Spending Time With You

First, quick apology for the long opening narrative. I tried to pare it down, but ...

Recently, Noel Adams asked me if I would post/repost one of Di's recordings because many of the newer forum members have never heard her sing ... and, hopefully not so ... she might not be able to sing again due to poor health. Note: she IS getting better! Noel wanted the new members to have that opportunity. Also, I've thrown out some thoughts about a few subtle changes we would like to make. Any comments on those thoughts are welcome.

We wrote this one in 2011 and recorded it in 2013 ... not too long after we ventured into the wonderful world of Band In A Box. The recording quality, from a technical POV, is far from wonderful as we were brand new at this sort of thing. I think our abilities have improved a little since then. We posted the original here on the forum a little over five years ago. At that time we'd titled it "The Best Thing I Do For Me". We're open to opinions on the title. Our original post was an MP3 on Soundclick. The link above leads to a Wave file on Soundcloud. The genesis of the song is ... one day Di said "Write me a sultry song." Yep ... just like that! I said okay, but you help.

In this paragraph, I'm reiterating some possible flaws I hear in the mix. Open to more opinions regarding that. Her vocal track is a little too forward in the mix, I believe, and is also just a wee bit ahead of the backing tracks. Also, there is a little too much reverb on her voice for songs representing that era. We hope to rerecord it if Di's voice ever allows that again.

We no longer have the original tracks, so we can't make those adjustments, nor can I post the tracks here. I promise you ... they're all BIAB backing tracks, except the guitar solo is me. The old computer fried, causing us to lose the folder with the tracks on the HD, as well as corrupting the files on the memory stick (used for our backup files ... so much for that!) we had in the USB port. We're also going to make a few small changes in the lyric. The lyric changes, we believe, will put the two affected lines back into the subject's personal arena/activities and not refer out to to something that's observed or thought, as the original lines suggested. Any opinions on that?

All that said, I think this is the best representation of her vocal acumen. For those who'd like to see a video (from 2013) of her singing (I'm helping her out a little bit), I've posted a link to an online karaoke site we belong to but haven't been very active on the past few years. Since it's not a BIAB created song, I'll pull down that link if anyone objects ... no offense taken if so. The link is posted after the lyric ... the very last thing in this post.

Thank you, Noel, for your kind thoughts regarding Di's vocal performances. And thanks to everyone else for tolerating us again!

Lyric

Spending Time With You (Eb)

© 2011 Alan D. David, BMI / Diana Bowers, BMI - All Rights Reserved

(v1)
I like champagne in a crystal glass
And I sure do like my bubble bath
And then I like to paint my toes
Maybe put a little bit of powder on my nose
I like my steaks medium rare
Enjoying life without a care
I like a man in a stylish hat (new lyric: And relaxing with a quiet nap)
But there’s one thing I like more than that

CHORUS
I love being pampered
We both know that’s true
But it’s all second best
To the day we said “I do”
The best thing I do for me
Is spending time with you

(v2)
I like shopping, buying new clothes
And I like ribbons, buttons and bows
It’s hard to beat a night on the town
Or sitting and reading when there ain’t no one else around
Daydreaming in the afternoon
Or talking to myself in a quiet room
Those things are nice, yes it’s a fact (new lyric: Lying on the couch and petting my cat)
But there’s one thing I like more than that

CHORUS
I love being pampered
We both know that’s true
But it’s all second best
To the day we said “I do”
The best thing I do for me
Is spending time with you

TAG
Ooooh…ooooh…ooooh
Best thing I do for me is, spending time with you


If you're interested, and no one objects, here's a link to the karaoke video I mentioned above (We were both 66 years old at the time):

http://www.singsnap.com/karaoke/r/ae5f6669a

Hi Al and Di. You guys make a great duo.
Looking forward to hearing you sing together gain.
Well done. Send my well wishes to Di. Rob4580

I like where the voice is in the mix & the phrasing...excellent!
The guitar solo is jazzily cool too.
the mix issue I'd have suggested if you had the files would be regarding the slightly boomy bottom end in the rhythm guitar and bass: the former making the piano on the otehr side seem thin in comparison.
Those are irrelevant given the circumstances.
Di's is a voice that needs a comeback in more ways than one.
COOL.

Yeah, this is great!

Di has a great voice, just perfect for this type of material. And I really like your guitar solo too, very tasteful.

I read your song notes, mix sounds pretty good to me.

I was here five years ago, can't remember if I heard this or not. Thanks for posting again! And as far as I'm concerned, post more of these gems.

Really nicely done - it is really gorgeous and you can feel the sincerity behind it. Di's voice fits absolutely perfect over this. Loved the solo as well.

Thanks for sharing

Di & Alan,

This is wonderful.

The tracks are wonderfully supportive of the vocal.

The vocal is not "too far forward". It sits just where it should in the mix. (And I like the reverb that is on it - it's sexy - as it should be. Di sounds great.

And a really nice write.
Regarding your lyric edits...
I don't think the first one is necessary. I like the "stylish hat" line and I think it works, does not take her out of her thoughts...
The second one would be a good change, as "yes, it's a fact" is "cheap filler".
I would guess that "...petting my cat" won't sing as smoothly as you would want there (it has a rather "harsh" sound). IF you make a change you might try "...with a lazy cat" - for something more "fluid".
That being said... The song is dang good just as it is...

Great to hear Di singing. Here's hoping she gets back to it soon..

fj

Great singing, unique vibrato, guitar sounds good, really enjoyed it.

We're not gonna try and parse it out.

We just kicked back and enjoyed it in its totality.

Cool, smooth jazz with an excellent vocal that has just
the right amount of sincerity and soul meaning it is
right square in the middle of our wheelhouse.

Excellent vocal/instrumental performances and production.

Great to hear that Di is doing better and wonderful t to hear
her on this production.

J&B

PS Our Mac is not configured to use flash so we could
not watch the video. Will try on the iPad later.

I am sure lots of the new users will love getting the chance to hear her vocals! I'm glad to hear that she's getting better. Great job with this one, as always.

Alan & Di,

What a great voice Di has!
I listened to Di's vocal for the first time. I was so impressed.
It's a very very orthodox jazz vocal.
Guitar solo at interlude is also very nice.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.
I'm glad to hear that she's getting better.
Here's hoping she gets back to it soon.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Very nice jazzy song with very authentic band, progression and lyrics. Great to hear Di singing, she has truly lovely voice, nice nuances and vibrato. I just wish she'll be able to sing once more.

Janne

Thank you, Rob. We appreciate all that!

Hi Ray ...

Thanks for the listen and the constructive input. I'm okay with the low end on the bass but agree with about the rhythm guitar on the right channel. It's one of the Freddy Acoustic rhythm tracks and they're and they're all have kind of a "thumpy" bass in them. I recall that I took some bass EQ off of it and added twice as much higher EQ. But still didn't render the track the what I wanted it. Like I said, I was raw at all the mixing stuff back then ... not much more sophisticated these!

Glad you enjoyed it regardless. Thanks for letting us know!

Alan & Di

HI Dave ...

So glad you enjoyed your listen. The guitar part is rather simple and you can hear on the very last note of the lead riff that I muffed that note ... got my finger between two strings!

Thanks for the really nice comments! Wishing you the very best ...

Alan

Alan, loved this one. Di's voice is marvelous as the others have said.

I liked the whole lounge/jazz feel of the song and really enjoyed the brushes percussion.

Al, I am so glad you posted this since I was not around here at the time of your original post. What a gorgeous voice Di has! And remarkable technique too. Thanks for the repost: I thoroughly enjoyed this.

Scott

Not to disagree with your analysis, but it sounds great in my headphones.

Dear Di, dear Alan,

hard to keep back the tears hearing this wonderful tune if you know the story...

I had herd Di singing in some of the songs you posted on your website, so I already knew how swell she used to sing.

But I think this is even standing out - Di, you really gave me the complete image of what you were singing about: Painting nails, powdering your nose, always having Al on your mind - SO LOVELy !!!!

Among those wishees I have for the future there's this one on a prominent position: Please, let Di get well enough again, so she can sing, sing, sing !!!!!

And, Al, due to your health issues you haven't posted any soloing parts since I've been to the Forum, so it was so nice to hear what a great guitarist you are - loved that solo with that old-fashioned dark jazzy tone

I often mentioned that I am a mixing wimp, so my opinion doesn't really count (we got experts here on the forum who can tell if there was a white or yellow butterfly passing by the studio window during recording, so they will be the ones to professionally comment on this issue), but it sounds really fine to me.

And (if you at all allow a non-native English speaker to comment on this): Although the original title is far more one of that kind one has (I have) never heard before and thus is attracting a bit more attention prima vista, the new title reflects the song even more, so changing the title was a good idea in my mind.

Unfortunately my PC refused to open your karaoke post - it showed a warning that the flash player plug-in was infected - so I decided to rather not take the risk of getting nasty beasts on my HD - but maybe there's another possibility of sending it to me , for instance by WeTransfer or the like...?

Thanks an awful lot for giving us the wonderful chance to listen to thistreat.

And Noel: Thank you very much for your request.

All the best to all of you,

Stefan

Alan thanks so much for posting this. Love her voice. Such a beautiful song. Maybe its a cliché but you too do make beautiful music together. Well done

Alan,
I hadn`t heard this before- its a wonderful reminder of what an excellent jazz vocalist Di is.Spine tingling nuances in her phrasing and that little feel of world weary in her voice that suits the mood.
Not forgetting the clever lyrics and a production that sound fine to me.
I`m glad you were nudged into sharing this... so darn good!

Robert

So nice to hear Di again and that she's getting better! As someone already said you two make beautiful music together. One of her best indeed. I'm glad you reposted it. I like the new title better. God bless.

Al-David,

What a killer throwback—excellent vocal. Really nice feel to this. Picture myself in a 1940’s nightclub with at a table with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire listening to the new hottest female vocalist in town. Stellar!

All my best,

Deej

I'm going to cry this morning. This is beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I haven't heard anything technically wrong with any of it and, in any case, forget technicalities - this is top-notch singing of a stunning song. Hats off and well done.

Thats the baby!!
Smooth as satin. Good to hear her sing again.
Lovely job on the backing and your guitar playing too - but oh that voice!
Cheers
ian

Gee Alan, what beautiful voice Di has.
I read she was very ill, but now getting better. I hope what i read about not being able to sing again, won't come true.
The way Di played with her voice in that song was really marvelous.
And I read Noel was involved as well! All veterans from BB know eachother for years I begin to see. Makes me feel (a bit) lonely here...

About the song; I heard some sibilance in Di's voice, but the recording of the song is -to my ears- very well. I also think this kind of music needs some tiny imperfections in it. Makes it feels so authentic, especially with these lyrics. I say change nothing.

I surely hope miracles happen so I can hear more songs from you and Di,

Hans

I think this is fantastic!!! Fantastic write, and Di sang the heck out of it!!! And, NICE playing Alan!! Absolutely DELIGHTFUL!!!!

This is just so perfect, love hearing Di deliver her amazing vocals.

Accolades to you both, just absolutely smooth, cool and sweet.

Alan & Di, thanks so much for posting this lovely tune! This is my first listen hearing her fabulous voice! Please tell her I love it!!! Hallelujah for her improving health!! Take care, Torrey

A really cool & wonderful sultry song...
With great lyrics...
Diana certainly has a beautiful & unique voice...

Thanks Noel for urging this submission...
Thanks Al for listening to Noel...
Thanks Di for a pleasant listening experience!
★★★★★

Alan & Di

That was truly superb. Great to hear such a wonderful jazzy piece brilliantly performed.

Loved it.

Peter

Alan,

At the risk of sounding redundant, Di is a beautiful person at every level. She's a keeper and it's encouraging to see the love that you share.

You both have been quick to encourage me.

Don

Love it!!! vocal stands on it's own shining thru!!! AGreat song Cliff

Perfect. A fine listen. Hoping for the best for Di.

Many sincere thanks to all who have left such kind comments on this song. Di is so pleased with the supportive and wonderful words you have left for her. I, too, appreciate it very much.

She is working very, very hard to improve her health. We are at the hospital half a day, every day, for infusions and other treatment ... no days off for weekends and holidays. Then there's the everyday domestic chores that need to be done. Free time is at a premium. I apologize for not getting back to everyone personally as I usually do.

Hope to be back to posting, listening, commenting, etc., real soon. The good news is ... Di is getting better. It's a slow, rough road, but we're making progress.

Wishing everyone the very best.

Alan & Di

Dear Al and Di,

Thank you so much for posting this! It's s-o-o-o-o good!

There's no doubt about it, you two are a pretty awesome team! I just love the way that this arrangement sits and unfolds so very comfortably beneath the baton of Al. As I listened, there is no doubting that your joint skills and talents combine to take the listener on a most enjoyable journey of "classy, late night lounge" jazz.

And Di...



... I absolutely love, love, love your singing.

As I listened to you, in my mind, I was in a 1940s jazz club. I was sitting at a table by myself. A half-empty glass of champagne was in my hand. The audience lights were low and you were standing in front of a floor microphone on the slightly raised stage. A warm spotlight drew the audiences' eyes to you. You looked stunning in a vivid royal blue evening dress. And as you sang, you made every guy in the audience feel like the song was especially for them.

From top to bottom, this is wonderful listening. Thank you both of you

May good things and lots of happiness come your way,
Noel