|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 225
Apprentice
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 225 |
Here's a track from me. It's called STEAM TRAIN Ukulele, vocals, and not much else. Well, actually there's a few things  Notice the cinematic finale SOUNDCLOUD LINK: STEAM TRAIN LYRICS: STEAM TRAIN Run through the fields, run through the sands run through the woods of distant lands Run with the dreams of a little child and take with you this deep breath of mine Run to the East, run to the West run with the heartbeat inside my chest Run for the hope of a brand new day Run for the blood inside my veins Run, old steam train Run for us, like there's no other way Keep running for us, like we don't live in vain And run for me, my old steam train Run for the voices that nobody heard take away all these things strange and absurd Run through the mountains and over the rivers take with you our letters and then bring us shivers Run for the hope of a brand new day Your fuel is the blood running in our veins Run to the end to a place I'll never see and when you reach the ocean say a prayer for me Run, old steam train Run for us, like there's no other way Keep running for us, like we don't live in vain Run for me, my old steam train Run for the hope of a brand new day Your fuel is the blood running in my veins Run to the end to a place I'll never see and when you reach the ocean say a prayer for me Run, old steam train Run for us, like there's no other way Keep running for us, like we never lived in vain Run for me, my old steam train
Last edited by Jon Thomas; 11/09/17 06:23 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,007
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,007 |
I really love the ukulele in this song! You have a very distinct sound that I quite enjoy. When you make a song I can always tell that it's yours, and you write so creatively. Keep up the fantastic work.
Cheers,
Ember
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647 |
This is one of the more interesting songs I've listened to in a while. I really enjoy how you fluidly weave the various elements in and out so effortlessly. The creative magic behind this is terrific. And yes, the cinematic ending was a real nice outro.
Love this a lot!
Alan
Last edited by Al-David; 11/09/17 07:38 AM.
BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,330
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,330 |
Very cool tune Jon. I also love the ukulele in this. Super vocal and lyric. Backtrack was super
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193 |
Mr. Thomas...
Your song, "Steam Train", stirred up some creatively conflicting feelings/impressions/moods within me, which is exciting! A little ambiguity is like a match struck in darkness: you never know what it will ignite!
The rhythm has a "Footloose" kind of urgency, but the lyrics seem dark. Frankly, through the lyrics, I imagined the subject of the song was dying while his mind was cycling exuberantly through memories of the past and his hopes for the future.
Regardless, the feel of the song certainly advances the image/idea of a steam engine gaining speed as it accelerates in an unfettered way toward some point: an end, a beginning, or, a...?
Musically, the song is majestically produced in that the music is alive with drama, energy and purpose. Your "cinematic ending" packs a lot of feeling with its strings and horns signalling the approach of a dawn horizon, or maybe a dying sunset. Which style, MIDI or Real Tracks did you use?
I believe there's more than meets the ear in "Steam Train"!
Mystically inspired,
LOREN
"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 225
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 225 |
Thank you Loren (and everybody else of course) for the kind words.
Loren, your comment is a song in itself :-)
Wonderful.
You made think about my own song :-)
You know, being a non-native speaker (although I am pretty fluent in English) I'm always concerned about what my songs actually convey to the listener. I don't know exactly how words "feel" to an English mother tongue. I just don't know. I'm always concerned about that, cause I don't have full control of it, no matter how fluent I am.
But then again, this is true for everything we do and say, even in our own language.
The subjective interepretation of songs (and everything else, really) is, by definition, subjective.
Songs belong to the listeners.
And that's really a magic thing.
So, it was wonderfully surprising to read how different is your interpretation of the song (and the feelings that it conveyed to you) from my own.
So, if you're interested, when I wrote this song I thought that steam trains could be a metaphor for history. History as it happens, history that sometimes goes where we want it to go, and sometimes it doesn't. History that keeps going, keeps running, over and with everybody and everything. History that sometimes seem pretedermined by the powerful (as if it was running on "tracks" that we don't control) but, in the end, it always feeds on the "blood", on the "will" of the powerless, whom are never truly really powerless. History that, nonetheless, does give us meaning - or, at least, we try to (and have to) find meaning and purpose in it, because that's what can give us some sense of "not living in vain", in the end. Even though maybe, just maybe, it's really just a running train and we are mere passengers. We just don't know. But we better live like this wasn't the case.
And the "cinematic finale" is mostly an expression of hope. Hope that, in the end, history will take us in a good place - that we will take ourselves in a good place.
But, again, songs belong to the listeners. I truly believe it. My own reading of my own song it's just that, just a reading. It's not the "true" meaning. Songs have a life of their own, independent from the writer.
Finally, to answer your question about the finale, I used no BIAB in this song. The finale is just a bunch of tracks with several midi strings parts played individually with a midi keyboard, and then edited of course (violins, basses, horns, cellos and violas, if I remember correctly, but I can be more precise if you want).
Thank you again!
Last edited by Jon Thomas; 11/09/17 08:29 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,615
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,615 |
Thanks for the wonderful journey. Best ride I've had that I haven't paid for.
Rob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414 |
Wow, I really really enjoyed this! It reminds me of a slightly more poppy, stripped down version of Arcade Fire. I really liked how delicate the ukulele is in this - and matched with that pulsing drum beat, it just has a pleasant and easy-on-the-ears groove that instantly had my foot tapping. It has a sense of wonder and nostalgia to it that I can't explain. Also, when the piano came in, it really takes it to the next level. Brilliant song; you did an amazing job. You should be proud of this! Thanks for sharing
Cheers,
Deryk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647 |
Jon
Inventive work with a nice mix of instruments and a good build up.
Really nice work.
Peter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,596
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,596 |
I really like the arrangement, very simple song but really brought to alive by introducing new instruments at the right moments. Magical.
Janne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193 |
Dear "Jon Thomas":
As you stated, "Songs belong to the listeners" and "songs have a life of their own, independent from the writer." I agree with you, fully.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed the way you expounded on the theme of history as the engine that powered your lyrics. It adds a great deal of ideological subtext to your song, which is rare in songwriting, in my opinion, at least.
After decades of listening to Don McClean's "Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie", I still cannot figure out precisely what the song is "about", but that's what continues to make it such a compelling listening experience, so, you're in good company, sir!
LOREN
Last edited by bluage; 11/12/17 09:32 AM.
"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052 |
This is EXCELLENT!!! The musical feel is infectious, the lyrics are intriguing, and the vocal could not be better (although I might add a little verb). Beautiful build in the arrangement. GREAT STUFF!!! Come back soon! Take care. Greg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,581
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,581 |
Jon Thomas,  I found this musical journey incredible. The way that you've been able to control and develop mood and motion is truly outstanding. Your writing and your arranging are in a class of their own and I mean that as one of the best compliments that I can think of sitting here at 1:50 am in Melbourne. I agree with Loren when he says... Musically, the song is majestically produced in that the music is alive with drama, energy and purpose. What an ending! It seems that your musical skills are fast becoming legendary on here. I really, really enjoyed listening to this. Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,133
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,133 |
Having come from years of bluegrass music bands we performed many train songs. It's nice to hear a new one! And particularly one that is metaphorical regarding the train.
The arrangement and backing well supports your engaging vocal performance and the lyric.
Well done!
J&B
EDIT: Hey, we're back for another listen and Janice wanted to mention how much she liked your vocal.
Last edited by Janice & Bud; 11/14/17 04:53 PM.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,491
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,491 |
Love this Jon.
Gorgeous lyrics, just sublime. Excellent music, melody and internal harmonics.
Love the arrangement and delivery. Gave me goose bumps.
Well done.
Pretty much perfection.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,093
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,093 |
What an absolutely excellent production.
This speaks volumes all the way through. You've created a complex and meaningful song from simplicity itself.
This is spectacular. Nothing less.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 225
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 225 |
What can I say, THANK YOU guys.
You are WAY too generous.
I'm thinking about releasing a sort of digital album with my "ukulele songs". I have a bunch (a lot, something like 40 or so to chose from). I've been procrastinating this for many years now. I've been really uncertain about whether these songs have any merit. Your kind words make me think that maybe I should finally do it. I guess I should post a few more songs here to see your reaction ... so far so good I guess :-)
Not all of them feature BIAB though, but many do. Maybe I'll post the ones that do.
Thanks again
J.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723 |
Love the music and the lyrical concept comparing a Steam Train to history. Really nice to listen to. Great Job!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,921
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,921 |
Jon,
An excellent listen. Grabs you from the beginning and never lets go.
Excellent mix. Beautiful vocal - really well recorded (and processed).
Nice arrangement. The "little touches" are well placed (and paced) throughout. All the parts are nicely played. Especially like the piano...
Quality music.
floyd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 547
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 547 |
Cool tume. The light accompaniment of the drums and mandolin really alows the vocals to shine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,192
Posts801,796
Members40,064
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean