The Voice Of Splendor

The original idea for the song was conceived three years ago, probably inspired by a bird song that was new to me at that time, but I haven't heard it in years. For a long time, I was just circling the subject, because I didn't want to ruin the song by hurrying. Finally this spring I felt that it was time to finish it. Well, I hope you'll get the mood of hearing/meeting someone special just for a short while.

There is also a bird video for the song, but its mix is older and vocals are too upfront. I hope the new one sounds more balanced, but I'm interested in hearing any kind of opinion on the mix. I used a Carole King song as the reference target for Ozone to get a folk pop feel, but maybe some other genre target would suit the song better...

I used my favorite Weina for the lead vocals. I know that I should have tweaked parameters to make her sound softer in several places, but I'm still learning...

RealDrums:
CajonFolkPop8ths
Soul70sRelaxedEv

RealTracks:
Electric Bass #683
Acoustic Guitar Pick #4198
Acoustic Guitar Rhythm #2916
Electric Guitar #1524
Acoustic Piano #2762
Synth #3784
Accordion #1752

Vocals: Synthesizer V Weina (lead & backing), Synthesizer V Natalie (backing)
The bird: Melodyne used to modify Common Rosefinch song

Lyrics:
I remember the morning dew
the awe and rapture
I caught a call from you
I remember the early spring
the icicles melted
when you flew to sing
the blessing of fate
opened the door
for the sweetest voice
I had not heard before.

Singing in my garden
by the maple tree
a captivating melody was
comforting me.
Singing in the shower
on a rainy day
happiness is fleeting
but the memory stays.

I remember the tenth of June
the voice of splendor had
quietened too soon
I remember the empty roost
the genie of craving
spread its wings and loosed
I miss all your past
sweet warblings
they were feathers stroking
my sensitive strings.

Singing in my garden...

From springs to autumns I watch the trees
I whistle your tune
among the chickadees
I regret that I lost your voice
wondering if you had no other choice
I look through the leaves
at lovely lives
wish I'll be prepared
if a new chance arrives.

Some chances never come true
the headwinds or hurdles may bring down your nest
fortune can be just a short trill
I'm grateful for the time when you were my guest.
-------------
Janne

Janne,

This is a very pretty piece of music with great lyrics. Your use of Weina and Natalie are superb. If you had not said anything in the notes - I would think they were pro singers.

Excellent production as well - loved it!

Bob

You got that '70s vibe, all right. Very folk and pretty.

Weina is a great match for this style.

The mix feels a bit bright, but it matches the sound of a 45 of the era, so I guess that's authentic.

My word of the day: "quietened".

Nice song, excellent use of Real Tracks, and Synth v. I wouldn't have known it was a Synth voice. Very nice phrasin, very natural. Good mix and production

Janne,

Great job with the girls. Both lead and harmonies sound good.
The BAND is nicely put together. A great sound.
Excellent mix.

fj

Good work Janne.
I realised it was a synth voice because it seemed too perfect but not many listeners would.
I tried the Synthesiser V demo but couldn't get it to work on my DAW.

The song is very cleverly put together and an excellent mix.

Vic

Janne, you did a fabulous job with those synth voices!

I really liked your backing band.
On a side note I would have liked the birds a little lower in volume but that is just my opinion.

Great mix!
Two thumbs up!

Janne

Pretty captivating piece. Nice vocal work on the synth and a very nice melody throughout.

Nicely done.

Peter

Very creative, Janne. Love the melody and how it intertwines with the harmony. Great idea using Melodyne to correct-pitch the finch. The band is filled with outstanding choices, and you mixed it all perfectly. I'd keep the birds loud and proud. Afterall, it is their song.

Thanks Bob, I appreciate your very kind review

Janne

Thanks David for your positive words Glad you liked Weina's voice in this song's style, I didn't think anyone else. I probably couldn't hear the brightness, because I was more focused on taming the bass.

Janne

Thanks Elliot for your nice comment Pleasure to read your words about the use of Synth V.

Janne

Thanks Floyd, I appreciate your positive feedback Glad you liked also the harmonies, I was wondering whether my bass + countermelody voices combination would work.

Janne

Definitely a late 60/early 70s folk pop vibe in the verses...less so in the chorus. I THINK the 2nd vocal competes with the 1st...not a bad thing if mixed a little lower.
The birds, whilst nice, are intrusive.
A lovely piece of nostalgia pop.

This is very beautiful Janne!!

A gorgeous arrangement!

Thanks Vic for your positive feedback I tried to leave some imperfections in timing (from the original midi melody I had played), but I guess too many imperfections would distract also.

Janne

Thanks Mario for thumbs and kind comment I agree with the lowering the birds, I already did that several times during the mixing process, but maybe not enough. And besides, they hide the most beautiful chord progression

Janne

Janne,
Fun tune and idea! Complex, yet well absorbed structure. Balance seems good to my ears. Clear mix. Amazing, how realistic synth voice sounds. Good one, and thank you for sharing.
Misha.

Being listeners of bird songs in our woods daily we love and can relate to the lyric.

Weina and Natalie both sound lovely and are a perfect match for the mood. You nailed the feel of a Carole King song vibe.

The wrens always build nests in our hanging fern baskets and Janice enjoys looking in on the babies. You’ve captured the joy very well!

The excellent lyric, melody, track choice and mix all make for a wonderful and enjoyable production.

Lovely song and sweet video!

J&B

Thanks Peter for your kind feedback

Janne

Thanks Marty for your always positive comment Glad you liked the Melodyne idea, I have used it once before, bird songs are so complex that it is hard to mould them into my own melody... The song is actually about only one bird and the bird is also a metaphor here for a special person. Anyway, I will take a few dBs out of the bird part.

Janne

Love what you do with these vocaloids Janne. Very pretty song. Well done

Thanks Ray, I appreciate your kind feedback "A lovely piece of nostalgia pop." very nicely defined The chorus is more in the style of my melodic pop (inherited by listening to the 80's music when I was young).

I have now added more compression to the backing vocals and lowered their volume so hopefully they are better now. I guess those birds are always intrusive for many people, even when less noticable, but anyway they are mixed also little lower now.

Janne

Thanks David, your positive words are very much appreciated

Janne

Hi Janne,

Those vocals sound fabulous! Good write, and I like the melody. Very cool chord progression also.

Enjoyed!

Hi Jannesan

Composition full of sweetness and video well done. I appreciated

Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

Thanks Misha for your positive feedback Glad to hear the balance and mix were ok.

Janne

Thanks Janice and Bud, I always wait with great enthusiasm for your pleasant feedback Especially because I know your love of nature. Good that you got the Carole King vibe.

Glad to hear about your wrens, they are difficult to see, but always nice to hear their singing, it is a nice, but tough challenge trying to find them in a forest. I was very happy to notice couple of juveniles this week, although they were so quick I didn't get any pictures...

Janne

Thanks Scott, I appreciate your kind comment

Janne

Hi Janne
Great work
The song sounds very nice
And the two ladies sing perfect to it
Excellent work Janne
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

Lovely song! The synth voices sound fabulous.

Yes, a 60s/70s sound, which I am particularly found of.

Good composition and instrumentation that fits the song well.

Thanks Dave for your nice comment I'm glad you liked the chord progression, nowadays I write the chords first, then the lyrics and the melody comes last, in this song's case I think I had the chorus melody ready before the verse lyrics.

Janne

Thanks Derochette, I appreciate your sweet feedback

Janne

Thanks Andi for your kind words And I'm sure those two ladies are delighted also

Janne

This is so beautiful! I'd personally leave the birds as they are, but that's your call, of course. Loved it, though ... melodious and stunning lyrically, too. The voices are well handled, but, for me, the songwriting is what makes this song. Well done

Janne...this is so good! The track is perfect and the birds make it so ethereal and joyous to listen to...you did an incredible job with the AI voices...I love the melody you created and the acoustic interludes were perfect...so glad you posted this!

Janne,

Love that 70's classic pop/rock sound of the with those maj7 chords! I could hear James Taylor and or Carol doing this! Everything sound sweet to me!

Thanks, TB

Thanks for your lovely feedback I'm glad you liked the sound and instrumentation.

Janne

Thanks, it is really heartwarming to read your kind words "melodious and stunning lyrically" - as a songwriter those are the goals I'm pursuing, so your words make me feel I have succeeded. Thank you once again <3

Janne

Hi Janne ...

You truly exemplified the Pop-Folk sound of the 70s and early 80s. Indeed, a Carole King coloring and arrangement.

Thar small amount of vibrato on the held words gave the girls such a true sound. Excellent choices for backing tracks. Your work is always such a pleasure to listen to. This song is very relaxing and calming. A wonderful song so well presented.

Take care...

Alan

Thanks very much for your pleasant feedback Glad you liked the melody and the birds. Reading that it was joyous to listen to makes me really joyous, too

Janne

Thanks Torrey, I'm very happy to read your nice comment Yes, I have always loved maj7 chords, although musically I'm usually closer to the 80's music.

Janne

Thanks Alan for your wonderful review I'm glad that the vibrato worked for you, although the vocals were done with the previous version of the software, where controlling the AI vibrato was not that easy. In the latest version they added a slider to increase/decrease the impact which is great.

Janne

Very engaging and well done.super vocal thanks for sharing Eric

Thanks Eric, I appreciate your heartful feedback

Janne