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Hi Folks.
Here is one of the newer tunes I am working on.  A lyrical co-write with Ray C. (rayc). I tapped Nadya to sing BGV. For a couple of weeks I was trying to mix this tune. With about a dozen tries, I am not sure if I am going in the right direction. If you have a suggestion on the balance (particular instrument(s), or vocals to backing ratio) of the mix, I would appreciate any constructive suggestions. Thank you for listening!

Countdown

Here is a more recent mix applying several suggestions from this thread:

Remix


Lyrics:

Burned out lightbulb,
Books on the shelf collecting dust.
Radio: fallen victim to silence,
No sunshine in the future forecast.
I don't want to
stare at the clock of a final countdown.
I don't want to
witness the darkness trying on a crown.

Sacred wild flowers,
Placid silver clouds.
Passing lazy hours,
Ardent cicadas drones.
Change in the wind's direction,
Hesitant intersections.
Towers of glass and stone.

They say you must be forgiving:
File your nails and fangs.
But children keep on dying,
From your bullets and tanks.
I don't want to
stare at the clock of final countdown.
I don't want to
witness the darkness trying out crown.

Sacred dried flowers,
Acid silver clouds.
Passing with the hours,
Ardent activists drone.
Change in the world's direction,
Requisite intersections.
Powers to learn and hone.

Cracked sky ceiling,
Thoughts from a notebook lacking trust.
Radios murmur in defiance,
Future embedded in cast.
I don't want to
Trigger the clock of the final countdown.
I don't want to
Enter the darkness wearing this crown.

In a heat of debate it's hard to confess,
That by the end of the game pawn and the king go to the same wooden chest
Nevertheless there are those who possessed,
Who will cling to lies till their last giving breath,
Stabbing heart with a smile and caress



Tech stuff:
Lyrics: Me / Ray Cochrane
Vocals: Me
BGV: Nadya
BIAB:
711:Bass, Acoustic, Bossa Ev 085
1004:Guitar, 12-String Acoustic, Rhythm ClassicRockStrumming Ev16 065
1829:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopModernGrooveBrightArp Ev16 075
2446:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Background SpaghettiWestern Ev 065
2099:Piano, Rhythm PopModernGrooveHeld Ev16 075
3330:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm LoungeFunkChorus Ev16 080
1904: Piano Bossa
2668: Pedal steel
1902: Guitar
RealDrums Americana16thsSyncFred^1-a:QuarterHiHat,Snare , b:QuarterRide,Snare

Synths of Halion and Kontakt.
Recorded in Cakewalk.

Hi Misha,

I'm afraid that I will never understand how someone can write lyrics like these - fantastic. Again. Like always..

The list of RealTracks you used is impressive - I'm sure that was a lot of work to get them together this way.

Great vocals - you've got your very own and unmistakable style. Hats off for this gem.

All the best,

Stefan

Hi Misha
Really cool sound
Everywhere small sound details that fit very well
In addition a great singing
Really good
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

First of all, I love the song, Misha, Ray and Nadya. Man, those lyrics are wonderfully impressive. I can only imagine how difficult it is to mix this masterpiece. There is so much in there, and it all fits so well and each piece contributes to the whole, so that makes it even more difficult. This is going to be weird coming from me, but maybe the bass is too loud. Maybe a more subtle electric bass would be better. It seems you spent some time mixing parts in and out, highlighting the best of each, and that would take a lot of time. Man, there is so much in there. All of those voices should be heard better. Love this song.

Misha with Ray + Nadya...

Love the opening.
The write is stunning (as it so often is).
The production is well thought out. A very cool sound. Great attention to detail.
Cool BGVs.

Small nits -
the acoustic guitar lead could use a bit more volume.
the main vocal has a few spots of (slight) sibliance that could be reduced.

Enjoyed several listens. Worth many...

fj

Stefan,
Thank you for listening and your kind words!
----
Andi,
Thank you for listening and your support!
----
Marty,
Thank you for giving this time and your feedback here and on SC!
"masterpiece" lol! Thank you for the bass comment. I will stick with acoustic RT, as I like the phrasing, but I will take your advise and lower it. You are right, it is a bit too loud. Thank you for that!!
---
FJ,
Thank you for listening and your positive feedback. Special thanks for your comments on the mix! Will keep points you made in mind when remixing it.

Dark apocalyptic story with excellent mysterious soundscape. The lyrics have so many interesting ideas that I think it would take weeks to fully digest it. Great vocals, Nadya brings very nice layer.
Very cool arrangement, acoustic, nylon, electric and baritone guitars work together nicely. I like the volume of the acoustic bass, it has such an enjoyable sound

Janne

Misha, Ray and Nadya what an outstanding song you have produced.

The mix sounds great IMHO.

The vocals and lyrics were super.

Two thumbs up.

Superb song. Great production. Great vocals (you and Nadya). Outstanding writing by you and Ray.

Gold star lyrics:

That by the end of the game pawn and the king go to the same wooden chest

Wonderful use of BIAB too.

Excellent! Man, those lyrics ... fantastic!

The part that starts at 2:00 or so with Nadya ... goosebumps!

Really good you three.

Thanks for inviting me to participate Misha.
It's always fun & your concepts are challenging so the process is very good for me.
I appreciate you giving an old man exercise for the mind.
Terrific result, very cool sonics.

Wonderful arrangement. I love the full sound !! Great job and hat's off to everyone involved. !!

Janne,
Thank you for listening and your suport!
----
Mario,
Thank you for giving this time and your positive feedback!
---
jptjptjpt,
Thank you for listening and your kind comments!
"by the end of the game pawn and the king go to the same wooden chest"...
I gently borrowed it from Italian proverb:
"At the End of the Game, the King and the Pawn Go Back in the Same Box"
---
Dave,
Thank you for your support!
---
Ray,
Thank you for being there, it would not be the same without you.

---

Henry,
Thank you for listening and your feedback!

Your imagery is so effective that not only does it tell the story but we feel that it is backed by a well done light show.

"In a heat of debate it's hard to confess,
That by the end of the game pawn and the king go to the same wooden chest
Nevertheless there are those who possessed,
Who will cling to lies till their last giving breath,
Stabbing heart with a smile and caress"

All of the lyric is great but this really gets your attention.

Yours and Nadia's vocals are awesome, the bass and drums were powerful and the mix establishes an excellent soundstage.

Well done you three!

J&B

Love it. Put this on my favorites list.

The instrumental at 1:55 was so mysteriously cool.

Excellent lyrics. Pure poetry.

Thank you for sharing more of the genre of Misha music.

J&B,
Thank you for listening an kind words!
Chess lines, I gently "borrowed" from a known Italian proverb. Bud, you can absolutely poke at my mix I look up to your production. I know the "elbows" theme, but I trust yours.

---

Scott,
Thank you for listening and your kind comments here on on SC! Ray helped develop lyrics, so half of credit goes to him

EXCELLENT!!!! A really cool song, with excellent vocals and production!!! Intro draws you in and the song never lets go....wonderful!! Take care. Greg

Misha

Amazing work on this one. Sounded great to me a stunning soundscape.

Wonderful vocals and excellent lyrics.

The whole package was superb.

Peter

Hello Misha, Ray & Nadya ...

Is this cool, or what??!! A dark but masterfully created lyric. Your lyrics are always some of the very best on the forum. For someone whose native language is not English, you have a masterful understanding of using the words.

A full and powerful mix. Acoustic lead could be a bit more forward in the mix, I think. Great work by all three of you!

Take care ...

Alan

Misha, Ray & Nadya,

This is one giant of a song! So many twists and turns - outstanding vocals and arrangement.

Loved it!

Bob