PG Music Home Forums General Discussion User Showcase Our Dad (v.2)

Seventeen years ago (December 21, 2002), our dad passed away. My grieving process turned into writing a song about his life.

Recently, I created a new version of "Our Dad" with BiaB...using a style that more closely honors his spirit and the music he loved most.

I still marvel at the BiaB product each time I use it. I think I've exhausted all my songs that fall in the country genre, so it's time to move on to other projects.

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic5jCMdpJ48
SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/keefmeister-1/our-dad

Production notes:
BiaB Style: ACCNTRY.STY Acoustic Country w/Pedal Steel
Mixed in Cakewalk Sonar (custom piano parts added in Cakewalk)
Mastered in iZotope Ozone

Our Dad

[Verse 1]
Born into a family big on simple things
Good hard work and music, there was no shortage of
Rich in truth and values back when times were tough
Seven sons, one daughter came to show that love's enough

[Verse 2]
Called to serve his country as a young man
Sergeant in the occupation army overseas
There he met a Belgian girl he’d marry
Together they would build a life and start this family

[Chorus 1]
Our dad, he could sing
Our dad could do anything
A humble man, a gentle soul, he made his family whole
And our dad, he could play anything with strings in his own way
The ever-willing troubadour could always do one more

[Verse 3]
Gifted with more talent than the average man
Wise in many ways he chose to labor with his hands
A carpenter, a craftsman, sure as builders go
An artist, a perfectionist, our Michelangelo

[Bridge 1]
Deep inside his soul a music maker
A golden voice that could have led his life down fortune’s road
Instead, the good Lord kept him near and safer
Whispered teach them all to play, your gift they’ll pass along.

[Verse 4]
With quiet courage he faced each day with new resolve
A lion-lamb he lived his life in mission with the dove
Tough and righteous warrior we saw little of
Its presence sewn deep in the cloth we knew as our dad’s love

[Chorus 2]
Our dad, he could sing
Our dad could do anything
A humble man, a gentle soul, he made his family whole
And our dad, he could play anything with strings in his own way
A peaceful loving music man, our leader of the band

[Bridge 2]
Man’s best friend was often his companion
Dogs that never left his side made homes deep in his heart
Fishing trips and family vacations
Countless priceless memories held dear now we’re apart

[Verse 5]
Night night night night, see you in the morning dad
You're simply the best father this family could have had
Teaching through example we learned right from wrong
Your humor, kindness, and selfless way, through us now you live on

Very cool tune . Super vocal. Lyric touches home. Well done

Marc,
very nice tribute to your dad. Very clean vocals and production!
I watched the youtube video. Photos are amazing! I have a passion for vintage photography
Loved the upper left, tinted photo of your dad with dog and the one with uke which is a gem.
Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

Writing is very therapeutic. You brothers and sister must really appreciate this song. Excellent vocal. A nice gentle melody, which I assume reflects your father's character.

Well written and arranged.
Well done all around.
There's some plosive/sibilant aggression probably due to reverb but that's a small point.

Marc,

A well-written sung. An amazing tribute.

The production carries it well. Nice vocals and harmonies.

All well mixed.

And a cool tribute video.

fj

It's all already been quickly said...

This an excellent write, vocal performance, band and mix.

A very moving tribute.

We enjoyed the audio and vid. You are most fortunate to
have such a rich photographic history.

J&B

A terrific tribute to your dad...
I really enjoyed the video presentation!

Hi Keefmaster,

that's a wonderful tribute to your dad and it's very well done in all aspects.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Stefan

Very nice tune Marc! What a great vocal to go with obviously heartfelt lyrics! The table steel really moves this one along! You have a splendid mix! Really like the change up at around 2:30. The harmony is spot on! Thanks, Torrey.

@Scott C: Thanks very much...

@Misha: Thanks for your feedback. We are totally blessed to have these photos, especially those of my dad as a young boy. A little back story...my grandfather (who died when my dad was 15) used to take my pre-teen dad to little dive bars and have him perform. My grandfather got to drink for free. It was a different time (post-depression).

@Ezekiel: Thanks, yes my dad was kind and gentle, but strong and protective when a situation called for it...which was thankfully not often. I'm going to re-record a version of this song with my siblings. We'll divvy up lyrics and sing together (harmonies) in the later verses/bridge/chorus. We don't live near each other so we'll have to do it in bits and pieces. Looking forward to that.

RayC: thanks for your feedback and you're right about the sibilance. Good catch. I should have worked on that more than I did.

@Floyd: Thank you, sir. Much appreciated.

@Janice and Bud: Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment. This is a wonderfully supportive community. You guys are making great music (sampled some of your sampler . It must be a delight to have a spouse that shares the passion for music/recording. <thumbs up>

@Jim: Thank you, sir!

@Stefan: Thanks a bunch and I hope you had a blessed Christmas and (will have) a great New Year!

@Torrey: Thanks very much. Very much appreciated...