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#690174 12/11/21 08:31 AM
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From an old tune to a new one....

This was a quick write actually. One of those that just flows. I was thinking about my friend Danny.

The band...... There is no band.

Well, the piano is RT 2870.

I play the acoustic guitar and mandolin, and sing one track of vocal.

Old Friend

This is a new mix. Changes are a word change and delete a word.... track levels and misc behind the scenes stuff. Lower level of verb overall, and a touch of compression. Also some pronunciation fixes.


Comments and questions are appreciated.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 12/14/21 05:52 AM.

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.
Guitarhacker #690179 12/11/21 08:48 AM
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Hello Herb
What a fantastic song
The melody and the vocals are just great
Your guitar work is really good
This song really touched me
It is so important in life to have friends, but even more important I think that you are not forgotten
Thank you Herb for this great song and for thinking of Danny.
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

Last edited by PROJECT M; 12/11/21 08:52 AM.
Guitarhacker #690205 12/11/21 10:23 AM
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Herb ...

This is the basic roots of good music. This takes it to the barebones. It's just a voice and a small bit of accompaniment. It lays it on the line and true skill is revealed.

This is really, really good, Herb. Very emotional but with a spirit of love and appreciation. We don't appreciate the true value of a good friend until they're gone - either literally or for practical purposes. We tend to take it for granted it's just what we know in our daily lives, but don't really stop to think about the big role they play in our lives. i could go on, but I think you get the idea.

I've not heard many songs that capture this message any better than this one. It literally put a tear in my eye. My very best friend, ever, passed away several years ago. I miss hum so dang much it hurts.

Yeah, Herb, very inspirational and done so nicely. Thanks for the reminder.

Take care ...

Alan


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Guitarhacker #690215 12/11/21 10:54 AM
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Everything sounds great.
Nice write.
I really like the guitar and mandolin.

Well done.

moto

Guitarhacker #690218 12/11/21 11:00 AM
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I heard the mandolin, and thought That's really nice, wondering what RealTrack you'd picked. smile

The lyrics feel effortless and right. The verses are good, but the chorus payoff is excellent.

Second half is especially touching, changing the meaning of the first just like a good country song should.

Great write.

Well sung, and the arrangement is excellent. laugh


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Guitarhacker #690220 12/11/21 11:04 AM
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Superb in every way!!
Often less is more. Perfect.
The lyrics hit right home. Alzheimers and associated illnesses rob us of our later years when we can sit to remember and reminisce.

We all need old friends.

Bests
ian


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Guitarhacker #690310 12/11/21 05:04 PM
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Terrific song, best I've heard from you. Big fan of this one.


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Guitarhacker #690317 12/11/21 06:49 PM
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Absolutely moving...as many of us have personally experienced this with a dear one...you reached our hearts...that's what you really want a song to do.


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Guitarhacker #690384 12/12/21 03:56 AM
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When a song starts out "We were crazy," I know right away I could relate. Outstanding lyrics, Herb. You are singing about me and some old friends, many who are gone, a few even this year. Very emotional song. Beautifully simple.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Guitarhacker #690410 12/12/21 04:57 AM
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Hi Herb,

Sometimes beauty is in the simplicity.
You can hear it in this song.

Rob and Anne-Marie


We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1gsdNLE7_Gy8qavoOplQow/videos
http://rnam.net/


Guitarhacker #690427 12/12/21 05:45 AM
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Herb,

As others have said, this is your best post. A good write, start to finish. This one has some heart. And an very good melody - not "derivative". Whatever you latched onto for this one, keep that up...

Also, one of your best vocals. Honest, believable.

The piano was an excellent choice. A good balance between the piano and vocal in the mix. The guitar is at a good level, too.

I did not care for the tremolo (trills) of the mandolin during the guitar solo - so many of them. It made it sound like a Greek folk song... so a distraction, I think. The guitar solo is nice.

Your best. No question.

fj

Guitarhacker #690524 12/12/21 12:44 PM
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I will get to each and every post reply.

I got a phone call from Danny's sister this morning telling me that Danny had passed away last night peacefully in his sleep.

I had sent her a link to the song and she played it for Danny. It was the last music he heard before he left this life.


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.
Guitarhacker #690525 12/12/21 12:44 PM
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Hi,

Good song and sung with passion.

Well done.

Best Regards
Nigel


Nigel Spiers
Christchurch, New Zealand
info@nzacoustics.com
Guitarhacker #690536 12/12/21 01:21 PM
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Wonderful ballad. It really pulls on the heartstrings. It's very touching. Lovely lyrics and the vocals are suitably emotional. Nice guitar and mandolin playing. The piano player isn't too bad either. Nice one.


My music can be heard at: The Cracks
Guitarhacker #690639 12/13/21 04:28 AM
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Hi Herb,

that's a a really powerful one, despite the minimalistic instrumentation.
I likes the lyrics a lot. And your singing is just great.

And the mansolin is ace, too.

Enjoyed the listen a lot.

Take care,

Stefan

PROJECT M #690696 12/13/21 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted By: PROJECT M
Hello Herb
What a fantastic song
The melody and the vocals are just great
Your guitar work is really good
This song really touched me
It is so important in life to have friends, but even more important I think that you are not forgotten
Thank you Herb for this great song and for thinking of Danny.
Many greetings
Andi ;-)


Thank you for those comments. This one came from a deeper place. I'm glad it connected with you.


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.
Al-David #690697 12/13/21 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted By: Al-David
Herb ...

This is the basic roots of good music. This takes it to the barebones. It's just a voice and a small bit of accompaniment. It lays it on the line and true skill is revealed.

This is really, really good, Herb. Very emotional but with a spirit of love and appreciation. We don't appreciate the true value of a good friend until they're gone - either literally or for practical purposes. We tend to take it for granted it's just what we know in our daily lives, but don't really stop to think about the big role they play in our lives. i could go on, but I think you get the idea.

I've not heard many songs that capture this message any better than this one. It literally put a tear in my eye. My very best friend, ever, passed away several years ago. I miss hum so dang much it hurts.

Yeah, Herb, very inspirational and done so nicely. Thanks for the reminder.

Take care ...

Alan


A tear in your eye.... that's a mighty fine compliment. That's what a song is supposed to do.... connect people at the soul.


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.
CaptainMoto #690699 12/13/21 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted By: CaptainMoto
Everything sounds great.
Nice write.
I really like the guitar and mandolin.

Well done.

moto


A great big thanks for listening. It's a challenge to get a good sound from the guitar and mando on the mic.


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.
Guitarhacker #690878 12/13/21 08:43 PM
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Dear Guitarhacker.
I shared the track with my friends to convey what I am unable to say to them. Thank you for this beautiful and touching song. I believe it will resonate with many.

Regards

Chris

dcuny #690965 12/14/21 05:43 AM
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Originally Posted By: dcuny
I heard the mandolin, and thought That's really nice, wondering what RealTrack you'd picked. smile

The lyrics feel effortless and right. The verses are good, but the chorus payoff is excellent.

Second half is especially touching, changing the meaning of the first just like a good country song should.

Great write.

Well sung, and the arrangement is excellent. laugh


Lol.... yeah that's a real real track on the mando. In the second verse... I took a bit of liberty with the writing. It's sad when people fade. Thanks for listening.


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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