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A new one, from me. I'm not too sure about this one, to be honest ... then again, I'm never too sure about new songs I write until a week or so elapses from when I've finished writing them. A week hasn't elapsed, just yet, so I'll let you all be the judges on this one, instead - all feedback is gratefully received! Thanks for listening! Have You Ever Been In Love? THE LYRICS:You may laugh As you look at me, Lost in song As you hear me, Hopes all dashed As you pity me, But tell me: Have you ever been in love? *** You may smile When my memory Bittersweet Comes back to me You may think I've lost my mind, but have you ever been in love? *** Laugh, If it pleases you, Smile, If it cheers you, Judge, If that's what you do, Have you ever been in love? Pity me, If that's all you see, Patronise me, If that's what you think of me, But please tell me ... please tell me, Have you ever been in love? Have you ever been in love? THE BAND:Soloist: Synth V's Eleanor Forte Solo Guitar: Strummed Guitar from EastWest/Soundsonline ****** Song Summary ************* Title: Have You Ever Been In Love - 17 July 2024 File:Have You Ever Been In Love - 17 July 2024.SGU Key=C , Tempo 75, Length (m:s)=3:37 No intro. 64 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 64. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Song is saved with bar changes for Key Signature, Style is _DELIVER.STY (Deliver Sweet Pop Ballad) RealTracks in style: 3501:Bass, Electric, NashvilleRadioBalladAB Ev16 075 RealTracks in style: 1730:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopRootsyJohn Ev16 100 RealTracks in style: 3700:Guitar, Acoustic, Soloist SlackKeyBallad Ev 085RealTracks in style: 1840:Synth Pad, PopModernGrooveMellow Ev16 075 RealDrums in style:ModernPopBallad16ths^05-a:Sidestick, Sync-kick , b:Open hat, Sync-kick ******************* Mixed and mastered in Mixcraft Pro Studio 10
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James...this is a lovely melody...the instrumental interludes are well done and compliment the song vocal melody very well...I'm working with Synth V almost exclusively and they have lovely voices but it's a challenge to get a human nuance out of them at times...my only suggestion would be to sustain the notes on the final "have you ever been in love" line...perhaps not so staccato...IMO it would show off Eleanor' beautiful voice...a very pretty song!
www.soundclick.com/firesongBiaB 2024, Steinberg Cubase Pro 13, Wavelab 11.2, SpetraLayers Pro 10, Audacity, Steinberg UR44 Interface, Yamaha Genos, Roland FP60 and FP10, Windows 10 You are who you are because you do what you do because of what you believe.
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These synthetic voices are getting better all the time. And I like your chord progression.
Well done.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 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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James, really nice song, and very interesting harmonic movement. Also like the halting phrasing of the title line. Might not work for everyone but I think it's kind of cool. Well done!
DC Ron
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Good question, James. So let's start with a discussion of what is love. Well, I love this song, and that counts. Hey, I'm not alone in saying I miss your vocals in these, but you are so darn good with those synths. I like the modulation and your signature changes that always elevate my interest. Very creative. That piano is so perfect for this. Love it.
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James, to answer your question yes, to the same woman for 60 years
This an outstanding song
Super use of that synth vocal - it sounds real
Great chord progression, instrumentation, and mix
Great ending
IMHO your best to date
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
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Hi, James. I hear you snuck in some of your favorite chord changes.  Pretty music, although I think the halting delivery works brings out the "synth" in the synthetic vocal. I think the short notes at the end diminish the cadence. Still, a pleasant listen. 
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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I like what I'm hearing. Nice mellow melody. And yeah, some really nice and unexpected chords and that key change was really nice.
I'm with David Cuny on the short staccato sung notes. Especially the ones at the end. Let the singer hold it.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Hey very nice James. Very pretty! I see everyone is doing and learning those synth vocals now. I guess I will be the last remaining holdout and Fred Flintstone, defiantly oblivious to the march of time!!
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firesong: thanks so much for listening! I will have a look at the staccato section, for sure ... you are not the only one to have mentioned it, it seems Bass Thumper: thanks! DC Ron: thanks! The halting staccato seems to have been a subject of controversy, haha - glad you liked the song Marty: what is love? I was worried I'd have a Paul of Tarsus quote coming up Seriously, though, thank you. I'll be back singing, soon enough, but I thought that this song needed a softer, female voice singing it. I'm lucky there are those synths in existence, these days ... Thanks so much for listening! Mario: 60 years!!! Wow - CONGRATULATIONS!!! and thank you for such efusive praise for the song - really glad you liked it, and so grateful for such kind words! David Cuny: yep ... wouldn't be a JD song without one or two of my trademark progressions but I'm glad you liked the song! I will have a look at the staccato stuff for sure ... I'm 50/50 right now on what to do with it, keep or let go ... anyway, thanks so much for listening! Herb: thanks!!! As I wrote above, I will have a look at the staccato section David Snyder: yes, but you can sing properly, so ... Thanks for listening and for your really nice words!
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James,
You make some really great music... This one works very well. Great use of Synth V and a great mix.
Bob
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Lovely
Smooth
Enjoyed the listen
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HI James,
Your music is always so interesting and butter-smooth. You nailed that vibe here. the synth voices are getting so much better, and you use them as good as anyone.
I enjoyed the staccato delivery of the vocal with the exception of Herb's note - the last "Have you ever been in love" might seal the deal a wee bit better, as it would add emphasis to the preceding story. Just me thinking out loud again.
A very, very nice listen!
Alan
BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops
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Sounds like James' music without James. I do miss your voice but the synth does give you a wider range and you have really come to grips with the how of that instrument.
Well done.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Nice progression and melody James.
Excellent BiaB session group ... they all sound very cohesive.
We also like the sparse lyric. Nothing left to add or take away.
The synth vocal works well. We do agree that the tag might be more effective with the last note sustained.
Elsewhere the staccato feel well accentuates the hook.
A lot of effort, we would guess, that has paid off!
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
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Bob: wow ... what a compliment, especially coming from someone like you. Thanks - and thanks for listening floyd: thanks Glad you liked it Alan: thank you for taking the time to listen. "Butter-smooth" ... I'll take that Take care of yourself. Ray: thanks so much. I'll keep singing, from time to time, but you've nailed it ... the synth voice gives me a much, much wider range, not to mention better quality of vocal tone (which I'm grateful you were far too kind to mention ), so ... I'll probably alternate between the two ... maybe I'll write a duet, one day, with my vocals and Eleanor Forte's? Janice, Bud: "nothing left to add or take away" ... thank goodness That's a great compliment! As for "effort", I wrote, arraged, mixed it, etc., in one evening, in four hours - but they were very intensive (work-wise) four hours Thanks again for being so kind as to listen and comment
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Lovely song and melody. Excellent arrangement and instrumentation.
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.
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Very nice melody! Pleasant sound all around. Lyrics are sure to have popular appeal.
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WaoBand: thanks! Glad you liked it! Ezekiel's Storm: Thanks. The lyrics were deliberately sparse and simple ... hopefully people do like them Thanks for listening!
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Clever use of the synth, James.
Nice idea too.
Vic
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