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https://soundcloud.com/rayc/silent-waltz-pygmy-beat-expanded-featuring-miriam-webbThis 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 02:03 PM.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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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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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.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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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.
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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 Thanks Bob, Nothing like some tape, some digital, some BIAB & some weird little mics to make a vibe.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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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. 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.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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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.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Fantastic work rayc! Really dig the chord progression and the tremolo guitar. The vocals are great too. Thanks for sharing! 
Cheers,
Joe
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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!
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
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Fantastic work rayc! Really dig the chord progression and the tremolo guitar. The vocals are great too. Thanks for sharing! 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.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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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! 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.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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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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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.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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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
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.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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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 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.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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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
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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