PG Music Home Forums General Discussion User Showcase NEW SONG: thought I'd write something for Oliver Gannon to accompany

Hi all,

A friend and I were randomly selecting and listening our way through BIAB when we tripped over some Realtrack guitar work by Oliver Gannon. Wow! We were immediately grabbed by inspiration and, there and then, sat down and wrote this song around his playing.

LINK to song ...

Please feel free to comment on any aspect of the song: lyrics, melody, production, mix.

Regards,
Noel

P.S. A huge thank your to Oliver Gannon for making this song possible.

SONG INFO
Style:_JWALZPS.STY
RT #1090: Guitar, Electric, Soloist JazzWaltz Sw 085 (Oliver Gannon)
RT #932: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm JazzWaltzFreeComp Sw 085 (Oliver Gannon)
RT #926: Bass, Acoustic, Jazz Waltz Sw 085
RT #934: Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Jazz Waltz Sw 085
RealDrums: JazzBrushesWaltz

MIX INFO
The song was composed and developed in BIAB, transferred to RB for additional work with Realtracks, and vocals recorded and the song was mixed in Reaper.

Another winner here Noel. Super vox with outstanding lyrics! I really like your chord progressions. Great mix also.

A very good piece of work!

Excellent lyrics. Nice performance. Thanks for sharing!

Hey Noel

You and your co-writer are a good team - love the lyrics - and you've certainly found your style, I think.
You seem so at ease. Instrumentally, it's a great fit - super mix. And at 2:41 it just begs a replay . . . more . . . more.

Cheers - Ian

Hi Noel. I like this song a bunch. The lyrics, arrangement, and mix are all great. Since you asked for comment and I usually like to add food for thought- I'll mention something about your vocal that you could think about. It's like when I used to teach guitar years ago and I would try and impart a really important message to my students- that being feeling. Feel the notes. Feel the music. Players who are just learning don't even grasp that- it's not even in their minds at that point. When we begin to master our chosen instrument, the technical finally gives way to the soul of the artistry- the feeling that comes from within the artist. Their true expression comes forth. And then, their playing comes to life- it becomes music. It speakes with true feeling.

This is also true with the art of vocal, whether on recording or live on stage. Recording however, is a much trickier thing to convey feeling without actually seeing the artist. Like anything, it takes lots of practice and a concious effort to get better at it. It has nothing to do with the quality of the voice. It's all about the vocalist actually feeling what they're singing. You can speak a lyric without melody and have tremendous effect, frankly. But this time around I'll suggest you take more interest in this area of vocal interpretation. Take a week or two and listen to a ton of Sinatra. Even if he's not you thing, try doing it. Even Frank admitted he doesn't have the greatest voice. But what he does have is the ability to interpret and phrase a lyric like no other. So much can be learned from studying his phrasing and then looking at our own approaches to our vocals and applying it.

What I hear with this one is an ok vocal with good lyrics, but a disconnect from the spirit of the meaning of this tune. I don't wish to hear a vocal have instrument-like phrasing as though the notes were written on a staff. I want to hear someone tell me the very pognient message you put forth- we'll never be on the roads we travel a second time. Life comes and goes and you can't get the time back once it gone. I try to tell my daughter this occasionally- she's 20 now. I don't hear the person singing this actually feeling it- taking it to heart, and making me feel it too. The lyric is worthy of more feeling in the vocal- more intimacy. All lyrics to all songs should be worthy and treated that way. Feeling, coupled with phrasing techniques to have more dramatic impact, make a vocal come to life- and therefore the song come to life. Otherwise, it's just a cute vocal that phrases as though it read from a page.

Food for thought Noel, that's all. Why do I bother digging in with you every song? Well, not to be a schmuck! It has a lot to do with my producer instincts, and it's also because you're doing quality work and quality work demands a certain level of excellence to make it pop. That's a good thing- that's what makes us keep getting better. Keep up the great work and keep all this in mind and I promise you, your songs will be even better! And if this kind of thing doesn't interest you, forget I mentioned it! LOL!

Dan

Terrific Noel. Mario and Ian have already summed it up, but I'll just add that I'm really diggin' the piano as well. Great job fitting this all together and yet another fine example of what can be accomplished. Thanks for sharing.

Jim

Hi Mario,

Thank you. Glad the lyrics worked for you. I've spent a few years and on trying to get better at lyrics! It's good to know that I'm on the right track!

I appreciate your dropping by

All the best,
Noel

Hi Robert,

Thank you for the positive words. Much appreciated.

Regards,
Noel

P.S. You're zooming along quite nicely with your 50/90 challenge!

Hey Ian,

LOL!!! more ... more .... ? Did you doze off?

It's always good to work with Brenda. There's something to be said for collaboration. I appreciate your positive feedback. That's always a plus in my book.

Thanks for making me smile.

All the best,
Noel

Hi Dan,

Wow! You've given me a great deal to think about! I really appreciate all your effort. Thank you.

I've got to say that I make absolutely no pretense about not being a singer. I do the best I can and what the listener gets is what the listener gets. It varies LOL. On the other hand, if ever you need music arranged in classical 4-part harmony for any type of ensemble or 2- to 4-part counterpoint. I'm your man.

I'm totally with you regarding "feeling". My singing is about as emotional as an ice-pack. You've inspired me to work on more nuances.

Thanks for taking time out to listen.

All the best,
Noel

Hey Jim,

Thank you Yep the piano is pretty sweet too. It's Miles Black. I think that he, Craig Scott on drums, and Oliver Gannon make a fine jazz combo

Glad you liked the song.

All the best,
Noel

Noel,

Some Anthony Newley in this one - very nice! I absolutely enjoyed it. Love the pacing and overall feel as well...

Bob

Noel,

I always enjoy your work. And this is no exception! Your writing skills are an inspiration. Keep up the good work!

Steve

Love it Noel ,good Job on lyrics too ! Don't beat yourself up about singing ,you should hear me (once killed a cat from 50 feet away) sing !

Hi Bob,

Anthony Newley!!! I wish Thank you for making me feel good! I appreciate your feedback and positive words.

All the best,
Noel

Hi Steve,

Thanks for having a listen. I'm not sure that I know how to inspire anyone at all! I appreciate your words, though I'm glad the song worked for you.

Kind regards,
Noel

Hey Tommy,

I have no illusion about my singing at all. I don't pretend to be a singer. Fortunately, I don't own any cats; neither do my neighbours. I'm pretty sure that those who live next door sometimes wonder what's happening in my house when I'm putting together a song, though. Hmm... that could explain the For Sale signs.

Regards,
Noel