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I’m waxing nostalgic with a new song Summer’s Over. http://soundcloud.com/austin51/
summers-over

Paying homage to the one of my favorite bands the Beach Boys but the irony being it is about middle-aged angst.

Used BIAB with RealTracks and Cakewalk Home Studio.

RealTracks include:

Drums: Nashville Even 8
Drums: Nashville Pop Balled (used for 8 bars right before the last chorus)
Bass: #683 Electric Pop Half Notes Push
Acoustic Guitar: #405 Strumming
Electric Guitar: #1850 Pop Shining Gritty Muted
Electric Guitar: #1524 Pop Power Push Clean
Organ: B3 Background Blues (used for 8 bars right before the last chorus)
Accordion: Rhythm Pop 8ths (used for 8 bars right before the last chorus)
Special thanks to the Hawthorne California Marching Choir

Summer’s Over

When did life get so hard
With all its complications
What happened to the blvd
Where are the good vibrations

Who took away the carefree summer days
They came and went like ocean waves
Chorus:
Summer’s over (Seasons turning)
Life goes on (Daylight’s burning)
I’m getting older (Years replaying)
Like a familiar song (Don’t worry baby)
Looking back over my shoulder
Summer’s over

Take a drive in the sun
Feel the wind softly blowing
No going back where we came from
God only knows where we’re going

I don’t deny when I think of days gone by
It’s easy to romanticize
Chorus:
Summer’s over (Seasons turning)
Life goes on (Daylight’s burning)
I’m getting older (Years replaying)
Like a familiar song (Don’t worry baby)
Looking back over my shoulder
Summer’s over

Summer’s Over
Don’t Worry Baby
Summer’s Over
Don’t Worry Baby
Summer’s over
SoundCloud

Austin,

You and I can start our own oldies show. LOL!

Seriously, I think this is great. Enjoyed it very much.

The only thing I'd do a little different - this is totally subjective feel free to ignore - is double or triple all the harmony parts and pan so you get that big Brian massive harmony sound. But it's fine the way you've done it.

Cool tribute.

Austin:

This is terrific... how did you know that I have been listening to Beach boys lately?...Been working up a "Kokomo" spoof, or "filk" if you prefer.

I thought the BGVs were pretty rich/thick, and especially effective at the end. The whole ending, including the modulation and the BGVs were masterful, and I would have extended them.... like Brian did -- Oh, the vibrations!

Thanks for listening and the comments Josie. Once I've had a little distance from the song I may do a more massive version. Funny, we both took a trip in the way-back machine.

Thanks so much Brad. I had a lot of fun with this one. The Kokomo bit sounds great.

The Beach Boys are back! Love the vocal sound and harmonies! Thanks 4 sharing!

My Tunes

Hi Austin,

"Very creative, very effective, excellent to listen to" were just some of the thoughts that ran through my brain as I listened. Like you, I'm a huge fan of the Beach Boys. This certainly captured their good vibrations!

Regards,
Noel

Really clever, and well done!

I second Josie's suggestion to triple track the harmony - that would be awesome.

It might just be my ears (or the reverb you selected), but there's a "boxiness" to the vocals, as if they were recorded in a small room. I'm not sure if it was intended, I just thought I'd mention it.

I'm particularly impressed that you maintained the Beach Boy sound, snuck in lots of references, and put together a song that works. Cool!

This one is just beautiful.

Antwort auf:

I'm particularly impressed that you maintained the Beach Boy sound, snuck in lots of references, and put together a song that works. Cool!

Guenter

What they said!!!

austin - you have outdone yourself on this one! SO well done. Like it was right off "I Get Around" - the first album I ever own! Very clever. And very enjoyable. Loved it.

floyd

Austin, this is a great track! Everything about it...song construction/vocal performance/lyric...capturing "the sound"...all top-notch. I especially liked the a capella transition portion leading into your key change. Thanks for working and sharing...you are teaching me with your work!

Austin.

You're producing some really great tracks just now. Capturing the feel of the Beach Boys can't have been easy, but you've got it exactly right. I loved the phrases which sounded as though they were parodying a Beach Boys song, but then veered off into something else - very clever.

Already looking forward to your next track!

ROG.

Nice work Austin, you captured the BB mood and slipped in those 'clue' phrases!
I enjoyed this a lot.

John

Well done. Enjoyed it!
R. Anthony

PGFantastic, Noel, Guenter, Floyd, Tano, thanks for listening and the very nice comments. I appreciate it very much. Glad you liked it.

Thanks very much David for the nice comments. I do need to acquire better effects resources. The cheesy ones I have can really screw up a mix so I try to hold back on the reverb.

ROG thanks a ton.

It was a challenge but it kind of came together with a life of its own the way some songs and the recording process will do.

The sound of the Pop Power Push Clean Elect. Gtr. RealTrack really helped get a proximity to a BBs surf sound

It's on two tracks.

I generated that guitar track more than once in BIAB to get a different feel/sound to the way it was played.

John and R. Anthony thanks for the listen. Very happy you enjoyed the song.

Nice work I really enjoyed it. Being a very big Beach Boys fan it was well done

Austin,

Well it's all been said, so I'll just second it! GREAT JOB!

It IS The Beach Boy's! Are you sure they didn't release this in say 1966.

Greg

Robh,

So glad you enjoyed the song. I did it in a spirit of affection for one of America's greatest popular music icons.

Greg

Thank you for listening and the kind comments.

Austin,

This is great! Loved it.

Bob