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This is an arrangement of Giuseppe Verdi's world-famous "Va, Pensiero" chorus, from the opera "Nabucco". It was originally known as the "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves", but was extensively used in Italy's fight for independence and reunification, and subsequently became an anthem for any person, or group of people, who have no place to call home. Hope you enjoy what I've done with it, and (hopefully) Verdi won't haunt me, at night or indeed at any other time, for perhaps butchering his masterpiece ... smile

VERDI: Va, Pensiero (arr. Delsono)

****** Song Summary *************
Title: VERDI - Va Pensiero - backing track - 5 November 2023
File:VERDI - Va Pensiero - backing track - 5 November 2023.SGU
Key=C , Tempo 65, Length (m:s)=3:34
1 bar intro, 53 bar chorus, from bar 2 to bar 54. Repeat x1 chorus
No Melody
No Soloist track.
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Style is _RAINDAY.STY (Rainy Day Slow Gospel Jazz)

RealTracks in style: ~732:Bass, Acoustic, Jazz Ballad Sw 060
RealTracks in style: 3783:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm NewOrleansGospel128 Sw 065
RealTracks in style: ~937:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm JazzBalladFreddie Sw 060
RealTracks in style: 3996:Organ, Rhythm BluesSlow128LHcomp Sw 060
RealDrums in style:JazzSwingLewis^04-a:Brushes Swirl, Busy Snare , b:Ride and Hihat

*******************

I slowed down the backing track (through time stretch) and mixed it with my voice, in Mixcraft Pro Studio 10

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Hi, James.

It's always good to hear you sing! smile

I think you can sleep safely from Verdi's ghost.


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
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When I say this was a challenging listen for me it's more a reflection of my lack of familiarity with this musical form than a dislike of what you've done. In fact, I enjoyed the challenge, and your treatment of the material is quite nice. I did go back and listen to a K&K Philharmoniker recital of the chorus for reference. (I know it's a well known work, just not well known to me.) Anyway, my only critique is that your vocals get quite loud relative to the band in the second half of your arrangement, and you may wish to set them back a bit, especially near the end. Looking forward to your next one!


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James,

Great vocal and a great job on this arrangement.

Very nicely done.

Bob

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AH, Verde would've certainly enjoyed your talent, James, and I'm so glad that we get to instead.

Wow, what an opening, and then your vocal. Just wonderful. Man, that's not an easy melody to perform, and you did is so well. Quite the range and just the right amount of crecendo/decrecendo. Well done!


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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James,

A truly interesting arrangement.
Pleasant vocals.(I think I would have let them be a bit more in-the-mix - not so out-front - and perhaps a touch more reverb).
Nonetheless...it's good that you continue to sing - keep it up...

mix is good.

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Thanks, everybody, you are way too kind. I may work a little more on the arrangement ... it's ok as it stands, I think, but I may be able to find a better style, or a different band arrangement, for it that would better reflect Verdi's intentions, I hope. For now ...thank you ever so much for listening and commenting!

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James, I really liked the arrangement.
It was good to hear you sing again.
Personally I wouldn't change a thing.


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It's called the Heineken Maneuver.

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Your experiment works well and we bet Verdi is smiling.

The New Orleans Gospel piano fits in very well and your horn scatting was a joyful sound.

Well done!

J&B


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Very interesting listen!! I think you did a great job with the vocals!!! I like the band....will have to look it up. Take care. Greg

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Mario, Janice, Bud, Greg:

Thank you, all. Far too kind. Sorry I respond so late!

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James,

I like the groove on this from the outset, particularly that acoustic guitar panned left. I don’t know the Verdi piece—and perhaps it’s quite true to the original piece—but I found the stops early in the song to be a bit too long . . . I’d shorten them a tad. I like your little vocal “scatting”, which gives the song the feel of someone listening to this tune and singing along as he’s making his breakfast in the morning, or walking through the park, or driving down the road in his convertible. (Don’t know if that makes sense). Though I agree with DC Ron that the vocals get a tad too loud in the second half of the song. Good stuff!

All my best,

Deej

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James,

This sounds really cool!

Hey just a quick question the tracks.

Why did you slow it down via time stretch as opposed to slowing it down in BIAB before you exported it??

smile

Maybe I am missing something!

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Hi James.

I love this smile You've done such a great job with the arrangement, and I really, really like your vocals.You have a wonderful tenor's tone, and your sound is very fluid and comfortable when you sing. I hope I'm not embarrassing you, but your vocal tone reminded me of Andy Williams's timbre. (He is one of my all-time favourite singers.)


I am so glad that you shared this creation! Now I want more smile

All the best,
--Noel


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Deej, David, Noel: THANK YOU.

Deej: I fixed the gaps, I think, in my second version (posted separately). Thank goodness you noticed - I'd misread Verdi's original score! Argh! smile Thanks!

David Snyder: as regards the slowing it down, I remember that there WAS a reason, but I forget what it was! Sorry - at my age (!), things like this tend to happen, it seems ... it probably wasn't that important, anyway, if I forgot it! Thanks for your kind comments!

Noel: that is probably the very best compliment I ever received, as regards my voice, saying that its timbre reminds you a little of Andy Williams. I'm, of course, nowhere near his level, but to have people thinking that I have even a touch of that kind of magic is something which is going to have me smiling all day smile Thanks for making my day with your kind comment!!!

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