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Hello David Cuny, Jannesan, Robert and Misha,

Thanks for your nice and constructive comments and sorry my reply is so late.
I'm busy with two older songs and with a learning course on Mixing and Mastering. Maybe it brings me somewhere...

Originally Posted By: dcuny
Good arrangement - I liked the changes in instruments.

Good vocals as well. While not "entertaining", a good listen. smile


David, I was thinking how to interprete 'not entertaining' in your comment, but then the coin dropped.
No, the message is certainly not, the melody maybe. Thanks!


Originally Posted By: jannesan
Very good lyrics on a timely subject, it really feels helpless not to be able to affect so many bad things going on in the world, but we can offer our shoulder to lean on - at least that we can do. The instrumentation is solid and the melody fits the groove of the band nicely. Another enjoyable vocal performance.
Janne


Janne, I agree with you and David C. although personally I don't really like being helpless. But in this case eating less meat or putting solarpanel on your roof (I did two days ago!) while from some other countries like Poland the pollution comes in big amounts to us, makes you feel pretty helpless...
And thanks for your kind compliments, especially on the vocals :-)

Originally Posted By: Robertkc
Hans,
I enjoyed the groove of this ( you got the tempo right I think), its a little upbeat which keeps the mood from getting dark...and your return to the title theme is also positive.
Your vocals always hold my attention; you are as distinctive as ever here.
A good song!
Robert


Robert, those are very nice words! I was shining with pleasure (if you can say it like this) and mainly about the vocals, like I said to Janne too.

Originally Posted By: Rustyspoon#
Hans,
Dark tune with glimpse of hope. Good progression and instrumental arrangement except... Since I believe you not going to cry about, I think piano entering at 1:43 how to say it right...off beat syncopated? it has a certain pumping feel which distracts a little bit. Ohh yes, if you noticed, I have not said anything about vocals. I feel you trained your "mix" ears very well. Do not let it slip, it is a never ending learning process, break the mold of your own expectations - all you need is 'clever' regulation smile Thank you for sharing!
Misha.


Misha, what nice comments. And with a little criticism too! That keeps me sharp, I like that (but not too often ;-))
I cry all the time when people say bad thing to me, but you didn't do that.
But I disagree with you on the piano. At the point you mentioned (1:43) it was a 'total break' from the first part. At first it wasn't in the song, but the idea came when listening to another song. Still it is in tune and -for my ears- not off beat, only a 'sudden move'.
And about my vocals: have you read all those nice compliments I got on them? No, seriously, they allways have my attention. It's a weak spot. Therefore I start a mixing/mastering course today on (what they call) a Mixing University (...)
So you see, your wish is my command!

Thanks again for your comment on the song,
it felt we gave eachother one's shoulder,

Hans


Hans Berkhout
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Hi Derochette, Janice and Bud and Gruverider,

Sorry I am late in responding, but thanks a lot for your nice comments on this song.
I noticed that before you know you have to search some pages on this Forum to find back your own song...


Originally Posted By: Derochette
Hi Birchwood,
Lyrics that invites us to think. I like this progression in the introduction of the different musical instruments. As Floyd Jane mentioned, lowering the volume of the new instruments slightly in the second part would be a good idea. The mix is ​​well done. Pleasant composition. Well done.

Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash


Derochette, thanks for the compliments and your suggestion on the volume. After Floyd's post I already lowered it, but he pointed at my vocals and you to my instruments. So I lowered the volume of the drums and the piano a bit too. I would say 'at your service'! ;-)

Originally Posted By: Janice & Bud
We were once told that an upbeat vibe can well deliver a
dark message if done right. This is a great example of that and your passionate
vocal is very powerful.
We really like the band. The build is excellent as are the
later track additions. The lyric and melody are standout.

Really good!
J&B


Bud and Janice, thanks for the kind words and the underlining of what I always believed; upbeat and dark can go along very well.
I only think people get confused and perhaps take the message less seriously. But that isn't my problem... yet.
And thanks for the compliments on the vocals. I am always sensitive on that.

Originally Posted By: gruverider
Love that acoustic guitar in the intro! Very engaging chord progression. And I'm always a fan of a building and changing arrangement.
Well written and performed. Very creative!

(on my speakers the eq on the ride and cymbals is really bright and harsh and distracted my attention away from your wonderfully written song)


Gruverider, thanks a lot for the compliments. I feared the song was perhaps a little too dark, but still I had to make it (for myself).
And then you wrote a line between brackets. At first i thought it was a line under your signature that appears everytime you end your note, but that wasn't the case. It handled the loudness of my cymbals! I haven't noticed it before, but after hearing it a couple of times I still didn't hear it. But I tuned a bit less high in the drum-eq's and I think it must be better by now.

But I am starting a Mixing and Masterig course today, so who knows what will happen to my future songs!

Thanks everyone,
Hans


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Hans, excellent song. Your vocal really stands out here - loved it!

Bob

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Hans, you less treated voice is much better in a mix...well done.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Oh, yes, Hans, your vocals, as always, shine. This is packed full of entertainment, man. Your lyrics are always thought provoking and wise. You mastered the art of dynamics and it shows. Perfect instrumentation and in, spite of the large group in your studio, everything is perfectly blended in the mix.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Hans,

I’ve really been enjoying what I hear from you lately (actually, longer than just lately, I think). Here’s another one—great vibe on this. I like the mix a whole lot—great use of that piano on that first break; very creative. I think Floyd may be right about the vocal getting a bit hot; perhaps down a few dbs and a bit on the reverb? Dunno. But the vocal is stellar—really nice work there. Great sound!

My best to you,

Deej

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Hi Hans,

Yes! The melody is brilliant!



This style is F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C and you sound absolutely amazing when you sing along with it.

► I love the song!

► I love the arrangement!

► I love the production!

If I had more than two thumbs every single one of them would be pointing upwards right now.



Thank you so much for enlivening my Easter Sunday! Now I'm struggling with getting the song out of my head. It's so catchy!!!!! Arrrgggghhh crazy

All the best,
Noel


MY SONGS...
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Bob, Ray, Marty, Deej and Noel,

Thank you all for your kind words. All that's been said about my vocals I start to believe by now. It gave me a happy Eastern!

Originally Posted By: rsdean
Hans, excellent song. Your vocal really stands out here - loved it!

Bob


Bob, with kind words I had you in mind! Thanks.

Originally Posted By: rayc
Hans, you less treated voice is much better in a mix...well done.


Ray, I was a bit puzzled by what you said about my voice. I don't treat my voice so much. Just a little reverb, some eq-ing and a bit of compression. The ordinary things. I tried some pitch correction, but I don't like the results. So you heard a voice as it was in most other songs...

Originally Posted By: BabuMusic
Oh, yes, Hans, your vocals, as always, shine. This is packed full of entertainment, man. Your lyrics are always thought provoking and wise. You mastered the art of dynamics and it shows. Perfect instrumentation and in, spite of the large group in your studio, everything is perfectly blended in the mix.


Marty, your comment made my day. I don't know if I can believe all is true, but not only your songs gave me smiles, your posts too. Thanks

Originally Posted By: Deej56
Hans,
I’ve really been enjoying what I hear from you lately (actually, longer than just lately, I think). Here’s another one—great vibe on this. I like the mix a whole lot—great use of that piano on that first break; very creative. I think Floyd may be right about the vocal getting a bit hot; perhaps down a few dbs and a bit on the reverb? Dunno. But the vocal is stellar—really nice work there. Great sound!
My best to you,
Deej


Deej, what nice of you! I adjusted the vocals a bit when Floyd mentioned the same as you. But for my ears it is adjusted enough by now. otherwise I get complains you can't understand what I sing...

Noel96, Wow, you had one of the nicest comments, because of the drawings and nice words. I didn't copy them, because that is a lot of space, but I certainly was flateered by it. I showed it to some people here (and a son). They saw how pleased I was by your words and cartoons, so only my son was teasing me. The others showed more respect...

Thanks everyone and have a nice day,
Hans


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I like it.

I immediately caught the hints of a song on the tip of my tongue.... I figured it out. It reminds me of nitty gritty dirt band american dream right there at the beginning.

Good stuff


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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Good mix, Hans.
I like the little breaks in it too.

Vic

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Very cool tune Hans!! Love the rhythmic feel of the song, and the way your vocal accents it! Very good production! Enjoyed!! Take care. Greg

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Excellent vocal performance! The chorus is a winner. I could listen to it over and over. Good work with the build in the production---very effective.

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