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RJD2 — Smoke and Mirrors
Album: Dead Ringer
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2431









Released: 2002
Length: 4:20
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Who knows what tomorrow will bring
Maybe sunshine or maybe the rain
But as for me, I'll wait and see
And maybe it'll bring my love to me, oh...

Who knows what tomorrow will bring
Maybe sunshine or maybe the rain
But as for me, I'll wait and see
And maybe it'll bring my love to me, oh...

Sometimes it's a rainy day
Just to let you know
Everything's going to be all right
All right..
Comments (225)add comment
groovy.
 stevesaw wrote:

Holy cow. Thanks! So cool what he did with it. I'll give the Marion Black song a complete listen next time Jack White or Paul Simon shows up in rotation (the only two I skip).


Here is that song on Spotify:
 https://open.spotify.com/track...
Very nice groove!  The song is too short!
 Proclivities wrote:

The male vocals are sampled from Marion Black's 1970 song "Who Knows"; someone pointed it out several years ago in the comments, but it's way down the list.  They do have similar voices.
 
Holy cow. Thanks! So cool what he did with it. I'll give the Marion Black song a complete listen next time Jack White or Paul Simon shows up in rotation (the only two I skip).
 fatcatjb wrote:
great drumming!
 
WHAT?
 S-curvy wrote:
Is this the theme music to the "Bosch" series?

No. Bosch intro theme is Caught A Ghost - Can't Let Go. Though they do have a common mood.
I saw Rjd2 at Waterloo Park in Austin, live, and it took me a few episodes of watching Mad Men on Netflix, after I kept saying, "Where have I heard this song before?" to realize, "ah this is Rjd2...I have this song already!" 
 S-curvy wrote:
Is this the theme music to the "Bosch" series?
 
I'd have to look to be sure but I'm pretty sure not. I am a big RJD2 fan and I would have noticed.
Is this the theme music to the "Bosch" series?
 Richard_Gold wrote:
This album was a game changer, I had the first 'printing' where he talks about his dad and putting the order of tracks - in no particular order. Does anyone know what has happened to him?

 
He's credited with the original version of the song that became the theme song for the TV show "Mad Men" so he's still out there creating.
 rockpommel16 wrote:
  .......darth vador..................

 
{#Hearteyes}
This album was a game changer, I had the first 'printing' where he talks about his dad and putting the order of tracks - in no particular order. Does anyone know what has happened to him?
great drumming!
{#Drummer} {#Bananapiano}
It's like jazz and electronica had a love child!  

Love it!

 
 IndyDoug wrote:
Thought it was RL Burnside for a second.

 
The male vocals are sampled from Marion Black's 1970 song "Who Knows"; someone pointed it out several years ago in the comments, but it's way down the list.  They do have similar voices.
vocals sound a tad like jimi 
Nice! Dig it!
Thought it was RL Burnside for a second.
The trees will stand like pleading hands.
The live performance of this from "Live at the Rave" is an absolute gem.
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Who knew he was a recording artist?

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/39/R2-D2_Droid.png R"J"D2 is his stoner associate. "J" stands for....

 justin4kick wrote:
Lyrics (instrumental). Really, Bill?

...
 
Thanks for the correction. Fixed now.
I don't like this kind of music, but this sounds fantastic. An 8!
 yofitofu wrote:
There are samples of Cris Williamson's obscure 1970's folk song Waterfall in here? Weird. Like opening up the Hubble telescope and finding Greg Kinh inside it.
 

 
NOW THERE, is a song to be added to the playlist at RP.
There are samples of Cris Williamson's obscure 1970's folk song Waterfall in here? Weird. Like opening up the Hubble telescope and finding Greg Kinh inside it.
 
Who knew he was a recording artist?

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/39/R2-D2_Droid.png
Is the dead guy the one singing? That would explain a lot.
 Poacher wrote:
Loved it when it was released. Love it now. It therefore stands the test of time and I have given it a big fat 10. 

 
You said it —EXACTLY what I came here to post!  10 for me too
Why is Kate Bush playing now? I didn't hit the PSD. Ghost in the machine. Spanner in the works.
 ecomaniac wrote:
These artists came up with some really great sounds that are novel and I like that aspect very much.  I just wish they had tried them in other sequences besides that of the main theme.  So it falls short in that respect.
 
so for you, its all the right notes but in the wrong order?   interesting.     Have you noticed that adverts with pretty ladies on them only show these pretty ladies for a split second, they can get you watching the whole advert just for that split second of lady, just for the release of endorphins.     I see this as the same thing.  that bit where it breaks down and does that electric piano with reverse effect, thats your pretty lady right there.
Loved it when it was released. Love it now. It therefore stands the test of time and I have given it a big fat 10. 
Liking it a lot.
Puts me in the mood of a lot of modern artists revisiting cool 70's sounds with new twists - wolfmother, black keys etc.
These artists came up with some really great sounds that are novel and I like that aspect very much.  I just wish they had tried them in other sequences besides that of the main theme.  So it falls short in that respect.
I like this.
If for nothing else because it gets everyone's comment commented on.
and then sum
 StoneyG wrote:
Once again, could we hear some other RJD2 tracks, or just the original Marion Black, please!!??

It was ok the first 100 times.
 
It's a 10 in my book — I for one would be very content hearing it another 100 times....  {#Wink}
I must have been in a bad mood the last time I rated this.  6 >7 for me!
Nice segue from RJD2 Smoke and Mirrors to Portishead Sour Times. Well done!
oh! like :-)
where's my helipad ?
7 -> 8

Enjoy this one more the more I hear it.
"And music continues with RJD2"... the best comment I've heard from Bill.
  cohifi wrote:
Nice.     Can't wait to star wars in 3D...
 

oldsaxon wrote:

R23D?  C3DO?
Sjaaks wrote:

With the all mighty 3Darth Vader!
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo"     
  .......darth vador..................
 cohifi wrote:
Nice.     Can't wait to star wars in 3D...
 

oldsaxon wrote:

R23D?  C3DO?
 
With the all mighty 3Darth Vader!
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo"     
Once again, could we hear some other RJD2 tracks, or just the original Marion Black, please!!??

It was ok the first 100 times.
 HazzeSwede wrote:
Had this one at seven...{#Stupid}..five it is !

 
Word.

You should play the original sometime.  This was kind of neat the first or second time.


 spacemoose wrote:

...deletia...

 Yet no one derides Shakespeare as a "paste-up artist".  Of course, by today's standards he might be guilty of copyright violation.

 
I think his takes on the Roman stories would be in the public domain, but I'm not so sure about his Italian plays... :-p
 cohifi wrote:
Nice.     Can't wait to star wars in 3D...

 
 
R23D?  C3DO?
Wondering where the lions are?
Nice.     Can't wait to star wars in 3D...

 
 ziggytrix wrote:


Not everything is subjective.  If I tried to tell you that objects, when dropped, most often tended to float up into space, I would hope you would have the good sense to think that I was either lying or very, very confused.

Though I suppose my original comment could have been said a little more nicely.  It's just that people calling every kind of sample-based or electronic music "techno" is a pet-peeve of mine.

 
I have to agree with you 100%. I feel that both techno and electronica are completley diffirent facets of music, and yet everyone lumps them together. Sort of like with metal and nu-rock, there are significant diffirences.

 jkhandy wrote:

Wow, such judgement here.  Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one and so be it.  The person who thinks he/she knows, really knows nothing.  IMHO......{#Doh}
 

Not everything is subjective.  If I tried to tell you that objects, when dropped, most often tended to float up into space, I would hope you would have the good sense to think that I was either lying or very, very confused.

Though I suppose my original comment could have been said a little more nicely.  It's just that people calling every kind of sample-based or electronic music "techno" is a pet-peeve of mine.

 spacemoose wrote:

I would go farther.  All creative work, is in some sense paste-up work.  Anyone who sees farther than most does so by standing on the shoulders of giants, and for that matter, midgets.  Even if you only raise an art or science by a couple of metaphorical millimeters, that's a couple millimeters more than we had before.

One of the worst aspects of our corporate-dominated culture, and the complicated web of propaganda and legislation that constitutes the concept "intellectual property" (the term is in itself propaganda) is the denigration of that aspect of how creativity works.   While it's true that some things are more obviously derivative than others, it's also true that every creative work derives in some fashion from some previous creative work.

Before the commercialization, corporitisation and commodification of culture which took place in the last century, people were much more free in this aspect of their creative works.  That's why there are, for example, so many interesting and different versions of any old folk song .  I have at least 20 versions of John Henry, just to take one for instance.

Indeed some of historys most creative and talented work could be derided as 'paste up' work.  Shakespeare, to take a famous example, hardly created any plots at all.  Most of his plays were retellings of existing works.  It was the skill and mastery with which he retold the story that made it art, not the 'originality'.  Yet no one derides Shakespeare as a "paste-up artist".  Of course, by today's standards he might be guilty of copyright violation.

 
YEA!  What HE said!  More or less.


Had this one at seven...{#Stupid}..five it is !

 ziggytrix wrote:

Learn the difference between techno and hiphop, then come back and make an intelligent comment.

You're like the guy staring at the Pollock saying "my kid could do that!"

 
Wow, such judgement here.  Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one and so be it.  The person who thinks he/she knows, really knows nothing.  IMHO......{#Doh}
 ziggytrix wrote:

Learn the difference between techno and hiphop, then come back and make an intelligent comment.

You're like the guy staring at the Pollock saying "my kid could do that!"
 
Love that comment! 

Or like Cy Twombly - may he rest in peace 
 peter_james_bond wrote:
{#Drunk} I love the R2D2....the spunky little guy....but where's C3PO?
 
He made a record too, but it was so annoying nobody bought it.

 smdeeg wrote:
Still enjoying this tune several year after being exposed to it on RP.  7 -> 8
 
Ah yes!  Me too — thanks RP for the introduction to RJD2.  Still loving it 5 years later and counting.  9—>10 for me


 CaptTofu wrote:
Another Moby-like old recording of some blues singer mixed into some techno music. Maybe some day when they've sampled all the various blues songs, they'll have to resort to taking old recordings of the Carpenters or Jim Neighbors and mix that into some techno music.
 
Learn the difference between techno and hiphop, then come back and make an intelligent comment.

You're like the guy staring at the Pollock saying "my kid could do that!"

 Proclivities wrote:

If a client wanted an old ad of theirs re-worked, then that was the job.  Designers are seldom in the position to tell clients where to spend their money.   The creativity and intelligence are expressed by the ability to complete a limited-resource job for a tight-fisted client.  If you're referring to the collage aspect of this song, there is a pretty long history of creativity and intelligence which has been referred to below.
 
I would go farther.  All creative work, is in some sense paste-up work.  Anyone who sees farther than most does so by standing on the shoulders of giants, and for that matter, midgets.  Even if you only raise an art or science by a couple of metaphorical millimeters, that's a couple millimeters more than we had before.

One of the worst aspects of our corporate-dominated culture, and the complicated web of propaganda and legislation that constitutes the concept "intellectual property" (the term is in itself propaganda) is the denigration of that aspect of how creativity works.   While it's true that some things are more obviously derivative than others, it's also true that every creative work derives in some fashion from some previous creative work.

Before the commercialization, corporitisation and commodification of culture which took place in the last century, people were much more free in this aspect of their creative works.  That's why there are, for example, so many interesting and different versions of any old folk song .  I have at least 20 versions of John Henry, just to take one for instance.

Indeed some of historys most creative and talented work could be derided as 'paste up' work.  Shakespeare, to take a famous example, hardly created any plots at all.  Most of his plays were retellings of existing works.  It was the skill and mastery with which he retold the story that made it art, not the 'originality'.  Yet no one derides Shakespeare as a "paste-up artist".  Of course, by today's standards he might be guilty of copyright violation.

 Rooney wrote:
Anybody understand what they were singing about?  (no fair looking at the lyrics)...Huh? Like, uh, what'd they say, dude?
 
Seriously?

Strange, yet, satisfying.
Anybody understand what they were singing about?  (no fair looking at the lyrics)...Huh? Like, uh, what'd they say, dude?
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Musical equivalent of a paste-up artist, in my estimation*.

*A paste-up artist, kiddies, was a person in the pre-computer art department who, among other things, took bits of type and art previously created for other purposes, coated the back with adhesive wax and composed it on a board to create a new ad without the expense (or creativity) of an original work. Clever work, but not original or necessarily intelligent. I still have callouses from #11 X-acto blade cuts.


 
If a client wanted an old ad of theirs re-worked, then that was the job.  Designers are seldom in the position to tell clients where to spend their money.   The creativity and intelligence are expressed by the ability to complete a limited-resource job for a tight-fisted client.  If you're referring to the collage aspect of this song, there is a pretty long history of creativity and intelligence which has been referred to below.
sounds like Moby.....  with a little bit of Gnarls Barkley
Show us your collage buddy! I like this very much! {#Cheers}
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Musical equivalent of a paste-up artist, in my estimation*.

*A paste-up artist, kiddies, was a person in the pre-computer art department who, among other things, took bits of type and art previously created for other purposes, coated the back with adhesive wax and composed it on a board to create a new ad without the expense (or creativity) of an original work. Clever work, but not original or necessarily intelligent. I still have callouses from #11 X-acto blade cuts.


 Or perhaps considered a collagist, among which you might include Matisse, Romare Beardon, Hans Arp,  and Robert Rauschenberg, whose artistic vision was—fortunately for us—not limited by a bad job experience. They probably had callouses, too.


 Businessgypsy wrote:
Musical equivalent of a paste-up artist, in my estimation*.

*A paste-up artist, kiddies, was a person in the pre-computer art department who, among other things, took bits of type and art previously created for other purposes, coated the back with adhesive wax and composed it on a board to create a new ad without the expense (or creativity) of an original work. Clever work, but not original or necessarily intelligent. I still have callouses from #11 X-acto blade cuts.

 
I agree that it's like a paste-up artist.  I've done my share of the same work — as an apprentice, as a hobbyist, as a college student, and as a professional.

I can't disagree strongly enough that it lacks originality or intelligence.  Juxtaposition is a form of art. 
Felix_The_Cat wrote:
... and this guy is kinda a genius :-)
Musical equivalent of a paste-up artist, in my estimation*.

*A paste-up artist, kiddies, was a person in the pre-computer art department who, among other things, took bits of type and art previously created for other purposes, coated the back with adhesive wax and composed it on a board to create a new ad without the expense (or creativity) of an original work. Clever work, but not original or necessarily intelligent. I still have callouses from #11 X-acto blade cuts.


Wikipedia says this album was released in 2002.  I love the vocals so I had to peak... it further states:

"Smoke and Mirrors"
  • "Who Knows" by Marion Black, for a vocal sample in the intro.
  • "Waterfall" by Cris Williamson, for a vocal sample.
  • Musical excerpts from "Heaven Knows" by Nigel Champion and Austin Howard.
  • "Jupiter Child" by Steppenwolf, for the drum sample.

... and this guy is kinda a genius :-)
 CaptTofu wrote:
Another Moby-like old recording of some blues singer mixed into some techno music. Maybe some day when they've sampled all the various blues songs, they'll have to resort to taking old recordings of the Carpenters or Jim Neighbors and mix that into some techno music.
 
Don't worry Coke already plundered Jim Neighbors.


 radioshock wrote:
Radio paradise is the bible to people who really understand what quality music is and what it can do for your soul.
Bill ole buddy- guess that makes you our savour. Keep the heavenly tunes playing. Thanks a bunch

 
Im agree!!

{#Dancingbanana_2}
so niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice song!!!!!!!!! from another world
 Jamunca wrote:
This song is so good for the ears.
 
Romeo, is that you?

 peter_james_bond wrote:
{#Drunk} I love the R2D2....the spunky little guy....but where's C3PO?
 
He disappeared to another galaxy!


This sounds kinda Robin Trower-ish....
Another Moby-like old recording of some blues singer mixed into some techno music. Maybe some day when they've sampled all the various blues songs, they'll have to resort to taking old recordings of the Carpenters or Jim Neighbors and mix that into some techno music.
This song is so good for the ears.
{#Drunk} I love the R2D2....the spunky little guy....but where's C3PO?
Absolutely love some RJD2... especially this and older.. thank ya much RP! {#Music}

edit... and it says 1981 in the Playlist... think it was 2002.

 smdeeg wrote:
Still enjoying this tune several year after being exposed to it on RP.  7 -> 8
 

What he said.....................................................
Still enjoying this tune several year after being exposed to it on RP.  7 -> 8
Friggin' cool.  Especially the subtractive synth at the end.

iPhone > XM!

Between Pandora, Public Radio, and RP apps which seem to work decently even on Edge-only signals.  If there's absolutely no signal, that's what podcasts are for.  I'll happily trade bitrate for playlist quality any day.

 
lophrequa wrote:
i'm a longtime RP listener and new XM-in-the-car-customer and i agree - i spend most of my time dodging around channels trying to find something good, endangering myself and those around me whilst driving ... can we get RP in the car please?
 


 sass wrote:
Anyone else hear a taste of old Savoy Brown in the first couple of minutes....?

 
Yes I was thinking either Savoy Brown or Robin Trower when I first heard it myself..


After hearing Ghostwriter the other day here on RP, I acquired the album.  With one or two exceptions, every track (including this one) is sublime.
 Darlington wrote:

Wow, must be one heck of a summer mix...

 
Beastie Boys - Alive
Groove Armada - Suntoucher
RJD2 - Smoke and Mirrors
Beatles - Tomorrow Never Knows
Chemical Brothers - Let Forever Be
Cult - She Sells Sanctuary
Limp Bizkit - My Way
Porcupine Tree - Halo
Folk Implosion - Natural One
Charlatans UK - One To Another
Alpinestars - Burning Up
Tragically Hip - Grace Too
Supergrass - Tales of Endurance
Led Zeppelin - The Ocean
Pixies - Where Is My Mind?
Shins - Sea Legs
Pink Floyd - Fearless

 lophrequa wrote:
this was on my summer mix followed by Tomorrow Never Knows and Chemical Bros. Let Forever Be
 
Wow, must be one heck of a summer mix...

whoa.......................{#Cool}
 radioshock wrote:
Radio paradise is the bible to people who really understand what quality music is and what it can do for your soul.
Bill ole buddy- guess that makes you our savour. Keep the heavenly tunes playing. Thanks a bunch

 
wow. yes, thanks Bill & Rebecca!

this was on my summer mix followed by Tomorrow Never Knows and Chemical Bros. Let Forever Be
 Amen..God bless you and yours Bill... radioshock wrote:
Radio paradise is the bible to people who really understand what quality music is and what it can do for your soul.
Bill ole buddy- guess that makes you our savour. Keep the heavenly tunes playing. Thanks a bunch

 


 sass wrote:
Anyone else hear a taste of old Savoy Brown in the first couple of minutes....?

 

Good ole Chris Youlden.....you betcha!
I know what tomorrow will bring...an election!
Radio paradise is the bible to people who really understand what quality music is and what it can do for your soul.
Bill ole buddy- guess that makes you our savour. Keep the heavenly tunes playing. Thanks a bunch

I haven't taken this CD out of my car for 2 weeks now.  Still hasn't managed to get old on me.
I love RJD2's Ghostwriter, but this song is abysmal — very bad.

baltimorelovejoy wrote:
How could this album be released in 1981...when Ramble John "RJ" Krohn was five?



Just about to comment on this same thing.

How could this album be released in 1981...when Ramble John "RJ" Krohn was five?

great funky white boy{#Notworthy}
Excellent. Please play more of the good, older RJD2. It makes me forget what a hack he has turned into these days.

striking album cover!
Anyone else hear a taste of old Savoy Brown in the first couple of minutes....?

WonderLizard wrote:
Why don't you ask Bill? Some time ago, probably 2003-04, I believe he was negotiating with Sirius, but nothing happened. Agree, BTW, re XM, tho' now that "The Cafe" has been turned over to Starbucks, and "The Loft" is entirely acoustic. XM is locked into format-think, an artifact IMHO of its Clear Channel pedigree. Oh, you didn't know Clear Channel has a huge stake in XM? Chose XM over Sirius because it carries MLB. Personal choice.
That's my problem with XM too. Very genre specific and nothing on there close to RP.
yeeeeeeeeha! love this song!
OK, we ran that reverse loop here in the lab. It's a high speed ascii data burst slowed to 25%; it holds the results of the coming election as recorded by John Titor when he Traveled Back ...
I bought this album for my girlfriend one year, it took me ages to find it as it was listed under "rap/hip hop". Some of the tracks feature rap. Neither of these two that are on RP, though, luckily! Great stuff
lophrequa wrote:
i'm a longtime RP listener and new XM-in-the-car-customer and i agree - i spend most of my time dodging around channels trying to find something good, endangering myself and those around me whilst driving ... can we get RP in the car please?
Why don't you ask Bill? Some time ago, probably 2003-04, I believe he was negotiating with Sirius, but nothing happened. Agree, BTW, re XM, tho' now that "The Cafe" has been turned over to Starbucks, and "The Loft" is entirely acoustic. XM is locked into format-think, an artifact IMHO of its Clear Channel pedigree. Oh, you didn't know Clear Channel has a huge stake in XM? Chose XM over Sirius because it carries MLB. Personal choice.
Darlington wrote:
One of my chief complaints with XM is the fact that there is nothing on there nearly as ecclectic as RP. All of the stations are very time or genre specific. But it pales in comparision to RP, that's for sure....
i'm a longtime RP listener and new XM-in-the-car-customer and i agree - i spend most of my time dodging around channels trying to find something good, endangering myself and those around me whilst driving ... can we get RP in the car please?
ziggytrix wrote:
nonsense! the beat is tight. the synths are fluid. the vocal sample is a little corny, but it doesn't ruin the tune for me. did i mention the beat is really tight?
you said it zig... this is always a fun treat
Jelani wrote:
This is just dumb.
nonsense! the beat is tight. the synths are fluid. the vocal sample is a little corny, but it doesn't ruin the tune for me. did i mention the beat is really tight?
This is just dumb.
jtdiver wrote:
RP programming is better than anything ive heard on XM.
I think some XM channels do better than others - Modern Jazz does better than XM Chill for example. Fine Tuning is as close to an 'eclectic' channel XM has and while it does jump from classical to swing to rock and back again, it often still falls into ruts. If RP had been added to XM (without tampering) it would have been a boon for all. - Riff
jtdiver wrote:
RP programming is better than anything ive heard on XM.
Very true. One of my chief complaints with XM is the fact that there is nothing on there nearly as ecclectic as RP. All of the stations are very time or genre specific. I find myself listening to the "Starbucks" Channel (which will be going away soon)because it isn't. But it pales in comparision to RP, that's for sure....
one of my faves... could actually be a good Monday morning!
jtdiver wrote:
RP programming is better than anything ive heard on XM.
Abso-freakin-lutely - worth supporting :D
"Smoke and Mirrors" contains vocal samples from "Who Knows" by Marion Black Gribnif wrote:
According to Wikipedia, the vocals are from "Who Knows" by Marion Black.
RP programming is better than anything ive heard on XM.
TheFriendlyCat wrote:
I like the guy vocalist, a lot. And the synthysizer at the end.
According to Wikipedia, the vocals are from "Who Knows" by Marion Black.