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#816984 07/14/24 05:07 PM
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Crash and Burn

This is an older song remixed using some of the input from previous forum posts. Will often place a sad lyric in a happy tune, but went for Orbison-esque pathos on this one.

I don't usually use the BiaB Oohs because they seldom sound natural to my ears, but tried modding them with Melodyne Studio to tame the swooping attack. Am encouraged by the result. (The BiaB Ooh BGVs are on the bridge that precedes the final chorus. Dusty sings his own arrangement of BGVs on the final chorus.)

Thanks in advance for any listens and input!

R.W. Davis: lyrics
D.A. Hughes: vocals, BGV arrangement (chorus)
Me: First Responder

Style is _CREASE.STY (Crease Americana Pop)
RealTracks in style: 2903:Bass, Acoustic, BluesyPopByron Ev 100
RealTracks in style: 691:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming AcRockBright Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 3552:Multi[Thickened=5] Vocal Oohs-Aahs, Rhythm Pop3-part Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 1757:Accordion, Rhythm Pop8ths Ev 085
RealDrums in style:Americana16GroovinBrushFred^1-a,b:Brushes,Toms

I tried to be optimistic
And wished for the best
But I became pessimistic
And under duress

I tried to be hopeful
And stay on the course
But it was so painful
And felt mighty forced

I pinned all my hopes
On hoping you would return
But you knew all my hopes
Would eventually crash and burn

I tried to be simplistic
And not complicated
But you became ballistic
And so aggravated

I tried to calm you down
And say something nice
You didn’t stick around
Tho’ I asked you twice

I pinned all my hopes
On hoping you would return
But you knew all my hopes
Would eventually crash and burn

Thin-skinned and undisciplined
You were so very hard to read
I grinned and felt chagrined
Knowing I would not succeed
In the end
I could not pretend
Because you are all I need

I pinned all my hopes
On hoping you would return
But you knew all my hopes
Would eventually crash and burn...


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DC Ron #816998 07/15/24 02:22 AM
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Ron,

This is great. Yes, definitely an Orbison feel, but I'm also getting a bit of J.D. Souther. Really nice. Dusty has an excellent voice.

Love the tracks selection and the mix is perfect.

A new favorite for me!

Bob

DC Ron #817009 07/15/24 05:52 AM
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Old is good, especailly when renrewed by such a strong talent, Ron. You bring up an often-overlooked but such a BIG part of this forum in how it helps us develop our craft. I too have learned much from comments here. Well, if anyone reads this one they'll know how much I really like this song. I like the feeling and the way you've built it with with those ooze and oz. GREAT idea of remodeling them --a very timely comment that I can learn from. Never thought of that. Well, this crash and burn has risen as a Phoenix. Thanks!


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Originally Posted by rsdean
Ron, This is great. Yes, definitely an Orbison feel, but I'm also getting a bit of J.D. Souther. Really nice. Dusty has an excellent voice. Love the tracks selection and the mix is perfect. A new favorite for me! Bob

Bob, THANKS for the listen and the nice review. J.D. Souther is a monster songwriter, he was everywhere back in the day. He should have been more famous, even though he did very well. Yes, Dusty DOES have an excellent voice, and he's got a great interpretive ear. A lot of fun to work these songs with him. But heck, HE should be more famous, too. Ha! Glad you enjoyed the tune!

Originally Posted by BabuMusic
Old is good, especailly when renrewed by such a strong talent, Ron. You bring up an often-overlooked but such a BIG part of this forum in how it helps us develop our craft. I too have learned much from comments here. Well, if anyone reads this one they'll know how much I really like this song. I like the feeling and the way you've built it with with those ooze and oz. GREAT idea of remodeling them --a very timely comment that I can learn from. Never thought of that. Well, this crash and burn has risen as a Phoenix. Thanks!

Marty, great observation about the utility of the forum. It's like a masterclass in songcraft seen through a BiaB lens. Cool stuff. The Melodyne trick is a good one to remember for any wayward RealTrack. Melodyne Studio is my single most expensive software purchase, but the best value of anything I've ever bought. Oh, and the SONG...glad you liked it! In the words of Sir Elton, Sad Songs say so much...


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DC Ron #817051 07/15/24 04:58 PM
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DCRon, this is fantastic
Great vocal and lyrics
Outstanding mix
Loved it

PS - thanx for the Melodyne tip. I have used Melodyne on RTs and other audio tracks but never on the oohs and ahs. I'll have to try that.


OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?

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DC Ron #817062 07/15/24 07:06 PM
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When the accordion came in I thought how cool this song'd sound with a Ry Cooder/Chicken Skin Music treatment.
I enjoyed the song & the story but "And felt mighty forced." sounded just that.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
DC Ron #817071 07/16/24 02:07 AM
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Good song, Ron, love your production chops and always great to hear Dusty's vocal.

I feel the same about those oohs and ahs tracks, most of the time they are not doing what I want them to do. Never crossed my mind to use Melodyne to modify them, thanks for the tip!

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Originally Posted by MarioD
DCRon, this is fantastic Great vocal and lyrics Outstanding mix Loved it PS - thanx for the Melodyne tip. I have used Melodyne on RTs and other audio tracks but never on the oohs and ahs. I'll have to try that.

Thanks, Marty!

Originally Posted by rayc
When the accordion came in I thought how cool this song'd sound with a Ry Cooder/Chicken Skin Music treatment. I enjoyed the song & the story but "And felt mighty forced." sounded just that.

Re-watched the 1977 Ry Cooder Old Grey Whistle Test concert. Probably my favorite era for Ry, though they were all better than good. I like the "mighty forced" line myself as it compactly reveals a sliver of the narrator's perspective that might be otherwise lost. But I get it. THANKS for the listen!

Originally Posted by BlueAttitude
Good song, Ron, love your production chops and always great to hear Dusty's vocal. I feel the same about those oohs and ahs tracks, most of the time they are not doing what I want them to do. Never crossed my mind to use Melodyne to modify them, thanks for the tip!

Dave, glad you liked the tune! Only just started using Melodyne on the Oohs, but once I got into it, it took just minutes to fix everything to my (near) satisfaction.


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DC Ron #817133 07/16/24 03:03 PM
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I well written and crafted song, though I bit too pessimistic for me laugh I'm an optessimist: I bizarrely derive a positive view of the future via a pessimistic view of the present! laugh


Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
WaoBand #817148 07/16/24 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by WaoBand
I well written and crafted song, though I bit too pessimistic for me laugh I'm an optessimist: I bizarrely derive a positive view of the future via a pessimistic view of the present! laugh

I'm also an optimist, and the glass is ALWAYS at least 3/4 full for me, BUT...my reading of the lyric (which is not mine) is a look backwards at a false hope of reconciliation. So this is perhaps more anguish than pessimism. Your are correct that it IS a SERIOUS downer though. Sometimes, love stinks. THANKS for the listen, and never stop being an optimist...we need the company!! Ha!


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DC Ron #817150 07/16/24 06:17 PM
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Very nice. I don't recall ever hearing anyone else using the accordion in their music. It was a perfect fit.

Great song too.


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DC Ron #817159 07/16/24 06:56 PM
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Ron,

What a lovely track! It's so well produced! The vocal production here is wonderful!
Love that bridge going to the minor chord!
Everything I've heard from you has been excellent!

Thanks, TB

DC Ron #817173 07/17/24 12:11 AM
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Hi, Ron.

Clever write, well sung and produced.

An enjoyable bit of pop, which is something you excel at. smile


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dcuny #817185 07/17/24 04:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Guitarhacker
Very nice. I don't recall ever hearing anyone else using the accordion in their music. It was a perfect fit. Great song too.

Thanks, Herb! The basic RealStyle only had the acoustic guitar, so added the accordion on the 2nd verse to make it more interesting. Think our time in New Orleans gave me an appreciation for the instrument, though it's usually more rambunctious in New Orleans style music. It does pair nicely with an acoustic guitar.

Originally Posted by Torrey Bliss
Ron, What a lovely track! It's so well produced! The vocal production here is wonderful! Love that bridge going to the minor chord! Everything I've heard from you has been excellent! Thanks, TB

Gee, THANKS, Torrey! Dusty's vocals make vocal production a lot of fun. I also enjoy sending the bridge on a little side journey, then syncing it back up. I'm SO easily amused...THANKS for the listen!

Originally Posted by dcuny
Hi, Ron. Clever write, well sung and produced. An enjoyable bit of pop, which is something you excel at. smile

THANK YOU, David! Sometimes I worry that having fun making songs about depression is wrong, but mostly I don't. Ha!


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DC Ron #817191 07/17/24 08:21 AM
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Ron...You and Dusty have done it again...another super song...I really dig Dusty's vocals (I hope I've said that before)...the harmonies are killer....you did a great job with the Ooh's...I agree that they're hard to work with but you nailed them ...love the acoustic, unplugged feel of the track...one of your best writes and productions IMHO...very nice!!


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firesong #817212 07/17/24 02:24 PM
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Originally Posted by firesong
Ron...You and Dusty have done it again...another super song...I really dig Dusty's vocals (I hope I've said that before)...the harmonies are killer....you did a great job with the Ooh's...I agree that they're hard to work with but you nailed them ...love the acoustic, unplugged feel of the track...one of your best writes and productions IMHO...very nice!!

Thanks, Dan! Yes, Dusty is wonderfully talented, and we're fortunate to have him up front on these. I scored the harmonies (so thanks!) but Dusty really nails them. And what he does with the Ah BGVs is just gorgeous. There was a fork in the road on the production on going BIG or small, and I opted to keep the band intimate and let the vocals carry the dynamics. Glad you liked it! THANKS for the listen!!


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DC Ron #817366 07/19/24 10:15 AM
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It is reminiscent of Orbison but also of the Mavericks … a good thing.

Dusty’s vocals sound great as do the BiaB touches.

The accordion provides a very supportive track.
Accordions are rarely used BiaB tracks but they offer a lot - at least to our ears.

Nice dynamic and open mix.
We’ve said that before you are very consistent with it and we love that mix style.

Simply stated … great in all aspects!

J&B


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I like that CREASE style. Fits the Orbison pathos well. I was expecting to hear a soaring high C at the end on "burn." smile
Well sung. I particularly like this line: "Thin-skinned and undisciplined."
The BIAB BGVs at the bridge sound good to me.

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Originally Posted by Janice & Bud
It is reminiscent of Orbison but also of the Mavericks … a good thing. Dusty’s vocals sound great as do the BiaB touches. The accordion provides a very supportive track. Accordions are rarely used BiaB tracks but they offer a lot - at least to our ears. Nice dynamic and open mix. We’ve said that before you are very consistent with it and we love that mix style. Simply stated … great in all aspects! J&B

J&B, THANKS for the listen and the favorable review. Had to look up the Mavericks, but I'm so glad you gave me a reason to. They are really quite a bit of fun. AND they often feature a very tastefully played accordion. Glad you enjoyed the tune!

Originally Posted by Ezekiel's Storm
I like that CREASE style. Fits the Orbison pathos well. I was expecting to hear a soaring high C at the end on "burn." smile Well sung. I particularly like this line: "Thin-skinned and undisciplined." The BIAB BGVs at the bridge sound good to me.

THANKS! The CREASE style is pretty sparse, so the accordion was an add by me. I like the way the acoustic guitar has a slightly more aggressive strumming pattern for the B subpart. I always start with A subpart on the verses and B on the chorus, but here I used B starting on the 2nd verse ("I tried to be optimistic") since it paired better with the lyric and gave a nice lift.

Not sure where the top of Dusty's range is exactly, but haven't dialed up a high C yet. That would probably be cool.

THANKS for the listen!


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DC Ron #817437 07/20/24 08:28 AM
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This is great man.
I particularly like how you crafted the bridge and final chorus.
Great job!


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