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https://soundcloud.com/rayc/silent-waltz-pygmy-beat-expanded-featuring-miriam-webb
This track was 1st recorded about a decade ago but my parts were pretty messy and, having been recorded to cassette 4 track, fairly "lo fi".
I took the original tracks - transferred them to Reaper, re recorded the guitars, edited the cellos and added BIAB drums as well as organ.
I specifically bought RealDrums 07 for this project - and that set specifically for RealDrums:Swing8Waltz.
Organ: background B3.
Miriam Webb sang and played the good cello parts as well as writing the cello arrangement & vocal melody.
Gerry Steele of The Hamilton Steele Band played the lovely dual guitar solo.
I played the bad cello, bass, 12 & 6 string acoustic guitars.
The bass was DI.
The cellos were recorded with a Sony Electret 19b microphone.
New guitar parts recorded digitally with an MSH-4 which is a small diaphragm condenser with a built in micro-tube, (hand made at Naiant Studios), into a Focusrite Scarlett
Mixed in Reaper using
ReaComp
ReaVerb (imported convolution file - Wide chamber)
ReaEQ
PSP Vintage Warmer 2
Mastered by Fran Ashcroft of Happy Beat Studio.
https://soundcloud.com/rayc/silent-waltz-pygmy-beat-expanded-featuring-miriam-webb

Silent Waltz
Silent morning memories
of evening and of pain,
presence in old yesterdays
of day old drops of rain.
Silent circus masquerades
of such pleasantries,
painted on another face
of different histories.
magic morning miracles
of daylight in the rain,
tree and leaf and painter
beyond the window pane.
Silent old apostles
forgetful of their words,
peak hour pedestrian audience
of silence naught is heard.
Farewell parting speeches
of what cannot be said,
distant recollections
of memories almost dead.
magic morning miracles
of daylight in the rain,
tree and leaf and painter
beyond the window pane
Silent clay cast gentlemen
of nothing much to say,
routine morning daydreams
dreaming of the day...
magic morning miracles
of daylight in the rain,
tree and leaf and painter
beyond the window pane
Yet almost silently the day breaks…it breaks…it breaks



Last edited by rayc; 04/27/18 01:03 PM.

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rayc
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ray,

that was a most interesting listen.

An "artsy" song and recording. Could have come out of San Francisco in the early 70's... Miriam has a vocal similar to early Joni Mitchell (For The Roses era).

The stream-of-consciousness lyric occasionally lost me, but the music never did...

fj

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Originally Posted By: floyd jane
ray,

that was a most interesting listen.

An "artsy" song and recording. Could have come out of San Francisco in the early 70's... Miriam has a vocal similar to early Joni Mitchell (For The Roses era).

The stream-of-consciousness lyric occasionally lost me, but the music never did...

fj

Thanks fj,
I was quite influenced by a Tolkien short story when I wrote the lyrics, (in about 77). It's an almost unknown but significant story called Leaf by Niggle. It's about social/community obligation.
Yes, Miriam does have a Roses quality. I don't know if she plays or sings currently as she's busy with two youngsters. Sadly the chap who made the mic, Naiant, no longer ships outside continental North America.
Thanks for your generous words.


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rayc
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Ray,

I really like this. I agree with Floyd on the overall sound - you have really captured it well here.

Very nice job!

Bob

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The voice and the lyrics go really well together. The voice is more like an instrument here, and I, too, sometimes let the meaning of the words disappear and just listened to the sounds.

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Loved the backtrack and vocal on this tune. Well done. Love the feel to this song. Well done.


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
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Originally Posted By: rsdean
Ray,

I really like this. I agree with Floyd on the overall sound - you have really captured it well here.

Very nice job!

Bob

Thanks Bob,
Nothing like some tape, some digital, some BIAB & some weird little mics to make a vibe.


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rayc
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Originally Posted By: Marty Sorensen
The voice and the lyrics go really well together. The voice is more like an instrument here, and I, too, sometimes let the meaning of the words disappear and just listened to the sounds.

Marty,
I don't think the singer was born when I scrawled the lyrics but she was/is a perfect fit. As much as I love lyrics they are a carrier for the signal more than anything else.


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Originally Posted By: Scott C
Loved the backtrack and vocal on this tune. Well done. Love the feel to this song. Well done.


Scott,
You're very kind. This remake is much dreamier than the original - for a start I excised the strident cello parts - as much as I liked the aggression and slight discord of them they jolted in and out of the dream state.


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Fantastic work rayc! Really dig the chord progression and the tremolo guitar. The vocals are great too. Thanks for sharing! smile


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Rayc, this is a very interesting well composed song. The vocals were just perfect as was the guitar lead.

This reminded me of songs from the late 1960's.

This is very well done!


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Originally Posted By: Joe -PG Music
Fantastic work rayc! Really dig the chord progression and the tremolo guitar. The vocals are great too. Thanks for sharing! smile

Thanks Joe,
I was tempted to cut the trem guitar as it was in a bust space but panned it out of the jumble and it sounds cool I agree. Ah, as a bassist I know only a few chords so am lucky that those I know cobble well.
Thanks for your kind words.


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Originally Posted By: MarioD
Rayc, this is a very interesting well composed song. The vocals were just perfect as was the guitar lead.

This reminded me of songs from the late 1960's.

This is very well done!

The late 60s is a lovely reference point - I was 12 in 69.
The solo is cool - Gerry Steele is a superb player and has contributed about 90% of solos on my songs.
Thanks you very much for your generous assessment.


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That definitely has the feel of a 70's dreamscape type of song. The vocal has a really nice delicate and soft quality about it. I like how the rhythm guitars drop out for the solo. The lyrics are so poetic and stream of self consciousness that it reminded me of waking up and remembering a dream you just had and thinking " What does this mean?" Therefore it stays with you a little bit and that is a good thing. I enjoyed it, Tom

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Ray,
Tom summed up my thoughts on the lyrics - on a song like this you let them drift around in the dreamlike feeling.
I really liked the melody on this and use of cello as a rhythm instrument.
Lovely vocals, as others have mentioned. I was reminded of Rennaissance ( Brit. prog rock band).
Well worth your efforts to revive and massage the original recordings.

Robert

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Ray

Excellent work - evocative and quite distinctive. Agree with most of the prior comments. Nicely done and an interesting recording process. (I think there are a number of us here that were 12 in 1969).

Peter

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Originally Posted By: tommyad
That definitely has the feel of a 70's dreamscape type of song. The vocal has a really nice delicate and soft quality about it. I like how the rhythm guitars drop out for the solo. The lyrics are so poetic and stream of self consciousness that it reminded me of waking up and remembering a dream you just had and thinking " What does this mean?" Therefore it stays with you a little bit and that is a good thing. I enjoyed it, Tom

Thanks Tom, you're very kind.
The arrangement decision for the solo was easy to make - It sounded so perfect I wanted it to shine and not be crowded. Gerry has done wonderful solos across a range of genre for me in the last 15 years or so.
Lyrics - I enjoy writing them - some are worked on and ground out otehrs, like this one, arrive fully free formed.


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Originally Posted By: Robertkc
Ray,
Tom summed up my thoughts on the lyrics - on a song like this you let them drift around in the dreamlike feeling.
I really liked the melody on this and use of cello as a rhythm instrument.
Lovely vocals, as others have mentioned. I was reminded of Rennaissance ( Brit. prog rock band).
Well worth your efforts to revive and massage the original recordings.

Robert

Robert,
A comparison to Renaissance? I'll happily take that generous assessment. My cello is out of its case, on a stand and stares at me - condemning me for it's inaction of late. I'll have to loosen the shoulders and spend some time getting to know it again.


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Originally Posted By: PeterF
Ray

Excellent work - evocative and quite distinctive. Agree with most of the prior comments. Nicely done and an interesting recording process. (I think there are a number of us here that were 12 in 1969).

Peter

Hello Peter,
'69 - ah, the days of relative innocence, a life of creeks, cartoons and having no understanding of the world.
Thanks for your kind words.


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We thought about the Rose album also. Our favorite of hers.

We like Tom's word "dreamscape." That says a lot in two syllables.

It is remarkable that you were able to update this so well...we have a LOT of those 4-track Tascam cassettes around but have only tackled a few revisions.

The performances are outstanding. Wish y'all could do more.

Thanks for the song and the backstory!

J&B


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