Here's a song I wrote about ten years ago using BIAB. Some of you might recall the MIDI version, which I posted to show some of the new features of BIAB at the time. Gary Curran has been after me to redo the song using RealTracks, so here you are.

Enjoy.

Holiday Bell Waltz by Matt Finley.
©2003 Kingsmill Music
All rights reserved. Used with permission.

This is straight out of BIAB - there is no attempt to mix or automate volume etc. in a DAW.

I used the new SIMPLE option for the piano. At this tempo, it was the first time I really liked the piano comping, as this makes it not too 'busy'. Also, BIAB used to have the piano lay out on a mMaj7 chord, but now you can hear it, and it's glorious.

Another aspect of the song those of you who have heard it before may notice, is that the tempo is slower. MIDI can often be too 'perfect' and it misleads you into thinking real musicians can play at more extreme tempos. The RealTracks make you lay back a bit.

What a cool song Matt. Great arrangemnt and melody. Enjoyed it.

Very well done! Thanks for sharing!




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Matt,

Thanks for sharing with us.
Enjoyed it. As Josie mentioned, the melody
is very nice.

Why thanks! I got the idea for the melody from someone named Westminster. He made some chimes. Pretty sure it's public domain by now.

Hi Matt,

To my mind, this was top-shelf jazz of the very best kind. I thoroughly enjoyed the listen.

At my school, we have a handbell ensemble and as I listened to your song, it was so easy to imagine the handbells playing the melody. I'd imagine that it would sound brilliant on these instruments!

I can't believe that your backing was raw BIAB! That says such a lot for the program.

All the best for Christmas and beyond!
Noel

Thanks Noel. Yes, bell ringers would work. When I perform this live, I play the melody on vibes.

And, this whole track is all BIAB. The melody and soloist tracks are playing through my Roland Fantom.

Wow!! Very nice Matt.
Can you reveal the realtracks you used?

Matt,
Thank you so much for redoing this. It's exactly what this great song needed. The Fantom brings the piano and vibes to life, and it's very difficult to tell that it wasn't recorded live in a club.

Thank you, sir, I greatly appreciate you redoing this, and the work that went into the original, and the rework that was done. Just fantastic.

Gary

hi matt well done arrangement mix medley realy well put together love to here more of your songs thanks eric

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Hi Matt,

To my mind, this was top-shelf jazz of the very best kind. I thoroughly enjoyed the listen.

I can't believe that your backing was raw BIAB! That says such a lot for the program.

All the best for Christmas and beyond!
Noel

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A BIG +1

This is a keeper for sure!