Throwback to the early days of BiaB.... (for me anyway)

This is a song I created using the Melodist feature in Band in a Box and then editing and arranging the resultant progressions in a smooth jazz style. It was done before I came to this forum IIRC so I doubt this has been posted here before and unless you have spent time on my web site.... I don't think this will be familiar.

I call it SOMEWHERE SOUTH OF HERE


Everything in it is BB and RB with the exception of the electric lead guitar. Some of my early musings. Loose ends, nits and all...

Hope you enjoy this blast from the past.

Herb, this is a real departure from the "country-with-vocals" you do so well... but I like it!
It shows a sketch of you that hasn't been on this paper before.. at least, as far as I can recall.

But then, at my age, "as far as I can recall" doesn't cover very much territory...

Interesting use of the pedal steel in an otherwise smooth jazz song... but to me, it totally works. This song is very relaxing... it reminds me of the old TV show "Adventures in Paradise" but I don't really know why... maybe because I always thought the music in that show was relaxing. Or maybe I associate the Pedal Steel with more of a Hawaiian guitar sound in this application.

I especially liked the guitar harmonies. Knowing you, it was all played, not created with harmonizing software. Not sure I recognize a definable melody, but you seem to have made a point of making recurring passages to keep the guitar from being more decorative than melodic. But my inability to discern a melody may well be that I am mesmerized by the composition, and it makes me too lazy to listen analytically.

You also did something in this song that I have thought about doing... the parts you played echo and complement the real tracks in many places... upshot being that your additions have the effect of minimizing the randomness, making all fit together in a more planned way.

I have trouble making jazz chords flow well... but your chord pattern in this work flows like water over a waterfall.
The wet guitar tone is also well-suited to the mood of the song. There was one place where the combination of tone, harmony and phrasing made me think "Hotel California" (around the 2:14 marker... anybody else get that feeling?)

Also noticed how you brought instruments in and out of the mix... especially given the eclectic quality of the song, that kept it fresh the whole time.

smooth listening! I'd buy a whole CD of music like this... it puts my mood right where I like it to be

Hi Herb,

like Pat said this shows a totally different side of you.
Very tasteful, relaxing, soothing.
Thanks for sharing.

Guenter

Herb,

Big thumbs up from me - great sound from you.

Bob

Hi Herb

Doesn't Pat give great reviews and always never misses anything.

This song puts me in a trance and it's played so tasteful...not just a bunch of notes thrown at you...there played so well that is makes the song flow like Pat says "over a waterfall". Maybe you should re-name it...

Anyway I loved it and I'm sitting up taking notice that your a really good guitar player...

Horst,

I'm glad you mentioned that, because Herb is one of many excellent musicians on this forum. For a while, there was a trend here for musicians to surrender their own playing because, hey... who can compete with the pros who make the real tracks? But recently I've seen a new trend in which the people who can play are using that to their advantage.

There's no easier way to make a song your own than by adding your own signature passages. Now that people are doing that, I expect to see a whole new explosion of creativity on the forum. In fact, you are a good example of that!

Truth be told, I think the whole forum is bustin' wide open with unprecedented movement in new and interesting directions. It's exciting to see so much really good stuff happening in the same forum!

Hi Herb, beautiful song, i like the vibe, the atmosphere you created. And many tastefull guitar parts. Well done ;-)

Very pretty!! Very dreamy! I think the title fits perfectly. Guitar work is excellent-very emotionally expressive. Very cool stuff. Thanks for posting again (I don't think Ive heard it before). Take care. Greg

Pat: Yes, you are correct.... no harmonizer in there... it's all live guitar multi-track , and yes, there really isn't a discernible melody that defines this song.... it just kinda flows like a meandering stream, going where it wants. My wife also mentioned the steel in a jazz song when she first heard it.

I also do treat the real tracks players like real musicians so playing off of them , around them, and with them is natural.

I used to record a lot of totally instrumental stuff when I first was getting stared with BB. And there actually was a complete CD I had put together of instrumental music.... quite a few tunes from it are on my music page.

Emerald Eyes, Get Happy, Walking in Springtime, A Memory of You, Lonely Girl, Sao Paulo Night, and Alluring Faces.... are all part of that jazz instrumental phase I went through for a time. Have a listen to them if you wish. They're all on my website music page. In fact, all of those songs are currently in music publisher and film library hands. (not holding my breath)

and ... now that you mentioned it.... 2:14.... hummmm, yeah I kinda get that vibe too...

Glad you liked it.

Guenter: I have many sides, musically speaking, most that I keep hidden.... thanks for listening.

Bob: Thanks.... glad you took the time to listen.

Horst: I'm certainly not the only talented one here. One reason I bought BB originally was to get a decent steel sound without having to learn how to actually play one. As you hang out here you will hear lots of people with great musical and writing talent. Thank you for mentioning that. It does my heart good to hear someone tell me that I play well. I think the best work that people do here is when they use BB/RB as the backbone or structure to their music and then add their own live played instruments into the mix. That takes it, as Pat said, to a different level altogether.

Rafa T: thank you for listening.

Greg: I wasn't quite sure if I had posted this before.... now I'm glad I did. Thanks for listening and commenting.

Really nice. Good instrument choices and very entertaining guitar work.


Charlie

Nice guitar work throughout. The accompanying tracks work with it.

But for a cool jazz song the drums ought to be a lot more subtle. At times the ride is so loud it's almost drowning out the guitar. In phones, at least. (compare them to Rafa's - he has a good cool jazz drum mix)

The meandering works for this.

fj

Hi Herb,

Though we are not great jazz lovers we think this is a very good song. Especially the lead guitar is great, very melodious.
It deserves a good popsong

Rob and Anne-Marie

Herb,

beautiful and at 2.00 the guitar harmonies were excellent.

Very atmospheric.I love the cascading effect as it ends.

great stuff

Alyn

Herb

What a nice song. Loved the different tones and textures of the guitar work. Beautifully played. The steel was such a nice touch to complement the melody..

Beautifully done Herb. One of the prettiest instrumental arrangements I've heard on here and the guitar sings.

Josie

Herb, kind of a mood piece from you. Just creating an atmosphere. Very different from you, but I liked it. Your songs are always very well produced and recorded and this is no exception. Tom

Hi, Herb !:))

This is simply beautiful,
must be one of your absolute
best if not the best instro
I´ve ever heard !:))

I enjoyed this ambient piece
of music very, very much !:))

Cheers
Dani

Outstanding cool jazz with one fantastic guitar! You did a great job on those guitar leads, loved the harmonies! The steel was an added plus.

This was very well played and produced.

Different is good and this is good -- real good.
A nice mood piece that holds your attention.
Well done guitar, guitar harmonies, arrangement
and mix. Could hear swirling brushes on the
drums.

Enjoyed it

J&B