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Hi everyone, I made a song that was a bit different from what I usually do. At least, that's what I thought. It's more mystical. It does feature instruments I often use, like the cello, violins, and other strings, but now it also includes congas and a "running wild" violin in the chorus. But listen for yourself and let me know. Confusing Times https://on.soundcloud.com/ludbqtgr31E9zu6d7XThe lyrics are on SoundCloud and have been checked by ChatGPT, so I hope there's nothing strange in there. Marty also listened in and offered some advice. I think he's readily available to help anyone. In the meantime, I've taken down my entire recording studio. It's a complete mess, but the plan is to be able to keep it going for quite a while after the rebuild. A bit about the instruments: Style is _PUZZLE.STY (Puzzle Sweet Singer-Songwriter). Key = G, 95 bpm RealTracks in style: 4519:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking IndieFolkAlt158 Ev 100 RealTracks in song: 1856:Cello, Background PopCountry Ev 085 RealTracks in song: 2880:Fiddle, Background AmericanaSlow16thsAndy Ev16 060 RealDrums in Song: AfucheShakerEv8[single] RealTracks in song: 3521:Guitar, Electric, Soloist AmericanaGritty16thsBrent Ev16 075 RealDrums in Song:RumbaPerc^1-a,b:Congas (some parts) I also added a piano, a bass guitar, parts of the congas, and a string section from Logic Pro. Hans
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Hi Hans!
Your song took me a verse or two to get into, but once I did, it gripped me and took me all the way to the end. As written elsewhere today, I love these songs that are unfamiliar initially but long for repeated listens. I love your use of the cello and fiddle. It was a good combination of instruments all ‘round.
Loved it!
Andrew
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Really interesting project! I liked the way you used unconventional elements--came out great! And your idea of the "themed" verses--creative, for sure. Overall, it was a really engaging listen and I commend you for your inventiveness!!
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
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Hans, love your song! The backing track is really dense, but like how you've used panning to create "empty space" for the vocals. Cool use and arrangement of BiaB tracks. The epic feel you've created really makes this one sing. Of course, your vocals make this sing, too.  So cool. So very nice. So...YOU. Superb stuff.
DC Ron
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Great song, Hans! Love the strings and also that excellent solo. Excellent construct all around.
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
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Good song overall, Hans. For me there is too much going on, you have everything in there including the kitchen sink! I think if you made the backing a bit simpler it would make your excellent vocals stand out better. But, that's just my opinion and I'm just a simple blues guy, so what do I know?  Overall a good listen 
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Hans,
Love this song. It has a similar feeling to Robert Plant's music & style over the past 15 years. Great stuff!
Bob
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The arrangement echoed the title, maybe that was intentional. Just reacting from the gut, there was something about this that worked for me. Normally I would say clean things up, lose the fiddle, get some air in your song. But somehow, I liked what I heard, cacophony that it was. Your vocal made all those tracks make sense - it was really good. The lynchpin in your production for sure. So - great job, Mr. Hans!
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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Hans, I really liked the arrangement, great choice of instruments, especially in the chorus.
Super vocal and mix.
This is a really good song.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
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Nothing confusing in this one, Hans. Man, you have a lot of musical ingredients mixed in there --and mixed so well. Your vocal keeps it's head above all of the "confusion" you've created in the backing track. Outstanding how you present the music with the meaning the song suggests.
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Like Andrew, it took me a while to get into the song, but then I liked it. I like the contrast you achieve with the chorus, even if it's a little too wild for me there. But you've definitely achieved what you wanted, so I'd call it a success. Good work ![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/images/icons/default/thumbs_up.gif)
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We were thankful for the happy ending: “And now... It feels I'm living in a confusing time
I wonder where the light will break
But you see me smiling - my soul aligned
Oh, my mind is now a shining lake” That is an excellent and timely write. There’s a lot going on with the band (PG, you and Logic). But the dynamics keep it breathing like a living being. The wild fiddle expresses the confusing times very well! Enjoyed it! J&B P.S. Good luck with the studio!
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
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Hi Andrew, Tano, Ron, Chay and Dave, Sorry for the late reply, but I already said I completely destroyed my recording studio and am now rebuilding everything, hopefully in a better way... The demolition took a long time, but the rebuilding will take even more time and effort. I'm already regretting my plans, but... I see a light at the end of the tunnel, or studio. But Marty keeps texting me asking when I can record again (I promised to make a song with him...). So I'm a bit stressed, because of these confusing times, but first I need to respond to your very nice comments! Hi Hans!
Your song took me a verse or two to get into, but once I did, it gripped me and took me all the way to the end. As written elsewhere today, I love these songs that are unfamiliar initially but long for repeated listens. I love your use of the cello and fiddle. It was a good combination of instruments all ‘round.
Loved it!
Andrew Hello Andrew, yeah, I get what you wrote! When I was writing the song, I was a bit hesitant too. It was my wife who told me she really liked the crazy violin in the chorus. And a few friends (and Marty) thought so too. But when I swapped the drums for congas, I started liking the sound more and more. It was a process similar to what you described. And thanks for becomming 'a follower'. I will follow you too! Really interesting project! I liked the way you used unconventional elements--came out great! And your idea of the "themed" verses--creative, for sure. Overall, it was a really engaging listen and I commend you for your inventiveness!! Hi Tano, thanks, but I have to be honest: the idea for the theme came during a session with ChatGPT about mastering the language of song lyrics. In short, he gave me some rhyming tips, and that's when I got this idea. Hans, love your song! The backing track is really dense, but like how you've used panning to create "empty space" for the vocals. Cool use and arrangement of BiaB tracks. The epic feel you've created really makes this one sing. Of course, your vocals make this sing, too. So cool. So very nice. So...YOU. Superb stuff. Wow, Ron, what a nice reaction! The song itself was an experiment in my songbuilding approach. I wanted something different. A different way of singing too. That was quite a challenge. I think my next song will be much calmer. The violinist is stressed out... Great song, Hans! Love the strings and also that excellent solo. Excellent construct all around. Hello Chay, thank you very much! You like 'the wild stuff!' Good song overall, Hans. For me there is too much going on, you have everything in there including the kitchen sink! I think if you made the backing a bit simpler it would make your excellent vocals stand out better. But, that's just my opinion and I'm just a simple blues guy, so what do I know? Overall a good listen Hey Dave, this is a change from playing the blues, man ;-) I could have said something about "old men," but I'm one myself, so that wouldn't be a funny "joke"... No, I get what you mean, but this song was about confusing times, so if the kitchen sink appeals to that feeling, it should be in the song! But thanks a lot for your thoughts, and compliments. Have a nice day! Hans
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Hi Hans,
I also had to get used to the style and instrumentation of this song.
It's certainly not something we (Dutch) call a "dertien in een dozijn" song.
But in the end I liked it.
Enjoyed anyway.
Anne-Marie
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Hi Hans. This was one heck of a musical adventure for my ears. It must have been quite a challenge to pull these diverse elements together when mixing the final outcome. You did a great job writing, performing and producing this Kudos to you. --Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Hi Bob, Rob, Mario and Marty, It's great to hear your reaction to this song again. Well, that doesn't really apply to Marty, because he was (unintentionally) involved. I asked him for his opinion several times. It didn't turn out to be a 'normal' song, at least not the way I normally sing. It was a fun process; I know, this sounds a bit strange, but I was just singing along to a simple melody, but then I suddenly started singing "outside the lines." I thought that sounded funny. And that's how this song came about. Hans,
Love this song. It has a similar feeling to Robert Plant's music & style over the past 15 years. Great stuff!
Bob Hello Bob, Well, you've put me on a "record shelf" with someone special. I'm blown away! Thanks for your lovely compliment. The arrangement echoed the title, maybe that was intentional. Just reacting from the gut, there was something about this that worked for me. Normally I would say clean things up, lose the fiddle, get some air in your song. But somehow, I liked what I heard, cacophony that it was. Your vocal made all those tracks make sense - it was really good. The lynchpin in your production for sure. So - great job, Mr. Hans! Hi Rob, several people said the same thing about the (busy parts of the) song, but then they understood it and really liked it. Thanks for sharing your feelings and this process with me. I really appreciate it, especially "Mr. Hans" ;-) Hans, I really liked the arrangement, great choice of instruments, especially in the chorus.
Super vocal and mix.
This is a really good song. Hello Mario, thanks very much you like it, especially the crazy violin. Nothing confusing in this one, Hans. Man, you have a lot of musical ingredients mixed in there --and mixed so well. Your vocal keeps it's head above all of the "confusion" you've created in the backing track. Outstanding how you present the music with the meaning the song suggests. Hey Marty, well, you've heard how this song came about. And I admit, you liked it even before I did. And thanks a lot for your efforts and all the compliments. If I could blush... And the build of my new studio is half way. Man, if I knew it was so much work... Thanks everyone, I wish you a lovely day, Hans
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Congas worked well, mice job.
Donny G
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Dank u well, Hans. Very different song indeed! Interesting arrangement combining different genres. That's so great with BB, that one can play with styles!
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Hi Brain, J&B, RnAM, Noel, Donny and Arri, Thanks for listening to this song. Some people like it, some don't. That's especially true for songs with a crazy violinist, I think. But as long as my wife loved it initially (and still does), he had to stay in the song, otherwise I'll have some confusing moments myself... ;-) Like Andrew, it took me a while to get into the song, but then I liked it. I like the contrast you achieve with the chorus, even if it's a little too wild for me there. But you've definitely achieved what you wanted, so I'd call it a success. Good work Brain, like in my second line here, sometimes it takes time to digest and sometimes you stop listening (eating). Well, you did the first. And I'm glad you told me how that proces worked out for you and in the end you can call it a succes... We were thankful for the happy ending: “And now... It feels I'm living in a confusing time
I wonder where the light will break
But you see me smiling - my soul aligned
Oh, my mind is now a shining lake” That is an excellent and timely write. There’s a lot going on with the band (PG, you and Logic). But the dynamics keep it breathing like a living being. The wild fiddle expresses the confusing times very well! Enjoyed it! J&B P.S. Good luck with the studio! Hi Janice and Bud, I'm glad you liked the "happy ending," even though it was actually meant to be a bit sad. In the previous chorus, I sang "You see me rising - for one more time," which really symbolized the sadness. It was meant to be a kind of struggle in life, with all the disturbing things that happen (both inside and outside), and the crazy violinist was meant to symbolize all of that. And -of course- you understood that very well. Thanks! Oh, and I'm halfway with the rebuiling/ reshaping of my studio. Didn't expect it was so much work, only to record my vocals for new songs... Hi Hans,
I also had to get used to the style and instrumentation of this song.
It's certainly not something we (Dutch) call a "dertien in een dozijn" song.
But in the end I liked it.
Enjoyed anyway.
Anne-Marie Hoi Anne-Marie, You're right about that Dutch expression, but the song was meant differently. Life doesn't always go the way you want. I wasn't thinking about myself while writing this song, but in general. Look around you! But I'm still happy to read that you ended up liking it... I'd say: "Mission accomplished." Hi Hans. This was one heck of a musical adventure for my ears. It must have been quite a challenge to pull these diverse elements together when mixing the final outcome. You did a great job writing, performing and producing this Kudos to you. --Noel Hi Noel, I'm very sorry I busted your precious ears. I didn't know a fiddle and some congas can achieve that ;-) Yes, it was some work to get this all in place. You don't want to know how manny versions lay behind this final one! Thanks for the kudos! Congas worked well, mice job. Hi Donny, I started with drums, then BiaB's congas and bongos, and finally a mix of Logic and BiaB's congas. The bass went through a similar process, but in the end, it was just a "Logic performance." Thanks for mentioning them! Dank u well, Hans. Very different song indeed! Interesting arrangement combining different genres. That's so great with BB, that one can play with styles! Hi Arri, just a few Dutch words from you! You're a real all-rounder, as we say here; you're truly multilingual and play just about every instrument. Do you also play a "crazy" violin? But I have to correct you a little; In this case I needed some help from Logic too. The bass, piano, congas and some strings. But BiaB is great! I hope you also liked my song. Have a lovely day today, here the sun shines! Hans
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Beautiful work and original composition.
Laurent
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