His genius shines through, continually. This is no exception. Imagine, that you thought it could not get better. And then realize it could. Thanks Yohan for sharing your talent with all the world. So very inspiring.
OMG, you beat me to it. I was surfing Youtube this morn and of course stumbled on this. Have to love the reharmonizations and liberties taken to present this classic piece in this fresh manner.
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
I was astounded at the introduction. What absolute class. Of course, what followed was a most sensitive, beautifully articulated performance of this classic masterpiece.
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Imagine a Sale at Macy's 50% off on the lip stick line Feel free to try on a negligee if you're vaccinated no need to stand in line Imagine all your girlfriends sharing the changing room
Oh-oh-oh You don't have to be dreamer grab those coupons and have some fun every day is sale day in Macy's world and girls just like to have some fun...
dun...dun...dun
Imagine...
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
Maybe its me but hasn't he just turned a classic song with a 'message' into a piece of Elevator Music?
Yes. But frankly, that's what "Imagine" is to begin with, so it's not inappropriate.
Don't get me wrong, I am an old-time ultimate Beatles fan and find some of John's solo work truly great. I can even listen to the early albums he did with Yoko! John Lennon is John Lennon.
But I never understood the cultural fetish for this rather bland, superficial song, except that it's the kind of thing you become "immortalized" by when you die young.
On its own, the music barely rates an "eh". And then there are those words.
"Imagine no possessions"... I unfortunately can't forget Mark David Chapman's manifesto take on that, as he enumerated the many possessions John would have had to try very hard to imagine he didn't have. Something about a whole lot of incredibly expensive cows?
And while I am by no means a religious person, that line about "and no religion too" never fails to annoy me, every time I hear it, because it's just such a painfully bad bit of songwriting.
Sorry sorry sorry but I have never liked that song at all.
The subject matter of the original post was to listen to the instrumental rendition performed by musician Yohan Kim.
It was not intended to critique the original composer of the song or the lyrics used, or to invent substitute lyrics. That soon got lost. To each his own I guess.
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Well all that may be. Still he is an outstanding talent. The rendition shows deep insight into chords structures, progressions and harmonies. Talents I'll never have regardless of the song.
The subject matter of the original post was to listen to the instrumental rendition performed by musician Yohan Kim. It was not intended to critique the original composer of the song or the lyrics used, or to invent substitute lyrics. That soon got lost. To each his own I guess.
Nothing got "lost". What happened was a couple of people shared different reactions to the performance and the song.
Well all that may be. Still he is an outstanding talent. The rendition shows deep insight into chords structures, progressions and harmonies. Talents I'll never have regardless of the song.
Jeff
Thanks Jeff for keeping the focus on Yohan's delivery, and not meandering off with comments about lyrics etc that were never even a component of this instrumental performance. Others may be willing to criticize John Lennon's musical ability or his use of the words to his songs, or to substitute silly lyrics if they wish, but this thread was intended to be about the instrumental rendition of the song as performed by Yohan Kim, and nothing more.
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The rendition shows deep insight into chords structures, progressions and harmonies.
And therein lays the beauty of this performance.
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
Thanks Jeff for keeping the focus on Yohan's delivery, and not meandering off with comments about lyrics etc that were never even a component of this instrumental performance. Others may be willing to criticize John Lennon's musical ability or his use of the words to his songs, or to substitute silly lyrics if they wish, but this thread was intended to be about the instrumental rendition of the song as performed by Yohan Kim, and nothing more.
Is that really how this forum works? If you post a video, the thread is reserved for praise and thanks, and anything else is "off topic"? If so, I apologize for mistaking a tribute thread for an open discussion.
I will point out, though, that Mountainside and MusicStudent have both contributed very positive posts to the thread this morning, so the "meandering" in question doesn't seem to have deterred anyone from liking this piece and expressing appreciation of it.
Is that really how this forum works? If you post a video, the thread is reserved for praise and thanks, and anything else is "off topic"?
Not at all. Criticize or praise the YouTube performance as much as you wish, whichever way you see it. Nobody had to like it, ever.
I'll try to explain: What happens frequently is that a thread gets off topic. This thread was never intended to be about discussing the wealth of the original composer or any of his lyrics. It was about the instrumental performance of the song by Yohan Kim, which didn't even use any lyrics. So I feel that the discussion about the original composer's wealth and his choice of words as a 'painfully bad bit of songwriting' took the thread in a completely unintended direction. The intended study of the YouTube performance in question got 'lost'.
However, if you wish, please feel free to start a separate thread on John Lennon's composing abilities or any other topic at any time. Have a great day. Peace.
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What happens frequently is that a thread gets off topic. This thread was never intended to be about discussing the wealth of the original composer or any of his lyrics. It was about the instrumental performance of the song by Yohan Kim, which didn't even use any lyrics. So I feel that the discussion about the original composer's wealth and his choice of words as a 'painfully bad bit of songwriting' took the thread in a completely unintended direction. The intended study of the YouTube performance in question got 'lost'. However, if you wish, please feel free to start a separate thread on John Lennon's composing abilities or any other topic at any time.
Again, and this really is important: Nothing got "lost". I am aware of the phenomenon of thread drift, but this topic apparently recovered within hours (though the new topic of "posting manners" is threatening an upset.) If you had truly been worried that the discussion had been derailed, you could have simply posted another comment yourself on the desired themes.
Your dictum "don't like it, start a separate thread" is unnecessarily snarky, and, honestly, makes we ask again: so, you're saying that if you post a video, the thread is reserved for praise and thanks, and anything else is "off topic"?
Your territoriality and proprietary attitude here is disconcerting. This WAS a discussion of a video performance of "Imagine", an extremely well-known song by an extremely well-known composer that is a part of many people's shared musical worlds, for lots of different reasons.
As Billy Joel sang "I didn't start the fire." Or did I? I simply felt that the performance viewed,even with its somewhat 'interesting chords at times was underwheming even if considered 'clever'. I am a big Beatles fan and also of some of their indivdual works. Of an age and location then when I could and did go to the ORIGINAL Cavern Club. The new 'fake' Cavern has less atmosphere than Mars. One mans meat etc etc - - Sorry, Trev. Bests Ian
Old Guys Rule.The older I get,the better I was! BB2023 ULTRA, 1013, Win 7 and 10
So with this comment, VideoTrack, I honestly thought you were laughing at the musak comment.
That triggered my creative nature to try and come up with some lyrics that would fit a musak version.
Those lyrics were my comic offering, as I often try to make people laugh in world where dictators drool their oatmeal on their blazers and terrorists crawl across the New Jersey line with rocket launchers.
But, I promise, I will never, ever, ever make a joke on the forum again.
I will, however, Give Peace a Chance.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
Somnambulism thy name is Jazz Styling of Old Pop Music. Lush intro drops back to basics then builds to more lushness: making it clear that the basic melody and stripped back arrangement fitted best.
It's the sort of thing, in a pop sense, I associate with McCartney...to me it comes across as indulgence and mawkishness. Maybe without the OTT arrangement it would be better...probably not to my ears though. I know heaps of people love jazz interpretations of pop and Kenny Gness in general.
I'm not a minimalist or opposed to stylized interpretation - after all Cocker, and many others, brought side Two of Abbey Road to life - but I'm no fan of THIS style of thing.
Excellent musicianship, no doubt, inside out knowledge of chords, no doubt, broad appeal, no doubt but the arrangement could've been for a Bing Crosby Xmas Special.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I did go and watch/listen again. My thoughts haven't changed. The sound actually reminded me of the power of BIAB so I found a midi file of the song and tried two BIAB styles. I didn't export and mix in a DAW didn't add the dynamics of the stripped down section or the BIG string parts but BIAB very easily covered the general feel and sounds. I didn't do anything to the MIDI melody track apart from chose an "instrument"...it's a very stilted reading of the melody which, clearly, is the opposite of the chap playing in the original post. When using the style picker I found jazz didn't quite get me there - I had to add lounge. I know from my 5 minutes sweep through the MIDI world that it's filled with soft/smooth/lounge/cabaret/dinner interpretations of classic songs which means the chap would certainly gain an audience amongst midi musicians if heard widely enough.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I didn't export and mix in a DAW didn't add the dynamics of the stripped down section or the BIG string parts but BIAB very easily covered the general feel and sounds.
The second one was awful, but the first was rather nice. Was "funk" actually a keyword? (My God, what would the non-funky version be like?)
I just googled to see if Frank Zappa ever did a cover of "Imagine", and it appears he did not. That would be a fun undertaking. I'm hearing the marimbas and trombones now.
I didn't export and mix in a DAW didn't add the dynamics of the stripped down section or the BIG string parts but BIAB very easily covered the general feel and sounds.
The second one was awful, but the first was rather nice. Was "funk" actually a keyword? (My God, what would the non-funky version be like?)
I just googled to see if Frank Zappa ever did a cover of "Imagine", and it appears he did not. That would be a fun undertaking. I'm hearing the marimbas and trombones now.
Yeah, it was wasn't it? I didn't enter "funk" but, yes, it was in the description and the list of matches. About as funky as Deep Purple on Storm Bringer...they THOUGHT they were being funky but it was awful songs and awful rhythm.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I've been learning to play piano for 2 months or so (just want to get some new accessories from here ). I went straight for jazz. Why? Cuz I love jazz (and also hate reading sheet music
I've been learning to play piano for 2 months or so (just want to get some new accessories from here ). I went straight for jazz. Why? Cuz I love jazz (and also hate reading sheet music
And with Jazz, you sort-of can throw away the rule-book Good luck with your musical endeavors.
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XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
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You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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