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#714102 04/21/22 01:18 PM
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PeterF Offline OP
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There's A Magpie

Finally got together with Leon to record some new songs. This is the first one (I've got quite a bit of work to do!).

Another "bird" song - we posted one about a White Cockatoo a while ago.
This one about being replaced by a new lover.

Leon lyric & vocals.
I played some guitar and did the arrangement.


The Band:

RealTracks in song: 2937:Bass, Fretless Electric Pop8thsRene Ev 085

RealTracks in song: ~~688:Organ, B3, Background Pop Ev 065

RealTracks in song: 3267:Cello, Background CelticAirFlowingNatalie Ev 085

RealDrums in Song:AmericanaSlow8sBrushesFred^1-a:Brushes, Ride , b:Brushes, HiHat

Had the Fretless Bass RT play a little bass solo.

Also used a Kontakt picked acoustic guitar.

There’s A Magpie

There’s a magpie
Strutting around my yard
For all the world as if he owns it

There’s a new guy
Sleeping in your bed
For all the world as if he owns it

He’s got his arm around your shoulder
As if to say ‘she is mine’
I wonder if I wiped that smile off his face
Would a judge consider it a crime?

There’s a big hole
In the middle of my life
That once was full of you

I’m sinking
There’s a hole between my feet
Got no rudder, got no crew

He’s got his jeep parked in your garage
His ride-on mower’s in your shed
I’ve got your image imprisoned in my heart
Your voice is trapped inside my head

There’s a black crow
Crying like a lost soul
I guess I know just how he feels

There’s a new world
One without you in it
I don’t see how that can be real

You’ve got his picture on your sideboard
Where that one of us used to be
I didn’t think you would replace me
So quickly or so easily

There’s a black crow
Crying like a lost soul
I guess I know just how he feels

Yeah, there’s a black crow
Crying like a lost soul
I guess I know just how he feels

PeterF #714106 04/21/22 02:15 PM
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That's very cool Peter. Leon's vocal is a bit hot at present.
The fretless is interesting...in this context it seems more like a bass synth...but it works.
Some of the bvox could be slipped & slid to a tighter match in a few spots.
lastly I wish the magpie had made a reappearance as the 2nd last part rather than double crow.
All of that written I really LOVE the song.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
PeterF #714114 04/21/22 02:28 PM
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Peter and Leon:

Love the opening of this song—actually that fingerpicked acoustic guitar is strong throughout, really holding the song together. Leon’s vocal is great—it might be just a hair too up front . . . maybe . . . I keep going back and forth on that, so see what others think. Love the guitar solo . . . and the write overall. Some very inventive and fresh lines throughout. Well done, gents . . . this one’s a winner!

All my best to you both,

Deej

PeterF #714118 04/21/22 03:22 PM
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Very nice song. The Magpie is an interesting angle.

Good job on the vocals. I agree with others that it's a little bit hot in the mix. But that's a small nit.

The fretless bass is very effective in this song. Is it my imagination or is there also an unlisted pedal steel present?

Like the guitar solo too!

Rob


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

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rayc #714140 04/22/22 12:06 AM
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Originally Posted By: rayc
That's very cool Peter. Leon's vocal is a bit hot at present.
The fretless is interesting...in this context it seems more like a bass synth...but it works.
Some of the bvox could be slipped & slid to a tighter match in a few spots.
lastly I wish the magpie had made a reappearance as the 2nd last part rather than double crow.
All of that written I really LOVE the song.


Thanks Ray - the last few had comments that Leon was too far back in the mix.
The doubling was quite painstaking so I'm pretty happy how it ended despite a few small glitches.

Appreciate the comments.

Peter

PeterF #714142 04/22/22 12:19 AM
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Peter & Leon,

I absolutely love this song... Sounds like Dylan and The Band from the Basement Tapes album.

This may be my favorite from you two.

Great, great stuff!

Bob

PeterF #714170 04/22/22 03:36 AM
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Great start, I can clearly see the magpie strutting and it settles the subject very well. And the black crow at the end to describes the losing of someone (I might have used raven).
Enjoyed the arrangement, I really like the fretless bass, although it almost swallows the picking guitar, but that's how the new lover does. The solo fits excellently.
Very cool song, nice melody, grows on every listen.

Janne


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PeterF #714182 04/22/22 04:07 AM
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I listened without reading the whole description first, and was startled by the meaning in the second verse, in a good way. A fine song, thank you.

PeterF #714187 04/22/22 05:03 AM
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I love this... beautiful soundscape.
Vocals, guitar solo, everything sounds great...
What processer are you using on the fretless Bass? I love it.


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PeterF #714200 04/22/22 06:10 AM
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Excellent vocal Leon. Loved the vocal processing. Gave the song a very cool vibe. The picked acoustic was a very cool add. Really well done..


Scott Collingwood
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PeterF #714208 04/22/22 07:51 AM
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Peter...you and Leon did a masterful job on this...the fretless is very cool and it's instrumental was a really nice touch...the narrative of the song was captivating and stylistically perfect...your arrangement was done so well and the guitar solo at the end was really, really good (was that you?)...very nice indeed!


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Deej56 #714259 04/22/22 05:10 PM
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Originally Posted By: Deej56
Peter and Leon:

Love the opening of this song—actually that fingerpicked acoustic guitar is strong throughout, really holding the song together. Leon’s vocal is great—it might be just a hair too up front . . . maybe . . . I keep going back and forth on that, so see what others think. Love the guitar solo . . . and the write overall. Some very inventive and fresh lines throughout. Well done, gents . . . this one’s a winner!

All my best to you both,

Deej


Thanks a lot Deej.

Peter

PeterF #714263 04/22/22 05:49 PM
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Clever write! Musical and interesting throughout.

I didn’t think you would replace me
So quickly or so easily


Excellent line!


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

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PeterF #714273 04/22/22 11:27 PM
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Hi Peter and Leon,

Great intro, very effective! The fretless bass sounds cool. Nice, super tasteful, outro solo.

Clever write, and good vocal. Read the other comments about the level, for me overall it's about where it should be, just a couple of spots where it seems a little hot.

Good one, gents!

PeterF #714279 04/23/22 01:12 AM
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Right from the opening guitars I loved it. Leon's vocal and lyrics are always a treat to listen to and read. Man, I love the way you used the fretless. More like Yo Yo Ma than Jaco. Sweet. Not sure if yo made some changes, but Leon's vocal sits so well in the mix. This is such a good write, and I love the harmony. Man, that bass sounds like he wrote this with you two.


Enjoy whatever happens!
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PeterF #714311 04/23/22 09:22 AM
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Like pretty much everyone here, I really liked that bass. It sits well with that finger pickin' guitar and made the song for me. I agree that sometimes the vocals sound a little loud, but overall I think you did a great job putting it together. The entire melody fits the song well and sounds good!

RnAM #714324 04/23/22 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted By: RnAM
Very nice song. The Magpie is an interesting angle.

Good job on the vocals. I agree with others that it's a little bit hot in the mix. But that's a small nit.

The fretless bass is very effective in this song. Is it my imagination or is there also an unlisted pedal steel present?

Like the guitar solo too!

Rob


Thanks Rob

Yep, a little pedal steel at the end - wasn't in the original SGU file so missing from the generated list.
Thanks for the comments.

Peter

rsdean #714325 04/23/22 12:27 PM
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Originally Posted By: rsdean
Peter & Leon,

I absolutely love this song... Sounds like Dylan and The Band from the Basement Tapes album.

This may be my favorite from you two.

Great, great stuff!

Bob


Thanks Bob, Leon will love that comparison.

Peter

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Originally Posted By: jannesan
Great start, I can clearly see the magpie strutting and it settles the subject very well. And the black crow at the end to describes the losing of someone (I might have used raven).
Enjoyed the arrangement, I really like the fretless bass, although it almost swallows the picking guitar, but that's how the new lover does. The solo fits excellently.
Very cool song, nice melody, grows on every listen.

Janne


Thanks a lot Janne

Peter

PeterF #714390 04/24/22 10:33 AM
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Hi, Peter & Leon !


How nice a tune this is !
I liked everything about it
but most of all that wonderful
guitar picking and those nice
vocals !!!

Cheers
Dani

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