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The Lairs Of Lonely SoulsThis song was inspired by several singer-songwriter songs I heard on the Soundcloud Weekly list. Couple of those songs were by regular submitters on this showcase forum, I'll let you guess who these two artists are  Lyrical inspiration came from the fact that increasing number of people are living alone nowadays... originally I had an outdoor image on my mind, but somehow it turned more into an indoor state of mind. Once again, BIAB provided perfect instruments to express my idea  Based on the style _HIGHSID.STY (Highside Americana Folk): RealTracks in style: 2877:Bass, Acoustic, AmericanaSlow16thsByron Ev16 060 RealTracks in style: 3148:Mandola, Rhythm AmericanaFolk16thsAndy ev16 060 RealTracks in style: 3150:Mandola, Background AmericanaFolk16thsAndy ev16 060 RealTracks in style: 3109:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm AmericanaFolk16thsLowBrent Ev16 060 RealDrums [in style:Folk16thsSlowBrushes^01-a:BRK2, b:BRS added the following instruments: RealDrums: SpoonsTradHornpipe RealTracks: Electric piano #904 Electric guitar #2879 Acoustic guitar soloist #3321 Fiddle #2008, #2880 Mandolin soloist #3191 Vocals by me Mixed in Cakewalk by BandLab Lyrics: A cold Sunday morning lost in the mist of solitude can't see a face of a kindred neighbor in life's interlude. No ships in the harbor importing goods of hope just a wintery wind of oblivion shaking broken ropes. In the lairs of lonely souls all songs and stories are homespun longing is inspiration when the table is set for one. In the lairs of lonely souls a heart needs a patient plumber a self needs a painter and senses a touch of summer. An old sad outsider is hiding in a diner booth writing notes, thinking "friends for life" was just a slip of youth. The meringue lost its sweetness the facades are grim and gray the call-center doorman never asks "How's your health today?" [Chorus] A little cell in the beehive on the floor number twenty-five The broken heater keeps company on the birthday of the pessimist solo dancing on the to-do-list. The vents howl the absence the smell of fall in midi coats a leaking tap drums the shabbiness tints of time in fridge door quotes. In the thoughts of the writer the door is safety locked the three-layer windows, padded walls damp if chances knock. [Chorus] -------- Janne
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Nice work Janne! I really enjoyed the spoons at the start of the song and throughout. The lyrics tell a good story as well. Thanks for sharing!
 Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
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Wow, this slid to page two of the forum in half a day - things are happening too fast on page one & there's a bit over blanket bombing with that too.
Found this anyway.
The spoons didn't actually seem to fit with the style of the melody - it seems like it forces a happy major key impression when the theme and melody are sadder.
The double tracked vocals worked well.
Good effort.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Janne,
A very interesting write. A lot of cool imagery.
Also, an interesting mix of instruments. Good mix.
(Like Ray, I thought the spoons were too "jaunty" for the overall feel of the song).
fj
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Quite a nice production, Janne.
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"In the lairs of lonely souls
all songs and stories are homespun
longing is inspiration
when the table is set for one.
In the lairs of lonely souls
a heart needs a patient plumber
a self needs a painter
and senses a touch of summer."
That is excellent.
We enjoyed everything about the production.
Thanks for the thought provoking 4 minute journey....
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! Our Videos
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Great imagery and good subject matter. Didn't get too dark, which was good. Your choruses are always interesting. Good work.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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Great lyrics. I especially like the lonely image "when the table is set for one." Yes, the BIAB tracks you choose are perfect for this song.
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Really cool song!! You always have such interesting melodies! And your lyrics have a unique charm as well! I think the arrangement is perfect for the song, and the vocal emotion is very authentic! Nice job!! Take care. Greg
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Hi Janne,
that's really lovely. Nice lyrics, a good composition, a very (!) interesting backing track and good vocals.
Enjoyed the listen.
Cheers,
Stefan
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Nice work Janne! I really enjoyed the spoons at the start of the song and throughout. The lyrics tell a good story as well. Thanks for sharing! Thanks Steve for your kind feedback Glad you enjoyed the spoons, it is great that BIAB has also such an instrument to get inspired Janne
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Wow, this slid to page two of the forum in half a day - things are happening too fast on page one & there's a bit over blanket bombing with that too.
Found this anyway.
The spoons didn't actually seem to fit with the style of the melody - it seems like it forces a happy major key impression when the theme and melody are sadder.
The double tracked vocals worked well.
Good effort.
Thanks Ray for finding my song and giving nice review Although a lot is happening on this forum, it is very nice to see new and returning old commentators. The spoons are associated to step dancing in my mind, having happy elements in a sadder song is like a Chaplin's tramp - hardship in life but still he can express inner happiness in his own way. Janne
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A very interesting write. A lot of cool imagery.
Also, an interesting mix of instruments. Good mix.
(Like Ray, I thought the spoons were too "jaunty" for the overall feel of the song).
fj
Thanks Floyd, I appreciate your positive feedback As I said above, the spoons refer to step dancing and in the lyrics I mention "solo dancing on the to-do-list": without a partner the eccentric person(s) of the story can still (step) dance alone on the birthday, celebrating in his/her own way - silver lining in the gray life. Janne
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Very interesting lyrics...
And a nicely written song...
I enjoyed the listen.
Jim
†=☮&♥
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Nice writing! When I listened yesterday I didn't like the spoons, but I think they are growing on me Good track, enjoyed the listen(s).
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Janne
Nice work, good set of lyrics and an interesting chord progression and melody.
Enjoyed it.
Peter
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Really nicely done - a fine example of good songwriting, and the lyricism adds a whole other layer. The spoons were an expected and wonderful addition too. All around a solid tune, and I thoroughly enjoyed my listen. Thanks for sharing
Cheers,
Deryk
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Dear 'jannesan'...
I think The Lair of Lonely Souls is so original in its chordal progression, instrumentation, and subject matter in particular, that it made me feel as though I had just heard something new that no one else had a chance to experience before me!
The spoons in the intro were a startling and inspired instrumental choice. It's a riveting musical effect that was as unexpected as it was exhilarating to hear. That Real Style you used, _HIGHSID.STY (Highside Americana Folk) was a novel band sound that I would have never known existed in Band-in-a-Box. Though it's self-described as a genre of 'folk' music, I'm sure I heard some flatted seventh chords in there -- or did I not??? In a few places, and only briefly, the bands' sound had a mellow, smooth jazz feel.
And, now, on to your lyrics. I feel that I heard them in particularly sharp relief, because your chord prgoressions (to my ears, at least) had a somewhat a brighter tone that contrasted interestingly with the theme of alienation and aloneness in your song. I would have expected a more minor key treatment.
There is sensitive, powerful poetry in your lyrics, too. The song is loaded with them -- I won't excerpt anything, simply because I cannot make up my mind which line, or lines, are more representative of the overall inventiveness you applied that heightened the telling of the story.
This is a song that took a different path through my mind and heart, and that enabled me to 'see' and feel its subject through a set of impressions that were entirely individual and unique.
LOREN
"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
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Quite a nice production, Janne. Thanks edshaw for your listening and positive comment Janne
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That is excellent.
We enjoyed everything about the production.
Thanks for the thought provoking 4 minute journey....
J&B
Thanks Janice and Bud for your kind feedback I'm glad to have made something you have enjoyed Janne
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