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#735938 10/23/22 04:01 AM
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A co-write with Bill Osofsky.
Bill supplied the original lyric (and so... the storyline).
I did some tweaking and polishing, but mostly that is Bill's.
I did the rest...


The BAND:
RealDrums in style: NashvilleEven8^6-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, HiHat Open
RealTracks in style: ~~518:Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~~362:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~~365:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~~363:Pedal Steel, Background Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 2024:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryJohn Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 1767:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Pop16 Ev16 085
RealTracks in song: 1690:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopPromise Ev16 100
RealTracks in song: 1728:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopBalladJohn Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 1762:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Pop16thsArp Ev16 085
RealTracks in song: ~409:Fiddle, Background George Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 1856:Cello, Background PopCountry Ev 085

(needless to say, all those pianos do not play at the same time...)


SMALL VICTORIES


johnnie bit his lip and tried to write his letters
this alphabet ain't easy as it looks
but nothing in his life ever made him feel better
than understanding words in his new book
he finally read a story right out loud
and smiled knowing it would make his grandson proud

   small victories, they make the biggest difference
   small victories, doing what you can
   put the past behind you... it's history
   you hold the future in your hands
   the path to heaven, you'll see
   is tiny steps like these
   small victories

jennie sat down with her mama and the preacher
a baby at fifteen would be so hard
they cried and begged and did their best to reach her
in the spirit of love, in the name of god
now she's gonna have that baby, she's gonna give it up
to a couple who can't thank her near enough

   small victories....

when you know deep in your soul that something's wrong
search your heart, find the power to be strong

   small victories....


A bit longer than my usual. Apologies.
Thanks for listening.
Comments encouraged.

fj

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I like the song, even if it makes me a bit sad, but it's a strong song with good melodies. The second verse is hard, but that's how life is.

Very good production with a good arrangement and a good mix.

In some places I feel like there's something missing on the right side, e.g. as if the instruments on the left side are panned 100% to the left, but some of the instruments on the right side are only panned 80% to the right. But this could also be a psycho-acoustic effect that is only noticeable on headphones, on my monitors it sounds balanced. It's not much anyway.

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I loved this man, the strings really made it and your vocals are awesome.

"when you know deep in your soul that something's wrong
search your heart, find the power to be strong"

Not too long at all and the pianos did not get in the way.
Great job!


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Hi Floyd ...

First, I'd like to say what a great lyricist Bill is. I wrote soem backing tracks for one of his lyrics him some years ago - a song he wanted for a young lady he was promoting. And, he's a heck of a nice guy. He's from the Midwest, but I met him a couple of times in Nashville.

This is a great song and you've presented it so wonderfully. It's the type of lyric I would expect from Bill (and you) and you put the perfect polish on it with your vocal and musical arrangement. It's not too long - apology not needed.

I thought the piano track was a fantastic choice. In my ears, it was the perfect complement to the other backing tracks when it played. The fiddle was perfectly strong in support of the entire song. I do think the pedal steel could have been a wee bit stronger in the mix.

You and Bill have produced a wonderful song that showcased both of your talents. Job well-done, gentlemen.

Alan


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Floyd...Right off the bat...it's not too long! (says the king of long songs...right?)...what a great piece of music!...musically, lyrically and your performance was spot on...each instrument complimented in both style and placement...very tender and compelling stories with a profound chorus and bridge...you and Bill are a great songwriting team! best regards...Dan


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floyd

Lovely work. Backing is as expected expertly done and the melody is memorable.
Excellent set of lyrics and beautifully sung.

A great song, enjoyed the listen.

Peter

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Wow, this one just rips your heart right out of your chest. And you sang it perfectly, just the way it yearns to be sung. Terrific work as always.


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Floyd,

Man, you really pulled out all the stops utilizing all those realtracks, and seamlessly I might add! You and your co-writer Bill, really put together a gem here! The mix has allowed such a tender sound that really lets the pianos shine! Love the use of that fiddle flowing throughout the tune! It sure is a heart tugger of a tune, especially those little walk-up parts in the chorus! The bridge section is awesome also! Enjoyed it all the way!

Thanks, Torrey

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Floyd,
lovely melody, lovely arrangement and a fine vocal performances.
AND the mix is really good.
Well done.


Cheers
rayc
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Hi Floyd & Bill,

Another good song with good lyrics and vocals.

Best Regards
Nigel


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Hi, floyd jane.

I see people commenting on the arrangement, but while it's very good, it's the vocal that's front and center that gets my attention.

Which, in my book, is exactly how things should be - especially when the vocal is yours! laugh

I thought first verse - with the surprise being that "Johnnie" was actually a grandparent - was a nice twist. Besides, the name mirrors with "Jennie" in the second verse. wink

The chorus has a nice upward movement.

As with your arrangements, smooth and polished with your trademark vocal and harmonies.

I enjoyed the listen!


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Hi floyd,

Love the melody! And the vocal too of course, love your tone and the way you phrase. Great harmonies!

Tip of the hat to Bill for the great storyline, I love the idea of small victories.

"when you know deep in your soul that something's wrong
search your heart, find the power to be strong"

Yeah!

Sounds great as your songs always do, didn't seem long to me.

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Another victory for you, Floyd.
Smooth as silk.
The only fault I could find is maybe the drums sound a little tired but that's just a small nit

Onward and upwards for you.

Vic

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FJ,
Sad and powerful song. Solid collaboration. You made those lyrics shine. Strong vocals and fantastic phrasing! Very well constructed arrangement and a very clear mix. 2 spins, easy listen. Thank you for sharing.
Misha.

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Hi Floyd,

A very beautiful, sad song, and very well sung. Powerful vocals (of course).
I read the lyrics were written in 2013, or is the song from that year too? I mean, did you play it then as well?

And who cares about the length of this song? I got fixated by the story, the song and the melody, and suddenly it ended...

Hans


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Floyd,

Awesome song! Love the soaring vocals and excellent production. As usual, everything is ready for air play.

So good...

Bob

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Hi Floyd and Bill
Excellent song in every respect.
First I thought, why so many different pianos ???
But you always used them perfectly and produced such a fantastic background track.
The song sounds really great
I think a song should always be as long as it needs to be ;-)
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

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Beautiful song and beautiful music.
The second verse reminds me of Nancy Challies.
Leonard Cohen sings about here (Seems so long ago Nancy), Rob and I sing the song live.
I always tell the story of Nancy then.

Anne-Marie


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Loved the story in lyric Floyd. Excellent vocal. Perfect backtrack for the song. Production, mixing and mastering were so good. Well done


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Originally Posted By: B.D.Thomas
I like the song, even if it makes me a bit sad, but it's a strong song with good melodies. The second verse is hard, but that's how life is.

Very good production with a good arrangement and a good mix.

In some places I feel like there's something missing on the right side, e.g. as if the instruments on the left side are panned 100% to the left, but some of the instruments on the right side are only panned 80% to the right. But this could also be a psycho-acoustic effect that is only noticeable on headphones, on my monitors it sounds balanced. It's not much anyway.


Thanks, B.D.
I listened, checking for the "missing on the right"...but I don't hear what you are referring to. I do appreciate you bring it up...


Originally Posted By: Al-David
Hi Floyd ...

First, I'd like to say what a great lyricist Bill is. I wrote soem backing tracks for one of his lyrics him some years ago - a song he wanted for a young lady he was promoting. And, he's a heck of a nice guy. He's from the Midwest, but I met him a couple of times in Nashville.

This is a great song and you've presented it so wonderfully. It's the type of lyric I would expect from Bill (and you) and you put the perfect polish on it with your vocal and musical arrangement. It's not too long - apology not needed.

I thought the piano track was a fantastic choice. In my ears, it was the perfect complement to the other backing tracks when it played. The fiddle was perfectly strong in support of the entire song. I do think the pedal steel could have been a wee bit stronger in the mix.

You and Bill have produced a wonderful song that showcased both of your talents. Job well-done, gentlemen.

Alan


Thanks, Alan. Bill has great prosody and a good conversational style.


Originally Posted By: firesong
Floyd...Right off the bat...it's not too long! (says the king of long songs...right?)...what a great piece of music!...musically, lyrically and your performance was spot on...each instrument complimented in both style and placement...very tender and compelling stories with a profound chorus and bridge...you and Bill are a great songwriting team! best regards...Dan


Much appreciated, Dan....

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