|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369 |
"Charlie's World" **Backstory Below** ============================== Welcome to Charlie's world-- It's magic; And here in Charlie's world, You'll see the stars. The moon's about a mile high; The planets passing by; And Charlie isn't crying anymore. You stand in Charlie's world, And you're staring; Welcome to Charlie's world, I can't go far; My feet will never touch the ground, And there's the constant sound This steel prison's quiet, endless roar. Although I'm sleeping from neck down, I'm alive to sight and sound; And I sail in my machine Like an iron submarine; This life is mine, and I wouldn't give it up, As I lie here, dreaming.. <solo section> This life is mine, and I wouldn't give it up, As I lie here, dreaming.. Come into Charlie's world And be daring; 'Cause here in Charlie's world You won't go far; Your feet will never touch the ground, And there's the constant sound The lovely prison's quiet, endless roar. Although I'm sleeping from neck down, I'm alive to sight and sound; Nothing but sunshine in my heart, And so I tell you--- I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive! ================================== SLOWSOUL.STY. Slow Soul - Smooth Jazz - Soulful <Piano, Electric, Rhythm SmoothBallad Ev16 065> <Bass, Electric, SmoothBallad Ev16 065> <SmoothJazzBallad^1-XStHHt,SnRide> RealDrums RT1060 Sax Solo Midi Strings --------------------------------------------- Back Story: As a child in the 1950's, Polio was a definite "thing", and the idea of iron lungs was real. I stumbled on the story of Paul Alexander, who until recently was the longest-living person in an iron lung. Extremely accomplished and incredibly positive, he wrote his memoirs: "Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung" by typing with a stick held in his mouth. I was telling an acquaintance about just having completed reading this book and, incredibly, he told me, "my father lived in an iron lung"...!! I was stunned, and asked him to tell me the story. He told me about his father, 'Charlie'...again, incredibly, my father's name is also 'Charlie'. I have found that when you are hit with unbelievable coincidences like this, there's the root of a song. "Charlie's World" borrows our fathers' name, applied to the story of Paul Alexander. If you also grew up during the "polio years", you'd find his real story fascinating.
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,644
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,644 |
I grew up that era. (late 40s and the 50s) I'm an extreme claustrophobe and would not be able to do that. God bless those who were remanded to such a life.
You sure did catch the aura of such a life with your music. This is an exceptional song in a genre we don't have the opportunity to hear on the forum. Every line of the lyric captures the true essence of the experience Charlie endured. Your vocal and the sax are perfect for the story and the musical backing.
Perhaps just a slight more reverb on the vocal and the sax would even add more to the aura of the listener. Regardless, it's wonderful song and your vocal is so perfect for the delivery of the message.
Great story. Great song! Loved it!!!
Alan
BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,791
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,791 |
I was instantly drawn in by the title alone, Lol, This is very good and a smooth performance.
Charlie
BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 996
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 996 |
This is a very beautiful song. It reminds me of Mickael Franks' style. It's remarkable and the voice is magnificent.
Laurent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,355
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,355 |
Very original and inspirational. Love the progression, melody and arrangement. Nice use of BiaB instruments. Super vocals. Am thinking there's a better vocal FX chain than what you are using, as there's a fair amount of sibilance and buzzing artifacts that you may wish to dial down. Doesn't detract from the tune though, it's dynamite!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369 |
Alan, Charlie, Laurent, Ron..thanks for taking a listen...I appreciate all the feedback!
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,926
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,926 |
Very nicely done! Quite the backstory too, can't even begin to imagine what that would be like.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369 |
Thanks for the feedback, Dave.
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,254
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,254 |
Tom, what a fantastic song. You sang a touching vocal about an unusual but difficult topic.
Super backing band and mix.
Excellent work - one of your best.
Checkout person "Did you find everything OK"?
Me "Why do you ask? Are you guys hiding stuff"?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369 |
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,002
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,002 |
Give you a Wow for this one. Great song inspiration, Lyrics were so poignant. Singing was pretty good, too. I think you are in the same boat as me vocally. Nobody will ever confuse either of us for Greg Johnson. But your vox really shined on this one - they were perfect for the subject matter. Sax was so comfortable. When I was a kid, whenever my mother and I would pass a kid in leg braces, she would always say, "God bless the mark." Scared me. Then the sugar cube vaccine came out in 1963. I took it and no more worries.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369 |
Thanks TuneMonger...to anyone who grew up in that era-- "don't drink dirty water!" "don't play in the gutter!" Parents were terrified.
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,189
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,189 |
I remember the media response to the Salk vaccine - I remember taking the oral vaccine at school too. Everyone embraced it, marveled and surged forward. Those who suffered & survived sometimes succumbed to a re visitation in later life.
A disease spread by improved, but not great, hygiene and defeated, in the 1st world, by improved hygiene & a vaccine - ie" SCIENCE.
The song is sweet and essays the topic sensitively.
Well done & THANKS.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369 |
Thanks Ray..I appreciate your comments.
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,933
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,933 |
Powerful!
"Although I'm sleeping from neck down,
I'm alive to sight and sound;
And I sail in my machine
Like an iron submarine;
This life is mine, and I wouldn't give it up,
As I lie here, dreaming.."
That is powerful. I, Bud, I also grew up in that era and remember my parents telling me about a child my age who had contracted polio.
Scary for kids along with the nuclear scares of the time. Janice is younger than me but well understands the era.
Your smooth vocal and the mellow band well delivered the narrative.
It needed no more and no less.
Well done and enjoyed by us,
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,873
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,873 |
Yes, my dinosaur friend, I remember polio and the iron lung. Also read some about Charlie. I remember imagining what life would be like. Using nothing but your brain could either produce amazingly creative output, or drive an intelligent mind crazy.
Man, this song is so well-written, and what a cool way to present the tribute. That sax is such an excellent choice. Listened a couple of times. What a wonderful voice you have, Tom, and you mix it in so well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,207
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,207 |
I remember the kids that were affected by polio when I was growing. Was lucky never got infected by it. Thanks for the vaccines we got as children in school.
Beautiful song. Excellent vocal and lyric. Very cool instrumentation. Well done
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369 |
J&B, Marty, Scott.. thanks for listening and your kind comments!
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,676
Posts794,735
Members39,932
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean