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Hello David, First, thanks for your generally positive comments!  As for the lyrics: The general idea I had when writing this was, creating a collage of some famous Cat Stevens lyrics. However this wasn't as easy as it seemed, not in the least due to copyrights issues. I finally decided to write a completely new lyric for this song. However, I wanted to maintain the atmosphere of the 70s. Free love was one of the 'hot' items those days. However appealing that might have felt for some people, there definitely was a downside to all of this. The person I'm describing in the lyric, is one of those people for whom "free love' didn't turn out so well. For her spouse it apparently worked (he's still into it) and the 'I' person is trying to invite her to take her freedom as well. Maybe a bit disappointing, but what can we say....life's sometimes trite and boring! We definitely do appreciate you taking the time to take a closer look at our lyrics and we'll surely take your comments into consideration when writing new lyrics! Maybe we'll surprise you a next time!  Thanks again, Rob (and Anne-Marie)
Last edited by R & AM; 10/20/14 09:12 AM.
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Maybe a bit disappointing, but what can we say....life's sometimes trite and boring! Heh. Thanks for taking this "the right way", and I'll see if I can brush up on my social skills. As I said, it really isn't right for me to say what your song should or shouldn't have said.  I guess the real problem was that I had misunderstood the lyric, because reading your comment I see more clearly what you were aiming for. There's not much you can do about people coming to your songs with their own preconceived notions!  Thanks!
-- 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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R & AM, I also am a fan of the early Cat stuff. This is my favorite of yours to date. Great writing, singing and production. Pro sound. Very well done. Bravo! Tom
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Definitely see the "Cat" connection!! I too was a big fan. Really infectious chorus-still ringing in my head, and I'm diggin' it!! I would love to hear the BGs done by a gospel choir (with a little solo spot and break in the lead vocal) although I know that is logistically difficult (as great as BIAB is!). GREAT WORK!! Take care. Greg
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We do have a lot of ideas about writing songs and singing, but it is definitely because of BIAB that they really come to live. Absolutely BIAB is a programme I could not live without now. By the way did you already test the z3ta for mastering? YES and it is still in its testing stages but THANKS for the advice to use it. Just listened to your song again and I too see the Cat Stephens connection. Sometime in that period I went out with a young lady who had a cat called Stephen, which we all thought was brilliant LOL Alyn.
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Hi Rob and Anne-Marie,
Well, I was back in the seventies from the opening few bars.
I think you've achieved everything you set out to do with this excellent song.
I thought the whole package was extremely professional, from the writing to the performance and the recording and mix. Wonderful stuff.
ROG.
Hi ROG, We're very flattered by your positive comments on this song. Much appreciated! Regards, Rob & Anne-Marie
Last edited by R & AM; 10/21/14 02:33 PM.
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Hi Rob and Anne-Marie
This is lovely. Definately reminds me of Cat Stevens. Production is quite wonderful. Good job! Thank you Joanne, much appreciated! Regards, Rob & Anne-Marie
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Well, as a person who made the obligatory trip
to San Francisco in 1968 (when I was 22) I
must say that the lyric immediately
intrigued me - causing reflections on the
opportunities lost during that time....if only
everyone would've played the same game.
One of many great lines "where the flowers used to grow"
really sums it all up for me.
Thanks for the, shall I say, trip back!
We enjoyed the listen.
Bud
Thanks J & B! Well I must've been three years old at the time  I bet that living in the States was a lot more interesting than living in Europe in those days... My older sister definitely made me a big fan of all those 70s acts. Regards, Rob
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Thanks Floyd! Well, if only I could play like Brent Mason yes, I added some delay to the soloist. I find that whenever I'm looking for a soloist for one of our songs, Brent Mason never disappoints! Regards, Rob
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"My older sister definitely made me a big fan of all those 70s acts." You're not the first... big sisters and brothers impacted us all. Reminded me that someone thought it was a good idea for a song... Check out this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FGJt6BGp3IThis is a big regional standard here along Myrtle Beach, SC I thought you may enjoy. A mixture of RnB, soul, blues and motown they call Carolina Beach Music. Charlie
Last edited by c_fogle; 10/21/14 03:25 PM.
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Hey Charlie,
I never heard of this song, but it sounds very nice.
Indeed a combination of all kinds of styles.
regards,
Rob
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This line sinks the ship. It undercuts any idea that the song might be serious by immediately jumping to (what seems to me) the most cliched sentiment possible, with a rhyme that doesn't really make any sense. Right, someone clearly got up on the wrong side of bed the day this post was made!? I only quoted one paragraph for the purpose of this reply (no need to see the rest of that again), and not even the worst bit. Dissecting the frog when asked to (like in our case earlier) is one thing, this was something else.
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
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Dissecting the frog when asked to (like in our case earlier) is one thing, this was something else.
I'm sorry you took offense to what was written - that wasn't the intent, and I tried to make that clear. As far as being asked, Rob had written (emphasis added): Hope you like it! Any comments are welcome. In response to my comments, he was gracious enough to respond: We definitely do appreciate you taking the time to take a closer look at our lyrics and we'll surely take your comments into consideration when writing new lyrics! If that's not enough, I've even written an apology in the form of a song.
-- 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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Hi David, Laughed my head off!!! By the way, this lady has read a lot of Shakepeare's work (not because she wanted to, but because she had to) but prefers Keats (and Shelley). And..... no need to worry about your comments, in Dutch we say: "Je bent nooit te oud om te leren" or: you're never too old to learn. Actually I really hope to learn a lot more about how to make a good song, so... go on being critical! Anne-Marie
Last edited by R & AM; 10/24/14 03:37 PM.
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Hi, Anne-Marie. I'm happy to hear you enjoyed it! As the song went through many, many edits, I kept thinking what would floyd jane do? He's the guy to watch! Thanks!
-- 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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I'm sorry you took offense to what was written - that wasn't the intent, and I tried to make that clear It wasn't so much that I personally 'took offence' as such. That would've been quite condescending since this isn't about anything of mine - and it's quite possibly none of my place to butt in to begin with. It was just so startling to see you use such 'grumpy' vocabulary, you're usually so eloquent, diplomatic and good at keeping things subjective. That's where my 'wrong side of bed' came from, really. Which I only got to after finishing with this thread... catching up in reverse order perhaps backfiring on me a bit there? As for the manner of said apology (which by the looks of things now wasn't even needed), I'll have to say that's a pretty neat way to go about it!
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
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It was just so startling to see you use such 'grumpy' vocabulary, you're usually so eloquent, diplomatic and good at keeping things subjective. That's where my 'wrong side of bed' came from, really. And that stemmed from a failure to communicate well on my part. Thanks for your concern! 
-- 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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Rob and Anne-Marie ...
Although neither Di nor I have ever been big fans of Cat Stevens, we did enjoy this song a lot ... seriously! The two of you could sing the nutrition label on a frozen food box and make it sound like a hit!
Your talent is amazing ... as performers, composers and musical engineers. We're always impressed and envious of your many skills!
When we review a song written to emulate the style of a bygone era, we try to listen to it according to the musical conventions common to that era, rather than the rules and conventions considered appropriate for contemporary music. This one fits like a glove for the late 60's, early 70's era. It would be very easy to believe this was written in 1966 or 1968.
Di and I sometimes write songs that might have been popular in the 60s and earlier. When we do, we try to employ the styles and mechanisms that were used at that time, rather than making a song sounding "neo". You two do such a wonderful job of accomplishing that. Great stuff here! You made us enjoy a style we typically would not listen to by choice. Thanks for opening our eyes and ears to this!
Wishing you well ...
Alan and Di
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Rob and Anne-Marie,
It has been awhile since I've commented on one of your productions. I must say I am astounded at the consistent high quality of material you release.
Rob, the timbre of your voice fits this song like a glove. Your phrasing makes this an enjoyable listen. Anne-Marie, as always, your background vocal is spot-on! The video follows the song frame-by-frame.
The radio ready quality of the audio production didn't surprise me as that level of production is pretty much a given.
You seem to be exploring various genres. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
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Hello Alan and Di,
thank you very much! Again...
Ah, so you've never been real Cat Stevens fans..
Kind of makes sense, in most of your songs I detect a certain soul feel (Cat Stevens is more a folky feel, ha ha)
anyways:
"The two of you could sing the nutrition label on a frozen food box"
well, we may surprise you one time with one of our new songs in the future :-)
regards,
Rob
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