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Hi Forummates! I'm hearing some incredible stuff lately.....keeps getting better!! I was very flattered by the warm response to Imaginary Dance. I don't usually get around to responding to all the comments but I do read them and appreciate them very much! This is a story song with no root in reality or legend. I just somehow channeled the line "The Ghost of San Tropez" and after a little search on Google, I came up with a lyric. There was some fighting there in WW2 (think that's right) and I based the idea on that. Hope you enjoy. Would love to know if the story is not too hard to follow.....harder than one would think with a story song! Take care all! Greg


https://soundcloud.com/gjohnson-2/ghostofsantropez

Players are:

Bass. 518
Piano 2262
Guitars 542, 2200
Cello 2509
Pad 1543
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The Ghost of San Tropez

He follows her through restless dreams
Trapped inside an endless maze it seems
He reaches out to touch her hair but she’s gone

He hears her whispering his name
He feels the fire of passion’s flame
He smells her perfume in the air but she’s gone

He only saw her once in the light of day
A vision floating by
She disappeared down an alley way
Like vapor to the sky
He asked around at the local shops
And the restaurants by the bay
An old Frenchman softly said
“The ghost of San Tropez”

But what to think of old mens’ minds?
The cost of age and too much wine
In matters such, credibility is strained
But in that voice was the sound of truth
And ancient eyes reclaimed their youth
As he relived his tale of love and pain

He only saw her once in the light of day
A vision floating by
She disappeared down an alley way
Like vapor to the sky
And since that day, she visits him in dreams
When he was young, old men would say
A woman’s ghost walks the streets
Of San Tropez

She was 22 in ’44
And lost her husband in the war
Trying to reclaim their sacred home
Though young and lovely, she could not start
To build a new life ‘round her broken heart
Searching for her love, she walks the streets alone

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Hi Greg ...

You never disappoint, my friend! Your music always has everything a listener could want: great arrangement, beautiful tracks, a fantastic lyric and a voice that has no equal on this board ... and probably a lot of other places.

I particularly liked this part of the lyric:

He only saw her once in the light of day
A vision floating by
She disappeared down an alley way
Like vapor to the sky

And that acoustic lead as the song fades is just so good. What a pleasure and privilege it is to listen to your music.

Wishing you and yours the very best. Please be safe ...

Alan


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Man, the write, the melody, and the vocal .... just beautiful!

Lovely track too, that acoustic lead is perfect.

I just love your music, Greg, you should be famous.

Thanks for sharing it with us!

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Excellent work. What I liked about it:
Great lyric..”Cost of age” fantastic phrase
Story told within the economy of the melody, very naturally.
Top-notch vocal performance.

Greg, if you permit me to say this, in a complimentary way: This song demonstrates that a simple, basic musical score can allow a stellar lyric-story and vocal performance to stand out. Sometimes I think that over-designing the backing is a mistake; here, your design choices are perfect.

And thank you very much for having the fortitude to avoid a “clever” trap to somehow go to “66” or “88” in the line following “”22” and “44”—I would have been suckered into that one myself!


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When I signed on I noticed there was a new Greg Johnson song. Man, that's like Christmas. You have that magic, Greg (or should I say Santa). Such a good write, and so well performed. A story song that's hard to follow requires many listens. That's easy. I love how you researched Google as if you were writing a book. The pictures you evoke here could fill volumes.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Hi Greg,
Babu said it so nicely -and funny- in the post above and I can only agree (except for those Christmas words of course).
What a nice melody, vocals and lyrics. A very sensitive song and very well performed.

Enjoyed it,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
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Greg,

Heavenly.

The write. The vocal. The music. Heavenly.

Burt would be proud.

Music. As. Good. As. It. Gets.

Heavenly.

fj

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Love songs that tell a story, particularly if it's built upon a true story.

Nice write.
Well executed.
Beautiful song.

moto

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Like the clear vocals and the haunting sound of the song. A nice story. Nice!!

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Hi Greg, this is a very good song. It creates a nice, somehow chill, lounge-like atmosphere that I truly enjoyed.

Really well done!
Will

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Love the leaps in the melody - they make the melody even more interesting, and show off your voice.

Slipping "credibility" into the lyric - excellent!

I didn't expect the guitar solo outro - icing on an already rich cake!

Magic, indeed. laugh


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Lovely stuff - lyrically, melodically and arrangement.
The only nit occurs occasionally - sibilant sounds cut through harshly here n there in part due to the intimate micing and the reverb.


Cheers
rayc
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Excellent ghost song, on a par with "She moved through the faire." I wondered about giving up so many details about her in the last stanza, if the effect isn't greater by leaving those facts to the imagination, but I ended up thinking it enhanced the aura. As always, beautifully sung and produced.


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Another beautiful song Greg. Awesome backtrack. Loved your vocal and lyric. Ear candy for sure. Well done


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https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
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Originally Posted By: Al-David
Hi Greg ...

You never disappoint, my friend! Your music always has everything a listener could want: great arrangement, beautiful tracks, a fantastic lyric and a voice that has no equal on this board ... and probably a lot of other places.

I particularly liked this part of the lyric:

He only saw her once in the light of day
A vision floating by
She disappeared down an alley way
Like vapor to the sky

And that acoustic lead as the song fades is just so good. What a pleasure and privilege it is to listen to your music.

Wishing you and yours the very best. Please be safe ...

Alan


Thanks so much Alan!! Really appreciate your kind review!! Take care. Greg

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Amazing. Great story told with skill and presented brilliantly. Will definitely play it again.


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One word: Brilliant.

Brilliant lyrics
Brilliant vocals
Brilliant use of BIAB

Brilliant, I say.

I loved the easy melody.


Last edited by jptjptjpt; 12/06/20 07:06 PM.

My music can be heard at: The Cracks
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Greg, you can really sing. Great write and arrangement. The melody is very familiar in a way but also brand new. Another fine example of your abilities, Tom

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Greg, this is brilliant. Gorgeous melody, perfect backing great voice. A winner from me

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I really like this. Vocal fits perfectly. Soooo good


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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