Hi Bob, Rob, Andrew, Brain, Marty, Dave and Ron,
Thanks a lot for your very nice comments! I hope you weren't biting your nails while waiting for my reactions.
As usual, I'm late, but always glad with your comments. Read them when they come and sometimes react on them verbaly, while my wife was around. Then she looks very strange at me... until I explained it was "The Forum" reponding to me. "Aahhh, them again" and then a silence comes in.

Originally Posted by rsdean
Hans,
This is such an awesome song. Love the lyrics and your vocal on this one - one of your very best. Excellent mix as well.
Great stuff!
Bob

Thanks Bob, I don't think they were my best vocals. Those have still to come (I hope). I like to keep hope...

Originally Posted by TuneMonger
Good song, Hans, very contemplative - tackling the big questions of life. I really liked the lines where you rhymed 'defense' and 'pretense.' To my ear, your singing had a little more gravitas than usual, which fit the song nicely. To be honest, I only knew the word evanescent from the rock group and didn't know what it meant. Now I do. Good word.

Thank you Rob! I'm not sure I "tackled" the big questions, but it sounds nice when you say so ;-) and yes, there was some more gravitas in my vocals. But I think I didn't do that on purpose. Maybe a cold before, or too late at night? I can't recall why. And you know what? I didn't know there was a Rock group called like that. Now I do, thanks!!!

Originally Posted by Andrew Dee
Hi Hans!
A good gentle yet rhythmic song here. You sing the title phrase well, and it was the first hook that jumped out at me. I enjoyed the key change - why is this device so maligned these days? I loved the solo as well - probably preferred it to be a little louder.
Like Rob, I now know what the word means!
Andrew

Hi Andrew, thanks for your reply! You listened very well! And regarding the volume of the solo: you're right. I increased the volume, but I didn't like the result, so it's not as loud now as you (and I) might want.

Originally Posted by B.D.Thomas
A beautiful song with lots of almost inaudible little details - that's something I like a lot.
Love the lyrics, and your vocals are really good!
Enjoyed my listens.
A lot thumbs up [Linked Image]

Thank you for the thumb, Brain! And of course all those compliments too!

[quote=BabuMusic]Hans, this is one of your very best songs. But i say that about all of them, don't i? Man, what a wonderful production. There's so much in there and it all comes out at the right time and place in the mix. Good lyrics and that can't-be-better vocal. I'll say the mandolin could be louder.

Hi Marty, you're getting older. You say this all the time, but you know what? Your ears are getting better and better. But about the mandolin? See what I wrote to Andrew. But next time I take a flute! And thanks a lot, mate!

Originally Posted by BlueAttitude
Hi Hans,
Well, reading the comments it seems I was not the first that didn't know the word "evanescent" eek
Good one, Hans, excellent lyrics and vocal.

No Dave, you weren't the first to use that word. But do you understand why I liked it so much? It was so unusual, but I really liked the sound and the rhythm of the pronunciation, and the meaning too, for that matter. Although Google Translate always came up with a different word when I looked it up.
And now I feel just like a teacher, like my father... But you wouldn't believe how many times I've had to re-record this part. Such a difficult word to pronounce correctly. And now I can't get it out of my head...

Originally Posted by DC Ron
Powerhouse of a song, Hans. Superb subject and thematic development. Love the melody and backing track. The synth bell and oohs provide subtle-but-delicious accents. Nice use of the soloist, too. GREAT vocals that convey an appropriate mix of tenderness and strength. Stellar production as well.
Superb piece of songcraft here, Hans.
Every day is a gift...

Wow, Ron, what a nice compliment from you! You have to come around, I buy you a beer! And I think some more... (dinner).
Thanks a lot, man!

Hans

Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130