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Hi All, A little backstory. I was on a business trip to Europe about 25 years ago. One of my stops was in Berlin. That evening I went to a small folk & blues club where an older local singer-songwriter was playing. I was very close to the stage where she sang about 10 songs and told some stories. I wrote this simple little song when I returned to the hotel later that night. It has never been recorded until now and features vocals from my friend Joliz. As in our last project, we also put this one on "tape" again…  This is called WHISPER OVER BERLIN. Threw a shadow wild and thin A leather jacket that smelled like gin A tattoo of Frida Kahlo on her skin Sang folk and blues and bet it all Her voice like a summer squall Songs tumbled down like a concrete wall In the thunder Over Berlin tonight Played Odetta lit her smoke Her laugh caught up in an inside joke A heart that wore the night just like a coat She chased the moon just so far Silhouettes and empty bars Burned up her past like a shooting star Like a comet Over Berlin tonight Once met Cohen in ’75 10 feet tall a bird on a wire The lights over Berlin were on fire A couple of chords a serenade Her voice like dusk on the longest day Old poets only slip out and fade to grey In a whisper In the city tonight In a whisper In the city tonight In a whisper Over Berlin tonight BIAB Tracks: 2877: Bass, Acoustic, AmericanaSlow16ths 060 0368: Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming 065 2878: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm 060 2879: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm 060 1805: Synth Pad 065 Loop: Chillout - dimensions_145choir_a_minor.wav RealDrums: AmericanaRoots16th Other Notes: My Mic: Copperphone by Placid Audio My Vocal: Recorded directly to Tascam 488 Joliz & RealTracks: Transferred to Tascam 488 As always - thanks for listening! Bob
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Wow, Bob. This is like a hymn. Just so majestic, yet intimate. Those guitars are selected and mixed to perfection. LOVE your vocals, and Joliz's harmonies just float ethereally over the arrangement. The mix and master are perfect. My only visit to Berlin was a long layover at the airport. Now I want to go back! LOVE your song!
DC Ron
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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1st impression - that 1st chord is sudden and a jolt...I can't say if fading it in would be a good move but something that fits the gentler vibe of the song perhaps.
The extra voice adds melody & texture to the song - sort of a Leonard & Judy thing.
I was going to comment about the song not being about a US city but Berlin was almost an exotic cousin of NY before the wall's fall.
Loved the song.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Bob, this is a beautiful song with thoughtful, evocative lyrics that suit your voice perfectly.
I've never been to Berlin but your song took me to a small folk and blues club just like you described.
Cheers,
Mike
Mike Garry BIAB 2025/RealBand (5), UltraPak, Kontakt, EZmix, Ozone 9 Elements, Audacity, MSi PC, Windows 11, 64bit, 16GB ram, CPU: Intel i7. https://soundcloud.com/user-952388172
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Hi, Bob.
Another trip in your time machine to another place and time.
You and Joliz sound great here.
-- 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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Ron,
That is very kind. Thanks so much from both of us.
Bob
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Great, colourful lyrics again, Robert.
Just the right track arrangement. I felt the atmosphere.
Vic
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Sounds great, the tracks really support the mood and feel of the lyrics. You vocal fits the mood and emotion of the music.
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Ray,
Thanks for your thoughts and the kind words. Much appreciated.
Bob
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Hi Bob,
Your lyrics are always so superbly written - passionate and engaging. True wordsmiths aren't all that common. You're at or very near the top of that list.
Great arrangement and mix. Joliz's voice was a very pleasant surprise. I lived in Germany 12 years but never got to Berlin. I'm delighted you did, conjured up that memory, and treated us with your musical time machine!
Best to you,
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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Mike,
Thanks. Appreciate the kind words.
Bob
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Hi Bob, this just works - a very enjoyable listen!!
Excellent arangement which fits a great song - super job Bob & Joliz!!
Carl
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What a great song, and you and Joliz sound great together. Wish that performer in Berlin could hear this. A great write from the inspiration. My good friend who turned 100 in July was a navigator on the B17 (Flying Fortress), and he also went back to helo with the Berlin Airlift. Story well told here, Bob.
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I think David put it best: many of your songs are like a time machine, taking the listener back to the time in which your story is set.
Very well done!
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This another really excellent song all around, Bob. I've said it before and I'll say it again, you're a brilliant songwriter with a unique style - I love the line "A heart that wore the night just like a coat" - plus the backing vocals really brought it alive. Really impressive!
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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David,
That's very kind and appreciated. Thank you from both of us.
Bob
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Vic,
Much appreciated - thanks.
Bob
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Elliott,
Thanks - very appreciated.
Bob
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Alan,
Thanks very much. You are always very kind.
Hope you are feeling better.
Bob
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