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https://soundcloud.com/lawrence-olivier/whatd-i-ever-do-without-you

This song started from a line from a TV murder mystery I was watching. The line was, "He was a complicated disaster". I can't remember the show. I wrote down some more lines then I asked RichMac if he wanted to contribute to the lyrics and he sent me a bunch of lines. I wound up using one (You’re a castle in the sand when the tide comes rolling in) and I riffed off of it for the last verse. Thank you Richard.

I used a new technique on this mix. I separated the tracks into three buses; vocal, middle and side, then applied different reverbs to each. I liked the separation that it gave me.

RealTracks in style: 1398:Bass, Electric, Soul70sA-B Ev16 100
RealTracks in song: 2157:Piano, ElectricVintage, Rhythm FunkyGroove60sJohn Ev 100
RealTracks in song: 2930:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm FolkRock8thsBrent Ev 100
RealTracks in style: 1404:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Soul70sWarmA-B Ev16 100
RealTracks in song: 2764:Organ, Rhythm CountryBluesRockMike Ev 110
RealTracks in song: ~576:Guitar, Electric, Soloist Blues BB Ev 085
RealDrums in Song: Soul70sEv16^3-a:CldHHtSn, b:RBncyBss
RealTracks in song: 1577:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Soul60sSync Ev 110
RealTracks in song: 2625:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm BluesBoogieBassAndLicks Ev 100


What’d I Ever Do Without You (Dec 25, 2017)
Words by Lawrence Olivier and Richard (Richmac)

You’re a complicated disaster, chaos you’re middle name
In 88 keys baby you’re that wonky note
If I’m lying down on the bathroom tile, you’re my sickness and my shame
You’re a sneeze lingering just inside my nose

But I don’t know what I ever did without you

The sunburn on the morning after, the fire on my skin
You’re the empty cocktail blender in the sink
The dying creature at my feet, that thing the cat dragged in
You’re the reason that I smoke, you’re the reason that I drink

But I don’t know what I ever did without you

You’re the rain on Sunday morning, you’re the howl in the wind
I’m the oak tree on the corner you’re the street
You’re a castle in the sand when the tide comes rolling in
You’re the castaway at sea, And I’m the beach

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Lawrence

Sounds really good - whatever you did with the busses worked a treat.
Wonderful song - superb vocal, melody & lyric.
Really strong writing and performance. (I liked Richards line as well).

Peter

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Lawrence (and Richard),

Delicious lyrics. A delightful write. Awesome vocal (of course).

That funky e piano is very cool. Great groove to this. Nice mix.

Worth several listens...

fj

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Very cool tune. Excellent vocal and lyrics. Loved the mix. Guitar was very cool as well...


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
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https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
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Very interesting lyrics, great visuals. Like the funky sort of melody. Good job guys!!

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Lawrence,
Quirky and fun lyrics with some lines that really made me want to listen again. Seems you and Richard share a sense of humour!
The mix has a good stereo spread and your vocal matches the energy
of that funky backing.
Very good!

Robert

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This made me smile.

The lyrics are good throughout....
but this one>>>> You’re a sneeze lingering just inside my nose

cool

nicely done and a clean present mix.


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"You’re a sneeze lingering just inside my nose". Haha, I really loved this one. It was so unexpected when I first heard it! Great job, and cool to hear the inspiration behind this one!


Cheers,
Ember
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Wonderful clarity and definition through the whole song and yeah you really brought it all to life with a great vocal. Funky funky.
Thanks for generously including me in the song.

Cheers.

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Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Lawrence (and Richard),

Delicious lyrics. A delightful write. Awesome vocal (of course).

That funky e piano is very cool. Great groove to this. Nice mix.

Worth several listens...

fj


Floyd pretty much said it for me. Great job!

Steve


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What a tune! The mixing job here is superb - the way all the instrument blend together is flawless and cohesive. Not to mention, your vocal performance here is absolutely perfect. It's perfectly catchy as well. I wouldn't bat an eyelash hearing this on the radio.

Great job - thanks for sharing smile


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Deryk
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Hey Lawrence,

What a cool song. Love everything about it. That chord structure/pattern is killer! Your vocals are always great. This is really cool!

Alan


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That was a good one Lawrence! You ALWAYS deliver a great vocal! Thanks, Torrey

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That's great. Sure would like to hear you talk
more about the way you accomplish this.
(Way over my head.)


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Originally Posted By: PeterF
Lawrence

Sounds really good - whatever you did with the busses worked a treat.
Wonderful song - superb vocal, melody & lyric.
Really strong writing and performance. (I liked Richards line as well).

Peter
Peter, thank you very much.


Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Lawrence (and Richard),

Delicious lyrics. A delightful write. Awesome vocal (of course).

That funky e piano is very cool. Great groove to this. Nice mix.

Worth several listens...

fj
Thank you Floyd. It was a fun write for sure.

Originally Posted By: Scott C
Very cool tune. Excellent vocal and lyrics. Loved the mix. Guitar was very cool as well...
Thanks for stopping in for a listen and for the positive words.

Originally Posted By: Belladonna
Very interesting lyrics, great visuals. Like the funky sort of melody. Good job guys!!
Thank you Donna. I'm a big fan of jazz, funk and soul and BIAB has some wonderful Realtracks covering these sounds.

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"You’re a sneeze lingering just inside my nose" has been mentioned multiple times but that's a "run off the road" line!

We recognized that Jack Pearson RT right from the git go. One of the more under rated blues guitarists around IMO.

Just how many cool lines can you pack in one song man?

Top vocal as always and the piano really lays down the feel.

Your mixing experimentations far exceed mine but whatever you did resulted in a mix that sounds top notch on our monitors. The soundstage is laid out so well.

Kudos Mr Gruve!

J&B


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Originally Posted By: Robertkc
Lawrence,
Quirky and fun lyrics with some lines that really made me want to listen again. Seems you and Richard share a sense of humour!
The mix has a good stereo spread and your vocal matches the energy
of that funky backing.
Very good!

Robert
Yes Robert, I think Richard and I do share a sense of humor and thought he would be the right man to ask for help. Thank you listening and for the kind words.

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Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
This made me smile.

The lyrics are good throughout....
but this one>>>> You’re a sneeze lingering just inside my nose

cool

nicely done and a clean present mix.
Thank you Herb. I thought that line added a nice touch of humor in a sometimes dark song.

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Originally Posted By: Ember - PG Music
"You’re a sneeze lingering just inside my nose". Haha, I really loved this one. It was so unexpected when I first heard it! Great job, and cool to hear the inspiration behind this one!
Thank you Ember. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was fun to write.

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Originally Posted By: RichMac

Wonderful clarity and definition through the whole song and yeah you really brought it all to life with a great vocal. Funky funky.
Thanks for generously including me in the song.

Cheers.
Thank you for helping out. You have to love the funk!

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