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Here's a track from me. It's called STEAM TRAIN Ukulele, vocals, and not much else. Well, actually there's a few things  Notice the cinematic finale SOUNDCLOUD LINK: STEAM TRAIN LYRICS: STEAM TRAIN Run through the fields, run through the sands run through the woods of distant lands Run with the dreams of a little child and take with you this deep breath of mine Run to the East, run to the West run with the heartbeat inside my chest Run for the hope of a brand new day Run for the blood inside my veins Run, old steam train Run for us, like there's no other way Keep running for us, like we don't live in vain And run for me, my old steam train Run for the voices that nobody heard take away all these things strange and absurd Run through the mountains and over the rivers take with you our letters and then bring us shivers Run for the hope of a brand new day Your fuel is the blood running in our veins Run to the end to a place I'll never see and when you reach the ocean say a prayer for me Run, old steam train Run for us, like there's no other way Keep running for us, like we don't live in vain Run for me, my old steam train Run for the hope of a brand new day Your fuel is the blood running in my veins Run to the end to a place I'll never see and when you reach the ocean say a prayer for me Run, old steam train Run for us, like there's no other way Keep running for us, like we never lived in vain Run for me, my old steam train
Last edited by Jon Thomas; 11/09/17 05:23 AM.
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I really love the ukulele in this song! You have a very distinct sound that I quite enjoy. When you make a song I can always tell that it's yours, and you write so creatively. Keep up the fantastic work.
Cheers,
Ember
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This is one of the more interesting songs I've listened to in a while. I really enjoy how you fluidly weave the various elements in and out so effortlessly. The creative magic behind this is terrific. And yes, the cinematic ending was a real nice outro.
Love this a lot!
Alan
Last edited by Al-David; 11/09/17 06:38 AM.
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Very cool tune Jon. I also love the ukulele in this. Super vocal and lyric. Backtrack was super
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Mr. Thomas...
Your song, "Steam Train", stirred up some creatively conflicting feelings/impressions/moods within me, which is exciting! A little ambiguity is like a match struck in darkness: you never know what it will ignite!
The rhythm has a "Footloose" kind of urgency, but the lyrics seem dark. Frankly, through the lyrics, I imagined the subject of the song was dying while his mind was cycling exuberantly through memories of the past and his hopes for the future.
Regardless, the feel of the song certainly advances the image/idea of a steam engine gaining speed as it accelerates in an unfettered way toward some point: an end, a beginning, or, a...?
Musically, the song is majestically produced in that the music is alive with drama, energy and purpose. Your "cinematic ending" packs a lot of feeling with its strings and horns signalling the approach of a dawn horizon, or maybe a dying sunset. Which style, MIDI or Real Tracks did you use?
I believe there's more than meets the ear in "Steam Train"!
Mystically inspired,
LOREN
"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
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Thank you Loren (and everybody else of course) for the kind words.
Loren, your comment is a song in itself :-)
Wonderful.
You made think about my own song :-)
You know, being a non-native speaker (although I am pretty fluent in English) I'm always concerned about what my songs actually convey to the listener. I don't know exactly how words "feel" to an English mother tongue. I just don't know. I'm always concerned about that, cause I don't have full control of it, no matter how fluent I am.
But then again, this is true for everything we do and say, even in our own language.
The subjective interepretation of songs (and everything else, really) is, by definition, subjective.
Songs belong to the listeners.
And that's really a magic thing.
So, it was wonderfully surprising to read how different is your interpretation of the song (and the feelings that it conveyed to you) from my own.
So, if you're interested, when I wrote this song I thought that steam trains could be a metaphor for history. History as it happens, history that sometimes goes where we want it to go, and sometimes it doesn't. History that keeps going, keeps running, over and with everybody and everything. History that sometimes seem pretedermined by the powerful (as if it was running on "tracks" that we don't control) but, in the end, it always feeds on the "blood", on the "will" of the powerless, whom are never truly really powerless. History that, nonetheless, does give us meaning - or, at least, we try to (and have to) find meaning and purpose in it, because that's what can give us some sense of "not living in vain", in the end. Even though maybe, just maybe, it's really just a running train and we are mere passengers. We just don't know. But we better live like this wasn't the case.
And the "cinematic finale" is mostly an expression of hope. Hope that, in the end, history will take us in a good place - that we will take ourselves in a good place.
But, again, songs belong to the listeners. I truly believe it. My own reading of my own song it's just that, just a reading. It's not the "true" meaning. Songs have a life of their own, independent from the writer.
Finally, to answer your question about the finale, I used no BIAB in this song. The finale is just a bunch of tracks with several midi strings parts played individually with a midi keyboard, and then edited of course (violins, basses, horns, cellos and violas, if I remember correctly, but I can be more precise if you want).
Thank you again!
Last edited by Jon Thomas; 11/09/17 07:29 PM.
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Thanks for the wonderful journey. Best ride I've had that I haven't paid for.
Rob
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Wow, I really really enjoyed this! It reminds me of a slightly more poppy, stripped down version of Arcade Fire. I really liked how delicate the ukulele is in this - and matched with that pulsing drum beat, it just has a pleasant and easy-on-the-ears groove that instantly had my foot tapping. It has a sense of wonder and nostalgia to it that I can't explain. Also, when the piano came in, it really takes it to the next level. Brilliant song; you did an amazing job. You should be proud of this! Thanks for sharing
Cheers,
Deryk
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Jon
Inventive work with a nice mix of instruments and a good build up.
Really nice work.
Peter
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I really like the arrangement, very simple song but really brought to alive by introducing new instruments at the right moments. Magical.
Janne
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Dear "Jon Thomas":
As you stated, "Songs belong to the listeners" and "songs have a life of their own, independent from the writer." I agree with you, fully.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed the way you expounded on the theme of history as the engine that powered your lyrics. It adds a great deal of ideological subtext to your song, which is rare in songwriting, in my opinion, at least.
After decades of listening to Don McClean's "Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie", I still cannot figure out precisely what the song is "about", but that's what continues to make it such a compelling listening experience, so, you're in good company, sir!
LOREN
Last edited by bluage; 11/12/17 08:32 AM.
"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
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This is EXCELLENT!!! The musical feel is infectious, the lyrics are intriguing, and the vocal could not be better (although I might add a little verb). Beautiful build in the arrangement. GREAT STUFF!!! Come back soon! Take care. Greg
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Jon Thomas,  I found this musical journey incredible. The way that you've been able to control and develop mood and motion is truly outstanding. Your writing and your arranging are in a class of their own and I mean that as one of the best compliments that I can think of sitting here at 1:50 am in Melbourne. I agree with Loren when he says... Musically, the song is majestically produced in that the music is alive with drama, energy and purpose. What an ending! It seems that your musical skills are fast becoming legendary on here. I really, really enjoyed listening to this. Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Having come from years of bluegrass music bands we performed many train songs. It's nice to hear a new one! And particularly one that is metaphorical regarding the train.
The arrangement and backing well supports your engaging vocal performance and the lyric.
Well done!
J&B
EDIT: Hey, we're back for another listen and Janice wanted to mention how much she liked your vocal.
Last edited by Janice & Bud; 11/14/17 03:53 PM.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
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Love this Jon.
Gorgeous lyrics, just sublime. Excellent music, melody and internal harmonics.
Love the arrangement and delivery. Gave me goose bumps.
Well done.
Pretty much perfection.
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What an absolutely excellent production.
This speaks volumes all the way through. You've created a complex and meaningful song from simplicity itself.
This is spectacular. Nothing less.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
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What can I say, THANK YOU guys.
You are WAY too generous.
I'm thinking about releasing a sort of digital album with my "ukulele songs". I have a bunch (a lot, something like 40 or so to chose from). I've been procrastinating this for many years now. I've been really uncertain about whether these songs have any merit. Your kind words make me think that maybe I should finally do it. I guess I should post a few more songs here to see your reaction ... so far so good I guess :-)
Not all of them feature BIAB though, but many do. Maybe I'll post the ones that do.
Thanks again
J.
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Love the music and the lyrical concept comparing a Steam Train to history. Really nice to listen to. Great Job!!
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Jon,
An excellent listen. Grabs you from the beginning and never lets go.
Excellent mix. Beautiful vocal - really well recorded (and processed).
Nice arrangement. The "little touches" are well placed (and paced) throughout. All the parts are nicely played. Especially like the piano...
Quality music.
floyd
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Cool tume. The light accompaniment of the drums and mandolin really alows the vocals to shine.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
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Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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