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Hi all,

Recently as I was listening to songs in the forum, I was inspired to post something. It’s been a while since my last effort. Anyway… here’s that “something”. I hope you enjoy it.

The lyrics are on Soundcloud.




Please feel free to comment on any aspect of the song or its presentation.

Regards,
Noel


Music Notes

Base Style (later modified): _TRAVELS.STY

The Musicians
3122: Bass, Acoustic
3399: Guitar, Acoustic (doubled; fully panned: one left, one right)
3372: Banjo
3424: Jaw Harp

Piano
MIDI SuperTracks: 2105:Piano, Rhythm
EZKeys: Studio Grand, Mellow Chorus

Orchestral Strings
Miroslav Philharmonik 2

Drums
RealDrums: Tambourine EV16
EZDrummer 2: Modern, Tape Filter (Songwriter Pack 4)

Processing plugins (other than Reaper's)
Vocals: iZotope Nectar 3
Mix: iZotope Ozone 9
Guitars: CLA Unplugged (Waves)
Bass: Renaissance Bass (RBass, Waves)
Other: MAutoPan (Melda Productions, free)


MY SONGS...
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Pretty good song!
As I listened , I was thinking of this:
That's a good thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUNZMiYo_4s

Last edited by CaptainMoto; 10/10/20 02:28 PM.
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Originally Posted By: CaptainMoto
Pretty good song!
As I listened , I was thinking of this:
That's a good thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUNZMiYo_4s

Hi CaptainMoto,

Thanks for having a listen. I sincerely appreciate it.

And thanks for posting the link to this Harry Chapin classic! I can hear a timbre in his clip that is a bit like an underlying timbre in my mix.

When I put my vocals together, I used Nectar_3's "Saturation" to add some "Tape" saturation. This seemed to make my voice sound warmer and a bit better, so I kept it. I'm pretty sure that that's the underlying component that I can hear.

Once again, thanks!
Noel


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You always put absolutely everything into your productions.

This, of course is not exception.

What a inventive selection for your orchestra. Clever.

Musically just so creative. Jackson, the one that the children look up to. Somehow I can think of who Jackson really is.


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Really liked this..vocal nice and clear...and the lyric--I wish I knew the backstory on this!
Excellent production and enjoyable listen.
Noel..did you consider adding some actual jaw-harp phrases? I once had that thought but gave up on either trying to record it myself or finding a vst sample that was decent.

Thanks for posting!


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This is not "just" superb, but, to my ears at least, genius. The melody and lyrics effortlessly tell the story - it's captivating, almost hypnotic! I loved it. Bravo.

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Noel - This is a very polished production, no surprise there. Everything really works and fits well and is balanced, and nicely spaced and separated. I hope you don't mind, but I feel like this song would be perfect in a children's movie with Jackson traveling through a countryside, on long roads, riding a horse or in a wagon trying to find a place where he and his jaw harp belong. It just evokes that kind of vision.


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Noel

Lovely uplifting song. Inventive use of jaws harp and a very memorable singable chorus (almost theatrical).

Hope you are doing well down there in Victoria.

Excellent work on a wonderful production.

Peter

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Superb cut. I love that chorus. Very touching song. Great vocals. The jaw harp is the perfect touch.


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Jackson doesn't sound like he's contributing much to the national GDP. I like him. And I like your song about him. Visual and appealing. The strings were especially effective for me, though it's always your vocals and their "smile" that gets me.

Yes, it's been a while, but you've brought a gem with you. Big smiles here.


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Noel,

Noel Melody is alive vividly in this tune.
This melody is exactly you.
Lovely and uplifting.
Great Vocals.
The narrative part is also wonderful.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

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The Title made me think it's was a Johnny Cash medley/cover.
I REALLY enjoyed the spoken interlude...I'd not heard your speaking voice before. Full n rich.
Great narrative and lush accompaniment.


Cheers
rayc
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Welcome back Noel. Your positivity has always been something to look forward to.

A stroll around a lovely countryside with Jackson would be refreshing indeed especially during these times.

For decades in our state there was a gentleman who roamed throughout small towns
and the country side in a wooden cart pulled by goats. Folks always looked forward
to his appearance and children were charmed. Very reminiscent.

That is a fine vocal, spoken word and a heckuva good lyric/melody to deliver them with.

The band is both simple and perhaps counterintuitively very nuanced. We are sure it took a lot of thought and effort to envision the tracks and mix. The mix is open, airy and sparkles -- the kind we much like.

And thanks for the production details!

We would assuredly like to meet Jackson. Enjoyed it!

J&B


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Very well done - nice and uplifting, and very lush, I agree with Janice/Bud about the airy production. It has an almost delicate quality to it, which I loved.

Thanks for sharing smile


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Hi Noel ...

It's so dang good to have you back posting. Anytime you're away for any period of time, there's a bit of a vacuum on the forum. And what a nice reentry song!

As someone previously mentioned, you songs are always so polished and every detail attended to. This might be your best vocal thus far. I doubt there's anything else that could make this a better song. But several re-listens make me feel better.

Jackson sounds like quite the character ... a man of gentle repose and a natural charm. this really a great song with a super lyric and equally talented band. That was a joy to listen to!

Wishing you the very best. Please take care and be safe ...

Alan


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Noel,

Good to see you posting in the Showcase again!

Maybe it's Noel, the wayward wind.

"He walks with a smile on his weathered face
And when you look in his eyes
In the gentle brown-eyed gaze
You see the patience of a man who’s wise"

I'm thinking this is autobiographical. Jackson, like the Noel we all know and love, has a great positive attitude about the world and what might lie ahead.

A nice production, a good mix. A clean, bright, cheerful vocal - commanding attention.

A story well-told.

fj

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Welcome back Noel!
This has all the positivity we expect from your songwriting with a lovely uplifting melody that matches the storyline so well.
Fine vocals and a good string arrangement.
Jackson reminds me of a busker I met in my home town after being away many years; playing beautiful folky ballads to almost deserted streets on a wintry English Sunday.I still have his tape and count him one of my musical heroes.

Robert

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Originally Posted By: VideoTrack
You always put absolutely everything into your productions.

This, of course is not exception.

What a inventive selection for your orchestra. Clever.

Musically just so creative. Jackson, the one that the children look up to. Somehow I can think of who Jackson really is.

Hey Trev!

Thanks for dropping in. It's always good to see you.

When I set about trying to arrange this song, I wanted to use some of the more unusual Realtracks that I've never played with. I seriously tried incorporating both the Spoons Realdrums by Andrew Morris and well as the Jaw Harp by Quinn Bachand. Unfortunately, the Spoons and I could not come to an agreement. The Jaw Harp, though, that worked. It also made me smile every time I listened. So I kept it.

Thanks again for the visit.
Noel


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Really pretty song Noel!! And such a creative subject for a write.....so original!! Everything sounds great to me!! Take care. Greg

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Was so happy to see your song pop up on the forum. Your song are so inspirational. Very nice to hear during these trouble tunes. Some cool effects in the background. Super vocal and lyric Well done


Scott Collingwood
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