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The Lonely Guitarist Another lonely Sunday here in my studio. It has been a few months like this on Sundays. My co-composer, lyricists, accomplished finger picking guitarist, and one of my best friends BobH is fighting brain cancer. Please join me in praying for Bob. Thanx BiaB style - Melisa-EV16-Folk Rock Tempo 40 BPM I deleted the bass, drums, and Piano Guitar - Kontakt - Soundprops Alabama- I modified this track to emulate BobH's playing style more closely Strings - EastWest's Holleywood Phantasy Orchestra - Strings and Choir Utility track - Eastwest's Symphonic Orchestra - Full Chorus I am playing my SX fretless bass and my SX Tele guitar. As always all comments are welcomed.
Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.
When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Sorry to hear about Bob's struggle.
I hear your anguish.
fj
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Mario,
So sorry to hear about your friend BobH. This is a beautiful piece of music...
Bob
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Mario, so sad to hear of Bob's fight. This is a beautiful song that conveys the sadness and the hope. Praying for you both.
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Lonely and melancholy, expressed perfectly. Sorry to hear about Bob, will pray for him. Thanks Mario. Good work, as always.
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
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Mario, first, I'm very sorry to hear about your friend, Bob. If I may, I'll not only pray with you but offer to add him to a healing circle I host on Sundays. As I often remind the lovely people who attend, healing happens on many levels. Sometimes, we get the miracle and sometimes we get the endurance and new eyes to see. May Bob receive what best serves his soul.
Now as for the music, well, you are just as talented at capturing the emotion as you are the environment.
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Melancholic beauty.
We love a Tele and always a fretless bass (big Jack Bruce fans).
The sadness is expressed stunningly well by your guitar work.
That tone and licks say it all.
We wish the very best for your friend and his family and friends.
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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Hi Mario - I believe your friendship with Bob would mean a lot to him and give him strength - he means a lot to you clearly - friendships are medicine for the soul.
In your track, I love it when the strings swell, and that chord move at 2:18 sounds great!
Andrew
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Nice melodic playing..
Brain cancer... that's what took my friend "Wolf". It started as a spot in his lung, chemo knocked it back but it came back in several places.... one of which was in his brain.
I like the interplay between the major and minor chords.
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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I remember hearing many tracks that you've posted over the years with the two of you jamming. Sending positive thoughts his way, hopefully he will make a complete recovery.
Lovely track, Mario, lots of emotion in the guitar.
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Hi Mario,
I will start with commenting your song.
In three words; It is beautiful! And with more words; That solo is very emotional, the fretless bass fits wonderful in it and the strings are lovely.
And as for your dear friend Bob, I truly hope he survives this terrible attack. Of course, I hope your song and our thoughts help him!
Strength to you all. Your song will certainly bring him peace; it's so beautiful...
Hans
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I want to thank everyone who listened to and commented on this song. I also want to thank everyone for your prayers and thoughts for BobH. He needs all the help he can get.
Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.
When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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A really beautiful instrumental, Mario. I loved where the choir came in as it was so atmospheric. Lovely guitar playing, too.
Prayers for Bob!
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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Mario
This piece is incredibly moving and so full of heart. *The Lonely Guitarist* isn’t just a song—it’s a raw, emotional outpouring, a tribute, and a kind of prayer, all wrapped in sound.
Right from the first few notes, the slow 40 BPM tempo sets such a reflective, almost meditative mood. The guitar, especially with the way you’ve tuned it to echo BobH’s finger-picking style, carries so much weight. It feels like it’s speaking directly to the heart—full of longing, quiet strength, and a sense of deep connection.
By stripping away the bass, drums, and piano, you’ve given the guitar the space it needs to really stand out. It feels intimate, like I'm overhearing a private conversation. Then, the strings and choir from the Phantasy Orchestra bring this whole new dimension. The music doesn’t just stay in sadness—it lifts up into something more hopeful, almost spiritual, like beimg surrounded by a soft, comforting hymn.
The choice to play your SX fretless bass and Tele guitar adds a personal touch, too. It’s clear this music is coming from a place of deep connection—your own presence and dedication shine through. This isn’t just a song; it’s a tribute to friendship and a show of solidarity in the face of hard times.
Even though the inspiration behind the piece is heavy, the music itself is such a beautiful expression of love and hope. It’s a powerful way to honour BobH, and you really invited me to join you in sending my strength and prayers his way. Thank you for sharing something so deeply personal and so stunningly beautiful.
Regards
Izzy
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This is achingly stunning ... perhaps your best yet. Sad to hear of the reason for the song, praying and hoping for the best for your friend and musical colleague. As for the song, once more: incredible (and very unfortunate) what beauty grief can bring out of ourselves. You have created something intimate and so beautiful, here, Mario. Thank you for sharing this with us.
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Oh, so sorry to hear of Bob's plight. Your lonely guitar expresses your lamentations perfectly. Beautiful passion. It took me two listens to even notice there were background instruments. As always, Mario, you surround the magic with wonderful sounds. Weird, but nearly every Sunday you and Bob would come to mind, thinking of you jamming in your studio. On Mondays I'd always look forward to the results.
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Hi, Mario.
Sorry to hear about Bob.
Sad and slow - the guitar bends really work here. Nice progression, and the pad is a great backing.
The arrangement works great. Loved the occasional delayed echos.
-- 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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Def. has a mournful vibe and you do telegraph that very well with the guitar and bass.
Sad & saddening.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Chay, Izzy, James, Marty, David, Ray, Thanx so much for your wonderful reviews and for the prayers and thoughts for my good friend Bob. We greatly appreciate them.
Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.
When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Mario,
So sad to hear of Bob's situation. Will put him in my prayers.
This tune completely conveys your sadness. wishing Bob all the comfort possible and extending a hand to your shoulder for support. Losing a good friend, especially a best friend, is a horrible feeling. But, like me, you have music to help with the grief of a terrible loss It's been cathartic for me. Hope it gives you some degree of comfort as you grieve Bob's diminishing health.
Wishing you strength.
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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