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Hi, all:

Well, it’s been a while . . . I’ve been on a bit of break musically, and I haven’t visited the forum much these past number of weeks (though did get time to listen to a few here and there along the way). Nonetheless, I have a lot of catching up to do.

I’d like to say that my musical hiatus was by design, but sadly it’s more attributable to lack of creativity and motivation. After quite the dry spell, I have written two new songs. Not so sure about one of them, but here’s the other.

On the production side, a HUGE shout out to Rayc, who plays bass on this one. It’s the third song of mine that Ray has played on, and the songs are all the better for it. But on this one, Ray also provided me with some additional and killer guitar and string tracks that really added some teeth to the chorus, giving it the angry edge it desperately needed.

I’ve done my best to do justice to his great contributions, but then mixing has never been my strong suit. And any shortcomings are solely on my shoulders. But it’s as far along as I think I can take it for now. As alway, I’m hoping your additional feedback and suggestions will help me bake this a bit more more.

I hope you are all safe and well—

Deej

Here’s the song:

I'LL KEEP HOLDING ON

Here are the lyrics:

Something new to something old
Something once so warm
That now has turned so bitter cold
You just can’t disguise
The love you’ve lost therein your eyes
But I’m not letting go

So twist the knife
Watch me bleed
Just say goodbye before you leave
From tonight
Until the break of every dawn
I’ll keep holding on

So pull the shade and walk away
Shed your tears and tell them all you're so okay
Try who you want you be
Erase me from your memory
But I won’t let you fade

So twist the knife
Watch me bleed
Just say goodbye before you leave
From tonight
Until the break of every dawn
I’ll keep holding on

And here’s the band:

Bass: Ray Cochrane
RealTracks 1181: Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking PopWaltz
RealTracks 1764: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Pop16ths
RealTracks 1761: Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Pop16ths
RealTracks 3554: Multi[Thickened=5] String Quartet, Rhythm PopHall
RealTracks 2503: Piano, Acoustic, HeldChords 085
RealTracks 3268: Cello, Background CelticWaltz
RealDrums: AltRockSlowSteady8ths^4
Rhythm Guitars: Ray Cochrane
Additional Strings: Midi and a Mellotron VST (Ray Cochrane)

I don't know Deej: your mixing & treatment made my little doodles sound cool so I suspect you're pretty good at mixing - plus the sound is big without being OTT so I say GREAT work mate. Thank for that. Thanks for the chance to play on another of your songs.

Hi, Deej.

Listening to you sing is always a pleasure, and this comes across big and dramatic: exactly as it should.

I can't help you with the baking of this song - I was too busy enjoying it.

Deej,

It's great to hear you again. You have one of the greatest voices around. I don't know why you are not all over the radio, Spotify, etc.

Great song and an outstanding mix. Love the bass by Ray as well.

OUTSTANDING all around!

Bob

Deej, awesome tune! Dark and magnificent. Great vocals and BGVs, and Ray's parts give everything a nice drive and lift. But that arrangement and mix is flat out amazing. Super, SUPER song. Welcome back!

Beautiful! Classic DJ!

Sounds really good to my ears. I love the sound, the mix, and the song, and especially, as always, those rock star vocals.

Great job man. And yes, great bass Ray.

I love our vocals and the overall production is pretty good, although I can't really comment on the mix because I'm far away from my normal listening environment.
I also love what Ray brought to the table, you 2 make a pretty good team.
Good stuff!

There's a great dynamic to this song. Excellent choice of Real Tracks. The arrangement and mix are ideal for the theme.

Wow! Great come back Deej! That is one cool song, and a great sound. You're right, Ray's additions were fantastic - I really loved that bass. I miss hearing your stuff, keep 'em coming.

Brad

Deej, there ain't nothing wrong with your mixing skills. You did a killer job on this one.
Outstanding dynamics and instrumentation.
A very strong vocal with great lyrics
Ray did a fantastic job on his parts.
Loved it.

Deej...glad you're back contributing with your always outstanding compositions...this is a very cool production...I love the dark edge it emotes...Ray's added parts are so well done and mix in flawlessly...the panning of the vocals is a great touch adding to the mystery and ethereal nature of the melody...your vocals are stellar (as per usual)...really nice to hear you again and a really nice "way home" with this one!

Deej, the unanimous high praise on here is well deserved, in my opinion.

1) your vocals: the envy of many a singer On top of having such a voice, you never give less than 100%, technically and emotionally. It's a joy to listen.

2) the musical writing: dark, smouldering.

3) the lyrics: as dark (seemingly, at first) as the music. A love song with a difference: when someone doesn't think it's the time to let go, just yet, even at great personal, emotional cost. Loved them.

4) the mix: nothing to worry about. The voice sits perfectly in the mix, communicating without being overpowering. Good vocal harmonies, too!

A big shout out to Ray, too ... flawless, yet unobtrusive, bass playing ... and I like the guitars and strings, which I can hear in the background. A great supporting job!

Deej: every time you post a song up, it's invariably of a top level of quality. I know what it's like; we are (most of us, at least) very stringent with ourselves, and always wish we could do better. But, here, I think you deserve praise. I think I speak for everyone who's heard your songs on here when I say that I think you add so much to this forum, and that we'd all be poorer without your contributions - so please, if you can, keep writing and sharing . Welcome back

Dark lyrics to my taste, "erase me from your memory but I won't let you fade" - I can feel the desperate need to keep holding on in my guts .
I remember that bass on some of your songs has sounded bit vague, but definitely not here. Ray brings strongly balanced presence. Well, on this one the drums sound bit choking on my headphones, but the arrangement and the mix is very pleasant in the verses.
Great emotional vocals once again, I also like very much those oohs - classic hit feel.

Janne

Ray, David, Bob, DC Ron, David S, BD, WoaBand, Brad, Mario, Dan, James, and Janne:

Thanks all for the listens and kind feedback. I've had little excuse for my absence really, but it's been great spending some time on the board and catching up on your respective efforts. My, what a talented bunch of artists we have on this board! What a terrific community!

Janne, regarding the Drums: I expected the drums would draw some comment, and to be honest I wasn't happy with them. But after too much time spent noodling, I decided to see what reaction I got before spending more. Anyway, I jumped back in and started from scratch on a new track, and took a different approach. For some reason, I couldn't get that tinniness out of the drums in the original track. A revised version of the song with the new track is posted. Still don't think it's entirely right, but that's where it is for now. Thanks much for the comment, as it inspired me to try for a better version.

My best to you all,

Deej

Thank you to those who mentioned my bass part: it was easy to do as the progression and melody simply kicked me along.

Big rock ballad. What's not to love? Good mix and the arrangement varies enough to maintain interest and the BV's add nicely to the dark mood. And THAT VOCAL, wow. I would like the drums further back in the mix but no biggie,just personal preference.
Great song which I enjoyed.

Hi Deej and Ray,

I'm glad you are back Deej. And with a wonderful song too. Great!
I like your voice a lot in this, almost epic song. Strong, but sensitive. Very nice.
And Ray, you did outstanding on that bass. I forgot you play that too. Love it!

I enjoyed everything in it. And that is a fact; This kind of music makes me melt...

Hans

Missed ya, deej. Man, right from the first downbeat I said, "Wow, strong bass sound." Then I read it was Ray. Oh, yeah!! You know, Deej, with a voice as good as yours you don't need motivation. Very engaging. Love this one, and hope to hear the not-so-good one soon, too. This is a wonderful production, and I love all of the voices you've built in there. Dang, that bass --excellent choice, and you brought it out perfectly in the mix. Gave it all a couple spins, and it's one of those great songs that keeps getting better. I kinda like the dirge-like drumming.

The intro is a success and the rest is very good too.
laurent

Deej,

A strong write.
Excellent tracks/arrangement/production.
Super vocals.
Good mix.

Ray's bass sounds great.

Good stuff. Terrific listen.

fj