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Hi everyone, I have posted a new song, called President's friend https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/presidents-friend. It is based on a true story. 'Some' of you must have heard from it. I was busy working on some kind of bluessong, but then this idea entered my head. I am curious what you think of it. The style I worked with is called Fidget, but I changed most of the instruments (I think). It's in the key of Am. The tempo is 100. I used a baritonguitar for the solopart. I like to let it sounds bassy, because the subject in the song is not nice at all. I faced some problems ending this song properly. The solution came by chance. I did some panning in that part to make it feel he is dragged to jail. The lyrics: The President's friend (c)HWBerkhout, aug. 2019 I'm a man without conventions That's who I am I have huge intentions Like it, or scram! I am rich, have much cash And like to play with young human flesh I never faced a real defiance... Nothing ever went wrong I don't need me an alliance, No one makes me wait too long Yes, I'm a man with relations And power even more 'Me Too' from all nations don't dare to sew me, whatever for I'm rich, Have no compunction But only to prefend malfunction It's now, I face a real defiance... a crime research is coming on I need me an alliance I've waited much too long -solo- I was that man with expectations And I was the presidents own friend But now I hear speculations my world soon will end They talked about sex abuse and I was involved Distraction I had to use Like my former case that's still unsolved It's now, I face a real defiance... That crime research is coming close I need me an alliance My friends all hide in the shadows Yes, I face a real defiance... I feel me like a lame, sitting duck I need me an alliance The White house tweeted Hé, Good Luck! Now I'm really annoyed My face has turned to pale Although I'm rich, I can't avoid I end in jail! Spoken: Now, wait a minute... You can't mean that... I'm rich, have powerful friends... No, let me out of here I pay... I wanna get OUT!!!
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Funky! I'm surprised how well the fiddle fit into the mix. Nicely done.  Given the news of the day, the timing of the song is a bit awkward, but unfortunately, not surprising.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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First of all...
I love the sound of that guitar!!!...
Also a great sounding song...
There use to be site where you could upload protest songs...
But I can't seem to find its location...
Seems like it was associated with Neil Young...
Maybe like other sites it has been vaporized...
Anyway...
I think your song would have been a good contribution to that site.
Jim
†=☮&♥
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I wrote it was an ironic song, but he beated me with that prediction.
David, funny you mentioned the violin. My son said they had to be taken out. I persist in letting them in, but sended him a version of the song without it. I gave him your reply. I expect some apologies now from him.
And Jim, thanks for your immediate reply with compliments. You made me curious about that site. I haven't heard of it. Yet.
But now that he ended his live (if he did it himselve) this isn't a protestsong anymore. What stays is that rich people don't possess the whole world. Somewhere there is a border, don't you think? I also made 2 songs about Trump, one dealing with the elections and the other was when he visited Putin in Helsinki (Love my power). The last one is on SC, the first one oly on my pc. What happens if I post it?
But thank you both for your nice comments,
Hans
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And Jim, thanks for your immediate reply with compliments. You made me curious about that site. I haven't heard of it. Yet.
But now that he ended his live (if he did it himselve) this isn't a protestsong anymore. What stays is that rich people don't possess the whole world. Somewhere there is a border, don't you think? I also made 2 songs about Trump, one dealing with the elections and the other was when he visited Putin in Helsinki (Love my power). The last one is on SC, the first one oly on my pc. What happens if I post it?
Hans
Don't kid yourself... As long as there are other guilty parties... This will be a protest song... As you said... "rich people don't possess the whole world. Somewhere there is a border"... BTW... Thanks for your kind comments on "Dreams of You"... And I'll be waiting to hear that "Love my Power" song you mentioned.
Jim
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The violin seems like a strange choice but it fits well with the song as a whole I think!
Cheers,
Ember
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Hi Ember and Jim, Ember, thanks for your support with that violin (fiddle). My son still thinks the fiddle was too joyful for this type of song. I don't agree. It can't be too joyful if these people are caught, although this end wasn't foreseen at this short time. Jim, you can find 'I love my power' on this link to Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/love-my-power?in=user-296497130/sets/birch-2018-part-1 And you are -of course- right with what you said. And we have the power to make songs about it! Hans
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Hans,
This is a good write of a dark subject and dark people.
The arrangement and production are well done. Your vocal is really well done.
And a fine mix.
Very well done.
fj
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I certainly hope you are not reluctant to post this one on the User Showcase... It is a darn good song... With a darn good message... Seen through the eyes of a citizen in an allied nation... I had my wife listen to it... She liked it... And said you should post it!
Jim
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I think the lyrics are very appropriate. Wished the lowlife stayed around. He would have got all the sex he wanted and more where he was going.
Excellent vocal and backtrack. Well done
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Hi Hans, I think we'll all agree that guys, regardless of their social status, who molest, abuse or even rape young gorls (or women in general, of course) deserve - take this symbolically - a very dark and hot place in hell. Hans, there is a long tradition in music of pointing at and denouncing evil deeds and persons - so, yes, you're darn right to speak up like this. And, man, you're doing it more than just well. I've heard only very few of your songs by now, but they're in all aspects al so different from anything I've heard in a very long time, so dedicated and well-put together. A very remarkable and impressive song - thanks for having the guts to post it here. All the very best, Stefan PS: Although the sudden death of Mr E. is no great loss for the world, I do hope, that this happened coincidentally with your post, Hans - I mean, what if you had the power to... oh no... 
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What a slime bag.
Political? Well, yeah, but who could defend him?
Unfortunately he had a LOT of friends.
Your write, vocal performance and production all nailed the message.
Well done!!!
J&B
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Hi Floyd, Scott, Stefan, Bud and Janice (you're the last one in this row, Janice :-)),
Thanks for all your compliments of this song. That's very nice of you. But to be completely honest: I was not satisfied with it myself. Ok, the lyrics were alright, but not my voice and I could also have done some better mixing/mastering than I did. Misha would agree on that, I'm sure! I'm sorry for that. But..., I improved the song a bit afterwards.
In my earlier reply to Jim I gave a link to a song I made about one of his friends when he was in Helsinki with Putin. Jim said his wife liked it much and he asked me to post it on this forum. I hesitate to do so. Maybe it is a bit too much politics for this forum. What do you think?
And Scott, you are completely right. If he stayed alive he would have faced 'great fun'. Let's hope he wasn't murdered (or the investigation comes with no conclusions that he was). Because than there be huge problems I'm afraid. But maybe good for another song???
I hope maybe you will answer my question,
Hans
Last edited by Birchwood; 08/13/19 10:33 AM.
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Nice work Birchwood, I really enjoyed the overall tone of this. This sounds very full and very soothing to hear. Looking forward to hear more!
Cheers,
Joe
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Hans,
Good lyrics - I like the edge in your voice too- ( think I`ve commented on your vocal effects in the past- the treatment here sounds great!).
I enjoyed the funky style... and by the end the fiddle sounded like a good fit.
"But now I hear speculations
my world soon will end "
ouch, did you ever get that right!
Robert
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Certainly a song for our times.
Well done.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Excellent! Loved everything about this, great vocal, mix, and production.
Fiddle works for me as does the baritone.
Well done!
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Hans, first of all, I believe you figured out vocal recording thing pretty well Very good arrangement, clever lyrics and excellent performance! I wish that pres. "friend" would stick around for longer....in jail. Got out of the mess too easy. Thank you for sharing! Misha.
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Funky blues down to the bass solo. Vocal effects were true and reminded me of some classic white-soul singers whose names escape me. All around effective as all get out.
I reckon he "got out" and "paid", though I am far from convinced that such men have "friends" at all.
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Hi Joe, Robert, Ray, Dave, Misha and Tangmo,
I liked all of your comments. Thanks!
Only those of Tangmo I had to translate by Google. But the first sentence could not be translated: 'Funky blues down to the bass solo'. Is this a good thing?
I think I can draw the conclusion we all agree Epstein wasn't 'our kind of guy', but his Caribbean island looked very nice. Or is that not appropriate to say?
Misha, your words about my vocal recordings made me smile and a bit shy at the same time. I'm still learning...
And all who discussed that violin fitting well in the song, thanks for that. I told my son he was wrong when asking me to get rid of that instrument, because of all your comments. The result? He doesn't wanna talk with me now.
So thanks for that as well,
Hans
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