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EVERY ROAD

This is a bit different type of song for me, but it's in one of my favorite styles Motown/Soul...Thank you Micheal McDonald, Marvin Gaye and Smokey (wish I could sing even a fraction as good as them!) I will state right up front that I got the idea for this one from an EZ keys Detroit Soul set I purchased and was immediately inspired to do this when I heard it! That's not a knock on BIAB but sometimes you just have explore other options and hopefully make the programs work together! I just went with the default chord progression that was presented in this set and developed a melody around it. This one was vocally a major challenge for me especially with all the background vocals because my voice still isn't all the way back yet from the stroke! I will continue to work on it to improve the vocals in places and develop the lyrics a bit as I'm inspired to do so.
It's written as a song of praise that I hope someone likes! Thanks for giving it a spin! TB

Me
vocals and all guitars

BIAB
Organ used in the chorus sections only

PIANO, bass, strings and drums- Toontrack Products

EVERY ROAD
Words and music by
Torrey Bliss and Ron Helm
©2023 Glass Gate Music BMI

The sun lights up the morning
Takes away all the darkness of the night
And I know that You are still there with me
I sing Your praise way up to the sky

Sometimes I lose my way (While I'm singing my own song)
Then You speak to my heart
And You show me where I've gone wrong

Every road I travel ( every road, it leads me back)
You've watched me on this journey
You came along and turned my gray skies into blue

It's a long lonely highway
WHen you're out there on your own
You know your headed the wrong direction
And on the wrong side of the road

You know I've lost my way (While I'm singing my own song)
Then You speak to my heart
And bring me back where I belong

Every road I travel ( every road, it leads me back)
You've watched me on this journey
You came along and turned my gray skies into blue

Every road I travel ( every road, it leads me back)
You've watched me on this journey
You came along and turned my gray skies into blue

Every road I travel ( every road, it leads me back)
You've watched me on this journey
You came along and turned my gray skies into blue

Every road I travel ( every road, it leads me back)
You've watched me on this journey
You came along and turned my gray skies into blue

Torrey and Ron, you nailed it!
Sounds absolutely fantastic.
Everything is perfect.

PS- EZKeys' Detroit Soul is fantastic isn't it?

Hey Torrey !

Mario took the words right out of my
mouth ! This is really fantastic hard to
find more impressive superlatives
for such a masterpiece !

REALLY cool Torrey.

I did note two things - the chords in the prechorus are a bit chopping compared to the smoothness of the rest of the song.
The chorus seems a little too smooth - like things have been blended a little too well..the elements aren't really separate.
These are, obviously, just my impressions on a single listen.

The song is ace and the solo is fantabulous & those things I mentioned do no harm to the charm of another TB classic.

Torrey,

Amazing... The song is great, but your main vocal and background vocals are AMAZING!

Awesome production as well. Love everything about this.

I'm also glad to hear that you are continuing to recover.

The world needs your music...

Bob

Very Motown, especially the chorus is soooo cool.
The first verse lacks a bit of energy and flow compared to the rest of the song, but that's just a minor nit in a great song.
Very well done!

Hello Torrey
this is really excellent !!!
There it is also to get over that BiaB plays a supporting role here
A song that you should really listen to a few times to really enjoy every detail in it
Great Torrey
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

Thank you, Mario! I love that EZ keys set I used! I will definitely pull some more songs out of those! TB

Torrey...I pray all is progressing well as you return to good health...if this is your "not well" voice, the rest of us are guilty of coveting...on occasion I do hear a bit of a stain for some of the notes...but unlike us you hit them precisely...the harmonies (and you know how I love them) are stellar and your playing is always tasteful, fitting and so well done...if variety is the spice of life then you my brother are "full of it"...the lyrical content is Psalm-like and speaks to my heart...we (all of us who write) write from a place that lives in each of us...unless we're lying to ourselves it's good to examine what is coming out of our hearts onto our pens and into our songs..."out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" to quote the Man...you and Ron have good things stirring in your hearts and minds!

The mashup of P&W with Motown/Soul works very well, Torrey.
It gives it a sorta “Motown lite” feel.

It’s a great arrangement and mix to go with the uplifting message ...
and your very fine vocal and instrumental performances.

We’re happy to hear about your continued progress!

J&B

Thanks Dani! I always appreciate you taking time to listen! TB

What a great sound you get from your productions!! Your vocals are great! Especially the backing vocals. Great song, I can hear the Dobbie Bros doing this.

Torrey,
Happy to see you writing music! Yes, different from your other offerings, but that is a good thing Very rich arrangement - an ear candy. Did not hear any struggle with vocals from "listener" side (of course it is always different from the other side). Excellent mix and sounds very professional. Enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

Ray, thanks for the listen and input! As I stated in the description, I went with the default pattern presented by Toontrack! I liked the "choppy" pattern in the pre-chorus because I felt it provided some contrast between the verse and chorus and added to that Motown feel!
In the chorus I added two guitar tracks playing a riff with a bit of distortion on them panned hard left and right and I think they obscured some of the other tracks and prevented the clarity that would have otherwise shone through! Thanks, TB

Hi Torrey,

Man, listening to your vocal I would have never guessed that you are still struggling with it somewhat!

Sounds good to me, and of course your guitar work is always right on the money.

Good positive message from you and Ron, very much enjoyed.

Hey Torrey.....

I'm not at all religious but this is a good write.
Good lead vox and lush, thick BGVs.
Guitar sounds great and it's a fine mix on this end.

There you go again....keeping that bar high.

Well done amigo...

Have a great day everyone.

Bob, thanks so much for your positive encouraging words! They mean a lot to me! TB

Thanks for your comments! I appreciate it! I purposely kept the first verse a little more subdued in order to give the effect of building dynamics as the song progressed for what it's worth! TB

Yeow!!~ Yeah, those harmonies are quite demanding, but you nailed them. The whole package sounds outstanding, Torrey. What good write, and I'd say you can perform any style and make it your own. SO good to HEAR you are on the mend. As has already been mentioned, you didn't miss a beat.

Different but very enjoyable, I like the more soulish approach, so much happening, energetic rhythm, but still the same positive message. Great instrumentation and those vocals/backing vocals sound like all the effort put on them was really worth it. Somehow reminded me of Easy Lover (Bailey/Collins), maybe the style and the riff have something in common.

Janne