PG Music Home Forums General Discussion User Showcase The turn I had to make, a Blues

The Turn
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/the-turn

This song is about how someone thinks life should have been lived, but in retrospect sees that he should have done it differently.
In a way, a story of many people. Like in that beautiful song from J&B, 'No fault zone' (how I interpret their lyrics). It is autobiografic, but I'm sure a lot of you will recognize it too!

I made the song with nice harmonies and a violin in a predictable, but cool Blues.Just before placing in on SoundCloud in september, I 'got bored' and tried something else. I changed drums for congas and a gospel piano for a fingerpicking guitar and sang it solo. Not really what you use in a Blues. The result was I didn't know what I liked most. A couple of friendly 'judges' had to make the decision. They chose this version and, after some hesitation, I am satisfied with this.
That is what BIAB can do to you, giving you so mutch to do with your songs. And I love that!

I really hope you can enjoy the song and like the story.
Feel free to tell me what I did good or can do better. That's what this forum is about, isn't it?

Hans Berkhout
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Istruments
Style: HOMESIK.STY (Homesick Soft Pop Serenade)

RealTracks:  628:Bas, Elec., Funk James FingerSlap Gel 100
RealTracks: 3526:Piano, Acoustic, Gospel Cool 16de Sw 75
RealTracks: 3059:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm, muted 16den Fintan Gel16 80
RealTracks: 1766:Mandoline, Rhythm, Pop 16 Sync Gel 85
RealTracks: 2975:Vocal Oohs-Aahs, Pop 3-vocals Gel 85
RealTracks: 3159:Guitar, Bariton Elec., Americana Slow 16de Gel 60 FX
RealDrums [in Song:CongasEv16[single] [Multi]

I used Logic Pro X, Neutron 3 and Native Instruments (for reverb and compressors) for mixing,
Ozone 9 Advanced for mastering.
No pitch control or D-essing.

--------------------------------
The lyrics
The turn (I have to make)
(c)HwBerkhout 240720

Verse
Must make a turn now, I've lost my way
My certainties fade away
and I'm not sure which one will stay

Chorus 1
Out of nowhere it knocked me over
I was one of those fools
who saw too much injustice
and fought against mean rules

Verse
Times ago I felt so strong
But I heard around me this won't last long
And years after, my strength was gone

Chorus 2
Out of nowhere it knocked me over,
I belonged to those fools
who saw too much indifference
and fought against bad rules
I always believed honesty shall prevail
I didn't see, no didn't see, this will mostly fail

-solo-

Chorus 3
Out of nowhere it knocked me over,
we were some old fools
who saw too much dishonesty
and fought against unjust rules

Chorus 4
Out of nowhere it knocked me over,
I'm now surrounded by new fools
who see so much greed
but won't fight against those who rules,   poor we
I always believed I had to fight and stay strong, oh me
I didn't see, no didn't see  it was all wrong

Hans,

First off, love the concept of the song. It’s a compelling theme. Your vocal is for me the star on this one, with a great use of the oohs and aahs RTs. And here too, the appearance of one of my favorite guitar track (the muted Fintan) . . . and really digging the Gospel Cool piano RT. Very nice sound to this, gravitating. Impressive production!

All my best,

Deej

Hans,
Good message in the lyrics.
Love the beat, the bongos and all.

Only one recommendation:
Instruments are a bit loud, diminishing the importance of the vocals.

moto

Very cool intro on this tune Hans. Love the bass. Some very cool riffs in there. Another excellent vocal and lyrics. Loved the back track. Excellent mix. Well done

Good morning Hans,

Congas work well, good choice. Love the bass also. Really like your vocal in this, but then I always do. Good use of the Oohs and Aahs.
Nice modulation towards the end, didn't see that coming but it worked well I thought.

Well done, enjoyed!

A cool song and story.
You have a harsh frequency "cracking" at, mainly, the beginning of many phrases...could be mic proximity or effects - I can't tell. It isn't a bad thing but it caused a little listen fatigue for me.
Cool song nonetheless.

Interesting song. I liked the fact that the melody in the chorus was unpredictable. Unique.

Hans,

A good, introspective write.

A very cool BAND. An interesting combination creating an original sound.

The BGVs are nicely done.
A good main vocal (slightly "brighter" than it needs to be).

You are making interesting, original music. With some deep messages.
Cool stuff.

fj

Hi Hans,

like Floayd wrote: You're making a lot of interesting songs with deep messages.

This one is a very good one, too. I think your singing has improved a lot (although I've liked it from the start) and I have to repeat what I've said so often: That backing track is kjst amazing.

And the mix sounds definitely pretty close to perfect - hats off!!

All the best, we're gonna stay in personal contact anyway.

Stefan

Hi Deej, thank you for these words. They made my day!
Although I still altered the song to a lower key today. I heard I didn't reach one of the last words because of a little cold I had (No Corona, I tested negative on that). On that lower key all could be sang more intimate...
About the use of the Oohs and Aahs; Misha told me to use them.




Hi Captain Moto,
Thanks for your compliments! The lyrics are telling something of my real life, but I think many can identify with it as well.
And you were right on that louness. I thought the same the same evening I posted it. I changed that the following day, but later on I also changed the key of the song, so I had to do everything again. Some work...

Hello Birchwood,

I have always appreciated your very philosophical lyrics. It reminds me of people who after a disaster or a war said "never again" and we find that nothing changes. Quite philosophical, the blue atmosphere is very pleasant and the arrangement very pleasant. Well done.

Kindly regard

Dero13
alias JaniJackFlash

Hi Scott, thanks for these compliments. First I had a more 'conservative version'of the song, but I decided to go for this one. Afterwards I became convinced I made the wrong choice, but that is the theme of the lyrics after all...



Hi Dave, this morning you were very early commenting on this song! Don't tell me this is how you fill the days now because of Corona? (or even without that?). I am glad you did, of course. You gave me a nice compliment and that's where we live for, don't we?



Hi Ray, you are one of my most loyal fans, I guess. And don't tell me you are not and you are just (trying to) teach(ing) me how to make a proper song. I took notice of the cracking complains you had. I didn't hear them. I even did everything all over; the singing (in a lower key) and some rendering on the instruments. I came to the conclusion you heard the aging of my vocals! But I thought Blues had to be sung with a crackling voice. That's why I don't sing lovesongs...
Can you live with this excuse?


Thanks everyone,
Have a nice day,
Hans

Hans, you are really quite special. Another wonderful song. So well thought out and conceived (which is not really redundant haha). Poignant lyrics on a very deep subject, one which many would rather ignore it seems. We could sit and talk about this for hours with a couple bottles and two glasses. Not sure what your "friendly judges" threw out, but I really like their choice of this one. Congas make everything sound better. I traveled with a conga player for years. You know I'd like that bass: perfect. Your voice is perfect, too. You remind me of John Lennon.

This is a very good song Hans that grooves along nicely, great choice of instruments and rhythm section with a nice build up to chorus 4.

Your vocals are excellent and the song has a nice message.

A very enjoyable listen.

Hans,
Unusual and tastefully done blues. I like that bass opening and percussion works very well with this. Solid message, I guess most can relate to in some way. Good mix and vocals. But I would use some d-essing. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

Hi, Hans !:))


What a wonderful tune
so masterfully done in
every aspect !

My congrats !

Cheers
Dani

Cool song!! Interesting lyric, and great musical vibe........love that bass!! There is a great motion in the music.....very engaging! Well done!! Take care. Greg

Hans
The internal journey you take us on with that everchanging chorus surprised me- its subtle and real searching you`ve turned into a very good song.
Nice oohs and a good backing helped to keep the mood from becoming too serious.
Perhaps its your voice, but I got a Lennon vibe(from his Imagine days) from this, which,of course is a good thing!

Robert

I like all the interesting choices you made arrangement-wise. It made the song refreshing and just a little different than what we normally get from you. I also liked the contemplative vocal, really gave some gravitas to the lyrics. Well done!

As we've said before and as Marty mentioned your vocal reminded us of John Lennon. And as Marty mentioned we'd like to join in the conversation about the lyric (with a couple of pint glasses ).

The band is excellent -- particularly the piano and the bass. The congas were a nice addition and the BGV's worked well.

"I always believed honesty shall prevail
I didn't see, no didn't see, this will mostly fail"

Sadly that is too often the situation.

We REALLY like this and as Janice just said, "he sings with a lot of soul."

Excellent production Hans!

J&B