Here is the last song I wrote for the 50 90 songwriting challenge. Only 8 songs completed but I still consider it a win!
The lyrics for this one were written by the wonderful and prolific Liz Petty.
Lyrics: sitting by the shore watching the river run by I see the time passing as clouds blow in the sky the air is getting colder days are growing short I feel you all around me deep within my heart
I hear whispers in the willows I hear whispers in the wind Whisper your laughter and the love we were in I hear whispers in the wind
underneath the willow sheltered from the storm I feel the cool rain fallling longing for your arms I wonder what you’re doing if you ever think of me I feel the chill of loneliness Beneath the willow tree
I hear whispers in the water I hear whispers in the rain Whisper your love songs and a sad refrain I hear whispers in the rain
B the wind and rain remind me how everything can change as I feel the tears start falling faster than the rain
C I hear whispers in the willows I hear whispers in the wind whisper your laughter the love we were in I hear whispers in the wind
I hear whispers in the water I hear whispers in the rain whisper your love songs and a sad refrain I hear whispers in the rain
RealTracks: RealTracks in style: 1827:Bass, Electric, PopModernGrooveA-B Ev16 075 RealTracks in style: 1839:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopModernGrooveA-B Ev16 075 RealTracks in style: 1596:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Pop16ths Ev16 065 RealTracks in style: 1947:Mandolin, Rhythm PopModernGrooveAndy Ev16 075 RealDrums [in style:PopModernGrooveSync16^1-a:Snare on 4, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride
Listens and/or comments are always much appreciated!
First off, Liz did a great job with the lyrics! Now, you're musical interpretations of those lyrics are wonderful! What a cool song. You melodic choices along with that style is really enjoyable all the way around.
I'm not sure if I mentioned this before but there is something very John Denver-ish to your writing style to me. If you knew how much I love John Denver songs, that statement would probably have much more impact.
May I ask how you did the harmonies/backing vocals? They sound slightly synthetic, but not too much to me. I actually really like that sound. Just super tight supporting backing vocals. Very cool in my book.
Thanks again for another great song. It's stuck in my head in all the right ways. Great job Joanne!
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
Wonderful write, arrangement and performance. Enjoyed my listen. Your folk sound is a great niche for you and fits you well. Check out the DADGAD tunings RT's by Quinn Bachand. While the RT's may not fit every song you write, the tuning will. Tune your guitar to DADGAD for your next write and see where it may take you.
Nice work, Joanne This is the kind of tune you can listen to and it just puts you in a good mood. Very upbeat and pretty, and I found the mix to be lush as well. Some really great instrumentation on this one, and a really well rounded track.
Stellar vocals as usual. I don't hear anything synthetic in the harmonies. A really nice arrangement to support the song based around a lovely melody and chord progression. Top stuff.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Everything sits nice and comfortably in this presentation... the music, the lyrics, your vocals. As I listened, I kept on thinking, "Joanne has such a great voice. She carries these lyrics and tells Liz's story very, very well. The musical setting of them is excellent."
As others before me, I also noticed the hint of John Denver weaving its way through this presentation. And I say that as a sincere compliment.
The vocal work is extraordinary, which simply matches the caliber of the lyrics.
Really enjoyed this.
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The title of your song, Whispers of You, is lovely and evocative enough to have its own music heard in the simple speaking of those words…but in a whisper, of course . The title can't help but evoke the mutual experience of shared intimacy, as in 'into me, see'.
Also, you can't go wrong as a songwriter when the lyrics composed by Ms. Petty find their inspiration in the near-inexpressibly beautiful things she observes in our Mother Nature that rival the beauty we see within (and without) the persons we give our love to, and whom we hope will accept it from us, and give it back.
What I mean is, this Earth feeds us, shelters us, clothes us, provides us with enough mundane and mystical wonders to contemplate for the span of our entire lives, and all these things are given to us absolutely freely by Her, without us even having to ask for them. Now, if that ain't love of the unconditional kind, I don't what is. All we have to do, is follow her example, and I get the strong sense that you and Ms. Petty are doing just that, through the way the lyrics discover and explore the way human beings' feelings for each other are mirrored in the moods and movements of 'Nature'.
Musically speaking, I really like the way the voices are doubled and delayed in section C of the song. They have the rhythm of waves that rush to the shore, retreat, and then return to the shore, ceaselessly, inevitably and, perhaps, joyfully. Who knows? At the very least, you could say they are always there for each other, ha, ha !!! The Real Tracks underscoring your arrangement radiate warmth, and a sense of the peace and contentment that comes from two hearts/people/lovers that have committed to each other.
It’s a reflective, refreshing, and reassuring song. Thank you and Ms. Petty for unveiling it on the User's Forum!
- bluage -
Last edited by bluage; 10/06/1907:55 PM.
"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
As always you show just how good you are with a traditional folk feel. Perfect for your vocals.
And what a nice lyric you had to work with!
Well done...
J&B
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.
You and this style of music are a natural match. Love the imagery and alliteration in the lyric and your melodic and rhythmic rendering of them is spot on. The band sounds great, smooth on the bottom and light and percussive on the top...kind of like those clouds blowing in the sky. Very, very nice. Congrats on 8. It's not a race or a contest. It's a challenge.
Good arrangement and lyrics, melodic, well sung. Simply put, really nice!
Nits:
For some reason, the delayed vocal (you can hear it at 2:00) had a sort of digital delay vibe, which felt out of place given how "natural" the rest of the arrangement was. Which is ironic if you consider that all the BiaB instruments are actually digital manipulations of sorts.
The mandolin seemed a bit aggressive. I love the mandolin, but perhaps it was a bit too forward in the mix. Or not.
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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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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!
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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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Great job Joanne!
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