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People posted amazing "end of the year" tunes past couple of days. Here is my modest contribution to the stockpile  This is a collaboration with a friend, Ina Fre. She has a very different musical training and I was very glad she agreed to participate in my little project. It still needs a lot of mixing and a re-do of my horrible melodica solo. I started this tune with help of Pipeline (a warrior member of this forum), who generously created a guitar UserTrack that I used on this. Constructive & critical comments are always welcomed! Thank you for listening and Happy New Year! Hands Are Getting Colder Lyrics: I set my boat down the river, cutting anchor rope I set my boat down the river letting go with hope catching wind on the next bend, to the faraway land..faraway land Searching for a remedy, life of lonely turtles Running the maze of vicious circles throwing hands sky high - laying low as boulders seems like time is passing by, hands are getting colder. I found a magic key, looking for survival I found a hidden door deep inside my heart and I followed the stairway spiral To the light...to the light. Searching for a remedy, life of humble hermits Carrying our big guns- without permits Lifting selves sky high, laying low as boulders, seems like time is passing by, hands are getting cooolder. I found an ancient axe digging in a garden I found an ancient axe, buried long ago and I took my trusty shovel and buried it deeper In dark ore Searching for a remedy, life of restless nomads seating in our cubicles - being so flawless Flying rockets sky high, laying low as boulders seems like time is passing by.... hands are getting colder Tech Stuff: BIAB: RealTracks in style: ~~701:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesSync Ev 085 RealTracks in song: 2667:Pedal Steel, Background DreamySingleNote Ev 075 UserTrack in Song: Guitar, Acoustic, Reggae Strum01 Ev16 4-4 90bpm (Thank you pipeline!) RealTracks in style: ~~542:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Dreamy Ev 085 RealTracks in song: 2346:Horn Section, Rhythm, Funk 2-part, Ev 110 UserTrack in Song: Piano, Grand, Studio, Strong, Rhythm, 75 Loop in Song: Drums\SmoothCoolBrushes RealDrums [in style:NashvilleEven8^8-a:Snare, HiHat Open , b:Snare, Ride Synths of Kontakt. Vocals: me+Ina Fre Horrible Melodica solo - me Mixed in Cakewalk
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Wow.. like so many times before I love the Eastern European melancholy that you somehow always manage to bring into your music. I love the song! I think your voices fits very well together. The way you use the horn section is nothing short of amazing... I've never myself managed to use those horns in good sounding way... so I listen and learn...
Very well done track! Will
Last edited by Will Josef; 12/31/19 01:38 PM.
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Misha
Brilliant! - so much to like in this one - excellent vocals from both of you and generally a musical treat.
Really top notch.
Peter
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Misha, Ethics are always in your narratives. I love this: "I found an ancient axe, buried long ago and I took my trusty shovel and buried it deeper" Excellent song. Ina Fre is perfect for her parts. The melodica solo is charming - it starts REALLY evocatively. Another instant classic.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Loved the way song started. Vocal was super and harmonies were perfect. Very cool lyric. Well done Misha. Happy New Year
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Hi Misha & Ina,
Misha, sometimes I sit their listening to one of your songs, mouth wide open and trying to read (and understand) the lyrics, trying to soak in all those fabulous kinks and bends you show (or hide) in the backing track.
Definitely the same with this one: Just marvellous!
Both your and Ina's vocals are perfect realization of the lyrics.
Just awesome !
All the best for 2020,
Stefan
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Hi Misha,
Man, I love your music! Always so different and what an imagination you have!
Excellent vocal from both you and Ina too.
Enjoyed very much, well done.
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Hi Misha, This is a nicely satisfying listen on every level...vocals, instruments, arrangement, melodic shape, harmonic progression, melodica solo. By the way, the melodica solo was not "horrible" at all. I seriously enjoyed it. To be honest, I think that you might be the first person ever to bring a melodica solo to Users Showcase! As an aside, just a couple of weeks ago, I thought that I might get a melodica and I was very tempted with the Suzuki Alto Semi-pro Melodian (37 keys). I haven't bought it yet. Out of curiosity, what is the one that you were playing? I also agree with everything that Will Josef said... Wow.. like so many times before I love the Eastern European melancholy that you somehow always manage to bring into your music. I love the song! I think your voices fits very well together. The way you use the horn section is nothing short of amazing... I've never myself managed to use those horns in good sounding way... so I listen and learn... Your song is creative, imaginative and very entertaining. Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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I'm amazed at the flurry of lyrical images,,, You continually pour into the ears & eyes of the listener... Ina did a fantastic job on this tune... And your musical & lyrical talents are... Astonishing... Wow!
Jim †=☮&♥
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Nice use of minor keys. Some really creative melodic twists and turns here.
Good collaboration, nice song. Good job!
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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Love everything about this! No issues with the melodica, or anything else.
You can add a some sparkle to the mix with some more work, but dang - this is nice!
-- 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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"I found an ancient axe digging in a garden I found an ancient axe, buried long ago and I took my trusty shovel and buried it deeper In dark ore"
With each song, I become more of a fan of your writing AND your productions. Your vocals, too...
Kudos to you both.
It seems that your musical imagination has no bounds.
This is simply a great listen.
fj
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Will, Peter, Ray, Scott, Stefan, Dave B., Noel, Jim, Steve, David C., FJ, Thank you for listening, your awesome comments & support!
P.S. Noel, Melodica is a basic, vintage student German made Hohner from 70s-80s. They are awesome and made like tanks! One day, I will learn how to play it 
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"I set my boat down the river, cutting anchor rope I set my boat down the river letting go with hope catching wind on the next bend, to the faraway land..faraway land"
Grab us from the above to the end. Excellent.
As Peter said, "Brilliant! - so much to like in this one..."
That!
The ancient axe lines have already been quoted. Outstanding. As are the vocals and arrangement.
It sounds terrific on the KRK's. Big yet still nuanced.
Kudos!
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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Wildly original writing and wonderfully realised in performance and production. This might be your best yet, so tinker away with the mix, but not too much! I like everything about this.
Robert
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That has to be the absolute best horrible melodica solo ever. You make a fine musician, but a second-rate judge of your skills. I loved the ping-ponging of the various sections between you and Ina. She takes the sing-song see-saw thing with ease and leaves the rough stuff to you...as it should be. The band and arrangement are very cool and it all sounds good to me.
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