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#848330 04/03/25 02:26 AM
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Inspired by the Canadian Truck Drivers a number of years ago.
---------------------------------
BUT FREE

I seem to be one of many--
Many who seek to be found;
Not to live bound, BUT FREE.

I want to be with my brothers--
Others who follow their stars;
Not under czars, BUT FREE.

Remember days when we walked in the light
We simply took it all in stride.
And now we've lost the most basic of rights--
Just to live our lives.

<solo area.

I can't forget how it felt to be me;
I planned to follow all my dreams.
But now they've taken the light from the sun--
And that's just how it seems.

I want to be one of many
Many who seek to be BUT FREE

Only a while and the many will rise
And the morning will bring the sunshine.

I want to be one of many
Many who seek
Only to live, BUT FREE.
=============================
Style: _LOWNHI.STY. Low and High Male Vox Soul Funk
RT2612: Bass, Electric, FunkHalfNotePulse Ev 100
RT2189: E Piano, Rhythm Bossa
RT1856: Cello, RT2377: Bari Sax Solo
MIDI Strings
Loop: Pop Soul R&B


Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
Tano Music #848354 04/03/25 08:06 AM
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Tom, lovely sentiment wrapped in a spiffy arrangement. Really like that RealTrack (a new one for me) and your sax solo. The bass line is really cool (is it clipping at 2:02? sounds like it but might be something on my end). Beautiful melody and very well sung. Love your use of vocal pauses and little inflections. I'll advocate again for a simpler vocal FX chain, but like my lyricist tells me, "If you can't please everyone, you've got to please yourself". On reflection, I don't think he wrote that. Ha!

Love your song!


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Tano Music #848364 04/03/25 09:26 AM
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Tom,
Simpler arrangement & mellow cello works wonders on this tune. Wonderful word rhyme structure. Would never had guessed song was inspired by Canadian truckers. Smooth tune and listens well. Thank you for sharing.
Misha.

Tano Music #848386 04/03/25 12:43 PM
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Hi Tom,

Since it's somewhat of a protest song, I was expecting something a little more aggressive.

That aside, this is a very pleasant listen. You always have some of the nicest b/g tracks. You typically employ a somewhat simplistic approach to your song. This is an excellent example of that.

It really was a very nice listen!!

Alan


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Tano Music #848404 04/03/25 03:36 PM
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Tom, this is a fantastic song.
Loved the groove.
Give that bassist a raise, that was a great bass line
Super choice of instruments
Your vocal was perfect
Great mix.


I think my wife has started to show the first signs of dementia.
She said she can't remember what she ever saw in me!

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Tano Music #848418 04/03/25 11:00 PM
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Hi Tom!
A great song and loved listening to it. Being here is Australia, I only have a vague understanding of the Canadian truck blockade/strike, and now after hearing your song, I am intrigued to look up what it was about.
Musically, I detected a slight reggae feel to the percussion - maybe it was a shaker or the hi-hat. Also supported by the bass style. I LOVE reggae! A most enjoyable listen.
Andrew D

Tano Music #848421 04/03/25 11:11 PM
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Great song, had me straight from the opening bass line. Fab listen


Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!

Proud Scotsman 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 now residing in England
Tano Music #848427 04/04/25 01:04 AM
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Great, relaxing song. I love your instrumentation: electric piano, strings, horns... all in right places. Only one thing disturbed: I heard a kind of comb filter or flanger effect in your vocals. Where does it come from? You have a good voice, which I would like to hear more genuine without too much effecting.

Tano Music #848523 04/05/25 02:19 AM
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Friends, thanks for listening in. I"m consistently guilty of trying to "improve" my voice with effects--I'll pledge to try to let go of that!
Several have commented on this being a 'protest' song...I actually thought of it as an interior reflection, the moment the person thought, "Hey, i'm not the only one thinking like this!"
Thanks again for the comments!


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Tano Music #848531 04/05/25 04:50 AM
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I like doing things butt free. Oh... sorry... nevermind. Truck drivers can be a great source of real life stories to sing about, and you chose a particularly interesting aspect of their life on the road. That's where they are home with their friends. I really like the chord progression and your vocal fits right in so nicely. The sad and somber arrangement is perfect.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Tano Music #848571 04/05/25 07:17 PM
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It doesn't sound TRUCKER.
Sweet concept, sweet arrangement & sweet vocals.
Well done.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Tano Music #848577 04/05/25 10:36 PM
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A beautiful and sensitive arrangement. Most enjoyable, with a smooth vibe throughout.


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Tano Music #848588 04/06/25 03:07 AM
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Marty, Ray, AT..thanks for the feedback!


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Tano Music #848602 04/06/25 04:15 AM
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Very mellow and the song has a good feel about it where everything works together well. Enjoyed it.

Charlie


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Tano Music #848605 04/06/25 08:22 AM
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Hey I like this!

I agree with the perception that it is "not trucker" but on the other hand, what difference does it make if you had another idea in mind.

Either way, cool stuff man.

Tano Music #848610 04/06/25 02:03 PM
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Charlie and David.. Thanks for listening and commenting... All the truckers I know listen to Bach and Montovani!


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Tano Music #848629 04/07/25 01:41 AM
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You chose to do something refined, and it's very successful. I really liked it.
Laurent

Tano Music #848665 04/07/25 09:42 AM
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“I want to be with my brothers--
Others who follow their stars;
Not under czars, BUT FREE.”

Great rhyme and sentiment!

We love the entire write, the vocals, band choice, arrangement and mix.
Excellent bass line and the sax fit in perfectly.

Well done,

J&B


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Tano Music #848678 04/07/25 02:54 PM
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Liked the internal rhyme. Sax was terrific but maybe too short. Hard to relate the song to the topic. Good creativity on your part, as usual.


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Tano Music #848690 04/07/25 03:27 PM
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Hi, Tom.

Nice melody, good backing. Good and tuneful.

To my (untrained) ears, the vocal doubling effect you're adding makes it the vocal sound "boxy", like you're in a very small room. I agree with the idea that it would be good to have more of a sense of space with the vocal (without drenching the vocal in reverb) - just not with these particular results.


-- David Cuny

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Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

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