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A Healer Of The Hills This song was inspired by Celtic rock, at least according to my notes - I listened to Big Country in the 80's and Runrig's Searchlight album was my favorite in the 90's. I think those influences can be heard in the chording. Of course the use of bagpipes in the instrumental breaks is intentional. Lyrically I have tried to use some Celtic elements but naturally it's not authentic as I have mixed in many other cultures, for example, you can google where Dunland is  The Band: RealDrums: Bodhran, TexasBluesRock RealTracks: Accordion #1752 Acoustic guitar #896, #1814, #1945 Electric bass #1717 Electric guitar #1684, #1718, #1719 Electric guitar soloist #1722 MIDI: bagpipes (VST Garritan World Instruments) Vocals by me Mixed in Cakewalk by BandLab Lyrics: I have walked down the green hills of grief I have dreamt of a righteous relief I have prayed for salvation to see is the path of saints really for me. I have walked the maroon misty moor I have followed the sorrowful spoor I have seen all the daring ones drown now the shyest man carries the lei crown. I'm a shamrock shepherd I'm a balladry bard a poetic preacher, a pagan. Among daffodils I'm a healer of the hills a descendant of Druids from Dunland. I have walked with the wisdom of wood I have worshipped the goddess of good I have learned sacred herbs of the earth when I've climbed the rowan of rebirth. I have walked to the door of deceased I have danced through the fire and feast I have sown hazel seeds of this spring saving life on the glens lush and lasting. [Chorus] [Chorus] ------------- Janne
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Overall it's a pretty cool song/arrangement/mix though it sounds like a very aggressive edit at the nine seconds mark.
The good arrangement allows plenty of space in the sound.
I'm a huge fan of the Bodhran and it sounds fine in this song too.
Nothing like a little plain air worship - the music sounded open, fresh and free.
Normally I wouldn't mention it but as you start most lines with "I" it is reasonable, I think, to offer that your pronunciation as "oi" does sound a little odd with so many repetitions.
It's probably not an issue for anyone else but it was noticeable in my headphones
The bagpipes weren't bad and they do give that touch of Big Country, (or Slade's version of Big Country on Run Run Away).
well done Janne.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Janne,
I enjoyed the very descriptive lyric.
The music has a good drive to it. Playful.
fj
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Janne,
Interesting crossover of styles. It is fun & easy to listen. Cool lyrics!
Enjoyed it.
Thank you for sharing!
Misha.
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Janne
A big sound, and a good listen. Nice use of different instruments and stylistic components.
Nicely done.
Peter
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Enjoyed the lyrics and your instrumentation choices.
Well done, Janne!
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What a cool song!!! There is a great feel to the music.....has the sound of a classic melody....like a pop version of a traditional song!! Really like the band, arrangement, and vocal! Everything works!! Take care. Greg
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Runrig , Big Country yea I'm in..
I enjoyed this.. the lyrics.. way out of my league the sound tracks fitted the song really well.
And your vocals suited the song, loved the bagpipes tho !!, all round a big and full sound on this.
Thanks
win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 . https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases
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‘jannesan’…
The sound of Healer of the Hills has a golden sheen, like an old, forgotten heirloom that's had all the tarnish and discoloration cleaned off it and now shines in the light like a sought-after relic of bygone days. The lyrics are vivid, colorful, as they illuminate a picturesque place in a timeless space, and they also speak of a spiritual way of being that seems to have deep ancestral roots.
The music is lively with an energetic rhythm that keeps the song interesting to listen to, thanks to the inspired selection of Real Tracks. The electric guitar solo is charged and has an ever-ascending feel that is exciting to hear.
Your vocal performance is simply charming! I don’t know if you were trying to do this, but your voice sounds like you were characterizing a person of elderly stature who could be a wandering sage, and possibly possessed of magical powers.
This is a unique song that is saturated with a sense of historical time viewed through a nostalgic lens. It was fun to listen to!
Sincerely,
- bluage -
Last edited by bluage; 10/07/19 07:06 PM.
"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
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Overall it's a pretty cool song/arrangement/mix though it sounds like a very aggressive edit at the nine seconds mark.
The good arrangement allows plenty of space in the sound.
I'm a huge fan of the Bodhran and it sounds fine in this song too.
Nothing like a little plain air worship - the music sounded open, fresh and free.
Normally I wouldn't mention it but as you start most lines with "I" it is reasonable, I think, to offer that your pronunciation as "oi" does sound a little odd with so many repetitions.
It's probably not an issue for anyone else but it was noticeable in my headphones
The bagpipes weren't bad and they do give that touch of Big Country, (or Slade's version of Big Country on Run Run Away).
well done Janne. Thanks Ray, your positive comment is very encouraging I hesitated to showcase this because I felt the mix was not good enough in my ears, on headphones it sounded ok, but on speakers there was something strange. But when you didn't find more to complain then it has to be ok  Janne
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Janne,
I enjoyed the very descriptive lyric.
The music has a good drive to it. Playful.
fj Thanks Floyd, I appreciate your positive words Janne
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Janne,
Interesting crossover of styles. It is fun & easy to listen. Cool lyrics!
Enjoyed it.
Thank you for sharing!
Misha. Thanks Misha for your kind feedback BIAB makes it really easy to find the right instrument for your vision and even experiment with possible alternatives. Janne
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Very cool.
The lyric would come close to working for referencing Native American culture.
As Blueage said,"your vocal performance is simply charming! I don’t know if you were trying to do this,
but your voice sounds like you were characterizing a person of elderly stature who could be a wandering sage,
and possibly possessed of magical powers."
The style mashup works well and is nicely supportive of the engaging melody.
And you toped it off with a very good mix.
Enjoyed it!
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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Fantastic lyric and chord progression. The little "jams" in the breaks were especially fun. This is one for your "keeper" folder for sure.
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I've never heard a song use the word "spoor" before!  Like rayc, the "Oy" for "I" threw me a bit, but I figured it was you being "Oyrish" or something, right? Fun listen! Definitely got the Big Country vibe.
Last edited by dcuny; 10/10/19 08:59 PM. Reason: "Oyrih" should be "Oyrish"
-- 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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Nicely done - really enjoyed the arrangement, and thought it flowed really well. As others mentioned, the lyrics on this really take it to the next level. Very vivid and it certainly sets a unique atmosphere.
Thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Deryk
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Very nice, Janne! Good lyrics, and refreshing sound.
Steve
Steve Young Music"In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of." - Robert Schumann
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A big sound, and a good listen. Nice use of different instruments and stylistic components.
Nicely done.
Peter Thanks Peter, I'm glad you liked it Janne
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Enjoyed the lyrics and your instrumentation choices.
Well done, Janne!
Thanks Dave for your kind feedback, glad you enjoyed the lyrics Janne
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What a cool song!!! There is a great feel to the music.....has the sound of a classic melody....like a pop version of a traditional song!! Really like the band, arrangement, and vocal! Everything works!! Take care. Greg Thanks Greg for your very positive review "Pop version of a traditional song" - very nicely said, something like this I really tried to make Janne
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