|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,597
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,597 |
I'm so behind on catching up with everyone's songs, it's real bad (it's been, as usual, crazy around here)  I will, however, do my utmost to make amends, not because I feel I should, but because you guys and gals write some of the best music I'm aware of, and I don't want to let it pass me by. With that said, here's a Christmas song from me. There is a moment where I've put a chord in the wrong inversion, and it kinda shows (to my ears, at least), but hey ... I think I like the effect (even if obtained by mistake), so I may leave like this, for now ... unless loads of people dislike it, haha  Thanks for listening and for any comments Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to ALL. A Christmas Wish THE LYRICS:An angel, so bright, turned up at my door So late, at night, and, gently, once more, He asked me, so clear, what it be I'd desire ... Behind him, singing, a soft Christmas choir. I looked around me, and lo and behold, I thought "what to ask him?", when all done and told, Would it be world peace? or kindness, perhaps ... I turned towards him, in tears, at last. "You know, there is so much I could beg you for, I'm skint, I'm hungry, the world is at war, And yet, I want back the one whom I love, And that'd be indeed my gift from above". *** A child looks up, his window so cold, He writes a letter to Santa, so old, He tells him his toy has long been broke, so ... And yet, there's something he wishes for, more. His father, you see, 's been long fighting, hard, The border, the troops and him, standing guard ... The little one sighs, he picks up his pen, And writes down his hope to Santa, again: "You know, there's so much I could beg you for, I'm skint, I'm hungry, the world is at war, And yet, I want back the one whom I love, And that'd be indeed my gift from above". THE BAND:****** Song Summary ************* Title: A Christmas Wish - 8 December 2024 File:A Christmas Wish - 8 December 2024.SGU Key=C , Tempo 60, Length (m:s)=4:16 No intro. 60 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 60. 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,Volume Changes, Style is _HEARKEN.STY (Hearken 12-8 Folk Pop Piano Solo) RealTracks in style: 2938:Bass, Fretless Electric Slow12-8Rene Sw 065 RealTracks in style: 3055:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Folky68Mike Sw 050 RealTracks in style: 3054:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm Folky68Brent Sw 050 RealTracks in style: 1883:Piano, Acoustic, Soloist Country12-8John Sw 065 RealDrums in style:AmericanaSlow128^01-a:Kick Sidestick , b:Kick Snare ******************* Voice recorded and mixed in Mixcraft Pro Studio 10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,577
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,577 |
James, nicely done! Endearing little Christmas parable. Adventurous chord movement that works really well. Nicely spoken narrative. You may wish to experiment with vocal compression to see if you can get the vocal to sit more evenly against the backing track. Or not. That's just my thought.
Merry Christmas!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,860
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,860 |
James,
A hard look at the world... Very well done. Great selection of instruments and excellent narration.
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,493
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,493 |
Hi James. It's good to hear you again I like this a lot. Your narration is very smooth and suits the lyric content very well. You have a knack for using the spoken word to set to music. I really like the backing band you assembled. Every time I listen to one of your works, you set my mind thinking. Today, after listening to this presentation, I'm sitting here thinking about how the world needs a huge multi-vitamin shot of love and peace. It seems that being able to be happy gets a little bit harder with each year that passes. All the very best for a happy Christmas and prosperous 2025. --Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,281
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,281 |
Very nice indeed. Loved the chord progression. Not to worry, I'm very far behind too.
Mike B
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647 |
Hello, James ...
Your spoken word songs are among the best I've heard.
Nice band! I like the hint of Floyd Kramer on one of the piano tracks - the right channel.
A hopeful lyric, expressing what many of us feel.
As ever,a pleasure to listen to.
Merry Christmas and hoping for the best New Year.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,597
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,597 |
Ron: thanks! I tried a little experimenting with compression, this is as best as I got it to sound. I gotta try some more, right? Anyway, thanks so much for listening and for your kind comments! Bob: thank you. So glad you enjoyed it Noel: thank you ever so much. Always great to hear from you. I absolutely agree, life is getting harder as each year goes by, it seems. Then again, I'm an incurable optimist, and still somehow believe in the inherent goodness of humankind - go figure, haha . Anyway, thank you so much for taking the time to listen and for such nice comments ... again, always a real joy to hear from you. Mike: you are kind. Thanks for such nice comments! Alan: God bless you and yours. Good to hear from you - such a nice review. Take good care, hope you have a wonderful and wonder-filled Christmas, and a New Year which is easier for you, for all yours, and indeed for all of us, if possible. Thanks again for listening and for your comments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,068
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,068 |
As Bob said, “a hard look at the world.”
As Noel said, “Today, after listening to this presentation, I'm sitting here thinking about how the world needs a huge multi-vitamin shot of love and peace.”
Truth.
Well done in a very contemplative manner,
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,494
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,494 |
A nice seasonal sentiment, James.
Just a suggestion to smooth out the spoken flow: Maybe cut a few words out as you don't need them all. It would sound less mechanical.
I hope you have a nice visit from Santa.
Vic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,561
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,561 |
Very nice instrumentation has gentle feel of a warm fireplace while holding a warm drink in hand. And then the tears of the storyteller express the longing of a dear one. Sentimental, but still keeping the fire of hope alive. Your voice is like a warm blanket to curl up under. And of course the chord progression keeps the interest going throughout the song. Thank you for this musical gift, happy holidays Janne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,551
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,551 |
James, you have posted a new Christmas masterpiece.
I really liked your spoken lyrics and chord progression.
Great choice in sounds
Excellent work.
Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,187
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,187 |
Hi, James. You're back with the spoken word. Nicely done.
-- 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,597
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,597 |
Janice, Bud: thank you! So kind. Vic: thanks! It would be nice to cut a few words out ... if only I could figure out which ones, lol Merry Christmas to you, too, thanks for the kind wishes! Janne: thanks for such a nice review! So good to read. Merry Christmas! Mario: thank you. Don't know about "masterpiece", but thank you so much for such wonderfully kind words, and for listening!!! David Cuny: haha, I'm back with my usual style, once more, yes ... felt like the right time to come back to it. Thanks for listening, glad you liked it
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,003
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,003 |
YES!!! The James Delsono sound with vocal is back! Love it, James. Hey I think I hear that inversion you mention even when I listened before reading your post. Then I thought, Wow, that's really cool. You always have some very creative chord changes, and this one is no exception. What extraordinary lyrics. So vivid, so emotional, they create magical images in my head. Love this one, James. Merry Cristmas, my friend.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,597
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,597 |
Marty: thanks ever so much. Far too kind, as always, though I'll take every drop of kindness you so generously offer. I'm so glad you enjoyed the song. Merry Christmas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,879
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,879 |
An interesting Christmas song, James.
Good to hear your vocals again.
fj
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,151
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,151 |
Really well done, James, I could hear this being played on those all-Christmas radio stations.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,060
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,060 |
James,
Like that Charlie Rich piano feel out of the gate. Terrific lyrics and story, deliver well by spoken word. There are a couple of spots where I found the chord changes too quick and distracting . . . for example, at 0:27 to 0:30. Chord changes that are very much your sound, but just a tad too quick for my ear to feed on. Agree with Vic, that I'd look to smooth the flow of the spoken word. Lot's here to admire and enjoy!!
Deej
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,597
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,597 |
floyd: thank you. TuneMonger: far too kind, but thanks Deej: thanks. I'm not sure how I can change the flow of the words, since the lyrics have to have their own rhythm, and altering them might alter that, too, unless I'm super careful. But it's nevertheless something to definitely think about, if I have the skill to do the changes seamlessly, that is . As for the chord changes, there are a couple of clangers I dropped in there ... I'll see if it's worth doing a revision Thanks again ... ... and Happy Holidays to one and all
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,808
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,808 |
Nicely done. I really like the lyrics and what you're saying in the song.
Softly spoken works for this.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,081
Posts799,855
Members40,031
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are no members with birthdays on this day. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean