From XtraStyles Contest: I have to say I think this is my favorite Xtra Styles Pak, this set #5. I am using this opportunity really just to give me the extra “juice” to finish an album, and I am rooting hard for everyone here!

But I am just thankful this contest has given me: Unusual, House Party, Tahoma, Eff It, My God is Not for Sale, Listen to the Rain (not posted yet) and this song, Rock and Roll Sky, all of which will go on my next release sometime this fall. Thanks BIAB! That’s good enough for me!

https://soundcloud.com/david-snyder-gigs2/rock-and-roll-sky

GENRE_Country (Americana, Alt. Country, Alt Country Rock) Style_ Rainin3.style. Complete tracks below lyrics

I started with Rainin3.styl, added cello and electric, and played acoustic and piano (a second piano part to an Alberti midi track to fill in some gaps and give it more punch.)

For production, I added the Waves REDD console to the instrument bus (got that for $1 on the recent sale) and ran everything through the Waves J-37 on the Master Bus. I could not get the final volume I wanted to match other tracks I have without using the Lurssen console as a final boost, but that is the sauce.

Great stuff everybody. I don’t know how they are going to pick because there is so much fabulous stuff from everyone.

Hope you enjoy this.

ROCK AND ROLL SKY

By David Snyder

V1

Do you still own those rock and roll boots
Do you still wear that rock and roll coat
Do you still drive that rock and roll car
Down to the beach with the night in your throat

PreChorus

You said our glass would never run dry
You promised me
Our love would never die

CH

And there was silent thunder
Under that Rock and Roll sky
Are you still there I wonder
Under that Rock and Roll Sky

V2

I fell in love with a magic girl
And she fell in love with me
Made love with a magic girl
On the edge of eternity

Pre Chorus

We walked on the water
In late July
She promised me
We would never lie

CH

And there was silent thunder
Under that Rock and Roll sky
Are you still there I wonder
Under that Rock and Roll Sky

Pre Chorus

We stared at the water
When we said goodbye
I broke my promise
Cause I think I cried

CH

And there was silent thunder
Under that rock and roll sky
Are you still there I wonder
under that Rock and Roll Sky
Rock and Roll Sky
Rock and Roll Sky
Are you still there I wonder
Under that Rock and Roll Sky
That Rock and Roll Sky

Words and Music by David Snyder, copyright 1990, renewed 2018
ASCAP/Day of Faith Records

Title: Rock and Roll Sky
File:Rock and Roll Sky.SGU
Key=C , Tempo 93, Length (m:s)=4:15
Style is _RAININ3.STY (Raining Americana Flk Fingerpick)

David Snyder, Piano, Guitar, Vocals, Production, Engineering

RealTracks in style: ~701:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesSync Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~2051:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking CountryBrent Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 3027:Vocal Oohs, Background Pop3-part Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 3027:Vocal Oohs, Background Pop3-part Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 838:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopBalladClean Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 1856:Cello, Background PopCountry Ev 085
RealDrums in style: RockNorthern^4-a:Snare, Loose HiHat , b:Snare, Ride
Also Alberti Piano 2460 Midi

The Sound

What a great song David, flows so well, builds to a climax, the Rock and Roll sky, what a hook!!!!
Cliff

..."Down to the beach with the night in your throat"

What a nice line!

"We stared at the water
When we said goodbye
I broke my promise
Cause I think I cried"

Nice.

The pleading melody is so...rock and roll...

A good BAND, good mix.

Another good'un from the writing machine called David Snyder.

fj

Outstanding. Had me singing along by the time the second chorus came in. (Well, at least in my head). Greatly enjoyed.

Excellent song, outstanding performance (your vocals always sound so honest and real) and great mix.

Loved it!

Very good and catching song and the sound is exceptional.

What exactly does the REDD console do? Never heard about it before.

Will

Thanks Cliff!! I am glad you liked it man!

Thanks Floyd! Been working on those vocal mixes like you taught me man.

And turning up those drums!

Great work from a great artist!! As Floyd said, you are a writing machine!! Thanks, Torrey

This is an excellent piece. I was taken back to my younger years listening to this piece. It brought back great memories.

The mix and vocal are excellent. Nicely done!

You got it going Mr. Snyder!!

Keep on rockin'

J&B

David

Another good one - some very nice production skills and a strong vocal performance.
Very nice.

Peter

Great melody and interesting chording, kind of Guns'n'Roses ballad. Excellent vocals. Arrangement is powerful, although piano makes it sound bit crowded at times.

Janne

Do you still own those rock and roll boots

What do you mean still own, a was wearing them tapping away to this!!.

Do you still wear that rock and roll coat


What do yo mean still own I was wearing it, enjoying the feeling from this track.


Do you still drive that rock and roll car.


Yes I do and I was listening to your track Rock and Roll Sky driving along.


Enjoyed this and the others you have posted lately , all the different styles of writing and productions. Good stuff and good luck for the competition.

Thanks Tangmo! I am glad you liked it and had fun!

Thanks Dave!

And thanks for turning me on to that Waves sale.

That's what did it! That REDD console baby.

Hey Thanks Will.

I answered your question about REDD and how I got "that sound" in a PM but I will repeat it here in case it benefits anyone else:

The Waves REDD console is an emulation of the analog console used at Abbey Road with the Beatles. With the the right presets (and there are some good ones) you can get a good analog sound. It makes things sound more defined, warm and crisp and less harsh. The J-37 tape emulator gives it a "buttery" finish.

REDD is on sale now for $39 and I posted a $10 coupon in the recording forum so you can get it for $29. It used to go for $249.

If you asked what it "does" it gives you that sound I got in the song Rock and Roll Sky.

I do not use it on the master bus though, either in an instrument bus, or select instruments. I run the entire mix through the J-37 on almost everything, as you see in the picture.

There is more info on REDD if you want to google it.


If I had not used it, the song would have had a modern "metallic" feel to it, or a "high end processed feel" not a warm, analog but defined Bruce Springsteen feel.

I like the analog touch, and that's what it gives, but again, I think it is the combo of REDD and J-37 that is the secret sauce, as I explained.

From the Recording Revolution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7Hfz_ZTw2U

Update: $29 today and I posted a $10 coupon on Recording forum

https://www.waves.com/plugins/redd#redd-consoles-plugin-tutorial

Thanks Peeble! I mean Torrey!

Glad you liked it bro.

David,

A gentle epic with a really warm sound- vocals are raw but that carries so much presence.
Great lyrics - irresistible nostalgia!

Robert

This reminds me of Bob Seeger, a terrific singer/songwriter - as is our own David (energizer bunny) Synder. I don't want to be envious of his energy altho God knows I wish I had that much.... I could go on about the great production, the soulful vocal and how great it all is etc., but I think this about aays it...
Well done David.

I love your piano. Your lyrics are like a page out of my life. I get the boss feel in the vocals too. Your vocals seem better or different in the second half of the song (maybe it's just my ears).

I forgot to add that the chorus is catchy. It kept ringing through my mind after listening to your song.

Thank you Rich!

I am so glad the song brought back good memories for you.

That was whole purpose of it! You made my day!

Awesome song!

sounds classic to me

enjoyed the listen!

Kenny

WONDERFUL!!! The instrument interplay is magical....the piano and cello, and the perfect drum kit! This is one for the forum wall of fame...could listen to it for an hour!! Great stuff David!! Take care. Greg

Hello, David

Really good melody!
Although the rock sound is on the front, the melody is very gentle, it is so sweet, and the scent of French chanson like Jacque Brel's songs is also drifted somewhere.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Thanks Janice and Bud!

That made my day!!

Thanks Peter!

Thanks for that Janne! I am so glad you liked it!