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#808594 04/27/24 04:36 PM
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Reflections on a departed friend. These lyrics aren't mine, but I do love them, and hope I did them justice...

So Far Away

THANK YOU in advance for any time you invest in listening and/or commenting on this song.

Lyrics: R.W. Davis
Vocals: D.A. Hughes
Music, arrangement, mix, master: must be me

Style is _INSPIRE.STY (Inspire Cheery Indie Pop)
RealTracks in style: 1253:Bass, Electric, PopShiningHeld Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 1262:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopShiningHeld Ev 120 (played by Waves Grand Rhapsody using BiaB MIDI transcript)
RealTracks in style: ~405:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 634:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopAmericanMuted Ev 120 (B:8ths)
Loop in Song: House-Techno-Trance\House - crunchy_120_b drums ev16.wav
RealDrums in style:MetalSlowBigTomGroove: a: Toms, Snare b: Busy Big Toms, Snare

I’m under the star-clustered sky
Free from my mortal chains
I lay in the grass and close my eyes
As it begins to rain

I can see you in my mind
As if you were right beside me
I know that that’s impossible
It must just be the lightning

You’ve gone so far away
So far, that we can’t follow
And even though we know we’ll see you again
That doesn’t help our sorrow

I’m alone and it’s so dark
I can almost hear you calling
But I know it’s wishful thinking
It’s only the raindrops falling

You’ve gone so far away (where to?)
So far, that we can’t follow
And even though we know we’ll see you again
That doesn’t help our sorrow

You’ve gone so very far away…………

Last edited by DC Ron; 04/27/24 04:36 PM.

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DC Ron #808621 04/28/24 04:12 AM
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Nice rock/pop song with a really great arrangement and a great mix.
I love those drums, I think I'll have to try out that drum style in one of my next songs.

What I miss a bit is a climax or a direction in which the song tries to lead me (lyrically, however, it does).
Perhaps some more contrast between verse and chorus would already do the job.

DC Ron #808627 04/28/24 05:06 AM
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Great song, arrangement and mix. I really like the driving rhythm section.


Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
DC Ron #808644 04/28/24 06:24 AM
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Well, this revelation came to me as I listened: R. W. Davis is becoming one of my favorite lyricists; then I realized that ALL of my favorites lyricists are on this forum. Great write to these words, Ron, and a fine production. I'd like to hear it with a different drummer --but isn't that cliche? HAHA. The Busy Big Toms seemed to detract from the sentiment.

Listened again, and now it seems those toms are definitely growing on me. I DO like how they drive the song. Such a good write and production with the perfect mix.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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DC Ron #808657 04/28/24 08:23 AM
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Nice mix. Like the drums. Reminds me of something REM would do.

gman97040 #808684 04/28/24 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by B.D.Thomas
Nice rock/pop song with a really great arrangement and a great mix. I love those drums, I think I'll have to try out that drum style in one of my next songs. What I miss a bit is a climax or a direction in which the song tries to lead me (lyrically, however, it does). Perhaps some more contrast between verse and chorus would already do the job.

Thanks, B.D.! Those drums are likely a love-it-or-hate-it thing, but I like them in this context. Chose not to have a musical climax since the lyrics didn't easily lend themselves to one, but also because I interpreted the lyrics as a meditation, and I wanted to keep flipping the switch between minor/relative major to convey the thoughts of pain and joy while using the drums as a pulsebeat. But your critique is a fair one.

Originally Posted by WaoBand
Great song, arrangement and mix. I really like the driving rhythm section.

THANK YOU, Chay!

Originally Posted by BabuMusic
Well, this revelation came to me as I listened: R. W. Davis is becoming one of my favorite lyricists; then I realized that ALL of my favorites lyricists are on this forum. Great write to these words, Ron, and a fine production. I'd like to hear it with a different drummer --but isn't that cliche? HAHA. The Busy Big Toms seemed to detract from the sentiment. Listened again, and now it seems those toms are definitely growing on me. I DO like how they drive the song. Such a good write and production with the perfect mix.

Marty, ha...Drummers! Glad you like it enough to give those drums a second chance! Yeah, R.W. is talented for sure, and the starting point for all of our songs. But lots of great lyricists here, as you note! THANKS for the listen!

Originally Posted by gman97040
Nice mix. Like the drums. Reminds me of something REM would do.

Oh, wow, any reference to REM is a great compliment. THANKS!!

Last edited by DC Ron; 04/28/24 04:21 PM.

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DC Ron #808688 04/28/24 03:35 PM
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Ron,

Great song - the rhythm is mesmerizing. The vocals are excellent. Love the lyrics as well.

EXCELLENT!

Bob

rsdean #808731 04/29/24 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by rsdean
Ron,Great song - the rhythm is mesmerizing. The vocals are excellent. Love the lyrics as well. EXCELLENT! Bob

Bob, so glad you liked it. THANKS for the listen!


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DC Ron #808738 04/29/24 09:00 AM
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Ron

The drums sound so mighty fine in here! You did a masterful job putting this track together!
The vocal on this sounds really good also!
Your songs I've heard recently all have a great consistant high qulity sound!

Take care, TB

DC Ron #808741 04/29/24 09:26 AM
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Really nice collab!

That is a fine dynamic mix you got there bro!

Did you use my parallel mastering trick??

Or did Andrew Scheps do it for you??

smile

DC Ron #808742 04/29/24 09:39 AM
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I really like the pulse of the Drums, the Mix, your vocals. The lyrics are great poetry. As a listener, I was anticipating a lift to a chorus ... but that did not happen. Otherwise great job!


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DC Ron #808748 04/29/24 10:49 AM
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Ron...this is another really well done production in every aspect...DA is becoming one of my favorite singers on the forum and you always give us such a quality band to listen to....lyrically touching and poignant...yet upbeat at the same time...I feel like I'm supposed to say "I like the drums" also...my best...Dan


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Originally Posted by Torrey Bliss
Ron The drums sound so mighty fine in here! You did a masterful job putting this track together! The vocal on this sounds really good also! Your songs I've heard recently all have a great consistant high qulity sound! Take care, TB

THANKS, Torrey! Man, your stuff sounds so great, it's a huge compliment to me when you think my stuff does. Glad you liked the tune!

Originally Posted by David Snyder
Really nice collab! That is a fine dynamic mix you got there bro! Did you use my parallel mastering trick?? Or did Andrew Scheps do it for you?? smile

Ha! No, this was just me and my cheap headphones. Unfortunately, this one was in the can before your post on parallel mastering. Will try it out on the next one though. Thanks, David!


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firesong #808761 04/29/24 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Elliott Kayne
I really like the pulse of the Drums, the Mix, your vocals. The lyrics are great poetry. As a listener, I was anticipating a lift to a chorus ... but that did not happen. Otherwise great job!

Elliot, I'm a fan of going BIG on the chorus, but chose not to have a major lift here to maintain the meditative nature of the narrator's reflection. But a fair criticism. Glad you liked it otherwise!

Originally Posted by firesong
Ron...this is another really well done production in every aspect...DA is becoming one of my favorite singers on the forum and you always give us such a quality band to listen to....lyrically touching and poignant...yet upbeat at the same time...I feel like I'm supposed to say "I like the drums" also...my best...Dan

Ha! Those DRUMS again...:)

Dusty's a gift, and I'm SO glad he's singing these songs. The lyrics were a gift, too. When I read them for the first time I swallowed hard, knowing I didn't want to mess them up.

Glad you liked it, Dan!


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DC Ron #808765 04/29/24 12:32 PM
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“You’ve gone so far away (where to?)
So far, that we can’t follow
And even though we know we’ll see you again
That doesn’t help our sorrow”

Contemplative indeed.

Well done with the write, vocals and production.
Love those drums and the rhythm tracks grab you from the get go.

Great collab and tribute to your departed friend,

J&B


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Man what a rythm section - just memorizing. Great job. I liked the production throughout, but I really loved that "so very far away" echo at about 2:42. I've got to learn how to do that. Excellent stuff.

Brad

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Originally Posted by Janice & Bud
“You’ve gone so far away (where to?) So far, that we can’t follow And even though we know we’ll see you again That doesn’t help our sorrow” Contemplative indeed. Well done with the write, vocals and production. Love those drums and the rhythm tracks grab you from the get go. Great collab and tribute to your departed friend, J&B

J&B, so glad you liked it! I think of the lyrics as a prayer of sorts, but churning just below the surface is a primal scream. THANK YOU for the listen!

Originally Posted by Brad Williams
Man what a rythm section - just memorizing. Great job. I liked the production throughout, but I really loved that "so very far away" echo at about 2:42. I've got to learn how to do that. Excellent stuff. Brad

Brad, knew the drums were going to be a love-it-or-hate-it thing...glad they worked for you. Dusty ad libbed that echoed "so very far away" line and put it on a separate track so I had flexibility with how to mix it. Must have tried a dozen different ways before settling on this one. The line is placed as a distant echo, so the presence and reverb pre-delay are dialed down relative to the lead vocals. Since the concept of being "so very far away" implies distance, I chose to pan the line from right to left so that it was "traveling". It was fun to figure out, but can be overdone, I think. Glad you liked it!


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Ron, super groove!
Great vocal and lyrics.
Super mix.
Loved those drums.
Outstanding delay - brilliant!
IMHO this is your best to date.


OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?

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Nice one, Ron and crew! Man, I love those vocals, and yeah, I probably say that for all of your songs wink
Someone mentioned REM, and that was the first thought that came to me also while listening, definitely has that vibe.
Excellent!

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Originally Posted by MarioD
Ron, super groove! Great vocal and lyrics. Super mix. Loved those drums. Outstanding delay - brilliant! IMHO this is your best to date.

Mario, THANKS for the listen! So glad you liked it.

Originally Posted by BlueAttitude
Nice one, Ron and crew! Man, I love those vocals, and yeah, I probably say that for all of your songs wink Someone mentioned REM, and that was the first thought that came to me also while listening, definitely has that vibe. Excellent!

Thanks, Dave! One day I'll post a song with my vocals, but honestly, Dusty just crushes everything, so why torture the listener? Had not thought about this being REM-like before I posted here, but now I get it. Michael Stipe just MIGHT be able to top Dusty on this one. Ha! Thanks for listen!


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