PG Music Home Forums General Discussion User Showcase The Way Of The World (Life's Carousel)

A little while back I discovered Realtrack 2928 (Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm RnBPop8thsJoe Ev 110).

The sound of this particular RT fascinated me because artist Joe Robinson has used fret-board and string noises in a very rhythmical and dramatic way to enhance the feeling of his playing. I set out to see if there was some way that I could create a song using this particular Realtrack as the hero of the arrangement. I grabbed some lyrics that I'd written a couple of years back and that had been sitting around waiting for a home.

Here is where my journey took me to...

• ♫♫ The Way Of The World

So that I might have additional control over the guitar RT, using BIAB I prepared 32-bar chord sheets of individual chords in 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-bar variations (using A and B variations). From these individual chord wav files, I then created loops for the chords and assembled them into a backing.

Please feel free to comment and offer any suggestions.

Regards,
Noel

=====

BIAB Band

• 518: Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 085
• 2510: Viola, Background PopEven Ev 120
• 2928: Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm RnBPop8thsJoe Ev 110
• 896: Guitar, 12-String Acoustic, Rhythm FolkRock Ev 100
• RealDrums: BossaRockPerc^8-a:Percussion , b:Brushes, Sidestick
• Realdrums: Afucheshaker

Lyrics
Standing at the top of the wooden steps
Staring straight ahead
He's hypnotised by what's in front of his eyes
A cherry tree has erupted in pink
Winter has finally fled
Spring is here with her promise of awakening life
And he’s thinking...

That's the way of the world since time began
And the way of the world is nature’s dance
Beginning with spring
Life never stops trav’ling

The tree reminds him of the day he was wed
When he stood there watching his bride
So gentle and proud, she was beautiful, calm and serene
The air around her was bursting with hope
Like spring had finally arrived
And last he’d awoken from Winter’s lonely dream
He nods his head...

That's the way of the world since time began
And the way of the world is nature’s dance
Beginning with spring
Life never stops trav’ling

Inside his mind, the Earth revolves in heaven like a merry-go-round
Such an almighty ball of blue, green and white
And it’s home while he’s flying the cosmos
Riding this roundabout of life

Yes, that is the way of the world since time began
And the way of the world is nature’s dance
Beginning with spring
Life keeps on rolling along

That's the way of the world since time began
And the way of the world is nature’s dance
Beginning with spring
Life never stops trav’ling

And he says, “Till planet Earth bids me farewell
“I’m going to seize ev’ry moment on life’s carousel”

©2018 Noel Adams, words and music, all rights reserved.

This just makes me feel good. Tasty band playing that light syncopation. Classic melody feels like home. Smiles here first bar to last. Been in kind of a foul mood today, and you've cured me. Thanks.

Tangmo,

Thanks for listening.

I appreciate your comments and I'm glad the song helped re-invigorate your positive outlook

All the best,
Noel

Love the positive nature of this! The world needs more feel good songs I think

This is great, Noel, the mix sounds fabulous through the 'phones. That Bossa percussion track is the cats meow! And that guitar RT sounds great too, very interesting the way you put it together.

And possibly your best vocal performance, especially during the chorus.

My new favorite of yours I think, enjoyed very much!

Noel… I like the way that you built this song… Thanks for explaining your architecture with the loop.. I think that that approach works very well, and probably replicates how someone would actually play, versus an entire track of time repeated sequences, like RTs sometimes yield. I liked your strong, clean vocal, and I especially liked the little tag that you added to the end to wind things up. Great work!

Noel,

This is a delight.

A strong write. Perhaps your best, (in my opinion).
The first verse paints a picture of a moment in time which leads perfectly to the "philosophy" of the chorus.
The chorus then states its purpose succinctly, simply, unequivocally...
(the began/dance rhyme is nice, fresh).
The second verse presents a nice expanded view, again with nicely painted pictures.
The bridge expands out further. Nice.
All leading back to the chorus as they should.
The tag lines are a truly fresh way to finish (and complete) a song.

The production is strong, too.
A perfect melding of guitars and percussion.
That RT (RnBPop8thsJoe) is a great find. Nicely used.
Adding the strum in at the chorus - nice.
BossaRockPerc suits the song so well. Dropping it out at the bridge - so "right"...
The viola - added in at the perfect time.
Your vocal is nestled in perfectly, too...

Excellent arrangement!!! Excellent mix.

All around top shelf. One of your best without question.

fj

Great work on this Noel96, thank you for sharing this! This sounds very full and warm. Very organic collection of instruments and thoroughly enjoyed the strings in the chorus. Very fitting vocals with a nice touch of reverb. Well done!

Hi Noel,

You paint such a vivid and clear picture,

you can't help but feel good listening to this,

rebirth, a renewal, new hope

I love spring, all baseball teams are tied for first!

maybe this year is our year (sorry for getting off on a sports thing)

I love it, another excellent song,

Kenny

I really enjoyed the use of drums here. Thanks for sharing!

Noel

A delightful easy to listen to positive song with a melodic chorus a fine vocal and a nice band.
A joy to hear.

Peter

Loved this tune Noel. Super vocal and lyric. Backtrack was perfect for your lyrics. Well done

Brilliant choice of instrumentation, especially for the way you built your song around that lovely guitar track. Good feeling throughout. I especially like the chorus.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one Really pretty melodies, and really easy on the ears. Love the subtle groove too. Really helps the whole thing flow along beautifully. Plus, it is nicely catchy as well. Got me humming along really quick.

Thanks for sharing!

Cool song Noel! I like the arc of the sentiments in the lyrics, and the really nice feel of the rhythm section. It's extremely well engineered and mixed too. After a couple of listens I can't get the hooky melody out of my brain!

Cheers
John

Always nice to hear your vocals and the lyrics about wonders of our planet. Simple arrangement, I like especially the viola and the percussion, but nice story of the acoustic guitar also.

Janne

And he says, “Till planet Earth bids me farewell
“I’m going to seize ev’ry moment on life’s carousel”

There is so much wisdom packed into that line. And the older we get the even more wise it seems.

Bud thanks you for the reminder -- Janice never forgets it!

I wish we could add to what floyd said as it is so articulately stated and spot on.

Every spring I (Bud) walk through our forests and marvel at the rebirth...but on a walk the other day that seemed rainy and dreary to me Janice was constantly pointing out the rebirth and beauty of different fungi and other plants that "spring" up this time of year - during mid fall. Too frequently that attitude alludes me and I'm lucky to have her as an inspiration. And lucky to have compositions like this to listen to.

We've much liked every song you've posted but even given that this one is extra special (along with Life's Lotto ). No need to go into details as the write, vocal, band choice and production are all up to your high bar standards.

Suffice it to say thank you for sharing this for all of us.

J&B

Beautiful Noel! Love it. Great laid back beachy Boardwalk vibe.
Sounds wonderful on my new speakers.

"Noel96"...

Your song, "The Way of the World", by way of your RealTrack choices, has a nice, laid-back "pop" sound with a light calypso-style beat that is as charming and fresh to the ears as it is reminiscent of Michael Franks' sound.

The lyrics are seriously appreciative of the rhythms of Nature, and they are very nicely married to images of marital bliss and youthful hopes.

As is usual, you sing with the fervor of a man who is open to everything that life has in store for him. It's a reassuring voice that shares its sense of wonder with those who would listen closely enough to it.

You may be the reigning philosopher/songwriter of this forum, "Noel96"!

A fellow "trav'ler",

LOREN

Hi Noel,

Everything Dave said is spot on and I fully agree. He said it much better than I could have. Love the casual but upbeat cheerfulness. Your vocal is tops and, like Dave said, the chorus is splendid. You have a special relationship with music creation that I wish I had. Wonderful! Wishing you the very best.

Alan

Noel,

Sundance expressed it very well - the "beachy, Boardwalk vibe" is infectious and noone writes feel good glass brimming over, lyrics better.
Very good arrangement- the little glimpses of viola and Afro percussion were inspired choices.
I couldn`t help hearing some playful harmonies in a few places, though that`s not to take away from one of your best vocals.
Musical sunshine, sir!

Robert