Hi Marty, Noel, Guitarhacker, Jannesan and Janice and Bud,

Very nice reactions you gave me on this funky song. I knew the trumpets/horns would give some discussion (of course). So, also today I shaped them a bit better in the mix. But because today it is Friday the 13th, I fear some things can go awfully good or wrong. Let's hope it is the first one...
Thanks a lot for those replies, I will respond after each quote.

Originally Posted by BabuMusic
Oh, yeah, I always liked the Em horns much better. But you know what I find most interesting? Usually when the one key is so much lower than the other you'd expect the vocal to be relatively lower also. What you did in both version is very very talented. Rather than sing the same melody line lower or sing a close harmony line, you totally changed the melody while making it seem the same. That's wild, man. Super vocal in both. You haven't lost a thing with that surgery --maybe even gained something intangibe.

Hi Marty, I had the honor (and you the bad luck) I could sent you 2 version while in the making process of this song. In A major and E major. At first without the trumpets, but soon after with them. Like now, you were always positive in your reactions. Amazing! And you know what happened? I am going to believe the surgery did something good to me, because of you, while I only had bad memories of it.
I had to look up on Google what your last word meant, but as I say I start to believe you are right. At least you raised the bar for me to act as if you are right ;-)
Thanks for that...

Originally Posted by Noel96
Hi Hans.
This is first-class listening all the way. It's a very engaging presentation from start to end. You've nailed the style!
I really enjoyed the journey.
--Noel

Hi Noel, what a nice reaction from you. Also on SoundCloud. Thanks for that!

Originally Posted by Guitarhacker
There's some good stuff in this. You made those trumpets fit nicely, and yeah...good call on using them.
I'm continually amazed at just how good this program we all use actually is. You are using it well.
I liked those accent/hits throughout. They really put this into a whole different level than most of the songs I hear on this forum. Did you use the microchords for that?
My nits..... I agree that the horns could use a bit of brightening and the vocal could actually go the other way with some rounding off of the high end.
Well done.

Hi Guitarhacker (I constantly forget your real name, hope you don't mind). Band in a Box is indeed a very nice program to make songs with, or use as a good starting point.
The trumpets however were from Apple, or beter from Logic Pro, in their loop section. I had to cut and paste some of the sounds, but they were nice to use.
I also tried a Cuban trumpet from Native Instruments and from other orchestra software, but the didnt have 'the sound'. And still I had to shape them, as some of you (and you) adised me to.
So, no I couldn't use microchords on them. I do sometimes on guitar solo's. Nice facility in BiaB. After BiaB, the mix and extra addings take place in Logic Pro and Ozone.
Thanks!

Originally Posted by jannesan
Funk & Hans, that must be a great combination of two my favorites I thought and didn't have to be disappointed. I enjoyed the lyrics, I can imagine a funny video to accompany the story, a sweaty muscular man, a diamond ring and a woman staring at her phone.
Cool groove with nice breaks, good work with the horns... sorry, trumpets smile And your vocals sound as good as ever, I like how you sing over the solo, mixed also very well.
Janne

Hi Janne, you have a wonderful imagination, that is why you can make those lovely songs and now picturizing my song as well!
In fact that 'sweaty muscular man' at the start was my youngest son. He runs all the time to stay in shape, whether he has a girlfriend or not.
And where I go, I always see people staring on their phone, not noticing anything around them. That gave me the (simple) idea to glue both situations together.
But making a video is not (yet) my thing...
And you got it; trumpets not horns. As far as I know horns are, say, like French horns. They make a different sound. Not suitable in this song.
Thanks for this!

Originally Posted by Janice & Bud
Hans - all the love
Well, you made a really GOOD funky song as it had Janice dancing all around the kitchen. smile
We love those horns and the bass intro and, of course, your vocal, Hans!
Great lyric too and we can relate to the “staring at the mobile phone” thing. Even the little kids at family get togethers seem to be hooked.
Fun!
J&B

Hi Janice and Bud, ha! I anaged to get Janice dancing on the kitchen table, eeh.. around the whole kitchen. Have you recorded it on camera???
Thanks for the nice image I have in my head now!

Wish you all a very nice, creative day!
Hans

Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130