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#770732 07/10/23 04:07 AM
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Hi everyone,

This song was made in 2019 and Ray Cochrane helped me a bit with the lyrics back then.
Still I wasn't pleased with it. Half way it changed to a metal style and instruments.
Because I knew I had to undergo a surgery on my throat I made this remix before that event.
A day ago I finished the mix, added some instruments I skipped before and that sort of things.

It is called Stranger in my life https://on.soundcloud.com/vTZ9g

The song is about changing without really noticing. And sometimes it looks there is someone else.
At least, that was on my mind when making this song. I thought it was an intriguing story myself...
I hope you like it, but in any case tell me what you think of it.

Hans

Below are the lyrics and technical stuff
===================================================
Stranger in my house
(c) HWBerkhout, mei 2019 (Ray Cochrane helped me with the lyrics back then)/ june 2023

There is a stranger in my life
I didn't notice he arrived
He's meddling in my space
But not the way I could embrace

All I know
I have a stranger that won't go
He doesn't smile, looks so hurt
and never says a word

I saw a stranger in my clothes
I wonder if he knows
He is more than skinny
and so pale as can be

He shares his life with me
That happened suddenly
In the bathroom I first met him
He's always there when I come in

All I know
I have a stranger that won't go
He doesn't smile, looks so hurt
and never says a word

I cannot believe
That he doesn't leave
In the mirror I can clearly see his face
But when I turn he leaves no trace

=Solo Fiddle=

Why is that stranger in my house?
He looks familiar; a bit like me
but I'm sure that cannot be

All I know
I have a stranger that won't go
He doesn't smile, looks so hurt
and never says a word

I cannot believe
That he doesn't leave
Then suddenly I realized
Why he entered my life
It only took some time to see
=====================================================
Technical stuff:
Style is _DRYAD.STY (Dryad Cello Chopping Celtic Reel)
Key=F  , Tempo 95, Length (m:s)=3:59
909:Bass, Electric, SmoothPoppy Ev16 090
2704:Synth, Rhythm CloudRapLowOrgan Ev16 075
1164:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm CelticReel Ev16 110
3645 Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm FingerIndieFolkAccent2Mute3 Ev 110
3261:Cello, Rhythm CelticReelChoppingNatalieAB Ev16 110
2693:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm ModernPop16thsMike Ev16 075
3075:Fiddle, Background BluesyPopAndy Ev 100
Drums: NashvilleEven8^1-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride
Keyboard 1: Apple loops Overdrive
Keyboard 2: Fabfilter Twin3 / Saint Knarl synth
Keyboard 3: Native Instruments FM8/Boolean
Howard Benson vocals for Background vocals
Storch Filter in Drum Bus
Ozone10, mastering


Hans Berkhout
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Hi Hans ...

I like this a lot! The acoustic guitar is a great choice. The fiddle chops add another dimension that works perfectly.

The fiddle lead was a surprise - totally unexpected, yet fits like a glove.

I think a lot of us can relate to the story in the song - especially those of us who have turned many pages on the calendar. I'm closer to 80 than I am to 70 - yikes!

Loved the ending. Everything about this is exceptional. Your songs are always interesting and so well done! Great song!

And a shout out to Ray for his input. I've collabed with ray on several songs and found him great to work with.

Hope the surgery went well! Wishing you a quick and full recovery.

Alan


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Hello Hans
What a cool intro
This is a very good song
Sounds really great and also has nice stereo effects
Also the vocals are excellent
Can be listened to several times and always discover something new !
Great work Hans
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

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Hans,

What a great sound! Love the song and your performance. Truly outstanding.

Glad you brought this one around again.

Bob

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Excellent mix, Hans.
Interesting all through with the instrument variety.

Vic

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Hans,

Excellent.

A good write.

LOVE your vocals. The processing works great in phones.

A very interesting production.

Top Quality Stuff

Awesome.

fj

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Hi, Hans.

There's some really nice ear candy in this song - you made my ears happy! laugh

And a good write and vocals as well.


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Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
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Good one Hans,
your voice is ace in this.
The dynamics, percussiveness and surprise visits of the band make it an engaging piece.
I look forward to hearing your new voice.


Cheers
rayc
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Hi Hans,


Very interesting song with lots of excellent variations.
I particularly liked your vocals and the acoustic Guitar.

Best Regards
Nigel


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Terrific mix, Hans, and no one builds dynamics better than you. I really like how you mixed the harmonies making them so full. It increases the power of the song. Not sure I can tell Ray's contribution, but I agree that he is very inspirational and helpful. He may not always be listed in the credits, but his influence is constant. You already know I love this song, Hans. A cool Hans meets Hans song.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Wow, clever lyrics, yeah we all know that guy. I like the way you end the story "It only took some time to see".
Another exciting arrangement, from intro to the outro so many interesting things happen. The rhythm bed is especially nice.
Harmonies are excellent, really professional sounding, making the song gospel like. The chorus melody is superb and when the fiddle joins in, I'm sold. One of the best mixes I have heard for a long time. And like always, I enjoyed your powerful voice and all the small details you express.

Your songs just get better and better, I'm really excited to hear what's next in your pipeline, I really hope you can sing again as soon as possible smile

Janne


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Hans,
Very good sounding song! I thought I was listening to a new Al Stewart song (you sound a lot like him here)! Everything sounds excellent to me especially the vocals! I"ll leave the technical aspects to others to comment on but sounds right to me!

Thanks, TB




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Hi Alan,

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

I like this a lot! The acoustic guitar is a great choice. The fiddle chops add another dimension that works perfectly.

The fiddle lead was a surprise - totally unexpected, yet fits like a glove.

I think a lot of us can relate to the story in the song - especially those of us who have turned many pages on the calendar. I'm closer to 80 than I am to 70 - yikes!

Loved the ending. Everything about this is exceptional. Your songs are always interesting and so well done! Great song!

And a shout out to Ray for his input. I've collabed with ray on several songs and found him great to work with.

Hope the surgery went well! Wishing you a quick and full recovery.

Alan


I liked what you wrote, Alan!
You just way too sweet, I wanted to say, but that's the title of your song.
Yes, back in 2019 I wrote "I have a stranger in my house, he's wearing my blouse"
Ray told me a blouse is meant for women shirts, not for men.
And that left me with the problem of what proper words rhyme with 'House' here...
Than he came in with some lyrics to use. Most are now in this song.

The operation was and still is a tough process to go through. I never expected it to be this difficult.
It will certainly take a long time to recover, unfortunately...
But that's the way it is, Alan.

Give my best wishes and a smile to Di. Don't know if she understands them, but the smile she will notice, don't you think?
Hans


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Hi Andi, Bob and Vic,

I can only work for a few hours and then have to stop. That's the situation now and hopefully it ends quickly.
But that's the reason for being late (again).
Thanks for all your nice words on the song and so.

Originally Posted By: PROJECT M
Hello Hans
What a cool intro
This is a very good song
Sounds really great and also has nice stereo effects
Also the vocals are excellent
Can be listened to several times and always discover something new !
Great work Hans
Many greetings
Andi ;-)


Hi Andi, loved these words, especially that you listened more than once.
My son said he was distrackted by the synths and didn't like it. You were quiet the opposite.
You are welcome at my place anytime!

Originally Posted By: rsdean
Hans,

What a great sound! Love the song and your performance. Truly outstanding.
Glad you brought this one around again.

Bob


Hi Bob, you are welcome too, but Andi lives in Germany. That's close by.
Thanks for your nice words too.

Originally Posted By: vicarn
Excellent mix, Hans.
Interesting all through with the instrument variety.

Vic


Hi Vic, I am pleased with your post!
Glad you liked the variety of instruments.
It was a bit the question if I would do it like this:
I had a discussion with an acquaintance coming by to make some recordings.
He thought Less is best (in the use of intruments and sounds).
I promised him to make a song like that.But not this one...

Hope you all have a nice day,
Hans


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Very nicely done. I'll listen again on buds later on....

I like this.


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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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Hi Hans really great tune very well done enjoyed this song!! very creative the fiddle was a nice touch ,great vocal thanks for sharing Eric


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"There is a stranger in my life
I didn't notice he arrived
He's meddling in my space
But not the way I could embrace"

Wow! What a setup for a great write.

Great, passionate lead and harmony vocals.

Yeah, that other person. He or she visits us in different and more phases and stages as time passes,

The mix is full of great dynamics and we love the way the instruments weave in and out.
The fiddle is superb.

Superb all the way around ... and we hope this finds you doing well.

J&B

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Hans, this is absolutely an incredible song!

You really raised the bar with this one.
Great vocal and lyrics.
Your instrumentation is perfect.
Great mix.
Super ending.

IMHO this is your best to date.


My goal this weekend is to move just enough each day so that no one pokes me to see if I'm dead or not.

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Hi Floyd, David, Ray and Nigel,

Hi you all, thanks for your comments on the song.
I enjoyed them all. But that is because they are really nice!

Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Hans,

Excellent.
A good write.
LOVE your vocals. The processing works great in phones.
A very interesting production.
Top Quality Stuff

Awesome.
fj


Floyd, I will repeat myself; thanks for this nice reply. What big compliments!


Originally Posted By: dcuny
Hi, Hans.
There's some really nice ear candy in this song - you made my ears happy! laugh
And a good write and vocals as well.


David, it's a wonderful feeling that I managed to make a song that sounds like ear candy to you.
I hope I can achieve this much more often.
Thanks!

Originally Posted By: rayc
Good one Hans,
your voice is ace in this.
The dynamics, percussiveness and surprise visits of the band make it an engaging piece.
I look forward to hearing your new voice.


Ray, thanks man. Not only for your great compliments, but also considering the fact you have critical ears!
It will take some time before I can let you hear that new voice I'm afraid.
Till now it's all very painful from my chest up to the top of my head.
But after that you'll be hearing it and judge it!

Originally Posted By: NigelSpiers
Hi Hans,
Very interesting song with lots of excellent variations.
I particularly liked your vocals and the acoustic Guitar.

Best Regards
Nigel


Nigel, at first I wanted to keep it with thevocals and the acoustic.
But then I thought, well I like those chopping cello's too. I only silenced them till the third verse.
With the piano it was the same and I needed that violin for the solo too
And everything was back in...
Thanks for your very nice comments!

I hope you'll have a nice day,

Hans


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Hans...this is a brilliant concept...I love the acoustic at the beginning....the mix is bright and clear (great job)...love your vocals and all of the variation in instrumentation...interesting and compelling song!!


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