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#796636 01/21/24 07:59 AM
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Hello everyone,

I took a break from the forum for a few weeks, but not to do nothing. They were very busy days actually.
For some days now I am listening to songs I missed on this forum when I was away.
And that were a lot of songs. From what I heard so far, all are very good/ entertaining too!

And here I am with my first song of this year: I am a dreamer, https://on.soundcloud.com/qULqd

I also made a videoclip on the song (my 3rd video ever). Watch on YouTube:

The story is about a guy who was really bummed after a breakup. Now, he's working on himself and things are getting a bit better, but he's still flying solo. However, there's a feeling that something new and exciting might be on the way for him. The guy I had in mind was my son (but don't tell him I told you...).

I made the original song a year ago, well... I actually made 6 versions of it. 3 of them were never released. This is one of them. But I changed and rearranged so much, that it became a totally new song. Marty gave me advice on everything and also told me to ask Dave for the solo part. I did and Dave was happy to help me with it. And, of course, I was happy with them!
The lyrics can be found in the video or on the SC-page.

I hope you like it, but don't hesitate to tell me what could be improved, or otherwise.
Hans

Techical stuff:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Style is _WISDOM.STY (Wisdom Cool Gospel Trio)
Key: G, bpm: 85

RealTracks in song:
1580:Bass, Electric,
3526:Piano, Acoustic,
1412:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm CelticHornpipe
2547:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm GroovinFolk
1579:Banjo, Rhythm
RealDrums in Song:RockSwing16^02-a,b
Solo guitar: Dave Bell
Advisory: Marty Straub
Vocals/Mixing/mastering/video: me

Last edited by Birchwood; 01/21/24 08:01 AM.

Hans Berkhout
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Birchwood #796655 01/21/24 10:26 AM
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Very nice! LOVE the vocals and whatever you're doing with FX, doubling and/or harmonies. Gives it a great dynamic lift as the song moves along. Nice arrangement and mix throughout. Super guitar solos, too. Great job, worth the time, I think! (FWIW, your credits read "Key: G" but it sounds like you start in Gm then modulate to Am. If I'm correct, not sure this makes any difference.)


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Birchwood #796731 01/22/24 06:07 AM
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Great arrangement Hans.
That solo comes in beautifully.

Vic

Birchwood #796733 01/22/24 06:49 AM
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Hans,

You write some great music - this is no exception... Love the arrangement, vocal and superb mix.

Bob

Birchwood #796734 01/22/24 07:08 AM
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This is a really cool song Hans and very well mixed. What I like the most is the positive life-affirming message and the upbeat sensibility that permeates it from beginning to end.

It's a very thought-provoking tune, but seems to have many different layers to it.

It's good to see you again.

Birchwood #796797 01/22/24 05:06 PM
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Hans, you're no dreamer. You are a very talented musician.
Great vocal, lyrics, and mix.
Super guitar lead Dave.
Loved it.


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DC Ron #796859 01/23/24 07:23 AM
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Hi DC,

I told my wife how amazed I was by the way you listened to this song and corrected the key it was in.
I tried to explain what was so great about that, but 'for a moment' I forgot that she doesn't understand (musical) keys at all. So I stopped explaining what I see as very good from you.

Originally Posted by DC Ron
Very nice! LOVE the vocals and whatever you're doing with FX, doubling and/or harmonies. Gives it a great dynamic lift as the song moves along. Nice arrangement and mix throughout. Super guitar solos, too. Great job, worth the time, I think! (FWIW, your credits read "Key: G" but it sounds like you start in Gm then modulate to Am. If I'm correct, not sure this makes any difference.)

You were right about the key. It was in G and I had a transposition to A. Later on I changed the song to F, then to Gm and (of course) Am. But I forgot to correct that in my first post.
So, you have very good ears, DC! And thanks a lot for your very nice words about the song as a whole.
Hans


Hans Berkhout
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Birchwood #796927 01/23/24 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Birchwood
Hi DC, I told my wife how amazed I was by the way you listened to this song and corrected the key it was in. I tried to explain what was so great about that, but 'for a moment' I forgot that she doesn't understand (musical) keys at all. So I stopped explaining what I see as very good from you...Hans

Hans, ha! That reminds me of talking music with my lyricist. He says it's like the Charlie Brown cartoons where the teachers talk but all he hears is "wah wah wah wah wah..." (Don't know if Charlie Brown is as prevalent in the Netherlands. If not...SORRY!)

I'll usually listen to forum songs before reading the lyrics or credits, and play along on guitar for a while. So it wasn't my ears so much as it was my guitar was in tune. Loved the song!


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DC Ron #796983 01/24/24 06:42 AM
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Hi Ron,

Originally Posted by DC Ron
Originally Posted by Birchwood
Hi DC, I told my wife how amazed I was by the way you listened to this song and corrected the key it was in. I tried to explain what was so great about that, but 'for a moment' I forgot that she doesn't understand (musical) keys at all. So I stopped explaining what I see as very good from you...Hans

Hans, ha! That reminds me of talking music with my lyricist. He says it's like the Charlie Brown cartoons where the teachers talk but all he hears is "wah wah wah wah wah..." (Don't know if Charlie Brown is as prevalent in the Netherlands. If not...SORRY!)

I'll usually listen to forum songs before reading the lyrics or credits, and play along on guitar for a while. So it wasn't my ears so much as it was my guitar was in tune. Loved the song!

Charley Brown was very populair here in the Netherlands. I think he still is, well for old people...
What a funny way of listening to a song; playing along with it. I will try that too (but only a few times).
I think I did something wrong raising my children. I've given them guitars, recorders and even a drum set, but they won't make songs or listen to mine. Well... every now and then they do that to please me, but these are hard times for their father. No successors in music...
Thanks for your reply!

Hans


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rsdean #796984 01/24/24 06:46 AM
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Hi Vic,

Originally Posted by vicarn
Great arrangement Hans.
That solo comes in beautifully.

Vic

Thanks for you nice words!
I let Dave know about your compliment on the solo too

Originally Posted by rsdean
Hans,
You write some great music - this is no exception... Love the arrangement, vocal and superb mix.

Bob

Hi Bob, that's funny, I thinkl the same about you and your songs. Thanks!

Have a nice sunny day (if possible),
Hans


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David Snyder #796985 01/24/24 06:59 AM
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Hi David,

Originally Posted by David Snyder
This is a really cool song Hans and very well mixed. What I like the most is the positive life-affirming message and the upbeat sensibility that permeates it from beginning to end.
It's a very thought-provoking tune, but seems to have many different layers to it.
It's good to see you again.

You know, I had two conflicting feelings about your post:
1. Oh, what a very nice compliment from you. Love what you wrote!
2. You are pulling me a leg with this message. Alike the one you wrote on 'Lost', about your conversation with God about me (have you read 'his' reply on that?)

And you know how I solved that huge problem? I just took you serious, so that is nr.1.
So thanks a lot David, I am very pleased with your words.

Hans


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Birchwood #796989 01/24/24 07:21 AM
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Love it, Hans. But you already know that so I'll tell anyone else who wants to listen. Your son is quite a lucky fella to have you as a dad (and it's not just because of your cooking). Man, I can hear this as a long lost song of John Lennon (without Yoko, of course). What a great idea adding Dave. Excellent changes and dynamics and the melody is quite catchy.


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Birchwood #797004 01/24/24 09:01 AM
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Hans,

A very good arrangement/production. Nice gathering of instruments.
Excellent vocals and BGVs.
Dave's guitar is Fire.

Well mixed.

Good listening.

fj

Birchwood #797036 01/24/24 12:27 PM
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Very nice and touching lyrics, nothing wrong with being a dreamer (I wish I could still be instead of becoming a cynic...), I like the optimism, it combines with the minor key surprisingly well.
The piano and acoustic guitars create a pleasant rhythm.
Very catchy chorus, the melody and the chord progression have some European flavor to my taste, I liked the modulation also.
Enjoyable vocals, the backing vocals thicken the sound nicely. And Dave... the guitar master is everywhere, he rules the world and his solo fits perfectly with your song smile
A good video also, nice dreamer cat smile

Janne


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MarioD #797203 01/25/24 08:26 AM
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Hello Mario!

Thanks for your comment on the Dreamer

Originally Posted by MarioD
Hans, you're no dreamer. You are a very talented musician.
Great vocal, lyrics, and mix.
Super guitar lead Dave.
Loved it.

Mario, it was Marty who urged me to ask Dave for that solo. I was satisfied with the solo i had, but you can't say no to Marty. And luckily I followed his advice. I knew/know Dave is a very talented guy on the lead guitar, and he is also very friendly, but he amazed me with it. Very good solo. It was almost a pity it was such a small part. I had to skip a lot of bars, because it was too long. But he also played some bars at the end of the song.
And I thank you for the compliments on everything!

Hans


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Birchwood #797213 01/25/24 09:47 AM
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Hans...this is a really cool track...I really love the piano part and Dave's solo is ...well...it's Dave right? so cool! the energy is contagious and the arrangement and production are top-of-the-line!


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Birchwood #797359 01/26/24 11:37 AM
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Hello Hans, Marty & Dave
Super song
Sounds excellent
Great singing and having Dave play the solo
was a great idea !
Very cool performance, Dave.
And the video is really great.
So many ideas and details, so much fun to watch
A great collaboration !!!
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

Birchwood #797459 01/27/24 08:31 AM
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Hi Hans,

Nice job on the video!

Thanks to everyone that mentioned my part.

Birchwood #797522 01/27/24 11:29 PM
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Hi, Hans.

Nice work! Good write, well sung, nice arrangement. I like the changes, like when the banjo enters in.

The only thing that I might change is the lyric:

I roughly know how far they are away

only because it's really mangled the grammar. Something like this would probably parse a bit better:

Although they are frighteningly far, far away

But part of the charm of the lyric is that it is mangled. wink

Your description says "there's a feeling that something new and exciting might be on the way for him." But from the lyrics I see, it seems like he's looking back ("I long for you", "I'm still alone") and trying to convince his old love ("if you could see me now") that he's changed.

Anyway, a really enjoyable listen, with Dave fitting in nicely. smile


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jannesan #797558 01/28/24 01:25 PM
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Hi Mario, Marty, Floyd and Janne,

Thanks for your nice comments!

Originally Posted by MarioD
Hans, you're no dreamer. You are a very talented musician.
Great vocal, lyrics, and mix.
Super guitar lead Dave.
Loved it.

Mario, I don't see myself as being that talented, although it sounds good when someone else (that is you in this matter) say it.
Maybe that's my modesty, because I'm actually very good... ;-)
But, I really am a dreamer sometimes. I think you too! we need to be, otherwise no songs from our hands...
And you have to thank Marty for bringing Dave in, and Dave for his wonderful, but short, solo (my fault).

Originally Posted by BabuMusic
Love it, Hans. But you already know that so I'll tell anyone else who wants to listen. Your son is quite a lucky fella to have you as a dad (and it's not just because of your cooking). Man, I can hear this as a long lost song of John Lennon (without Yoko, of course). What a great idea adding Dave. Excellent changes and dynamics and the melody is quite catchy.

Marty, I told Mario it was you who told me to ask Dave for the solo. Everyone in my family knows the name 'Marty' by now. You are famous here!
Yet my sons enjoy my cooking more than my songs. And I haven't even told them yet that you and Bud are convinced I'm the resurrection of John L.
Well, maybe if I earn a fraction of what he did, I will gain more credits. It's all about money here...

Originally Posted by floyd jane
Hans,
A very good arrangement/production. Nice gathering of instruments.
Excellent vocals and BGVs.
Dave's guitar is Fire.

Well mixed.
Good listening.
fj

Floyd, thanks man for saying this. And Dave will tell you soon he thanks you too for your words!

Originally Posted by jannesan
Very nice and touching lyrics, nothing wrong with being a dreamer (I wish I could still be instead of becoming a cynic...), I like the optimism, it combines with the minor key surprisingly well.
The piano and acoustic guitars create a pleasant rhythm.
Very catchy chorus, the melody and the chord progression have some European flavor to my taste, I liked the modulation also.
Enjoyable vocals, the backing vocals thicken the sound nicely. And Dave... the guitar master is everywhere, he rules the world and his solo fits perfectly with your song smile
A good video also, nice dreamer cat smile

Janne

Janne, I was facinated by that 'European flavor'! I wasn't aware of that, but I think it's logicall. I am living there. And you too! And if I recall some songs from you, also from the time before the AI vocals, you had songs that gave feelings of fairies, gnomes, and other magical things. I think that is European too.
But thanks for your nice words, also about Dave and that poor cat...

Have a very creative day today,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
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