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#557961 10/05/19 09:25 PM
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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 smile

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
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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


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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 06:06 PM.

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Originally Posted By: rayc
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 smile 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 wink

Janne


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Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Janne,
I enjoyed the very descriptive lyric.
The music has a good drive to it. Playful.
fj


Thanks Floyd, I appreciate your positive words smile

Janne


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Originally Posted By: Rustyspoon#
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 smile 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


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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.


BIAB 2021 Audiophile. Windows 10 64bit. Songwriter, lyricist, composer(?) loving all styles. Some pre-BIAB music from Farfetched Tangmo Band's first CD. https://alonetone.com/tangmo/playlists/close-to-the-ground
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I've never heard a song use the word "spoor" before! laugh

Like rayc, the "Oy" for "I" threw me a bit, but I figured it was you being "Oyrish" or something, right? wink

Fun listen! Definitely got the Big Country vibe.

Last edited by dcuny; 10/10/19 07:59 PM. Reason: "Oyrih" should be "Oyrish"

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Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

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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


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Originally Posted By: PeterF
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 smile

Janne


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Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Enjoyed the lyrics and your instrumentation choices.

Well done, Janne!


Thanks Dave for your kind feedback, glad you enjoyed the lyrics smile

Janne


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Originally Posted By: Greg Johnson
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 smile "Pop version of a traditional song" - very nicely said, something like this I really tried to make smile

Janne


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