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People currently talk about someone losing their battle with cancer. My dad was diagnosed with a chronic form of Leukemia about 8 years ago. He underwent chemotherapy about once per month (daily for a week) and his symptoms disappeared. He did everything he wanted -kayaked, rode his bike, swam, and enjoyed himself- until the Fall of '15 when he suddenly went downhill. He passed away in February of this year. I'm happy to say he did not battle long. He won the battle, on his own terms, for about 8 years, and then he lost. I'm glad it was not a long, slow, downhill progression. My dad was a wonderful man, although few people really knew him. He was opinionated but generally reserved, kind and sensitive but not emotionally expressive. He was not really comfortable with emotional conversations but he felt deeply, and I think I always knew how he was feeling. I remember, as a kid, when we were going somewhere as a family, and he would look at me after I was dressed and ready. He appeared stern but I could see the love and pride which he held inside. He would straighten my shirt, and lick his finger to wipe a smudge off my face, real or imagined. I remember feeling my face against his wool shirt covered belly when he hugged me. We both had many of the same interests (films, the stock market, economics, and politics) and he was my favorite person in the world to talk to. It will be a long, hard recovery (if it is possible) for me. The day after I learned his disease was taking over, I awoke with the title and the melody for that line in my head. I would love to hear it sung by Ray Charles (maybe he'll do it for my dad) or Randy Newman. Hope you like it. Comments always welcomed. For my dad: William Leslie Johnson 11/23/27 to 2/4/16 Certainly not the most exceptional man who ever lived Certainly the most exceptional man I ever knew https://soundcloud.com/gjohnson-2/theres-a-roadTHERE'S A ROAD There’s a road That I walk past nearly every day But I haven’t wandered off that way Since I can’t remember when But today Gonna take my time and walk that way Cause I know this sweet and sunny day Is never gonna come again It’s such a shame All the time we waste inside our heads With things we’re dreamin’ of, and the things we dread Most of which will never be And all the while Still the train is runnin’ down the track It’s never, ever coming back And there’s so much here to see We all arrive with nothing Travelers on this foreign land Create our fragile kingdoms Like castles in the sand We strive to reach our pinnacles Of prominence and pride Then lie down on the sand To await the rising tide There’s a road That someday each of us must walk alone Our lonely footsteps on the hard, cold stone And there ain’t no goin’ back But for now I’m gonna wrap my arms around this place Feel the magic of a warm embrace Not regret the things I lack
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Greg,
Beautiful song great vocal - and touching story.
Loved the lyrics, poignant and reflective.
Hope Ray is working on a version for your father now....
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Greg, This is a wonderful tribute to your father. If you put your ear to the clouds, you might hear him humming along with you. He would be very proud with what you've put down here. I love the Randy Newman like chord changes. Exceptional and heartfelt vocal. Nice sparse arrangement. The writing is philosophical and poetic at the same time. This is an extraordinary song. Absolutely beautiful in all ways. Tom
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Greg,
A beautiful tribute to your dad. The pain and sense of loss will always be there, but it lessens in time, and you will be filled with nothing but good memories. All of my family is gone, so I know.
Condolences and prayers coming your way.
Regards,
Bob
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 548
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2015
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Greg,
I was really moved by the background story (the real love between the father and his son), the music (the lyrics, the vocal, the melody and very simple accompaniment), and so by everything.
Really great work!
Hiroshi
Last edited by HiroshiK; 05/20/16 09:06 AM.
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Hi Greg, Greg, This is a wonderful tribute to your father. If you put your ear to the clouds, you might hear him humming along with you. He would be very proud with what you've put down here. I love the Randy Newman like chord changes. Exceptional and heartfelt vocal. Nice sparse arrangement. The writing is philosophical and poetic at the same time. This is an extraordinary song. Absolutely beautiful in all ways. Exactly. Thanks for the touching background story. Guenter
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What an exceptional song for an exceptional man!!
Truly beautifully done and a credit to you - and to him.
Regards
Ian
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Hi Greg,
This is a wonderful listen! As I've said a number of times before, your melodies and chord progressions are hypnotising. Without exception, your musical texture always reminds me of velvet.
AABA form is such a perfect fit for your musical journey and its celebration of your dad. I'm in awe of the lyric writing skill on show in the bridge. Your philosophical take on Life's journey is one of the most eloquent I've ever heard. I love the adjective/noun metaphor "fragile kingdoms" and the way you've used it in the simile "castles in the sand".... beautiful imagery.
My condolences on the loss of your father. When we lose people we care about, it's never easy.
Please know that I am thinking of you.
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2024
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Greg,
as always, your prelude to the song really resonated with me. I could say many of the same things about my own dad, and about my son, but you said it all so well!
I love the gentle and articulate way you have of expressing whatever is on your mind... whether as lyrics in a song or as comments on someone else's.
As I listened, I imagined the voice of Ray Charles. It's as though you wrote it for him... I can easily imagine his version.
Given the topic, it seems almost inappropriate to launch into a discussion about song writing, so I'll just say that in my opinion, your song is the perfect expression of the man your dad raised you to be.
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A wonderful song for one who was surely a wonderful man. Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
BIAB Ultra Pak+ 2024:RB 2024, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful!
Your dad has certainly got to be as proud of you as you are of him. Ray might be at the piano, I'd guess Dad is singing...
I cannot listen to this without a tear - and I've listened many, many times...
We all must find our comfort in our own time and on our own terms. I wish you that comfort, deeply.
Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! (maybe your best - amongst so many "bests")
fj
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Hi, Greg !
I also belong to those
who know what it is to
lose a dear relative and
I also know by experience that
the pain only lessens over time !
Please accept my deepest condolences
for your heavy loss !
Your tribute....well, what can I say,
it is one of the most beautiful ones
I´ve ever heard !
please, dear friend, take care !
Dani
Last edited by dani48; 05/21/16 11:34 AM.
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Thank you Greg for this wonderful song.
Beautifully done and very easy to relate to.
The touching introduction adds great depth to the song also. Cheers.
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Awesome man.
I don't know what else to say. Great lyrics, great song, great feeling, great emotion, great everything.
I salute.
You might want to post the lyrics on Soundcloud. They're awesome.
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Greg,
First our true condoleances with your dad.
You definitely honoured him with this beautiful production.
One of your best we think.
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Hello, Greg
As Tom said, this song is a wonderful tribute to your father.
I think it is pretty difficult to tell the story of your own family to others.
But the melody and the lyrics eloquently tell us your deep feelings.
Thank you so much for this beautiful song.
Best Regards.
Shigeki Adachi
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Outstanding!
The lyrics are so very thoughtful and well put together. Knowing the backstory to the song really makes the impact of the words hit the heart of the listener.
The simplicity of the piano and cello backing tracks adds to the beauty of this song. So well done.
Loss of a parent is hard. You have my condolences. My mom left us in February 2 years ago well into her 90's.... and I still think I should pick up the phone every now and then to call.....then I remember....
A very fitting song Greg. I know he would be proud.
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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Apprentice
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Apprentice
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No hay banda! There is no band! Il n'est pas de orchestra!
No hay banda! And yet we hear a band !
(David Lynch - Mulholland Drive)
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The first time we listened we were both left speechless...what is there left to say?
There are no single lines or even verses to quote for us as they are all simply
perfectly written. So sad but still so accessible with a vocal and lyric that should
be heard by MANY. I'd consider letting this one be downloadable from SC as
there are many people for whom the song would be so meaningful.
Even if the lyric were not a wonderful tribute the vocal and melody alone are
in our opinion among your best, And your best runs all the way
through your catalog.
We are sure he will live on in the hearts and minds of many, many people.
J&B
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Not much to add from what the posters above stated. Great song and performance. I do hear the Newman changes. Very effective. Lost my father five years ago. He shows up in my dreams from time to time.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
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