Prisoner 2154

[Ray Brookes]

We all make some mistakes
(Sometimes miss the lucky breaks)
Everybody sometimes steps out of line
I'm in my cell, a living hell
(Have no special tale to tell)
Been locked up here since ninety-nine

I did the crime; I'll do the time,
(Play the rules and toe the line)
Won't deal and I won't steal
I used the knife, I took his life
(I knew what he'd done with my wife)
Everybody has a secret they want to conceal

Can't go back, I'm sure you know
(Can't go forward if you got nowhere to go)
There are times when a man must break the law
To do it again I'd crawl a mile
(The settling of the matter made it all worth while)
Now I'm just worth the number on my door
Prisoner 2154.

I had good friends, they knew me well
(Over time they dragged me out my shell)
Everybody said that's what friends are for
Now all is gone; my dreams are dust
(Goes to show there's nobody you can trust)
Now I'm just the number on my door
Prisoner 2154.

[Farrell Jackson]

The banjo that kicks the tune off sounds killer Ray! Fantastic vocals and words. The answering backing vocals are perfectly done. Always a well written set of lyrics. The acoustic lead solo followed by the electric are both tops. Nice!

[Zoltan]

Sweet chili! And now i want to do something like this. Where's my banjo. Don't tell me... I gave up before getting one

Yesterday i was listening to Rays older songs and thinking of a what high caliber songwriter he is. I'd guess he has a totally different life outside of Songcrafters. Being a coveted Australian songwriter and a national treasure. At least he should be!

This song has one foot in the tradition with a touch of 80's and a lot of feel to it. The playing is so good. Not only the choice of notes, but the phrasing. And STILL Ray keeps on shredding too!

The backing vocs were also great. And yes. I didn't even mention the lyrics / storyline. Ray is very much a storyline driven songwriter.

5/5.

[thetworegs]

Really enjoyed this one Ray love those answering vocals and the banjo beginning gets an ooh yeah then the solo instrumental love it

[StephenM]

this is taking the Ray to an extreme high level... the banjo is great but that ain't the standout for me...
it's the answering vocals... that is sublime work Ray...
lyrically strong, a great story...

fantastic song, songwriting, recording, playing... its fantastic... yes an Australian Dream!

[launched]

Fab tune, love it. The callback vocal harmonies are excellent.

Well crafted, well designed, well... Awesome!!

[Redler]

Top class piece of music, Ray! I love the composition and those vocal melodies are just amazing.

Well played and arranged, too (I like pausing drums, works nicely).

Enjoyable listening!

[Mike_S]

Yes super track Ray. Can only echo what the others have said, but a little extra shout out for the blistering guitar licks in there. It's like if you suggested that to somebody beforehand they might say no not a good idea, but it really really works. Excellent.

Mike

[Pete C]

Quality piece, love the part where the acoustic solo starts then the bass kicks back in then the electric. sounds so professional

Pete

[Ron D Bowes]

I have a hammer if you want to tune the banjo!! Only joking, I actually do like a bit of banjo. This is a really well put together track Ray. Starts stripped back and then rapidly fills out. A mixture of the epic and melodious. Nice acoustic and electric on the bridge.