Here's the next instalment of the Xerian saga. I was originally intending to have one big epic track to finish off the story, but things didn't work out that way. I pushed this song about as far as it was easily going to go, so there will have to be a part 4 to wrap up the story. Taking stock of the master tape, there was about 16 minutes of recording time left, so I figure I can still do that without having to split across two tapes...

This is part 3 of the story of Xerian, a crossover between the world of Project Future and Vader San's Synth universe. Mostly this song is Xerian moping, which is admittedly understandable. But then some etherial entity makes him an offer...

Xerian artwork by , Synth species by Vader-San.

This song was planned to have one edit point. However it turned out to be a right bitch to mix and there were two 'breakdowns', as the Beatles put it, where I had to restart the mix and then edit the three takes together using razorblades and editing tape. I think it turned out pretty well! I am a little concerned about the legibility of Xerian's voice, especially near the end - I might have to re-record those lines.
Talking of which there is an outtake where Xerian muffs his lines and swears. If anyone's interested I might stick that up somewhere.

The song was recorded on 2" tape using an Otari MX-80. Bass, vocals and the reverse cymbal were done on a TASCAM TSR-8 and then transferred to 24-track. The mix was done on 1/4" tape using a Studer A807, which can be seen playing back the song in the icon. Bob's godlike voice was done by speeding up the tape slightly during recording.

Instruments used:
*Dave Smith OB-6 (the intro is done entirely on this)
*Moog Voyager with Donner Wave delay
*Roland MVS-1
*Hammond XM-1 with H&K Rotosphere
*Waldorf Streichfett with Jurgen Haible triple BBD chorus
*Manikin Memotron
*Korg M1R
*Alesis DM10
*Behringer VC340 vocoder (Xerian's voice)
*Reface CP
*Hammond SK-1
*Korg Triton Rack
*Waldorf microWave mk1
*Steinberger XT2d bass
*Aeolus pipe organ simulator

Lyrics (you may need these)

"I'm a stranger in a stranger land...
I'm a stranger in a stranger land...
I'm a stranger in a stranger land... with no way home."

"All the places I have been, all the things that I have seen, everything I knew is out of reach...
All the people that I knew, everything I long to do, everything I knew is out of reach..."

"I'm a stranger in a stranger land...
I'm a stranger in a stranger land...
I'm a stranger in a stranger land... with no way home."

A glowing figure said "Do not fear! I am the one who brought you here.
I have a task for you, then I'll send you home (if you want me to...)
'Cause I can see the future
'Cause I can see the future
'Cause I can see the future and I know you're the one!"

"Sir, your plan may have come undone. I'm a spaceship jock, not the promised one.
If I can help you in any way, I will..."

"There's an item that I need from a world that's far from here indeed.
I've planned a little trip, and you're the only one here who can fly a ship.
'Cause I can see the future
'Cause I can see the future
'Cause I can see the future and I know you're the one!"