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Posted By: floyd jane Set In Stone - 01/08/13 11:57 PM
Something a little different this time. A Love Song - a flat-out "I Love You" Song. One of those "wedding songs" (don't ya hate those). Perhaps the hardest kind to write (I think). It's easy to get "sappy" fast. I have a co-writer on this, but for the moment, he will remain "anonymous".

This one felt like it should be as simple as possible. So it's just a piano.

RealTracks in song: 887:Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment FolkPopPrairie Ev 100

I have a dear friend who listens for me and gives me an honest opinion (we grew up together playing in bars). Everyone should have one. Someone who will say "Man, that just doesn't quite work. You can do better." When he heard the first pass - just piano and vocal - he said "It's done!".

But I wanted to know what the BIABettes could do with it. If they could "be trusted" in such a "naked" environment - nothing to hide behind. I typically use them in "full production" songs - they get "hidden in the mix". I wanted to see what would happen if they had nothing to hide behind.

When my buddy (listener) heard them added, he chose the original, solo version. The one-to-one intimacy of piano/vocal. I had originally mixed them (the BAIBettes) "full-out". Like when a vocal band lines up together on stage - everyone equal (the "quintet" version). I re-mixed it and toned them down a bit and chose that as my "final" version. That is the one you will see at the top "with BGV".

Set In Sone

The other two versions are at the bottom after the lyric - if you care to hear all 3. IF ANYONE listens to all 3, I would love to hear which you would choose (I don't expect many to do that). It has been an interesting "learning experience", just the same....

floyd
Posted By: George Nelson Re: Set In Stone - 01/09/13 12:12 AM
Hi Floyd,

I have listened to all 3 and my preference is the Solo one.

Very nice song in my opinion.

George
Posted By: ROG Re: Set In Stone - 01/09/13 12:33 AM
Hey Floyd, what a beautiful song.

I checked all three and I go for the solo version too - simple is good.

Of course, you could always do a "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" and orchestrate the last chorus, but on the whole, I think not!

A seriously good song, my friend, with a really ethereal quality to it.

ROG.
Posted By: Brallan Re: Set In Stone - 01/09/13 12:49 AM
This is just a beautiful song, Floyd... a success, and I guess I agree, after listening to all three, the BU voices don't really enhance it much, and I also prefer the solo.

Like Ron, I kind of "expected" to hear a buildup of instrumentation, in the usual pop style. Probably your record company will ask for that style for the album, and then in your future concerts, you will bring down the (packed) house doing only the solo version.

You haven't been going through Diane Warren's trash, have you?

Edit: ((Oops, I didn't mean anything about "trash" here... I meant it as a great compliment, since I think Diane is sort of the best of the best -- hope you take it as such))
Posted By: Noel96 Re: Set In Stone - 01/09/13 03:35 AM
Hi Floyd,

What a great song. I don't mind the BGV version at all. The harmonies are very tastefully added and don't detract from the song, in my opinion. That being said, I also like the solo piano version. The "quintet" was number three on my list. Which is better out of BGV and Solo, though? I think that that would depend entirely on my mood of the day.

I've got to say that, to my ears, the lyrics, the music and your singing work like hands and gloves and capture the intimacy of the moment in time when the two are in each others' arms, incredibly well.

All the best!
Noel
Posted By: boehm Re: Set In Stone - 01/09/13 03:36 AM
A beautiful song. I like version one best.
The harmonies give an extra touch.
Perhaps you should try to sing the harmonies yourself.
Then maybe the ones who prefer the solo version would like it better.
Congratulations.

Guenter
Posted By: PgFantastic Re: Set In Stone - 01/09/13 03:39 AM
I like the solo version, but you could not go wrong with any of the 3. I don't know who your co-writer was but tell him he needs to take credit for his part in an outstanding piece of music.


My Tunes
Posted By: austin51 Re: Set In Stone - 01/09/13 05:26 AM
Floyd,

A really beautiful song! Wonderful lyrics and melody. A truly good song is one that sounds great with simplest accompaniment. Really like the vocals, shades of Ronnie Dunn.

My favorite is the BVG version. I like what the harmony brings to the song. All three are excellent and the solo version is has the most intimate feel.

On the line "Everything has to change but one thing never will" I would like to hear the vocal go up on "will". It would add some nice emotion at that point. Just a subjective idea, it's a great song as is.

You and anonymous wrote a good one.
Posted By: vzudell Re: Set In Stone - 01/09/13 05:33 AM
Floyd Jane,
Truly loved this song. Yes, it would make a great wedding song. It has an elegant sound, your vocals are great and the piano is a perfect accompaniment for the lyrics. Altogether a really fine song!

Val
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Set In Stone - 01/09/13 10:43 PM
I have to say.. I am surprised at how many people have taken the time to listen to all three versions of the song - I know that can be tedious. And I really appreciate the "votes" for your favorite version - it helps me know what "works best". That is valuable input.

Since the "solo version" is getting the majority "of the votes", I intend to bring it to the top - so if you are here after this post, you will understand why my initial post is "dated"....
Posted By: MikeK Re: Set In Stone - 01/09/13 11:01 PM
Hey Floyd, I have to begin with saying that this is a lovely piece of music. The lyrics are very nice and your vocals really shine.

Which version do I prefer? Well, to be honest, choice #1 one would be with the back ground vocals. The quintet is a bit much, vocally. This piece would really stand fine and on it's own with just the solo voice, but the bit of harmony in the BGV version is very appealing.

Very nicely done, my friend! Enjoyed it very much!

Cheers,
Mike
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Set In Stone - 01/09/13 11:03 PM
George - thanks for the listen(s) and the comment.

ROG - I had that thought myself, but I don't have the "necessary equipment" (the srtings, the synths - I can't get sample tank to work - the authorization pgm has an error in it) to do that - which might be a good thing in this case - leave well enough alone. Thanks for the listens.

Guenter - Thank you. The harmonies for this one are "harder" for me. Some songs fit my range (for harmonies), some don't... So I had to let the BIABettes do their thing - which there haven't been any real objections to (meaning "they just don't sound real")..

Noel - Thanks for weighing in. Your comments are always "insightful" and appreciated.
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Set In Stone - 01/09/13 11:09 PM
Robert, austin, Val, Mike -

I apreciate the comments. And the "votes". Like I said before, I am kind of "overwhelmed" by the fact that so many have taken the time to "test them all".
Posted By: MikeK Re: Set In Stone - 01/09/13 11:11 PM
Well deserved, Sir!
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Set In Stone - 01/09/13 11:16 PM
Brad,

I had to respond to your post individually... the "2nd paragraph" - thank you - enjoyed the sentiment of that!!!

But this:

"...You haven't been going through Diane Warren's trash, have you?"

There was no need to explain that one! It is, perhaps, the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me - thank you - a bunch.

floyd
Posted By: Sundance Re: Set In Stone - 01/10/13 02:24 AM
So romantic. You and Anonymous touched my heart.

Hard to write one of these imo too.

Well done ya'll.
Posted By: JoanneCooper Re: Set In Stone - 01/11/13 10:54 AM
Hi Floyd
Lovely song. I like both version equally…
Posted By: Skyline Re: Set In Stone - 01/11/13 11:36 AM
That's a brilliant song there Floyd, first class lyrics and beautifully performed. I really enjoyed it. I preferred the solo version too.
My head was hearing a small string quartet-type lift on the last chorus, say from 2:42.

John
Posted By: 90 dB Re: Set In Stone - 01/11/13 01:51 PM
Another Excellent Floyd song. I prefer the solo/piano version as well, but like John, I'm hearing a string quartet in the last chorus.

Aside from the great song, it's also a beautiful recording.


Regards,


Bob
Posted By: Kemmrich Re: Set In Stone - 01/11/13 02:21 PM
I only listened to the BGV version, so I like that one the best (ha, ha). Some BGV's just make a song sound more pro and complete. Really good stuff going on here. One problem with the "piano-only" instrumentation is that there are "artifacts" in there where some chord changes stand out as slightly un-natural (You don't show the times on your player, so I can't tell you where to look). A little bass and percussion wouldn't detract from this song (starting on the first chorus or 2nd verse?).

In any case -- super excellent! The singing is really good as is the composition.
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Set In Stone - 01/12/13 09:33 PM
Josie - so glad you found something that touched you (looking forward to your next!)

Joanne - thanks for taking the time to listen...

John and Bob - thanks for "dropping by"... I know the strings seems like an obvios addition at the end.. I just haven't been very successful at doing that...

Kevin - thanks for that... I tried to listen for what you may be hearing, but I'm missing it. If you get back here and can think of a way to pinpoint it, I'd be interested...
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Set In Stone - 01/15/13 11:31 PM
Very nice. The piano has an almost Eagles "Desperado" feel to it. Excellent mix of vocal and single instrument. Perfection is not when nothing left to add...but when nothing left to take away.
Posted By: Steve Young Re: Set In Stone - 01/16/13 05:37 AM
Floyd,

Absolutely beautiful! I also preferred the solo version. This one is so intimate, the solo version gives it the best presentation, in my opinion. I do agree with John, a nice string quartet towards the end would be a nice touch (but then, I play the violin, so I may be just a little biased )

Very nice!

Steve
Posted By: Tommyc Re: Set In Stone - 01/17/13 03:30 PM
Excellent Lyrics and singing, I get a error when trying to authorize Sample Tank too. Doesn't sound like you need it! Great Job FJ!
Posted By: Tano Music Re: Set In Stone - 01/17/13 09:34 PM
FLoyd..just getting to the message boards after being away for a week...I listened to both...after the solo, I thought "this is really great". After the BGV, I thought "Still great...but I would tone/mute/soften the BGV's a bit. I think that -- as good as the BIABettes are -- it can still have a little of the "computer generated" sense to it, particularly on quiet, personal performances like this..I felt a little of that.
Great composition..thanks for stepping out of your normal groove for us.
Posted By: dcuny Re: Set In Stone - 01/18/13 05:58 AM
Really nice. Listening to all the versions, I think the quartet version sounds a bit too "thick", and not as personal as the first two version. It's also more obviously synthetic.

I've got the same reaction to the piano RealTracks as Kevin does. They're lovely sounding, but the transitions can be a bit jarring. I think it's more obvious on the piano than other instruments - even the guitar - because of the multiple strings. The ringing tones of the prior phrase cut, and there's a "thump" at the start of the phrase, perhaps from the pedaling. Since it happens on the beat, it's easy to cover with other instruments.

In any event, it's an excellent song and a great vocal performance - plus, a great mix that's clean and balanced. It's a real joy to listen to.
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Set In Stone - 01/19/13 05:20 PM
Bud - Thanks. Coming from a guy who gets the most out of the fewest number of tracks, that means something...

Steve - Thanks. Suppose the next time I need a string quartet I can get you to "pitch in"?

Tommy - appreciate that, man.

Tano - thanks for listening - and the feedback...

David - always appreciate when you "put in your 2 cents" - always thoughtful critiques. I'll have to listen more closely to the piano tracks from here on...
Posted By: dcuny Re: Set In Stone - 01/21/13 07:02 AM
This got me thinking, so I put together some RTs and exported them to my DAW for some closer examination. For the most port, it sounded great.

But there were a number of places where the "splices" were pretty obvious, especially where one phrase was faded out (artificially) and joined to another that faded in. It sounds sort of "backwards" because the initial attack is removed.

I think this is one of the few places where the MIDI Super Tracks have an edge over the RealTracks.

Anyway, that's just me nitpicking. The song is still nice, whatever perceived flaws there are in the piano track.
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