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So, something new from me. Rivers Of A Strange Land The lyrics are inspired by the famous Bible passage: "By the rivers of Babylon, where we sat down, there we wept, when we remembered Zion". I've adapted it, to try to give it a more personal and universal feel ... see what you think? Thanks for listening and for any comments  THE LYRICS: By the rivers of a strange land They have asked me to sit down, By these rivers, I softly cried When I remembered my home town. Used to have a little fountain, By whose side we'd gently play, Used to have a little window, By whose sill we'd talk and stay. Then I slowly made my way here, And was asked to write a song ... How shall I now write and sing, Since all I know has gone wrong? Then they asked me: "Praise His Name!" And they pushed me on my knees ... How shall I open my lips When, on them, my tears just freeze? By the rivers of a strange land They have asked me to sit down, By these rivers, I softly cried When I remembered you, my love. THE BAND: Soloist: Eleanor Forte, from Synthesizer V Studio Pro. Flute: Mixcraft Pro Studio 10 flute instrument. ****** Song Summary ************* Title: Rivers of a Strange Land - 15 May 2024 File:Rivers of a Strange Land - 17 May 2024.SGU Key=E , Tempo 70, Length (m:s)=3:15 No intro. 53 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 53. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Song is saved with bar changes for Key Signature, Style is _RED.STY (Red Folk Americana Ballad) RealTracks in style: 2877:Bass, Acoustic, AmericanaSlow16thsByron Ev16 060 RealTracks in style: 3910:Guitar, Nylon, Fingerpicking SongwriterSlow16DADGAD Ev16 060 RealTracks in style: 2552:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Songwriter16ths Ev16 075 RealDrums in style:NashvilleRadioPowerBallad16^10-a,b:Tom Groove ******************* Mixed and mastered in Mixcraft Pro Studio 10. I spliced (is that the correct term?) the drum track a little, so as to remove some of the cymbal crashes inherent to this track.
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James,
This is so well done and creative. I like what you have done with the adaptation. Also, the choice of Eleanor Forte for the vocal was a good fit for the lyrics.
Awesome mix - this was a great listen!
Bob
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Hi James, these synth vocal don't seize to amaze me. The whole thing is very well done Thanks!
Mike B.
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Sweet voice . simple little melody that fits the mood
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Thanks, Bob, Mike and Elvis. Very kind of you.
I've just changed the backing track on the mix ... moral of the story: NEVER post a song in the evening, when I'm exhausted, but wait to hear it again, in the morning, before posting. Live and learn, I guess ... thanks for your patience with me.
THE NEW BAND:
Soloist and flute, as before.
****** Song Summary ************* Title: Rivers of a Strange Land - 15 May 2024 File:Rivers of a Strange Land - 15 May 2024.SGU Key=E , Tempo 70, Length (m:s)=3:15 No intro. 53 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 53. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Song is saved with bar changes for Key Signature, Style is _MOVED.STY (Moved Funky Songwriter Groove)
RealTracks in style: 784:Bass, Electric, PopCrossover Sw16 075 RealTracks in style: 3099:Organ, Rhythm AmericanaSlow16thsMike Ev16 060 RealTracks in style: ~1143:Ukulele, Strumming FolkSwing Sw 140 RealTracks in style: 3541:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm ClassicRockSlowFingerStrum Sw16 060 RealDrums in style:FolkModernSw16^01-a:Snare, Hihat , b:Snare, Ride
*******************
Last edited by musician17; 05/18/24 10:46 AM.
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James, really nice song, and nicely arranged. Really like the modulation to/from the middle section. Not one I use a lot but gives your tune a cool dynamic lift. First time hearing Eleanor that I can recall, she sounds great here. Enjoyed!
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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James,
It's brilliant! I adore this song! The vocal is so perfect for the sound, and that steady strumming rhythm and drum beat is so engaging. The vocal sits perfectly in the mix. Just beautiful. BRAVO!!
Deej
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Nicely done.
Keep working with Eleanor. She's got a good voice.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Deej: thank you! I'm so glad you like it. Herb: thanks. Yes, Eleanor sounded surprisingly nice, to my ears, when I first checked to see how she'd perform this ... and I used the "Tender" preset for this one, to give her some extra "softness" of sound, so to speak. I intend for her to feature more, in my songs (touch wood), from now on  Thanks for listening and for your ever so kind comments!
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Made a little video for the song, too ... hope you like it 
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James,
A pleasant tune. Good simple BAND. Voice sounds good.
fj
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Thanks, floyd! Appreciated 
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Very Beautiful James! And that synth voice sounds really nice! I guess everyone is doing it but me now. 
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Thanks, David. Well, YOU've got a great, natural voice, so ... 
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Hi, James.
Nice work. The setting is a bit more "jaunty" than I would expect, so I think think second version works a bit better.
I though that the modulation and flute work especially well.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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David C: thanks. Glad you liked it, and happy that you took the time to listen to it 
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Lovely folk song. The synth voice sound realistic and pure. The Mixcraft flute solo is well done.
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Nice and mellow.
The flute was a great addition. The mix sounds great and the sparse arrangement works well indeed.
Enjoy the synth vocal journey!
J&B
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James, I didn't read your intro so when the vocal started I said wow your voice really has changed  Super job on that synth vocal. Loved that instrument solo and the backing tracks also. Great mix.
OK, a random thought; Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
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WOW, you really opened wide the flood gates that were holding back your creativity, James. You are realy sucha good composer --not just a writer. A wonderfully crafted song, and you're doing a great job with the synth, too. Yes, yes, but can you make her speak the words as well you do? That would be cool to hear a synth trying to deliver vocal tracks with that cool Delsono style. Flute was the perfect choice, too.
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