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Here is a song I wrote in the early days of the COVID lock-down in 2020. I rewrote the lyrics two years ago and created a BIAB track based on guitar, mandolin, mandola, and fiddle. I liked it but I scrapped the arrangement, as it didn't fit the sound I was going for in the Americana Blues album. Hence, this funkier version. https://fredgrittner.bandcamp.com/track/troubled-timesTroubled Times Somehow I kept my distance Ghosting this town No sense Going through the motions Had to shut it down In these troubled times Fear has staked its claim Words go up for grabs Trust a guessing game Don’t need To have you sugar coat it Tell it to me straight False hope A fetching proposition With rumors making weight In these troubled times Maps hard to read Stars not aligned Only my past is guaranteed Things stopped getting better Pushed back without any say Finally found a foothold Might be rock could be clay Priced out Looking for a future That’s already sold So hard Trying to find an answer Pushed off on hold In these troubled times Facts must stand or fall Truth must rest its case All bets are off on judgment calls Bass, Acoustic, 2903 BluesyPopByron Ev 100 Piano: 2906:Piano, ElectricVintage, Rhythm BluesyPopMike Ev 100 Guitar: 2904:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm GrittyBluesyPopBrent Ev 100 Guitar: 3163:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm BluesyPopSteady8thsBrent Ev 100 Guitar: 3201:Guitar, Electric, Soloist LaidBackBluesyBrent Ev 10 Organ: 4305:Organ, Rhythm SoulfulRock Ev 095 RealDrums: BluesPopBusySnare^03-a:HiHat DoubleKick , b:Snare, HiHat
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Love the BiaB instrumentation in this song. Also good to hear authentic vocals and not AI (though it has its place). It's hard to believe the shut-down period was 5 years ago, though if I wrote a song about it, which I won't it, it would probably be a protest regarding all of the false info (propaganda) presented on the MSM.
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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Fred, I really enjoyed this. I esp liked the economic melody line, and how you respected it with your lyric. And some great choices there, esp "Finally found a foothold/Might be rock could be clay"--that's really excellent wordsmithing! I'd love to hear the "original" backing--to my ears, the lyric seems more intimate than the "new" backing sound level--but I understand how you were tailoring this for a broader project. Excellent work, and let's hear more!
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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Fred, I really enjoyed this. I esp liked the economic melody line, and how you respected it with your lyric. And some great choices there, esp "Finally found a foothold/Might be rock could be clay"--that's really excellent wordsmithing! I'd love to hear the "original" backing--to my ears, the lyric seems more intimate than the "new" backing sound level--but I understand how you were tailoring this for a broader project. Excellent work, and let's hear more! \ Thanks, Tano, for your careful listening. I work long and hard on lyrics to match the music. I will post the original backing soon and post the link here. I agree. The acoustic version is truer to the lyrics. And you will hear more, as there are more album songs to post. AND in November, I have another 10-song album to drop. It is very different musically. I love that BIAB gives us so many creative options. Fred
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Love the BiaB instrumentation in this song. Also good to hear authentic vocals and not AI (though it has its place). It's hard to believe the shut-down period was 5 years ago, though if I wrote a song about it, which I won't it, it would probably be a protest regarding all of the false info (propaganda) presented on the MSM. Thanks. My voice is all I have....
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Hi, Fred.
As usual, your music and vocals sound great.
-- 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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Clean and tight. Good piece of music written at a really crappy time on this earth. Great lyrics but I especially liked the last bit: In these troubled times
Facts must stand or fall, Truth must rest its case, All bets are off on judgment calls.
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Funky is always good, Fred, and you created a good one here. I like the "sneaky" feel (if that makes any sense). Really like the lyrics, and here's a wonderful quote:
"Fear has staked its claim
Words go up for grabs
Trust a guessing game"
Excellent write, Fred, and I appreciate your attention to detail. Excellent band, well mixed, a catchy melody stocked with excellent lyrics and presented with the perfect vocal. Yep, I like it.
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Solid write.
Cool BAND.
Good stuff.
fj
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Hi Fred!
I don’t know why, but I feel something comforting about the style and feel/meter of this song. I think it is also helped by the intimacy/proximity of your vocals - like we are at a table and you are sharing thoughts with the listener with the band as the backdrop. I like the line ‘Only my past is guaranteed’.
I’ve been listening to a sample of your other songs.
Good song - I like it!
Andrew
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Fred,
Just more proof you make terrific music. I always love your work. I think this is my favorite track off the album. Thanks for several minutes of great listening. You never disappoint.
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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Hi there Fred
Great song and arrangement, really like the tonality it suits the subject matter. I can see the references to the Covid period and would suggest that that sense of panic remains in today’s world political climate. Really like your vocals too, sung with ease and confidence.
Great job.
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Hi, Fred.
As usual, your music and vocals sound great. Thanks, David. I don't want to let you down.... Fred
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Clean and tight. Good piece of music written at a really crappy time on this earth. Great lyrics but I especially liked the last bit: In these troubled times
Facts must stand or fall, Truth must rest its case, All bets are off on judgment calls. Thanks. Yes, the lyrics are more and more relevant these days.
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[quote=BabuMusic]Funky is always good, Fred, and you created a good one here. I like the "sneaky" feel (if that makes any sense). Really like the lyrics, and here's a wonderful quote:
"Fear has staked its claim
Words go up for grabs
Trust a guessing game"
Excellent write, Fred, and I appreciate your attention to detail. Excellent band, well mixed, a catchy melody stocked with excellent lyrics and presented with the perfect vocal. Yep, I like it. [/quote
Thanks, Marty.
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Solid write.
Cool BAND.
Good stuff.
fj Thanks, Floyd.
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Hi Fred!
I don’t know why, but I feel something comforting about the style and feel/meter of this song. I think it is also helped by the intimacy/proximity of your vocals - like we are at a table and you are sharing thoughts with the listener with the band as the backdrop. I like the line ‘Only my past is guaranteed’.
I’ve been listening to a sample of your other songs.
Good song - I like it!
Andrew Thanks, Andrew.
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Fred,
Just more proof you make terrific music. I always love your work. I think this is my favorite track off the album. Thanks for several minutes of great listening. You never disappoint.
Best to you,
Alan Thanks, Alan. You are one of my biggest supporters. I'll work hard not to disappoint.
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Hi there Fred
Great song and arrangement, really like the tonality it suits the subject matter. I can see the references to the Covid period and would suggest that that sense of panic remains in today’s world political climate. Really like your vocals too, sung with ease and confidence.
Great job. Thanks, KW.
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