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#809468 05/06/24 09:30 AM
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Background
Some may remember my last docu-song Bletchley Park, this one is a continuation of that WW2 theme and is dedicated to Viktor E. Frankl and all the survivors and non-survivors of the Holocaust. Viktor, like so many German and East European Jews found himself entrapped in the Nazi network of concentration and extermination camps, but amazingly he survived and wrote an epic account of some of his experiences in the camps and the meaning behind survival. He called his book Man’s Search For Meaning.

In my opinion, this relatively small paperback which has been translated into over 20 languages and has sold over 12 million copies, should be required reading at the High School and College levels. Here are a few quotes.

With unthinkable haste, people tore off their clothes. As the time grew shorter, they became increasingly nervous and pulled clumsily at their underwear, belts and shoelaces. Then we heard the first rounds of whipping; leather straps beating down on naked bodies.

The most painful part of beatings is the insult which they imply.

Those who have not gone through a similar experience can hardly conceive of the soul-destroying mental conflict and clashes of will power which a famished man experiences.

In spite of all the enforced physical and mental primitiveness of the life in a concentration camp, it was possible for spiritual life to deepen.

Months later, after liberation, I met a friend from the old death camp. He related to me how he, as camp policeman, had searched for a piece of human flesh that was missing from a pile of corpses. He confiscated it from a pot in which he found it cooking. Cannibalism had broken out.

Fundamentally, therefore, any man can, even under such circumstances, decide what shall become of him – mentally and spiritually. He may retain his human dignity, even in a concentration camp. Dostoevski said once, “There is only one thing I dread: not to be worthy of my sufferings.”


Frankel died in 1997, and it is he that won the victory, not Hitler.

Today, 5/6/24 is Holocaust Remembrance Day. The least we can do is never forget.

This is my first baby-step attempt at doing vocals; way out of my comfort zone. My only consolation is that these vocals are intended to come from beyond the grave.

Technicals
80 BPM

BiaB:
RealTracks in style: 1856:Cello, Background PopCountry Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 677:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm RockBritDriving Ev 085
RealDrums in style:RockBritDrivingEv16^1-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Me:
Vocals: I have victory!/We have victory!

Korg Keyboard: Synths/Leads, Clarinet, Strings, Tuba(high register)

Roland Drum Pad (during the outro): Toms, Snare, Hi Hat, Cymbal

Fender: Bass Guitar

Recorded and mixed in Studio One

Victory For Viktor


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For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Wow! Ambitious. Epic. Beautiful. In the immortal words of Roy Neary, "This means something. This is important." Nicely done indeed...


DC Ron
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BT,

Epic indeed! An amazing soundscape. Beautiful, creative and full of emotion. Extremely well done.

Bob

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Very impressive work, beautiful and moving!

I loved the melodic cello, and how the music swells in the last third of the piece - and also those bell-like tones at the end.

I read Frankl's book a couple of years ago, and my main takeaway was that the people in the camps who had a purpose, a reason to live, are the ones who survived.

You've composed a great tribute to Frankl, thanks for sharing!

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Originally Posted by DC Ron
Wow! Ambitious. Epic. Beautiful. In the immortal words of Roy Neary, "This means something. This is important." Nicely done indeed...
Thanks so much DC, glad it spoke something to you. The vocals were particularly challenging for me.
Wasn't Roy's quote associated with mashed potatoes?


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For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Hi, Steve.

Thanks for the explanation - the introduction makes a lot more sense.

There's a good build to the music, and the quiet interlude in the middle. Sounds good!


-- 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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I think they call it "program music" where the music tells a tale & tat tales is written down for those listening to follow.
Interesting take...well recorded.


Cheers
rayc
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A beautiful tribute Bass Thumper
Laurent

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Originally Posted by rsdean
BT,

Epic indeed! An amazing soundscape. Beautiful, creative and full of emotion. Extremely well done.

Bob
Hey Bob, I really appreciate your listen and feedback.
I hope my bullfrog voice didn't detract too much from the overall message.

We owe it to humanity to never forget; it could happen again.
--Steve


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For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Very impressive piece from start to finish! The soundscape does a great job of matching your text. Nothing wrong with your voice BTW, sounded good to these ears.

Well done, enjoyed.

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I really like this piece, it seems to come straight out of the 70s prog rock era.
There are quite a few Pink Floyd influences, which is a good thing.
Lots of interesting things keep my attention throughout the song.
Very well done.

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I agree in that this is a very impressive masterpiece.
Great intro.
A bass solo - brilliant.
Outstanding dynamics.
Super strings and effects.
You best to date!
You have come a long way in a very short period of time.
Loved it.


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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Originally Posted by BobLMusic
Very impressive work, beautiful and moving!

I loved the melodic cello, and how the music swells in the last third of the piece - and also those bell-like tones at the end.

I read Frankl's book a couple of years ago, and my main takeaway was that the people in the camps who had a purpose, a reason to live, are the ones who survived.

You've composed a great tribute to Frankl, thanks for sharing!
Hey BobL, thanks so much.
Yeah the cello in the intro is really nice, I think the artist that was recorded for that RealTrack is Matt Nelson, very talented.
And the bell-like tones at the end is a voice called "Celesta" on my Korg keyboard. Off the top of my head I really don't know how they built that voice but if you're really interested, send me a PM and there might be a way to dive into the menus to find more info on it. I learned from DrDan a couple years ago that the sequence of notes played there is called a motif.

You're absolutely right about Frankl's observing that those that had a purpose in life had a better chance of surviving the camps than those that didn't. I believe he was trained as a psychiatrist and developed the theory that the central human motivational force was the search for meaning in life; much different than Sigmund Frued's theory.

Thanks again for the constructive/engaging comments. I'm just on my journey along with everyone else smile

.


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For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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WOW ... an epic journey. Very theatrical work.


Elliott Kayne
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My goodness! What an amazing soundscape and epic musical journey.
I can imagine this playing in a cinema as the background music for a slideshow that documents Nazi concentration camps.
It's very emotive music.
I compliment you on your music skills, too.
Everything flowed seamlessly from section to section. It was an outstanding arrangement.
I really enjoyed going where you took me..

--Noel


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Yes, I've read it. Cool subject, albeit unusual, for song, Steve. With the title I was thinking of Victa (Wooten). This is a wonderful interpretation (and I really love your bass). Very creaive indeed. There is majesty within the sorrow, spiritual within the oppression. Viktor's Victory!! It speaks and you created a special musical piece to raise the voice.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Originally Posted by dcuny
Hi, Steve.

Thanks for the explanation - the introduction makes a lot more sense.

There's a good build to the music, and the quiet interlude in the middle. Sounds good!
Many thanks David, this one took took much effort to arrange. Glad you liked it.


https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677
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For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Quite an excellent atmospheric instrumental piece.

Good job Bass.

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Steve,

An emotional piece of music - for an emotional story.
Thoughtful arrangement. VERY good production. And mix.
Your bass sounds great. LOVE that you are adding drums yourself - Well done!

This is impressive.

fj

rayc #809691 05/08/24 11:27 AM
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Originally Posted by rayc
I think they call it "program music" where the music tells a tale & tat tales is written down for those listening to follow.
Interesting take...well recorded.
Thanks Ray.
But I nor my AI assistant know what "tat tales" are.
Did you mean something else?

"The term “tat tales” does not have a widely recognized or standard meaning in English."


https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677
BiaB 2026 Windows
For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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