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https://soundcloud.com/andyandersonmusic/mothers-dayMy first submission here. I wrote it (no co-writers) about my mother who died from Alzheimer’s complications in 2014. It was horribly sad, but at some level was a relief as dementia had finally consumed her. The cover photo is her in 1936. She has a little flower in her hand that I find so sweet.... Home studio. I’m a real novice here, not formally trained in music (can’t read it, a decent guitarist), and technically challenged, most DAWs beyond my capabilities. I used MixPad. I did not track the instruments, but here’s what I came up with. The song is all mine, Copyrighted prior to this BIAB version, vocals are all mine and all instruments are BIAB. 84 bpm in G. 518 Elec Bass, 1947 Mandolin, ShakerEven8ths, 2336 Viola, 1761 Acoustic Guitar (Strumming), 1728 Acoustic Piano. You are welcome to suggest any different instruments. Mother’s Day Written by Andy Anderson © On Sunday afternoon I leave my house and take a drive out to see my mother at the home where she resides It’s a very pleasant journey when the weather is OK and I rarely fail to visit on that day I arrive just after two, check-in at the desk where they tell me how she’s doing, as I sign in as a guest The staff there is so friendly and they know me every time They remark on my devotion and I tell them I don’t mind (Chorus) I gather all my courage, as my hopes come crashing down Prayers and pleas, and what-could-bes... Shattered on the ground I amble down the corridor and pass the large dance hall where the residents take their meals, and the staff observes them all I wonder if the bingo cage was spun the night before and if anybody…. ever really danced…. on that floor I come to room eleven, catch my sweet old mom gazing out the window, at robins on the lawn As lightly as I can… I rap my fingers on the jamb, she turns and smiles, and asks me…… who I am….. I tell her I’m her son and let the sadness fade away I ask her how she’s doing wish her Happy Mother’s Day She tells me all about a choir who came last night children singing Christmas carols…little faces… shining bright Though I’ve heard this many times.. I act as if it’s new and hope she cannot hear…… my heart break in two I nod and I envision children singing for my mom Unaware, she’s the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come (Chorus) And next week I’ll return To see my mother in her room Someday I’m gonna miss these times together… on Sunday afternoon.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
Windows 8 and 10
Scarlet 18i8
Reaper and Mixpad
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Andy, My mother also had Alzheimer's and passed away a couple of years ago. No doubt that it is a devastating disease for all that come into contact with it. Anything that can draw attention to compassionate care and possible cures is a good thing. Not only does this song act as therapy for your soul but it also helps keep the conversation alive. It is exactly what happened to me. I made those same walks down the hallway. It was tough. The mix sounds good. A couple of minor production nits. The vocal sounded dry. Needs a touch of reverb. I also would have edited the mandolin around the vocal rather than letting it play on through. An excellent write and a fine first post. Welcome to the forum. See ya around, Tom
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Thanks, Tom. I'll give that a try.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
Windows 8 and 10
Scarlet 18i8
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PG Music Staff
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Hey Andy, great first submission to the forum. Thanks for dropping by and sharing with us! This is a really beautiful song about tragic event. Kudos to you for being able to handle it with such grace and strength.
Last edited by Will B - PG Music; 10/04/16 08:10 AM.
Will - PG Music
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Thank you, Will. I've been playing it for a couple years. I'm OK now at home, but on stage it's hard to sing without tearing up, especially if I see anyone else tearing up. I get a lot of comments about it, sometimes a few people stand in line to tell me their story. It's a real a connection.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
Windows 8 and 10
Scarlet 18i8
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Beautiful song. Loved the vocal and lyric. Wonderful tribute to your mother
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Thank you, Scott and David.
Last edited by PacoAlpha; 10/04/16 12:16 PM.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
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Scarlet 18i8
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Beautifully measured lyrics that could only come from personal experience- I think you`ve done well to sing them with feeling (but not letting emotion get too far outfront).
I agree with Tom that the mandolin is a bit obtrusive in some places.
A great first song to post!
Robert
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Good deal. Thanks for the feedback. I'm tweaking it. About a thousand times. I've gotta get away from it for a while. Can't 'hear' it right now.
Last edited by PacoAlpha; 10/04/16 06:12 PM.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
Windows 8 and 10
Scarlet 18i8
Reaper and Mixpad
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Hi Andy,
Welcome to Users Showcase and congratulations on such a fine song. Dying and death are never easy topics to broach in songs. You've done it very well.
All the best,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Andy,
A truly powerful song. Well written, well performed.
"I gather all my courage, as my hopes come crashing down
Prayers and pleas, and what-could-bes...
Shattered on the ground"
Well done. Heart-wrenching.
Nice use of tracks.
(Welcome to the Showcase - heck of an entrance).
floyd
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Thank you, Floyd. Greatly appreciate you taking time to say that.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
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Scarlet 18i8
Reaper and Mixpad
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Thank you, Noel, and thank you for all your previous help with the technicalities of BIAB. (*I swear I research the probs before I post asking for help, but if the answers are there, I can't find them, or a search turns up hundreds of threads; too many to read thru all them.)
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
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Scarlet 18i8
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Andy, What a dreadful subject sung with love. Well done with the lyrics, must have been so hard. I hope you don't mind but I have passed the link to 2 friends whose other halves are in various stages of this horrific illness. I second what floyd wrote (Welcome to the Showcase - heck of an entrance). take care Alyn
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I'm honored, Alyn. Thank you.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
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Scarlet 18i8
Reaper and Mixpad
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Andy - what a powerful first-song-post! This is a beautifully written song, and so emotional (glad I have tissues at my desk!) - the instruments you've chosen are perfect for the whole feel of the song. Thank you so much for sharing it here with us.
This is the "Hot Forum Topic" for today.
~Callie
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Thank you, Callie. That is so kind of you to say.
Thank you PG Music. BIAB has really been a life changing event for me.
Last edited by Andy A - USA; 10/05/16 03:47 PM.
Andy
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Very touching song! Powerfully written. It is so hard to watch your parents age and pass away. My dad passed away in Feb of this year, and my mom has cancer-extremely difficult time. Really enjoyed this beautifully crafted song. Take care. Greg
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Thank you, Greg.
You are really going thru some things right now... It is hard. I think until it actually happened, I still had that kid's naivety about how my parents would die, or wouldn't ever die.
My best wishes to you, Greg, and to your mom and to your family.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
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Scarlet 18i8
Reaper and Mixpad
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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