A good "update". A good arrangement. The instruments are are well placed. The vocal is crisp and clear with warmth. The "fullness" of the chorus with "big guitars" gives it a "current" sound. The solos are really nice. The acoustics sound great (a "personal preference" - I thought they might use more reverb).
Enjoyed it. It sticks with you...
fj
Hi floyd,
Thanks for listening and for commenting. I'm glad you had some time to visit the thread.
I appreciate the heads up regarding the acoustic guitars and reverb. You made me realise that when I put the mix together, I didn't really pay all that much attention to the these guitars' reverb. I'll go back and has a play around, now.
I didn't hear the original but this sure does sound terrific! I particularly enjoyed the way the chorus soars without overpowering the verses. Your vocal is as good as any I've heard from you ... and they're all pretty dang good!
The brief lead guitar solo was spot on ... it really put a shine on the arrangement. Loved this one ... glad you went back, dug it out and reworked it. That was a very enjoyable listen. It sounded as good as the Three Musketeer candy bar I just ate tasted! Great stuff, my friend! You post some really terrific music!
I enjoyed this, very uplifting and you have a brilliant voice. I'd like to hear the old version if you have it anywhere to compare the two.
What are your thoughts on the CLA plugins and Ozone? I have the CLA vocals plugin as part of a Waves subscription and I like it so I was considering getting some of the other ones.
Hi Richard,
Thanks for the visit! I'm a fan of the CLA plugins. They definitely make it easier to obtain a good overall sound by having easy adjustments for tone, compression, delay and reverb. The ones I use most are 'unplugged', 'drums' and 'bass'. In additon, I've used the 'vocals' one a couple of times and the 'guitar' one a couple of times (for electric guitar Realtracks). I prefer Nectar for vocals and Ozone for the final mix.
I purchased the CLA plugins at a bargain basement price and didn't take up Waves offer of a subscription. What this means is that my version 10 plugins will stay at version 10 without being updated (which I'm happy with).
Since I bought Waves' Linear Multiband Compressor, though, where I used to use CLA plugins as my first port of call, I now find myself starting with the LinMB plugin and then migrating to CLA if I cannot get LinMB effectively creating to get the sound I'm after.
Hi Noel I like this a lot. Very nice lyrics and vocal. You've labelled it a 'rock ballad' but to me it somehow has a bit of a folky feel about it (maybe its the tone of your voice and the delivery). Regards, Leon
Hi Leon,
Great to see you. Thanks for listening and posting comments. I agree with you about the 'rock ballad'. It's probably more a folk-meets-rock ballad. While I love listening to rock, it's a genre that I don't feel very comfortable writing in. I'm definitely a remnant of the folk songs from the late 1960s! Now if only I could write lyrics half as clever as yours....
We've also begun to revisit some older projects but unlike you I get so depressed with the way they sound I don't have the heart to tackle re-doing them
This has all the Noel goodness. A heartfelt positive lyric and vocal and a well mixed band (excellent RT choices).
What better attitude could one have than "The best is yet to come?"
No need to parse it out. We like it ALL!
Kudos on the remix.
J&B
PS And, we are huge fans of that CLA series...I'm slowly but surely moving a bit away from Neutron and more toward them...patricularly the CLA drums and CLA unplugged.
Hi Janice and Bud,
I'm pleased that you found time to visit. Thank you. And thanks for the comments, too.
I have never used Neutron but, given the calibre of your mixes, it must be a mighty fine plugin. Also, that Waves Linear Multiband Compressor you introduced me to gets a huge working out these days. That truly is an amazing plugin. It is now my initial 'go to' plugin when I first start taming tracks and mixes. If that doesn't do the job, I then move to CLA. (While these plugins helps heaps, I still haven't discovered a passion for mixing yet!)
Agree with Steve Young about liking the way "the best is yet to come" repeats. I read in a song writing book the best way to make a lyric memorable is to repeat and repeat often. A slightly melancholy mood, yet optimistic. Well done vocal, mix, and production. Enjoyed the listen.
Hi Mark,
Thank you! It's very kind of you pass through and have a listen. And I'm pleased to read that your caught the song's intended mood. My premise for this was that it's about moving on to new pastures... not that there's anything wrong with the old ones... just that change happens as a part of life.
I really liked this one: A very nice positive write which is perfectly represented by the melody and your singing - superbly arranged and sounding great. Enjoyed the listen a lot!
Take care,
Stefan
Hi Stefan,
I appreciate your kind words. Thank you. When it comes to arranging, though, I've got a long way to go to catch up wot you!
Noel, you totally won me with the first two lines:
Sitting by a campfire Beneath the Southern Cross
Boy I've done that so often. The Victorian High Country is my favorite place from absolutely everywhere.
Fantastic delivery, lyrics, loved the phrasing 'walked the green and gold'. Perfect.
Trev
Hi Trev,
Ahh... the high country! I agree with you, it's truly magnificent.
In 2014 I went on a trip through Gippsland, Omeo, and ended up a bit north of the Blue Duck Inn (Anglers Rest). I stayed on a farm and did a spot of horse riding over a few days. There were campfires, the Southern Cross and just lots of fun.
We came back over the Great Alpine Highway across Falls Creek and then down through Bright and visited some of the many wineries. I wouldn't mind doing that trip again sometime but I'm probably too dilapidated these days to manage it. Still, some wonderful memories were made on that journey.
Thanks for reminding me about it. And thank you for dropping in and having a listen. I sincerely appreciate it.
A recent innovation that Andrew (from Team PG) introduced to the forum is the 'green dot' as shown below.
This dot shows you which of the threads you've visited and made a comment in. As you can see on the image below, I've been to all the threads shown except for Joanne Cooper's.
I love this little indicator. It makes life in the forum much easier
A Road With New Horizons would be a great song for me to listen to when I don't feel like getting up and going to work in the morning ...
I like the loose-feeling rhyme scheme. The pedal steel guitar track sounds so sweet and bluesy that I'd like to try to find a place for it in a jazz composition !!!
Your lyrics are like a flag held aloft in the hands of someone at the head of a long line of weary, but hopeful followers, leading them to a place where they might find the things they are looking for, and in abundance...
Sometimes I think you might be a minister of a congregation. That's how consoling and spiritually reassuring your songs always seem to be.
- bluage -
Hi Loren,
Thank you for the visit. I always enjoy reading what you write whether it's in a thread of mine or anyone else's. You have a very skilled, gentle and pleasant way with words.
I am sorry for disillusioning you but I am not a minister. I am a school science teacher so maybe that's impacting on my presentations!
Great tune Noel. This is well written and uplifting. I got a laugh when you speak of updating this older song. Every professional to give me songwriting advice over the years have stated to not go back to old songs. Move on to new ones. However, revisiting my old songs is one of my favorite things to do.
2012 was before I joined the forum so this song is 'new' to me and all is good...
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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