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Hi all— Folks are cranking out some great tunes—was a lot of fun listening to them this evening. Well done all! Here’s a new collaboration with Carroll Kiphen, who penned the lyrics. A little different style song for me (and I think the first I’ve done in 3/4 time), but always fun trying to change things up a bit. On the production side, I debated whether to add backing vocals and ultimately decided to do them . . . but I’ve tried to keep them fairly subdued, more to add depth while not overwhelming the lead vocal. Hopefully it works, but I’m sure there are aspects of the mix that will need some tweaking. So looking forward to your always helpful suggestions. Thanks much all. Hope everyone is doing well! Deej Here’s the song:I'M HERE RIGHT NOW Here are the lyrics:I can see that you’re troubled I’ve been down that road Won’t you lean on me, lean on me I’ll shoulder the load I know you’re a proud one but don’t feel ashamed Thinking what you’re thinking Is a dangerous game. So don’t retreat in silence Don’t shut me down Just talk to me, talk to me I’m here right now I know that you’re trying To do this alone But it’s hard, it’s so hard To do it all on your own I know you’re a proud one Well, I was once too But sometimes we need someone To help us pull through It takes one to know one I’ve been where you are Trust me when I tell you We both have our scars And here’s the band:RealTracks 1178: Bass, Electric, PopWaltz Ev 120 RealTracks 2936: Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking FolkWaltzFintan Ev 100 RealTracks 2716: Guitar, Nylon, Background WaltzBrent Sw 085 RealTracks 2883: Pedal Steel, Background CountryEddy12-key Ev 085 RealTracks 1188: Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopWaltz Ev 120 RealTracks 1543: Synth Pad, PopBelieve Ev16 065 RealDrums: PopRockWaltz
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Deej...there's something captivating about a 3/4 waltz...you've added a beautiful melody to Carroll's relational lyrics...you certainly made the right choice with the harmonies (and subdued is nice)...I'm always drawn to your vocals...they are a one-off and very appealing for a balladeer such as yourself...good choice for the band...well done all round!
Last edited by firesong; 10/02/22 06:34 PM.
www.soundclick.com/firesongBiaB 2024, Steinberg Cubase Pro 13, Wavelab 11.2, SpetraLayers Pro 10, Audacity, Steinberg UR44 Interface, Yamaha Genos, Roland FP60 and FP10, Windows 10 You are who you are because you do what you do because of what you believe.
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Deej,
Another beautiful sonic work of art... You are really bringing your very best.
Bob
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Nice. And thoughtful lyrics. A ray of sunshine in the darkness.
Not too many songs are in 3/4 anymore..... I enjoyed this. Your voice fits it well.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Hi Deej,
Your song was the first I listened to after my break. What a pleasant start for me!
This is what one may call a really heartbreaking song!
The kind of song only you, with your so special vocals, can sing out so well
In Dutch we would say you have a pattent on this kind of songs. But I'm not sure you use that word to say the same.
And using a walz-tempo is even better making sure all listeners' hearts will break.
Very nice lyrics, miss Kiphen surely knows how to write them. Hats off!
So a very good song, in my ears. But I always love your songs as you might have noticed...
Nice day,
Hans
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Bravo.
The thing about 3/4 time, for me at least, is that it evokes dances like waltzes, etc. ... I always say it's the time signature of a couple in love :-) (I may be talking absolute rubbish, mind you, but there you go). Regardless: amongst your many talents, you have one I haven't talked about much, until now: a real talent for melody. And boy, it shows :-) I was thinking, this morning, what a complete musician you are, and this is another proof of that.
The guitar interlude is beautiful. Maybe JUST A LITTLE too "up front" (too loud, at first hearing, for me, perhaps)? On my first hearing, also, there were a couple of chords which took me by surprise (a few major chords where I was expecting minor ones - such as the A Major at 0:50, at 1:47, and the one at 2:52 or so? I would have perhaps written an A minor going into A major - or even, perhaps, the other way around: A major going into A minor ... or alternate the two ... but that's just me, and me being a total nitpick, too!!! haha - not to mention that it may almost certainly be me getting it completely and utterly wrong, so PLEASE don't mind me!!!) ... but that's most probably just me, as I got used to it by the second hearing.
The lyrics fit you like a glove - well done, Carroll Kiphen!
Hats off. Superb writing, your usual impassioned, top-notch-in-every-way singing, excellent backing track - in short, you've done it again. And again. And again. Mr Consistently Brilliant :-) ... hats off.
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Nice song that serves as a great vehicle for your voice. Liked the laconic nylon solo. Why aren't you a major recording artist along the lines of Cat Stevens or others like that with a unique voice? Baffles me.
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firesong, Bob, Guitarhacker, Hans, James and TuneMonger:Really appreciate the listens, kind feedback and helpful comments. Thanks for stopping in and giving it a spin. James: I don't think you are wrong on the typical 3/4 waltz subject matter, but in a way, while this is not about a couple necessarily in love, it is about friendship and the support that comes with . . . so, not far off in that sense. I went back and forth on the volume of the guitar lead and erred on the side of it being more up front than less. It's relatively sparse and at a lower volume gets lost a bit . . . I tried to fade in the initial notes . . . but overall I think you may be right and it needs to come down a decibel or two. I'll see what others think. Lastly, the chord change . . . You are spot on in terms of what's going on there--a G to Bm to C to, yes, an A. Quite honestly, it's just a function of where I went with the melody, which for me always drives my chord choices (and rarely the other way around). Out of curiosity, I just now played around on my guitar with an Am or A/Am combo (both ways) . . . and it just doesn't fit the melody (which may be problematic in itself . . . but then that's a different issue, LOL!) TuneMonger: There are a myriad of answers to that question . . . but suffice it to say I'll need to be content with this being my little hobby . . . and I'm (mostly) all right with that!  Thanks all-- Deej
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Deej (& Carroll),
A good write. Thoughtful.
Nice production and mix.
Well sung (of course).
fj
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Great song, great vocals and great lyrics, I like it. You have a great voice.
From the mix I think the vocals need a bit more treble, they sound a bit muffled and the guitar solo is a bit too loud and "in your face".
The harmonies are nice and work very well... as a fan of vocal harmonies I would make them louder, but it's not really necessary.
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Lovely song Deej,
Sonically that constant strumming acoustic could use some highs knocked from it - or where ever that strident tone is - and the bass is a little clunky at the beginning of lines here'n'there - it comes in heavily on top of the kick.
Your voice is really expressive and sounds great.
Lovely song.
Cheers
rayc
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Very classic sounding emotional ballad sung by one of the best voices around. Lyrics are touching, and the chord progression and the well-crafted melody support it perfectly. The chorus is very strong. Great band, the acoustic guitar solo works very well, not too front for me. Very nice ending. Your vocals could be mixed bit brighter.
Janne
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Deej,
Yes different, but also really good.
We like singing in 3/4 time very much.
The music is beautiful, the lyrics are sad, but very good.
And you sing it wonderfully well.
Rob and Anne-Marie
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Deej
Very pretty song, beautifully sung and a lovely production.
Really nice work.
Peter
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Hi Deej ...
I always smile whern I see as new post from you. Never a disappointment. Your songs are always so good. I loved the pedal steel backing in the last half of the song.
Songs in 3/4 time have a natural element of emotion other time signatures often struggle to acheive. You and Carroll have constructed and delivered a wonderful song. Lots of power in the lyric with a solid yet genlte backing soundscape. Very nicely done!
Alan
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Nice one Deej. This song has a great "feel" to it. I thought you did a really good job with the melody, and of course the vocal. I agree the lead guitar may be a little hot. The steel was nice too. There were some places I would have used it a little more loudly, but I have a tendency to over do steel. It's always a pleasure listening to your stuff, keep it coming.
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Good write, well sung. Good song, love the message.
Enjoyed this a lot!
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Deej,
It's a little melancholic and very nice waltz.
When I hear it with your vocals, it touches my heart even more.
Your vocals are always great.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.
Best regards.
Shigeki Adachi
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Deej,
A little sadness in waltz time is a great match; good lyrics, uncomplicated arrangement and, man, what a wonderful vocal interpretation!
Very well done.
Robert
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This is special! The vocals first draw you in and the melody in both the V and C are refreshing (aka, unpredictable and pleasing to the ear).
Great job!
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