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Here's my latest song project (been workin on it the last two weeks) using the BIAB songwriting technique I described in my second project, or the last song I posted "Road Away from Me". Some info on this song: My son suggested I write a more up tempo rockin kind of song (not the kind I usually write) and use an experience from playin in a band as inpiration for the lyrics. Not one to back down from a challenge  I began to formulate a progression and recalled a recent gig I did in a bar in Norwood, CO in July 2010. It was rodeo weekend and the bar was packed Saturday night when we got there. Not long into the evening a group of 5 or 6 very attractive young women in they're early twenty's (I'll be 50 in Jan) came in from Telluride an proceeded to have a very large time for the remainder of the evening.  Taking pictures with the band, dancing, flirting, drinking.  Needless to say, this is like heaven to a guy my age!  Hence, the inspiration for the lyrics. So I guess the song is about a lie based on a true story.  The style is _STHSLD+ tempo 150 All track are RT's except for vocals, a couple rythm guitar tracks, the slide part on the right side and the twin parts at the end are me. The slide track on the right and twin parts at the end are my '64 Stratocaster ran through a JamVox (cool guitar program made by VOX). I have my own opinion about how this project turned out, but I think I'll wait to share it until I get some feedback from others.  Hope you enjoy. All comments welcome. Greg http://www.mymusicstream.com/gregachord/song-8407381543986.htmlI Can't Handle You Words & Music: Greg Achord 9/2010 I walked into the bar not expecting that I'd see Anyone much younger than the years I claimed to be Then much to my surprise as I looked down from the stage There smiled at me a cutie probly half my age She said I wanna talk to you I like guys in the band Specially when they're older you know that’s just my kinda man I wanna take you home with me and cover you with cream Be all your hearts desire and fulfill your wildest dreams Chorus I can't handle you / even though you want me to I wish I could turn back time / to show you how I was in my prime Well what was I say hell I could barely even talk My knees were kinda shakin as she watched me like a hawk I thought well should I lie to her and tell her that I'll be Up for everything you've got I'll shake your sugar tree So what'd I'd do you ask me now cause talk is always cheap Did this really happen or was I dreaming while I sleep I really can't remember now or maybe just won't tell The truth as I recall it is I finally had to yell Chorus I can't handle you / even though you want me to I wish I could turn back time / to show you how I was in my prime (Solo) Chorus Outro
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 Haha...oh man, I love it! Very hot musically, with lyrics to match. If there's one thing I enjoy more than the technical info on song production it's the personal story that inspired the song. We should all add that to our song posts in my opinion. Great job! Keep 'em coming. Bob PS: I want to know where that bar is...I'm coming over there!
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Hey Bob, Thanks buddy. I agree, I love knowing the background on a song. The bar is called "The Hitchin Post" in Norwood. you go SE from Grand Junction ('bout 100 mi) till you come to Ridgeway, (they filmed the John Wayne movie "True Grit" in Ridgeway ) turn right and go about 35 mi and there's Norwood. Telluride's about 30 or 40 miles to the SSE from Norwood. It's a fun bar... big dogs layin on the floor, and friendly country folks... With the occasional visit of young attractive females from Telluride! Also a beautiful view of the San Juan Mnt's. Thanks for the comments. Hoping I can get a few more. Maybe everybody's speechless.  Greg Hey, here's a link to a facebook picture from that night. I just love a girl with a puppy purse! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Desert-Fly...id=304414490325
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Greg! You dawg! FIVE women?! Sheesh! No wonder you have that goofy smile. LOL Gotta love a woman who points her butt at the camera and grins. Puppy dog purse says that one is too young for either of us. I know about the area you're describing. Been camping/fishing all over down that way. My fav spot is the Red Barn in Montrose. Big 'ol doormat sized steaks. Haha. Next time I'm down that way I'm gonna drop in to the "Hitchin Post". IMHO...the San Juans are the prettiest part of CO. Keep 'em coming, Bob
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Bob, Yea, I had that smile all night! ... And truely, the puppy purse just makes her look younger than she really is! There was somethin' that just wasn't quite right on this song, so I decided to change the bass track to something more drivin', but I left the 1/2 time bass in the slide solo for some variation.  I think it's better now. I might have to re-do the verse vocal too... I'm thinkin maybe I'm a little too far behind the beat in places! I don't know... Sometimes I tend to over (anal)yze this stuff.  Give it another listen and tell me what you think. I'd encourage other's to chime in too... I can take it! Thanks, Greg
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OH yea...I like this a lot better! Strong vocal. Everything seems tight and right. Like the guitar fills. Is that you playing? Kind of an Allman Bros twin sound. Cool. I overanalyze my stuff too...it's just the nature of the beast. You'll soon get it where you want it and move on. Nice job!! Bob
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Thanks Bob, I like it better too. It is me playing all the slide parts on the R side (L side is a RT), and me doing the "ode to the Allman Bro's" twin parts at the end (my '64 Strat through a JamVox program). Played LOT's of southern rock over the years... Always been one of my favorite types of music. We were probably doing two albums worth of .38 Special in the '80's at any given time. Thanks again for the feedback. Greg
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Hi Greg, I like this version better. I would suggest that you revisit your vocals and reduce the Lyrics in the parts that seem (to me) to be rushed. Remember that saying - Less can be More I like the driving beat and the gritty sound you've got going there. Best regards Michee
Windows 11 64 bit, Biab 2026 (1237), Realband 2026 (10)
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Hi Greg, This sure is a very energetic performance! Impressive stuff. Musically, it's incredibly tight. I admire your ability I didn't hear the earlier version but I like what you've done with this one: the driving beat, edgy sound is terrific: a perfect fit for the lyrics. I agree with Michee's comments that some of the lyrics seemed rushed. When this happens in my songs, it's usually because I've misplaced a syllable in a word (or single syllable word) and put a strong syllable on a weak musical beat. I'm not sure if this is why I couldn't understand some of your words but it might be worth looking at - just some food for thought. Also, in going from verse 1 into the chorus, I was momentarily confused because I needed to switch positions with what "I" meant (the girl's speaking in the verse and the singer's thinking in the chorus). I couldn't help thinking that it would have helped me if there was something in the lyrics to prepare me like in verse 2 where "I had to yell..." clarified the chorus. These are just ideas that I jotted down as I was listening. Please use them if they're useful or toss them in the trash if they are not Overall, I like this song. It was a great listen. I'm impressed that it only took you two weeks to get together. When I write songs, I usually spend a lot longer than that. I wish that I could do it a bit quicker! Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Michee & Noel, Thanks for taking the time to listen and for your kind and constructive comments. I agree with both of you concerning the verses and I'm gonna spend some more time on them and see if I can't get things a little smoother and less rushed I pretty much recorded the verses the day after I wrote them, so I didn't really take the time to sing them that much before I started recording. Heck, I think I formulated the melody as I was recording. Sometimes I get a little excited & enthusiastic thinking I can rush something, when I should really just take a step back and "simmer down now"! My hope is I can get the verse lyrics to flow kinda like they do in the Garth Brooks song "Ain't Goin' Down Till The Sun Comes Up". Anyway, stay tuned for an updated version soon. Thanks again guy's, Greg
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Hi Greg,
I like your guitar harmonies. You do a very good job of weaving your own musical performances into the mix you've created in BIAB/RB. It's so flawless, it's hard to tell what's real and what's real tracks.
Your energetic style is that of a seasoned performer who has spent time in front of an audience learning how to bring them to the dance floor. That's something that is not usually learned during the home recording process.
In fact your songs offer almost a textbook example of the difference between recording artists and performing artists. A model standing in front of the mirror won't tolerate a single hair out of place, but the same person riding a motorcycle gladly tolerates the wind-blown hair for the thrill of the ride. Your recorded music has the confidence and continuity that is usually only found in a live performance.
Thanks for posting.
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Wow Pat, What a nice compliment. Thank you so much! I do appreciate it. Greg
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Did it for me Greg! Great plank-spanking workout, just up my street. John
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John, Hey dude, Thanks so much! Greg
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Ok here's another song I had trouble with the vocals and the guitar twin parts at the end being just off the beat when I recorded them in RB.  So I brought this song into Reaper and re-recorded all the vocals (added some harmony to the verses too) and fixed the twin part at the end. I don't seem to have ANY latency problem when recording into Reaper! What a great program... I'm starting to get more comfortable with it as well. I've updated the file so please have another listen if you like. http://www.mymusicstream.com/gregachord/song-8407381543986.htmlThanks, Greg
Last edited by Achordocaster; 10/26/10 02:21 AM.
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That is a rocking tune -- nice slide work, too. Pretty cool! Short, sweet and to the point.
Kevin
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Hey Kevin, Thanks for the listen. Greg
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This is as good as anything I’ve heard on the radio lately! Great groove, super strong vocals and outstanding chops. EVERYTHING a super song needs! Plus I can relate to the lyrics! Two thumbs up from “I ain’t as good as I once was but I’m good once as I ever was”
Last edited by MarioD; 11/01/10 03:13 PM.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
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Mario, Thanks so much for the kind words. I tinkered with this song and had problems with the vocals & twin guitar part for a month. It wasn't until I brought it into Reaper and re-did all the vocals, (no latency on the vocals when recording in reaper) plus fixed the timing on the twin parts that I really started to feel good about it. As it is now... I'm pretty darn happy with the way it turned out. Thanks again, Greg
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