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#710483 03/25/22 03:50 AM
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Hi everyone,

Illusions
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/illusions-swing

I made this song in 2016, the year I also started with Band in a Box and some months later joined this forum.
That was quite exciting for me. I didn't know what to expect from it.
I didn't dare to place this song then.

Because I liked the melody, a month ago I decided to remake the song.
Well, a lot has changed in it. Of course I made 2 versions (Rock and Swing),since it appears I'm doing that all the time lately...
Also the lyrics has changed, because of the english I used then and some of the instruments. What stayed was the tempo and the story behind the lyrics, because it is based on my personall experiences. I was in politics and I learned what strange people our society has. And I always had problems with my superiors (sounds familiair?).
and the end was true too ;-)

Besides the RT from BiaB I used other instruments and my keyboard and loops again for bg-sounds. Tell me if I am overdoing that, or what you think of the song, or whatever. I skip the lyrics here, you can read them on SoundCloud if you like.

Hans
PS: I forgot again how to hide the link behind the title...
===========================================================
Here the technical stuff from BiaB:
Style: SCOOT.STY (Scoot Fast Jaunty Country Swing)
Tempo 135, Key: C
RealTracks: 2129:Bas, acoustic
: 1550:Piano, Acoustic
: ~975:Guitar, Electric
: 1553:Guitar, Electric
: 2165:Piano, Acoustic
: 3972:Guitar, Resonator, BackgroundSoloist BluesShuffleRob Sw 120
RealDrums:NashvilleShuffle^01-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride


Hans Berkhout
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https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
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This is excellent... I love the lyrics and the singing.
It has a very cool New Orleans swing feel... Love the Dobro too.
I think some Dixieland Jazz horns might work well with this song.
Great work Hans.


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Awesome song Hans!
It really swings and the vocals are very good.
Love the resonator.

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/


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This song is not an illusion, now people like me are listening to you smile Just wondering is your love ruling your life now... Intriguing arrangement, so much happening all the time, nice stops. And the groove is infectious, danceable. Very good vocals, nice backing vocals also, in the last chorus I wish there was even a big gospel choir.

Janne


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Hans this is excellent, no illusion about that

Super groove and backing tracks

Super breaks and drum solos

Outstanding vocals and lyrics

Two thumbs up


Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.

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Hans,

Gotta give you a big "WOW" on this one.

A good write.

The BAND is excellent. BIG and tight. Very Coool Music. Excellent mix.

Love your vocal on this.

REALLY enjoyed this. One of your best (but I seem to be saying that with each new post of yours).

fj


(Thanks for TRYING to listen to "What's An Extra Mile?". The warnings you are getting are because I did not pay to make my site "https" - it's still just "http". Don't know what exactly is blocking you, but I CAN guarantee you there is nothing malicious on my site - it's simply that it is not a "https" kind....)

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"I learned what strange people our society has. And I always had problems with my superiors (sounds familiair?)."

Yes it does !

I like the bouncy vibe on this

Moto

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Hans

Excellent song, loved the walk down runs, key change and the instrumentation.

Really good work on all aspects of the song, and really well sung.

Well done.

Peter

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Hans,

Like this one a lot. Engaging from the start, but really picks up for me on that first chorus . . . and love that piano break at the 1:00 mark (and thereafter). Actually, that bluesy/bouncy piano is really killer throughout. Excellent work on this one!

Hope all is well in your world—

Deej

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Hi there Bloc-head, Rob and Anne-Marie, Janne and Mario,

I admire your discipline to listen to the songs on this forum so quickly, but most of all I love the content of your replies!
What nice words I read. Thanks for that!

Originally Posted By: bloc-head
This is excellent... I love the lyrics and the singing.
It has a very cool New Orleans swing feel... Love the Dobro too.
I think some Dixieland Jazz horns might work well with this song.
Great work Hans.


Bloc-head, I learn new words from you too, Dobro! Thanks for the comments. About the horns I have to admit I just don't like the sound of them. But that was also the case with trumpets, steel guitars, saxes and so on. But I used them all and started to like them. But the horns? Maybe one day.

Originally Posted By: RnAM
Awesome song Hans!
It really swings and the vocals are very good.
Love the resonator.
Rob and Anne-Marie


RnAM, thanks for your comment and please, call that thing a Dobro, as Bloc-head just learned me. When I gave you a first impression of this song, AM I was more yelling my lines and you wrote "far too loud!!!". See? I listened ;-)

Originally Posted By: jannesan
This song is not an illusion, now people like me are listening to you smile Just wondering is your love ruling your life now... Intriguing arrangement, so much happening all the time, nice stops. And the groove is infectious, danceable. Very good vocals, nice backing vocals also, in the last chorus I wish there was even a big gospel choir.
Janne


Janne, thanks as well for your compliments and thoughts. I'm happy to read you have become a listener. But I needed that back then when I was in politics. And I had some knowledge on a Finnish girl I met in Nürnberg. She didn't listen either...
And yes my wife was the one I meant in the song. She's still around and we go to Malaga (Spain) next week. think the relation is still fine. about the gospel choir; not in that song. I'm working on a Caribbean sounding song now and tried them in it. Doesn't work (yet).
Keep reminding me...

Originally Posted By: MarioD
Hans this is excellent, no illusion about that
Super groove and backing tracks
Super breaks and drum solos
Outstanding vocals and lyrics
Two thumbs up


Mario, you made my day with this comment! The big smile is still on my face. Thanks!!!

Here it is a sunny day (finally). I'm going to enjoy that now.
Do the same,
Hans


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Hi Birchwood,

very elaborate composition. I appreciated the rhythm and the spatialization of the sounds in the mix. Well done.

Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash


Kindly regards
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash
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Hi Floyd, Captain Mo and Peter,

Thanks for your nice writes on this song. They hang in my room now!
And very nice to know you enjoyed it (the song, I mean)

Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Hans,
Gotta give you a big "WOW" on this one.
A good write.
The BAND is excellent. BIG and tight. Very Coool Music. Excellent mix.
Love your vocal on this.
REALLY enjoyed this. One of your best (but I seem to be saying that with each new post of yours).
fj

(Thanks for TRYING to listen to "What's An Extra Mile?". The warnings you are getting are because I did not pay to make my site "https" - it's still just "http". Don't know what exactly is blocking you, but I CAN guarantee you there is nothing malicious on my site - it's simply that it is not a "https" kind....)


Floyd, that's a huge compliment from you! But yes, you are telling me regularly the song is (one of) my best. How can I now know what to improve?
I listenend and commented on your very nice 'Mile' on your post, but still don't know whap happened. I only faced it with your song and no other songs I listened to. It must be the Russians... Ukrain was a mile to far, I suppose.

Originally Posted By: CaptainMoto

"I learned what strange people our society has. And I always had problems with my superiors (sounds familiair?)."
Yes it does !

I like the bouncy vibe on this
Moto


Mo, I was glad someone also had these experiences I had/have. Doesn't make me feel alone ;-)
Thanks for this and your nice comment on the song!

Originally Posted By: PeterF
Hans
Excellent song, loved the walk down runs, key change and the instrumentation.
Really good work on all aspects of the song, and really well sung.
Well done.

Peter


Peter, thanks for your words and for learning me how you call those intervals; walk downs. It sounds so logical!

Well, I hope you are all also working hard on your new songs, but also enjoy a day off every now and then,
Hans


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Sounds great to me, Hans, love the groove and the performance.

Great job on the mix too, well done smile

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Hello Hans
Great song
Excellent sung
And the background track as always with you great elaborated
Great work Hans
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

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Bouncy beat and melody!
Your voice sounds good, little hampering it's natural colour.
Existential crisis with a danceable beat!


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Hi Deej,Derochette, Dave, Andi and Ray,

Thanks a lot for listening and your very nice comments on this song, composition and/or the vocals.
I read you all liked it and no one was even dissapointed in something. That pleased me too, of course!
Because your posts had more or less the same content I didn't use the 'quick quote' from the forum.

Had to look up what 'hampering' meant Ray, but as far as I understood the translation it meant something (almost) good. Thanks for that ;-)

And yes, all is well again in my world, Deej. Except that war...

Have a nice day everyone,
Hans


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Firstly ... excellent!

Janice said it was like John Lennon singing and Leon Russell leading the band.

Great vocal, lyric and band. And a fine arrangement and mix.
It grabs you from the opening note and doesn't let go.

You a politician? hmmmmm

J&B

PS "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!" smile


Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more.
If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks!
A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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Cool groove to the backtrack Hans. Vocal processing was very cool as well. Super vocal and lyric. Well done


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
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Hans,
cool tune. Swing almost going into reggae at times. Neat composition and excellent song writing skills. Mix is clear but... I think your vocals are a bit on a higher EQ side...than the rest of the backing. Creative stuff.
Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

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Swinging indeed, Hans. Dobro is a great inclusion. Nicely written and well sung.
Regards,
Leon

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