The Lord's Saving Grace

First song made with Zoom R-16.
Bent Piano
Modified country classic melody.

Well done, edshaw!

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is the "Zoom R-16"?

Thanks for sharing,
Will

Hi, Ed.

I enjoyed the song, but there's so much reverb on the piano it almost sounds like it's recorded under water.

Dave: Thanks for that note. I'll lay off the reverb button.

Will: While using the DAW-equipped computer is by far the most popular way to record and process audio today, there is a small but enthusiastic sector, many but not all of whom are older folks, who, for a variety of reasons, prefer to create with the dedicated multi-track digital recorder. There are a few brands available, but the two most used are Tascam and Zoom, both based in Japan. Portability is one desirable feature. The manufacturers tend to miniaturize. The model that really kicked off the bedroom home studio trend was the Tascam 8-track PortaStudio, which squeezed an amazing 8 (admittedly low fidelity) tracks into then-popular cassettes.
The advent of digital recording was a giant step forward, not lost on portable recorder manufacturers. I've been using the Tascam DP-30-SD for maybe 15+ years.
During that time, Tascam, still a great manufacturer, has lagged behind Zoom in what's called "computer compatibility," meaning the ability to exchange data with the computer, which, after all, houses the DAW, another giant step forward for home producers. The trend is to record the tracks, then send them to the computer for post-production. A plus is that it allows me to transfer the six rendered Band-in-a-Box backing tracks directly to the recorder, permitting me to emphasize the great real track work of Brent Mason and John Jarvis. This will be important in the future as Real Tracks continue to grow.
My ol' DP-30 continues to crank out the tracks, but time marches on. It has become limited in the amount of usable SD Card storage and lacks compatibility with Windows 10. Mind you, I am talking about an obsolete model. Tascam has issued models that address the concerns I mentioned. The Model 12 is apparently quite good, though some have advised waiting a bit on that one. Incidentally, the warnings of a steep learning curve did not materialize, in use. The learning curve may apply to people who have never used the technology.
I haven't achieved studio quality and, frankly, don't expect to, in spite of some of the amazing work we see daily on this forum that shows it can be done.
Finally, the help and advice given by members of this forum by way of private messaging were the deciding factors in my choosing the $399 R-16. Another good reason to stick around.

Such a good write and production, Ed. The piano has a bit too much reverb --but that's just an opinion, and you know where to file them. This is a song that can and should be sung by LARGE groups. Very moving.

Thanks, Marty. Something got lost mid-stream in changing from the Tascam to the Zoom. Maybe I'll have better luck as I get used to the new (to me) effects feature.
I am writing these hymns with music groups in mind. They are intentionally 75-80 bpm for that very reason, to let the vowels ring out. Subjectively, the references to the influences of He Who has Fallen are on purpose. I am hearing a lot lately that our churches are soft-pedaling controversial topics because they don't want to offend members. True or not, it is one area that any one of us doing church music in one form or another can address.

Excellent tune Ed. Super vocal. Lovely hymn. Well done

Thanks, Scott. Always gratified to receive your comment.
Here's the index w/ links to lead sheets. Think it works?
https://www.webdirectory21.com/hymn/index.htm

Very nice traditional gospel song!! You sing it with nice emotion but I'd love to hear a Ray Charles version! Nicely done Ed!! Take care. Greg

Lovely Ed. Sounds like it would be traditional.

Enjoyed it!

J&B

PS We used a Tascam 4 and 8 track. And your are right -- amazing quality for 1/4 or 1/8 of a cassette tape...and even after some bounces.

Hello Ed ...

Your hymns are always super. The first thing that crossed my mind as I listened was: This takes me back to the Grand Ole Opry on WSM back in the 1950s. Maybe the piano is a little heavy on reverb - but I really enjoyed my listen. Nicely done!

Wishing you the very best. Take care ...

Alan

Ed,
There`s something so charming about your hymn interpretations; a little vulnerability in your voice and that bent note piano that suits the feel very well.
Enjoyed!

Robert

Thanks, friends, for taking the time to listen and comment.
Yeah, Greg, I'm a life member of the Ray Charles fan club. Know anyone else who could find six syllables in "Georgia?"
J&B -- As you well know, Bluegrass, early Appalachian Gospel, and Pre-Blues Gospel share building blocks. Examples, 4X4 bars and 1-4-5-6m progressions. In this case, I started listening to "When We Reach that Golden Shore," a JD Jarvis and the Rocky Mountain Boys Bluegrass album, and followed where they led. On the way, I passed by Red River Valley and I Didn't Know God Made Honky Tonk Angels. Band in a Box provided the somber backing Yeah, that 8 track cassette. Looking back it's just as amazing as it was then.
Al&Di - Thanks for that. I'm wondering if some of that reverb might not have been coming from a heavy Strymon Blue Sky guitar effect. John Jarvis is a hard act to follow.
Robert: Sure thing on that vocal. I've been working hard with the Dr. Dan Robinson You Tube voice lessons and think I slipped backward, here. Still, a long way to go and a short time to get there.

Well, darn it, I LIKE the piano reverb as is ... yes, it's a lot, but I think it works with the song - so there :-)

You are unmatched, unequalled on here when it comes to hymns and holy music. So beautiful ... this sounds like one of those old recordings one unearths from somewhere and listens to them, full of melancholy and nostalgy ... SO beautiful. Sincerest admiration and congratulations ... takes me back to when I was a kid in church. Thank you.

Thanks, James. Your kindness is always appreciated. Now that I am thinking of it, I think I'll head over to your web page and give Ave Maria another look and listen

Ed,

Your songs always have a classic gospel feel. No exception here.
Nicely done. (good to tame that piano reverb, yes)

fj

Thanks, Floyd. Is old time mountain music based on a handful of tunes, or what?

I love that old time gospel sound! And you have captured it well here.

I used to have a Tascam 4-track cassette recorder. I had to bounce a few tracks on that. I'm sure it is in some landfill now.

Thanks, E. S.
I had planned on giving the DP 03-SD to a worthy cause, but the more I worked with them, the more I realized Zoom does some things better than Tascam, and vice-versa. Mind you, I'm just getting into the R-16 and love it. End of story: they are both on the rack