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#781264 11/06/23 07:21 AM
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vicarn Offline OP
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Mike LeBlanc sent me what he described as "another doom and gloom lyric but with the added beauty of a flower in it".
Apart from changing a couple of lines it's his lyric.
I chose the style because it had a Steve Earle sound to it, then I swapped some of the instruments.

BIAB tracks:
Bass 3119
Drums Pop modern groove sync, Tambourine Even 8ths
Fiddle 3152, 3157
Mandola 3155
Mandolin 3377
Guitar 1828 and a few touches of 801

https://on.soundcloud.com/24z5P

A Graveside Flower © 2023 Mike LeBlanc & Vic Arnold

I've learned to laugh through the pain
Only cry in the rain
On a wish and a prayer let my life not go to waste
I've learned to roll with the ages
As I turn my life's pages
While I am well aware I've reached the final stage

And as my life comes full circle, I close my eyes
My soul now possesses all the power
And onward to that kingdom I know of in the skies
And for you I'll leave behind a graveside flower
For you I'll leave behind a graveside flower

I've done the best that I could do
Maybe not all I needed to
My trials and tribulations now are done
I've found the light in the darkness
To shine when I felt hopeless
I've seen my revelation and my heart and soul are one

And as my life comes full circle I close my eyes
My soul now possesses all the power
And onward to that kingdom I know of in the skies
And for you I leave behind a graveside flower
For you I leave behind a graveside flower

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Vic,

Your treatment of the tune has done the lyrical content justice! Love the instrumentation choices! Could be in a movie soundtrack! A very good song sand performance!

Thanks, T

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Vic,

I really enjoyed this - great vocal and great mix.

Bob

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Sounds Irish smile

I love the sparse arrangement that keeps the focus on the vocals and the lyrics themselves.
This is VERY well done!

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That's a very beautiful song, and you've crafted a lovely arrangement and performance around the lyrics. Especially love all the little touches you added to the end of the song to give it a "big" wrap up relative to the rest of the song. Very skillfully done all the way around. Oh, the BiaB instruments did their jobs perfectly, too!


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vicarn Offline OP
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Thanks Torrey.
That would be nice.

Vic

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vicarn Offline OP
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Cheers Bob.
That’s good to hear.
I will pass all comment on to Mike.

Vic

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Hi, Vic.

The intro with the mandolin and tambourine is great.

Compelling story, excellent lead vocal. Love the instruments dropping out at the end of the chorus.

Everything sounds perfect - love it! laugh


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Cats In The Cradle meets Copperhead Road.
Cool band, very cool song.
fab vocal but, as usual, I'd manually de-ess a little.


Cheers
rayc
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Relly well done making a song our of lyrics, Vic. Nearly impossible for me for some reason. It's likely easier whe the lyrics are this good. As always you curated a remarkable band to present this sad beauty. So well done, Vic and Mike.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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vicarn Offline OP
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Hi B.D.
Thanks for your comment. I do try to work on the "Less is more" style.
It's too easy with the selection of BIAB tracks to get carried away and drown the whole thing.

Vic

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Vic,

I like these American tunes you are doing!

They sound cool!

smile

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Vic...first off Mike wrote some very fine lyrics and as others have said you assembled the perfect band for the profound lyric...I love the long intro and the all of the instrumental choices...it's a wonderful melody and though the subject is very serious the tempo and style you chose kept a lighter aura around this graveside lament...well done in all aspects!


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Vic & Mike...

Good song.
Good tracks. Excellent opening.
Well sung.
Good mix.

Mike is a heck of a wordsmith. AND a nice guy. I suggested to him that he should join here (he is a BIAB user, after all...) - don't know why he doesn't...

fj

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Beautiful and atmospheric song. Well arranged. Listened twice and will likely listen again smile


I don’t want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member (Groucho Marx)
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vicarn Offline OP
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Thank you DC.
Glad you noticed the "little touches". They were an afterthought that I think was needed to lift the gloom. smile

Vic

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vicarn Offline OP
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David.
Thanks for those nice comments.

Vic

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Vic, you really brought Mike's lyrics to life with tremendous passion.
Outstanding vocal backed by the perfect instrumentation.
This is one outstanding song!


Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.

When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.

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rayc #781686 11/08/23 03:31 PM
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vicarn Offline OP
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Thanks for your ears, Ray.
Sssssssssses seem to be the bane of my life now.
I have today reduced them manually just for you, 🙂.
I’d forgotten Cats in the Cradle. Thanks for that reminder.

Vic

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vicarn Offline OP
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Thanks Marty.
I don’t think I ever created music for someone else’s lyric without changing a line or two and often more to suit my style or taste or ability.
Lyricists without much musical ability can be tricky to write with. I’m lucky that most just let me make the changes needed without question. After all, I’m the one who will cop most of the flak if it sounds off.

Vic

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