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Hi All, Here’s an old song written in the mid/late 70s, but never recorded. I figured I would finally get this one tracked. I asked my friend Joliz to provide some backup and she provided a beautiful Joan Baez-esque vocal. I also thought it would be fun to dig out my old Tascam 488 8-track cassette recorder from the early 90’s (still works) to mix/master this song - it seemed appropriate. There is nothing like porting digital RealTracks and then working the old physical sliders! LOL! Anyway, this is called BROWNSTONE GIRLS. These brownstone girls they’re one of a kind They give you their numbers but hold back their time You can disappear in the stories they find When they stare you down well don’t loose your mind What a way to break on through in Mapleton The summer days heat up the Brooklyn nights But the streets are cold when the love’s not right They’ll dance with you under dim street lights When the morning breaks they fall out of sight What a way to get so lost in Prospect Park They’ll take you down to the Gowanus side Where the water’s dark and the secrets hide They’ll whisper so sweet in a summer stride But when autumn comes they will slip and slide What a way to lose yourself on Fourth Avenue What a way to say goodbye to brownstone girls BIAB Tracks: 2877: Bass, Acoustic, AmericanaSlow16thsByron 060 0910: Piano, Electric, Rhythm SmoothBallad 065 3113: Guitar, Nylon, Fingerpicking Folk16thsBrent 060 2033: Mandolin, Soloist, Andy 065 2364: Synth, ElectroFlutes, Rhythm Pop 085 RealDrums: AmericanaRoots16th^02-a:Sidestick,b:Snare Other Notes: My Mic: Copperphone My Vocal: Recorded directly to Tascam 488 As always - thanks for listening! Bob
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Goosebumps.
Bob - how is that someone did not find you in the mid 70's and get you a record deal?
Killer write.
Love your vocal.
Joliz' backing is perfect.
The Mix is GOLDEN!!!
Warmth.
You might start a trend. Or a Movement.
DAMN! this is good.
fj
(My Tascam 4-track still works. It's gonna stay in the closet)
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Wow, another killer tune, Bob. Great vocals by both of you. Such a cool arrangement, too. Super guitar intro, and love it when the EPiano and Synth peek out. And that mandolin is a nice anchor for it all.
Recently took my Yamaha 4-track out of storage after 25 years. Still works perfectly and had the song I was working on loaded up. But you're braver than I am, for sure!
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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Beautifully written as I would expect from you, Bob.
Fine arrangement and Joliz sounded good too.
Vic
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I really like that. The streets of Philadelphia.... Rows of brownstones. It's very reminiscent of Springsteen's writing about the girls in the seaside towns of South Jersey. 4th of July Asbury Park.... Etc.....
I really enjoyed the song and your friends unison behind you really works better, I think, than prettying it up with harmony.
Nice job
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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Cool, Bob. I still have (somewhere) a Tascam 4-track. This sounds terrific, and I like the way you present it here. Joiz was such an excellent choice. Pease thanks her for us. Man, this is really so GOOD!
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Bob, I liked your "back to the future" recording technique.
I have always said that isn't how you record it is what you record.
You proved that here by combining BiaB and your Tascam recorder to record this outstanding piece of music.
Great vocal and harmony.
Super lyrics and backing tracks.
Great mix.
PS - if someone should have recorded this in the mid 70's I'm sure it would have been at least in the top ten.
Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.
When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Bob...man that is a super track!...man the mandolin is exceptional in giving this that country/folk beautiful sound...gorgeous melody teamed with your exceptional lyrics...there's a marriage made in heaven!...really nice duet...you checked off every box on this one!
www.soundclick.com/firesongBiaB 2024, Steinberg Cubase Pro 13, Wavelab 11.2, SpetraLayers Pro 10, Audacity, Steinberg UR44 Interface, Yamaha Genos, Roland FP60 and FP10, Windows 10 You are who you are because you do what you do because of what you believe.
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Floyd,
You are always so incredibly kind to me in your reviews...
Thanks so much. I will also pass this on to Joliz.
Bob
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Bob, this is a class above, even for your incredible musical standard. One of your best, without a shadow of a doubt. The lyrics make you shudder, the singing is heartrending ... Joliz has an INCREDIBLE voice, she delivers so beautifully and effortlessly, wow ... and, as for you, you are genuinely unique, in the very best sense of the word. The mandolin solo works perfect in here ... what am I to write? Superb writing, in every way, too.
I will write this, and stand by it: one of the most beautiful songs and productions I have ever heard on this forum. Congratulations to the both of you.
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Ron,
Thanks very much - it is appreciated.
Bob
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Super! Enjoyed hearing Joliz in the mix, great voice.
Also enjoyed hearing your recording method! I had a Fostex 4-track back in the day, had many hours of fun with that. Good times!
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Vic,
Joliz and I appreciate that - thank you.
Bob
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Your song writing always really impresses me. Besides liking everything you've done with this song and also the backing vocals, which I don't think I've heard before, I really enjoyed the instrumental break, which for me always adds to any song's dynamics.
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.
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Hi, Bob. As usual, a magical combination of words and music. Joliz sounds good here, and I love that mandolin peeking through every now and then. I guess this is just more proof that you've always been an awesome singer/songwriter. 
-- 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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Herb,
Thanks very much. I'll pass on your comments to Joliz as well.
Bob
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Marty,
Much appreciated. We both thank you.
Bob
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Mario,
Thank you - that is very kind.
Bob
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Bob,
This is simply wonderful.
One of my favorites of yours by far.
The lyrics are great and the Baez vocals are phenomenal.
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Dan,
Thanks and much appreciated.
Bob
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
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