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#580208 02/10/20 07:19 AM
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The Last Song

In 2016, on a local musician forum, there was a song contest with Ballad as the theme. So, I opened the BIAB song picker and looked for a song idea with the slowest tempo and found a song composed in 2007, tempo 60 BPM, powerful sounding RealDrums in the chorus section, perfect! But it had no proper lyrics, just some images of a sunny church scene. That gave me an idea to write an ultimate ballad, death as the subject. Originally written in Finnish and Vocaloid singing, one listener liked it so much that wanted to sing it and he did a wonderful job.

The reception was mixed, not so easy to swallow on one listen (agonizing, not listener friendly). On the other hand, one friend has said that it is one of the greatest songs in the world, but required three tries to listen to the end…

Now I have made the English version, I'm quite satisified with the translation although some parts don't work but they didn't work in the original either. My vocals are bad, I couldn't reach the low G, so I tried to save things with Melodyne and 3 overdubs, but it can be heard. I hope the listening experience is not too painful despite these flaws.

RealDrums: PopModernGrooveSync
RealTracks:
Bass #2937
Cello #1856
Acoustic piano #1006, #891
Electric piano #2506
Electric guitar #2535, #869, #2878, #3230, #1167 (solo)
Pedal steel #2542
Mandolin #3074
Fiddle #1593
Horns #2291
Sax Soprano #1060
Trumpet #1064
String Quartet #2334
Synth Pad #1842

MIDI: Strings (PSYK2.STY) - VST SampleTank3, bells (GPO5, Motor Rhythms)

+Sound effects

Vocals by me + Cantus VST

Mixed in Cakewalk by BandLab

Lyrics:

I can hear a tear to fall
when it hits the wooden church floor
silence is suffocating
death's last call is irrevocable
revealed to all
when my surname is carved in the tombstone
by a chisel strike.

This is the final hour, the tongue at the tower clocks
the hammer of the sexton hits the last nail on the box
capture peace at rest
when the instant gathers the harvest.
The cantor plays the final chord, it's wafting from the loft
Cupid's last arrow has missed once too oft
Cerberus by the graveyard, ready to stamp my clock card
didn't live long to tell the dear ones farewell
just once more.

I can hear a coin to fall
when it hits the empty alms bag
that's left of my accomplishments
when worthlessness of this passing life
is revealed to all
the hardened heart is finally broken
by a big bell's strike.

This is the final hour, the tongue at the tower clocks
the hammer of the sexton hits the last nail on the box
capture peace at rest
when the instant gathers the harvest.
The cantor plays the final chord, it's wafting from the loft
Cupid's last arrow has missed once too oft
Curtain closed by the wicket, but no return in the ticket
my enticing song to chime for the ferryman of time
just once more.

-------------
Janne


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jannesan #580213 02/10/20 07:49 AM
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Janne,
Very unusual piece of music. I assure you, I was not it pain listening... smile Good instrumentation, interesting lyrics. Ending was very cool.

"Cerberus by the graveyard, ready to stamp my clock card" smile

Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

jannesan #580254 02/10/20 11:08 AM
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Janne,

It was an interesting listen—a really original and ambitious piece of work. As Misha noted, not in anyway painful. A lot of potential in this one—I’m wondering if the chorus is just a tad too slow tempo-wise, maybe not. I go back and forth. But its a nice melody, and love that close—nice touch there! Keep at this one.

All my best,

Deej

jannesan #580256 02/10/20 11:11 AM
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Best thing I've heard from you. I can't find the words to say why, but it feels like a substantial piece to me. I also like you singing those lower notes. I was wondering how Cantus sounds in a real piece, this gives me a good idea.


Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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hi janne this is very different many styles working together great job on this well done eric


AMD (TM) 5950 4.9 GHz 16Core Processor 64 bit 32 bits of ram windows 10 pro 64 bit os. sound card Antelope ZenQ guitars Ibanez 2202a 1968 les Paul Custom and Cavin ae 185 Guitar boss Gt-100,GT1000 pedal Yamaha HS8 studio monitors
jannesan #580278 02/10/20 12:53 PM
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Painlessly enjoyed it, Janne. I also loved that line quoted by Misha: "Cerberus by the graveyard, ready to stamp my clock card." An eerily engaging piece!


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub
Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 12, EZDrummer
jannesan #580293 02/10/20 01:52 PM
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Janne, this is very unusual but also very good. Your lyrics are excellent and was the mix. Your vocal was very strong. Excellent use of RTs. This is definitely movie ready.

I liked this one!


OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?

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Originally Posted By: Rustyspoon#
Very unusual piece of music. I assure you, I was not it pain listening... smile Good instrumentation, interesting lyrics. Ending was very cool.
"Cerberus by the graveyard, ready to stamp my clock card" smile
Thank you for sharing!
Misha.


Thanks Misha for your nice review, I'm glad you were not in pain laugh

Janne


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Deej56 #580509 02/12/20 07:17 AM
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Originally Posted By: Deej56
It was an interesting listen—a really original and ambitious piece of work. As Misha noted, not in anyway painful. A lot of potential in this one—I’m wondering if the chorus is just a tad too slow tempo-wise, maybe not. I go back and forth. But its a nice melody, and love that close—nice touch there! Keep at this one.

All my best,
Deej


Thanks Deej for your kind and positive comment smile

Janne


Hear My Music:

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Originally Posted By: TuneMonger
Best thing I've heard from you. I can't find the words to say why, but it feels like a substantial piece to me. I also like you singing those lower notes. I was wondering how Cantus sounds in a real piece, this gives me a good idea.


Thanks TuneMonger, "best thing" and "substantial" are really rewarding feedback smile Cantus fits very well with a slow piece like this, but I have used it also in a faster song.

Janne


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jannesan #580537 02/12/20 11:06 AM
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Janne

An ambitious composition, with a lush interesting sound. One of your best I think.

A very impressive work.

Peter

jannesan #580570 02/12/20 12:33 PM
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Janne,

Very interesting and as Misha said, unusual piece! I think you did an excellent job with this and the vocals were done very nicely! The chorus in this is really good as far as I'm concerned! The outro on this was really impressive! Thanks, Torrey

jannesan #580581 02/12/20 02:18 PM
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No pain here. Your lyrics really stand out. Such vivid imagery! Although the song is unusual, it is interesting. I like the amalgamation of sound/instrumentation you created.

jannesan #580612 02/12/20 07:27 PM
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Outstanding production. "Enjoy" is not a word easily used for a piece with such a theme, but it was very engaging and well-wrought.


BIAB 2021 Audiophile. Windows 10 64bit. Songwriter, lyricist, composer(?) loving all styles. Some pre-BIAB music from Farfetched Tangmo Band's first CD. https://alonetone.com/tangmo/playlists/close-to-the-ground
jannesan #580623 02/13/20 12:32 AM
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Hi Janne,

The only painful thing I had with your song was the churchbell in the beginning. I had the volume too high, it appears...
You had a couple of nice things in this sweet song with that sad melody: the churchbells (now meant in a possitive way), your voice suddenly going 'under the floor' in the beginning (I think on purpose), the sound of a flooding chuch. Things like that. And than the lyrics! I admire the way you can write abouth the last hours of that chuch. So sensitive.

But the most remarkable part in your song where your vocals. You say they hurt ones ears. In the start of the song (after the bells) when you begin to sing, it sounded a bit unstable, but very good. And that feeling became stronger during the song. Your voice touches an invisible snare of emotion (at least with me). I like that effect your voice has.

Bye,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
jannesan #580678 02/13/20 08:48 AM
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Good track, Janne, production wise and lyrically lots of interesting things going on. Vocally my favorite part was the choir, very effective.
Enjoyed!

jannesan #580738 02/13/20 04:21 PM
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Janne
Some salutary well written lyrics; my favourite lines:

I can hear a coin to fall
when it hits the empty alms bag
that's left of my accomplishments

ouch! No sugar coating as the last nail goes in that coffin.
The vocals are clear ; I think your accented English adds mystery to the tale.
Cool choir and effects at the end.

Robert

jannesan #580771 02/14/20 01:41 AM
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There's one spot in the vocal that you could address for me: at the end of the 2nd line you sing "floor" and the fretless sounding bass picks that note up as youi hold it and slides down, (to the floor), with it - seems like your voice was caught and dragged with it by Melodyne - if you ended the note sooner it wouldn't seem connected with the bass.
Apart from that you have a courageous performance of a very interesting narrative to a nice backing.
Cool.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
F.M.M. #580828 02/14/20 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted By: F.M.M.
hi janne this is very different many styles working together great job on this well done eric


Thanks Eric, I'm glad for your positive feedback smile

Janne


Hear My Music:

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BabuMusic #580829 02/14/20 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted By: BabuMusic
Painlessly enjoyed it, Janne. I also loved that line quoted by Misha: "Cerberus by the graveyard, ready to stamp my clock card." An eerily engaging piece!


Thanks Marty for your kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed my art smile That line you quoted could have been different… in the original Finnish version I had a funny rhyming idea, but then I found it had already been used. Now I realize that it could have been translated almost directly (something like "St. Peter by the Heaven's gate, offers me one green North State", North State is a brand of cigarettes, probably not known outside Finland).

Janne


Hear My Music:

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