother flow.</description>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Mar 2006 07:33:55 -0500</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.bandamp.com/user/files/2008.mp3" length="4834743" type="audio/mpeg" />
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<item>
<title>More than that</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/2004.html</link>
<description>If you ask: &quot;What's up with the ending?&quot;.  Well, I guess we have listened to &quot;Good day, sunshine&quot; by the Beatles one time too many...</description>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Mar 2006 16:31:34 -0500</pubDate>
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<title>November night</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1762.html</link>
<description>Couldn't stand 13 (unlucky number) songs posted, so here is No. 14.  I, personally, like it, but, since I'm partial to it, only your comments can put it in a prospective. (Hey, I was patting myself on the back for &quot;Do you remember?&quot; too...)</description>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2006 19:24:28 -0500</pubDate>
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<title>Out there (I'm not yours)</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/3989.html</link>
<description>Here is an &quot;unplugged&quot; solo piece from my bandmate, Bagram. Enjoy and comment (if you wish).</description>
<pubDate>Wed, 10 Jan 2007 07:25:32 -0500</pubDate>
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<title>Pushkin Square</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/5188.html</link>
<description>She's still crazy about him, and I am still crazy enough to hope...</description>
<pubDate>Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:59:01 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.bandamp.com/user/files/5188.mp3" length="4834743" type="audio/mpeg" />
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<item>
<title>Rain</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1758.html</link>
<description>&quot;Toe gazing&quot; (Russian style).</description>
<pubDate>Sun, 22 Jan 2006 08:23:40 -0500</pubDate>
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<title>Smiling or in tears</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1656.html</link>
<description>Comments will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.</description>
<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2006 20:30:26 -0500</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.bandamp.com/user/files/1656.mp3" length="4834743" type="audio/mpeg" />
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<title>Standing on a riverbank</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/5148.html</link>
<description>Very Russian.  Composed in the summer of '69 on Volga river.  Recorded for the first time now. One never knows. Enjoy.</description>
<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:04:08 -0400</pubDate>
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<title>Summer (Cut Short)</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1847.html</link>
<description>Here is some (to quote G. Greene) &quot;light entertainment&quot;.  Akward song's title when translated from Russian, otherwise...well, you tell me.</description>
<pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2006 15:53:41 -0500</pubDate>
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<title>Summer (Cut Short) 2</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/3992.html</link>
<description>An acoustic version of a song that you've already heard.  Enjoy.</description>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jan 2007 04:36:15 -0500</pubDate>
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<title>Summer Only</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/2272.html</link>
<description>We're signing off with a little number for the listening pleasure of those who were so kind to us on this site.  &quot;Signing off&quot; means there is not much left to upload except for some outtakes, roughs, etc. which are fun to listen to nobody but us.  So, until a new bunch of songs is ready...good night and good luck to all.</description>
<pubDate>Sun, 16 Apr 2006 18:30:26 -0400</pubDate>
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<title>Summer Only 2</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/3412.html</link>
<description>At the insistence of my band mate and in anticipation of new recordings that we plan to post when ready, here is an older electric version of &quot;Summer Only&quot;.  Enjoy.</description>
<pubDate>Thu, 05 Oct 2006 06:43:20 -0400</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Sunset Ride</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1949.html</link>
<description>Hope you like it.</description>
<pubDate>Sat, 04 Mar 2006 18:07:10 -0500</pubDate>
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<title>The Cliff</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/3744.html</link>
<description>I wash my hands.</description>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Nov 2006 15:41:38 -0500</pubDate>
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<title>The Forest</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1658.html</link>
<description>B side.  Sung in Russian if you ever wonder (Italy is a &quot;flag of convenience&quot;).  An honest opinion is welcome and appreciated.  Thanks.</description>
<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2006 21:10:11 -0500</pubDate>
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<title>The Night</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/4727.html</link>
<description>Love lyrics. As always.</description>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Apr 2007 10:33:15 -0400</pubDate>
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<title>This Evening</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/3990.html</link>
<description>It was written in 1970.  In fact, our first song as a band.</description>
<pubDate>Wed, 10 Jan 2007 14:25:17 -0500</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.bandamp.com/user/files/3990.mp3" length="4834743" type="audio/mpeg" />
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<item>
<title>Tomorrow from Yesterday</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1673.html</link>
<description>A rather simplistic melody (sorry!), that was fun to play and mix.  Tell me what you think.  Thanx.</description>
<pubDate>Sat, 07 Jan 2006 09:27:51 -0500</pubDate>
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<title>Vesna</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1696.html</link>
<description>&quot;Vesna&quot;, in Russian, means &quot;spring&quot; (as in fall, winter, etc.).  Could be done better could be done worse.  &quot;It is what it is&quot; as Idries Shah would have said.  Listen to the music (especially the guitar solo) and make up your own words just keep in mind it's a love song.</description>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2006 19:33:08 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Your hair is touching him</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/4086.html</link>
<description>A &quot;she-loves-me-not&quot; type of song.</description>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 Jan 2007 05:32:22 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Your smiling face</title>
<link>http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/1749.html</link>
<description>I have some reservations about the arrangements of the refrain and of the guitar solo, otherwise quite an upbeat piece.  Your comments and votes will tell me what you think.  Thanks and regards.</description>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2006 09:03:03 -0500</pubDate>
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