Hi everyone - how are you all? Good to be back, after an extended break that shows no sign of stopping. I say this, because I'm completely out of inspiration as regards new songs, and have (sadly) been so for a couple of months, now. Ah well ...
In the meantime, to keep myself somewhat busy, I've played around with making photoslide videos for some of my older songs. Here's one of them - a song I wrote, with the superb assistance of Band-in-a-Box, back in 2020 ... some of you who were around back then may remember the song See what you think? Very happy to receive any kind of feedback, whether it be about the video, the song itself, or the message ... I'm a little worried that the song's message could easily be misconstrued, misunderstood or misinterpreted ... I'm not sure I've been clear enough as to my exact meaning. But you be the judge, if you want to? Thanks
WHERE IS JESUS? (the lyrics)
There's this modern "spirituality" Where everything is "just for me" ... Where heaven's door's locked up, you see, And lets us in, but for a fee ...
It's all about "enlightenment" It's all 'bout "self-improvement" It's all about what WE can get ... And there is something left unsaid:
Where is Jesus? "Love your neighbour as yourself" Where is Jesus? "Love him so, no more no less" ...
Where is Jesus? "There's no greater love than this ..." Where is Jesus? "Than loving your enemies ..."
Nowadays, the selfish gene We let loose like a machine; We have never quite enough And if others suffer? "Tough!
Where's it said I have to care For my brother? Let him bear His own fardels, his own weight!" That's how hate we generate ...
Where is Jesus? "Love your neighbour as yourself" Where is Jesus? "Love him so, no more no less" ...
Where is Jesus? "There's no greater love than this ..." Where is Jesus? "Than loving your enemies ..."
And thus we give our conceit Record heights for it to hit; Meditate we do, for more For ourselves, for evermore ...
We have never quite enough, And if others suffer? "Tough!" Is there another way, you know, For us all to save our souls?
Where is Jesus? "Love your neighbour as yourself" Where is Jesus? "Love him so, no more no less" ...
Where is Jesus? "There's no greater love than this ..." Where is Jesus? "Than loving your enemies ..."
Where is Jesus?
Where is Jesus?
THE BAND:
****** Song Summary ************* Title: Where is Jesus - 8 August 2020 File:Where is Jesus - 8 August 2020.SGU Key=Bm , Tempo 85, Length (m:s)=3:11 No intro. 64 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 64. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Style is _GLITCH.STY (Glitch Hip Hop with Drum Loop)
RealTracks in style: 2741:Bass, Synth, AltHipHopA-B Ev16 085 RealTracks in style: 1997:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm SmoothJazzCool Sw16 100 RealTracks in style: 2819:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm RnBSoulSw16Brent Sw16 085 Loop in Song: Loops PAK 2\Hip Hop\Drums, Hybrid, HipHopGlitchA-B Sw16 085.wav *******************
Voice recorded in 2020, in Audacity (if I remember rightly!), with a little reverb and mastering added in Bandlab.
It's too weird to hear you say you are completely out of inspiration, James, because I hear you as so inspirational. The "selfish gene," likely originally there to keep the species going, has taken on the current cultural me-first attitude. Not to worry. We play around that. Thanks for sharing. This is another of your wonderful chord structure with a cool melody hinted at with your cool style of vocalization.
Enjoy whatever happens! marty
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 12, EZDrummer
Your vocal treatment on this is a ace. the only time it gets a bit sibilant is in the chorus. Love the combo of old n new in the arrangement. Seems you're addressing the modern instances of the buying of indulgence.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
A good one from you. Don't worry about inspiration. Inspiration, like us gets tired too. Sometimes I go months without it when it goes away for vacation. Then it gets tired of being away and comes back.
Don't worry, every message can be misunderstood or misinterpreted, or rather misused - pick up just some parts and use them to rule/enslave/repress/sell/whatever. "Nowadays, the selfish gene/We let loose like a machine/We have never quite enough/And if others suffer? Tough!" crystallize the reason to ask "Where is Jesus". I've been thinking about reading "The Selfish Gene" book again, inspiring thoughts... I like the band, your rapping style and the strong arrangement. And your chord progression is really enjoyable, a treasure chest. I think this is your strongest songs in every aspect. The video supports the message well, nice selection of good quality pictures, although you could use color grading for a more uniform artistic effect.
Marty: even I (haha) run out of inspiration, at times Good thing is that, like Vic says above, it'll come back. Bad thing is that it hasn't set a date for return, on its return ticket But ... I wait patiently Thanks so much for listening, I'm really glad you enjoyed this one
Mario: thank you so much!
Ray: yes - the "buying of indulgence", whether new or old, is one of the great scourges of this world, as I see it. Glad the message came through - and thanks so much for listening and for your wonderfully perceptive comments. I really appreciate this. Glad also that the vocals came through ok!
Vic: I needed to hear that. Good to know that inspiration will come back. I await its return, in the meantime, with bated breath Thanks for the encouragement!
David C: hahahaha. A very good point, well made
Janne: thank you so much for listening ... and for such nuanced, perceptive comments. Yes, everything can be misinterpreted, you are right, so ... and I must also Google "color grading", haha. I'm an amateur on every level, with these things, but - every so often - my Muse comes around (in my mind) and something happens. When it doesn't ... I wait
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See what you think? Very happy to receive any kind of feedback, whether it be about the video, the song itself, or the message ... I'm a little worried that the song's message could easily be misconstrued, misunderstood or misinterpreted ... I'm not sure I've been clear enough as to my exact meaning. But you be the judge, if you want to? Thanks 
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