THIS OLD TOWN

A song about lost love and regret! A big shoutout to Greg Johnson for reminding my about the Backpack Cajon 8 Folk Trio set! I wanted a James Taylor type sound for this song and that is a great set to get things rolling! Ron Helm assisted in the writing here! Thanks for listening, I always appreciate it!

BIAB
Drums - Cajon Folk Slow 8's
Bass - 700 Pop Half Note Push
Guitar - 2916 Country Folk 8ths Brent
Pedal Steel- West Coast Ballad
Me
Vocals, Electric Guitar- Peerless Archtop- Keyboards and Strings/synths/pads
Extra drum and cymbal hits
This Old Town
Words and Music By
Torrey Bliss/Ron Helm
©2024 Glass Gate Music BMI

Tonight I'm back here in this old town
The place I left behind years ago
So much has changed it's just not the same
It holds memories that won't let me go
If I could just go back in time for one more try
Maybe I'd get things right this time
Those old days are gone
Like a leaf blown with the wind

Every night in my dreams I’m living those days of old
You’re still in my heart oh you're still in my soul
The way that I feel now nobody knows
Now those days are gone and I'm left here alone
Why do I come back here to this old town

I remember the day I had to say goodbye
Everyone was moving on with their lives
It's regret that always brings me here
Although I try these feelings I can't hide
It's only in my dreams I feel you are near
That's why I came back here to this town
You never appear
But your memory is always clear

Every night in my dreams I’m living those days of old
You’re still in my heart oh you're still in my soul
The way that I feel now nobody knows
Now those days are gone and I'm left here alone
Why do I come back here to this old town

Old friends have passed on
Some still remain
I hope they're living out their dreams
And your dreams haven't changed
Often I wonder
Do you ever think of me

Every night in my dreams I’m living those days of old
You’re still in my heart oh you're still in my soul
The way that I feel nobody knows but those those days are gone
Now I'm left here alone
Why do I come back here to this old town

What I lost can't be found in any other town
Someone like you will never come around
I'm walking through memories of this old town
One day I'll come back here and they will lay me down
Down in the ground here in this old town

Hi, Torrey.

This sounds great.

And despite your protests about your vocals, they sound good to me. Loving the harmonies!

Nice work by you and Ron on the lyrics.

Hi Torrey,

I agree completely with David. Everything sounds near-perfect to my old ears. I'll reiterate what David said - "Loving the harmonies"!

Sounds like early to mid-70s JT. (Back when he still had hair!).

Great song - great listen.

Best to you,

Alan

Sensational vocal <-- those are two words synonymous with Torrey Bliss. Great harmony are two more. Excellent write. Very much enjoyed, Torrey. Love your style and execution.

Torrey,

This is a beautiful song... The production is excellent and it sounds like a record. So well done.

Your vocal is awesome and feels to me like it has a touch of J. D. Souther - a very good thing.

Loved everything about this.

Bob

Torrey...man this is so mellow and very James Taylorish (which is super IMHO)...I agree with Bob wholeheartedly...for those of us who grew up in small towns the lyric evokes lasting memories of familiar faces and lost loves...as usual you've produced a stellar piece of music...well written...well sung...well performed...and well received (that's my part)...I think we're a great team!

Thanks, David, for your comments! It's just frustrating when I can't sing certain lines with ease like I normally would but have to settle for something sub-par! TB

Stop complaining about your vocals, it would take more than "some touch up" to get my vocals there!

I love it, especially your harmonies are ace!

Torrey, fabulous write and production! Sensational vocals, too. Those BGVs and harmonies are like a masterclass in vocal arrangement though. Really next level stuff. Love it!

Coming from a small town I can relate to this song.
I disagree with your vocal statement in your original post as I think your vocal is great.
Super harmonies.
Great groove.
I really liked your chord progression.
I think this is our best to date!

Lovely song. It reminds me of a poem I wrote in the 70s after returning to my hometown for the first time after a few years away. Decades later and I now live just down the road from it. As in the song, "So much has changed it's just not the same" and "Old friends have passed on". And yes re my first rue love way back in 1969, "… you’re still in my heart / Oh you're still in my soul". Impossible to not relate to. ... PS: great vocals.

Thanks Alan! I have since went back in and repaired some rough spots! Take care, TB

Yeah this sounds really good Torrey.

I agree with everyone else, I think the vocals sound fabulous, and I love those layered harmonies.

The lyrics are really good too.

Everything is top-notch and a wonderful production!

Hi Torrey,

Wow, so good! Love your style and sound.

About as close to perfect as possible I think

Thanks Marty! Your comments are always a bright spot in my day! TB

Torrey, This is another good write. The vocals are really good. I can relate to the story. I have a few about the same subject. The overall production is great. Enjoyed, Tom

Torrey,

Nice.
Vocals and harmonies are lovely.
the backing tracks are "Like a leaf blown with the wind"...Light & Breezy.

Good mix.
A good listen. What more could we ask?

fj

Alway great sounding songs from you Torrey. Really like this one, the vocals harmonies, chord changes, lyrics. Production is flawless.

Good feeling and chorus singing. Reminds me of something, but I can't remember what now. Very nice!

Very cool stuff. This is reminiscent of the soft rock from the 80s. The Chris Rae song Fool if you think it's over ..... Especially the harmony parts was brought to mind as I was listening.

Nice

Thanks Bob! I truly appreciate your comments! TB

Beautiful song, divinely sung. Well done Torrey
Laurent

HI Torrey,

Very sweet song with nostalgic but well-written lyrics. It's very pleasant. well done/

Jani

Thanks Dan, your comments are so appreciated, especially coming from such a talented composer/writer/singer etc. TB

"Stop Complaining" is pretty harsh lol!
No complaining here, just stating facts that are very frustrating at times!
Nevertheless, thanks for giving it a spin and a comment! I really appreciate it

Thanks Ron for your kind words! TB

Thanks so much Mario, this is my favorite song I've ever written and recorded! I have edited the original post deleting the vocal comments because I have repaired/re-recorded/re-uploaded what I wanted fixed! TB

Another fabulous piece of work Torrey. The words really hit home for us from small towns. The production is stellar and it really lets your talent show. It was a great listen.

Brad

Wow, I thought at first I was listening to an Eagles song. It sounds like their style, great song!!

Thanks for having a listen and commenting! It certainly is a bittersweet trip down memory lane on these types of songs! TB

Thanks David!

Thanks Dave for the awesome comments! TB

Hi Torrey.
Nicely done with the mix, tracks and vocals.
If you don't mind a suggestion, I would cut the unnecessary lyrics to give more room for the music.
For instance, "Tonight I'm back here in this old town It's the place I left behind years ago", could be
"Tonight I'm back here in this old town. The place I left behind years ago".
There are other lines that would give you breathing space with small cuts too.

Vic

Thanks Tom! If you say it's good, that's good enough for me! TB

Thanks Floyd! I went all out to keep the backing soft and out of the way of the Lyrics/vocals! I appreciate your time to listen and comment! TB

Lost love and regrets, one of my favorite song topics!
Classic soft 70s sound. Harmonies are rich. Vocal sounds good.
I enjoyed my listen.

Thanks Elliott for the positive feedback! TB

Thanks hopefully it isn't too much like something else! TB

Thanks Herb! I always appreciate your comments! TB

Thanks Laurent! I really appreciate it! TB

Thanks for having a listen and commenting! I appreciate it! TB

This beautiful song is melancholy and yet comforting too.

Like James Taylor, your voice is smooth and sounds effortless.
And your layered harmonies always remind us of the Beatles.

Great performances by you and the session guys.

The mix sounds good on the KRK’s with a nice live band feel.

Enjoyed it!

J&B

Thanks so much for taking time to listen and comment! I appreciate it! TB

Thanks Brad! I appreciate it! TB

Thanks Ronnie! The Eagles reference is humbling to me! TB

Thanks Vic, I had actually been mulling over if I should pull a word or 2 here and there and your comment was confirmation that I should! I have since re-uploaded a new version with some word reductions. Good ear! Thanks, TB

Thanks Scott for tsking time to check it out! TB

Thanks J&B so much for your kind words! It's always appreciated! TB

Nostalgic and bit sad in the end, yet enjoyably emotional. I can hear The Eagles there, the folky band sounds excellent, very smooth and takes me back in time, although I'm yet to return to my old town for a longer visit.

Very pleasant vocals and harmonies, "like a leaf blown with the wind", that's the exact feel I heard in your voice.

Janne

Good work Torey.
We particularly like the smooth blending of the harmony vocals in the chorus.
The song also has a gentle "New Kid in Town" feel. That's a good thing because "New Kid in Town" is one of our all-time favourites.

So it's really easy to like your song

Rob and Anne-Marie

Thanks for having a listen Janne! TB

Thanks so much for your kind words! I definitely had the song you mentioned in the back of my mind When arranging this one! I was going for that soft laid back sound they had! TB

SMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTH
A fabulous TB melody carried by THAT voice.
Harmonies are gorgeous.
Arrangement & performances are top shelf.

Thanks Ray! Great to see you around again! TB

Awesome song Torrey. Loved the lyric, vocal and harmonies. Backtrack has an excellent groove and feel. Well done Super production. Well done

Thanks Scott I appreciate it! TB

Torrey,

It reminds me of American pop music from the 1970s.
It definitely feels like James Taylor.
This type of song is also great, although it's a little different from your usual style.
The vocals and harmony are very nice.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

My 1st thought was that the bass is a little overpowering at the intro...I can't be sure as I'm listening on a new set up. The song is wonderful.

Thanks Shigeki! I appreciate your comments! TB

Thanks Ray! I agree about the bass volume! That issue had been nagging at me for a while and your comments inspired me to go back in and reduce it! It has now been updated on Soundcloud with a new mix! TB