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Posted By: Sundance Just A Closer Walk - 08/05/16 01:53 AM
Hello Everybody,

Between remodeling and having 3 family members get sick and pass away in three months - the latest being my husband's 94yr old Dad who died last week - I haven't had much time for music. I'm trying to catch up on listening. Sooner or later I hope to finish some original songs I have in the works but in the meantime, I hope you enjoy this.

Patsy Cline made this song famous so I wanted to keep a touch of that smooth country feel while making it different and my own with a more jazzy arrangement. I've been wanting to do a song with the Crooner horns RT's since we got them. So here we have a Big Band Crooner Jazz Country Gospel - I'm not really sure what genre to call it - but it is my version of this beautiful old public domain hymn.

Just A Closer Walk With Thee

Crooner horns, jazz drums, acoustic bass, Jazz acoustic guitar, country piano and me.
Thanks for listening. Appreciate your time and comments should you feel so inclined.
Posted By: gibson Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/05/16 02:46 AM
Josie,
You have had a tough 3 months

This is a beautiful rendition of a wonderful hymn, your voicedoes it proud.

all the best

Alyn
Posted By: Noel96 Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/05/16 06:17 AM
Josie,

I'm really sorry to hear that Life has been travelling through some rough patches for you. Please know that my thoughts are with you and husband.

Your version of "Just A Closer Walk" is superb.... truly beautiful. I've never heard you sound better. The arrangement is first class. I love the country piano set against the big band and jazz guitar.... very creative indeed.

I thoroughly enjoyed sitting here, listening and then listening again a couple times more.

All the best,
Noel

Posted By: ROG Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/05/16 06:29 AM
Hi Josie.

Fabulous arrangement and an absolutely super performance!

Sorry to hear you've had a difficult time and hope things start to improve for you soon.

Looking forward to hearing some more of your own songs again.

Take care, ROG.
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/05/16 09:17 AM
Josie,

Good to have you back around. This is well done in all regards. Your best, I think - vocal, arrangement and mix...all super...

Best use of the horns I've heard...

fj



(thanks for visiting "Honky Tonk..." - time to let that one slide, so I won't bump it again)
Posted By: tommyad Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/05/16 10:55 AM
Josie, That is a super rendition. Your vocal is absolutely terrific. I listened very carefully to the little nuances in your performance and I think your vocal is your best ever. The horns, arrangement and mix are great. I hope that better days are ahead for you. My condolences to you and your husband. Tom
Posted By: Pat Marr Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/05/16 11:04 AM
Josie,
as soon as I saw your named attached to "Just A Closer Walk", I knew I was going to love it (and I was right)

First of all, you know I love your beautiful voice! And two of your strengths are jazzy songs and songs of faith... so this was a slam dunk!

In the past when I've tried to use horns in an arrangement I could never get them sounding as natural as you have them in this song... This really sounds like a professional arrangement!

I think it was a good creative choice to dip into the public domain for this one... it's a beautiful time honored bit of music and you really did a nice job with it!

The only nit is that your voice is kinda sexy and in the context of this song, it makes me feel guilty for enjoying it so much. But that says more about me than it does about the song.

Great job! Glad to see you posting again! Another in a long line of musical successes!
Posted By: boehm Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/05/16 11:24 AM
Hi Josie,

everything fits together perfectly.
Great vocals, arrangement and mix.
Very enjoyable listen.

Guenter
Posted By: Robertkc Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/05/16 12:51 PM
Josie,
There`s a hint of ache in your voice which fits the song very well - (beautiful hold on the last note). I really enjoyed your take on this hymn.

Robert
Posted By: PeterF Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/05/16 07:16 PM
Josie
Very impressive rendition. Agree with Floyd the best use of the Horns I've heard gives a very sophisticated sound.
Hope the next few months are an improvement.
Posted By: rsdean Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/05/16 08:00 PM
Josie,

Very sorry to hear that news...

Your version of this song is outstanding - the arrangement really works. The quality of your vocal really comes through here - it somewhat reminds me of your voice on our rendition of Thunder Road that we did back in 2011, which was another stunning vocal.

Bob
Posted By: RnAM Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/05/16 08:14 PM
Josie,

We are very sorry to hear about all this, times surely can get tough....
But we definitely love this song, beautiful interpretation and very cool vocals!

Rob & Anne-Marie
Posted By: Sundance Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/05/16 11:36 PM
Originally Posted By: gibson
Josie,
You have had a tough 3 months

This is a beautiful rendition of a wonderful hymn, your voicedoes it proud.

all the best

Alyn


Thank you Alyn! I hope you are well.
Your talent and creative spirit always makes this forum a better place.
Posted By: Sundance Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/05/16 11:46 PM
Originally Posted By: Noel96
Josie,

I'm really sorry to hear that Life has been travelling through some rough patches for you. Please know that my thoughts are with you and husband.

Your version of "Just A Closer Walk" is superb.... truly beautiful. I've never heard you sound better. The arrangement is first class. I love the country piano set against the big band and jazz guitar.... very creative indeed.

I thoroughly enjoyed sitting here, listening and then listening again a couple times more.

All the best,
Noel



Noel that means so much coming from you. I was really hoping you'd be around to hear this because you've done such fabulous Big Band arrangements and mixes. I think if I'd been born in a different era I would have loved singing with a big band. Thank you!
Posted By: Sundance Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/05/16 11:58 PM
Originally Posted By: ROG
Hi Josie.

Fabulous arrangement and an absolutely super performance!

Sorry to hear you've had a difficult time and hope things start to improve for you soon.

Looking forward to hearing some more of your own songs again.

Take care, ROG.


Thank you ROG. I'm hoping things will settle down for awhile now too.

I'm always humbled and happy to get such a positive review from our Music Prof who's talent and ears I admire so much.
Posted By: Sundance Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/06/16 12:16 AM
Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Josie,

Good to have you back around. This is well done in all regards. Your best, I think - vocal, arrangement and mix...all super...

Best use of the horns I've heard...

fj



(thanks for visiting "Honky Tonk..." - time to let that one slide, so I won't bump it again)


Thank you FJ! You are the hardest working man in forum show business - I stand in awe of your consistent high quality standard and work ethic. And that last tearjerker vocal of yours was an outstanding country performance.
Posted By: Charlie Fogle Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/06/16 12:20 AM
Such a heartwarming rendition. Reminiscent to me of some of the great covers by Lynn Anderson during her time with Lawrence Welk.

Great job. Enjoyed this a lot.

Good to see you back.
Posted By: Sundance Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/06/16 12:30 AM
Originally Posted By: tommyad
Josie, That is a super rendition. Your vocal is absolutely terrific. I listened very carefully to the little nuances in your performance and I think your vocal is your best ever. The horns, arrangement and mix are great. I hope that better days are ahead for you. My condolences to you and your husband. Tom


Thank you so much Tom. My husband's Dad's health had deteriorated over the past six months to the point that he was no longer himself. We wish he could've made it to 100 which was always his goal and we will miss him. He was very blessed with a long mostly healthy and active life.

You are so talented and such an inspiration to me. Music is like medicine.
Posted By: Sundance Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/06/16 12:43 AM
Originally Posted By: Pat Marr
Josie,
as soon as I saw your named attached to "Just A Closer Walk", I knew I was going to love it (and I was right)

First of all, you know I love your beautiful voice! And two of your strengths are jazzy songs and songs of faith... so this was a slam dunk!

In the past when I've tried to use horns in an arrangement I could never get them sounding as natural as you have them in this song... This really sounds like a professional arrangement!

I think it was a good creative choice to dip into the public domain for this one... it's a beautiful time honored bit of music and you really did a nice job with it!

The only nit is that your voice is kinda sexy and in the context of this song, it makes me feel guilty for enjoying it so much. But that says more about me than it does about the song.

Great job! Glad to see you posting again! Another in a long line of musical successes!


Thank you Pat. You are so thoughtful and detailed in your reviews. Just as you are with the wonderful work you do in your cartoons and in your music. I can see why you're such a crowd pleaser in your live shows. Yes, I've seen the videos. Loved them. I'd hire you.
Posted By: Sundance Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/06/16 12:49 AM
Originally Posted By: boehm
Hi Josie,

everything fits together perfectly.
Great vocals, arrangement and mix.
Very enjoyable listen.

Guenter



Thank you Guenter. You have such a wonderful ear and gift for arranging. And you are such a consistent participant - we're really lucky to have you here.
Posted By: Sundance Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/06/16 12:57 AM
Originally Posted By: Robertkc
Josie,
There`s a hint of ache in your voice which fits the song very well - (beautiful hold on the last note). I really enjoyed your take on this hymn.

Robert


Robert, I appreciate that. I'm looking forward to getting to know you and your music. Of course I can tell you have great taste already...grin Seriously, thank you very much.
Posted By: Sundance Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/06/16 01:17 AM
Originally Posted By: PeterF
Josie
Very impressive rendition. Agree with Floyd the best use of the Horns I've heard gives a very sophisticated sound.
Hope the next few months are an improvement.


Thank you PeterF. It's been hard going through a lot of loss - oddly we had a similar year in our family back in 2008 and that was what got me back into music, finding BIAB and joining this forum - so the darkest hours are sometimes before the dawn of a new direction. I hope this time too.

The country song I heard of yours was terrific.
Posted By: Sundance Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/06/16 01:22 AM
Originally Posted By: rsdean
Josie,

Very sorry to hear that news...

Your version of this song is outstanding - the arrangement really works. The quality of your vocal really comes through here - it somewhat reminds me of your voice on our rendition of Thunder Road that we did back in 2011, which was another stunning vocal.

Bob


Thank you so much Bob! You are amazing! Instead of my other mic, I used the same one that I did on Thunder Road! Among the many music talents that I admire you for - that is one heck of an ear.
Posted By: Sergio Guarneri Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/08/16 06:54 PM

Hello,
I've never listen to the Patsy Clyne's version but this one is super.

Very well done. I image to be listening it on the radio... the old radio in the 50s.
Patsy Clyne or not, your song and your voice should stay on the radio!

Sergio
Posted By: Sundance Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/08/16 10:10 PM
Originally Posted By: RnAM
Josie,

We are very sorry to hear about all this, times surely can get tough....
But we definitely love this song, beautiful interpretation and very cool vocals!

Rob & Anne-Marie


Thank you very much. You two always inspire me with your talent and attention to detail in every project you do.
Posted By: Sundance Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/08/16 10:51 PM
Originally Posted By: Charlie Fogle
Such a heartwarming rendition. Reminiscent to me of some of the great covers by Lynn Anderson during her time with Lawrence Welk.

Great job. Enjoyed this a lot.

Good to see you back.


Thank you Charlie. I remember Rose Garden on the radio, but that's all I know about Lynn. What a nice compliment. You are so talented and always so quick to listen and help people on here.
Posted By: BlueAttitude Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/09/16 07:35 AM
Nice! You nailed the vocal on this old classic. Great job on the instrumentation too! You certainly made it your own. Enjoyed smile
Posted By: David Snyder Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/09/16 09:49 AM
Absolutely gorgeous Josie. I loved this!! Great mix.

The vocals are incredibly warm. I love that little trail off at the end. Beautiful.
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/09/16 10:19 AM
Originally Posted By: tommyad
Josie, That is a super rendition. Your vocal is absolutely terrific. I listened very carefully to the little nuances in your performance and I think your vocal is your best ever. The horns, arrangement and mix are great. I hope that better days are ahead for you. My condolences to you and your husband. Tom


Tom said it very well. Yes, the nuances take the vocal over the top. For those on the forum who haven't listened to Patsy Cline's version treat yourself to it and you will appreciate this production even more. Your vocal is one of your best and we love how well your lower range works on this song.

And what a use of those RT's!!

Excellent.

J&B
Posted By: Greg Johnson Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/09/16 05:13 PM
Sounds great Josie!! Wonderful job on the vocal!! I've been wanting to try those RTs myself. Sorry you've been having such a rough time lately. 2016 has been the year of the proverbial s**t hitting the fan in my life too, or is it the s**t hitting the proverbial fan. Let's hope things look up for us both. Hang in there and take care. Greg
Posted By: dani48 Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/09/16 06:29 PM
Hi, Josie !:))


I join in with the others regarding
the condolences for those hard times
you and your family have had to go thru !
I´ve learned (the hard way) that mourning takes
the time it needs and there are no shortcuts
though I hope your pain will turn into a more
distant longing over time !

Regarding this tune !

I must say that I also think it is your
best performance though I do think that
all your performances as well on covers
as on your own tunes are sooooooooooooo
gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood !!

I love your voice and also the music you produce !

Friend
Dani
Posted By: Achordocaster Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/11/16 01:56 AM
Hey Josie,

I thought this was outstanding! Nice smooth feel, great vocal and mix. Plus I'm just blown away (pun intended)by how cool the horns are!

Nice work,

Greg
Posted By: 90 dB Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/12/16 10:06 AM
Josie,

Late on this one. It's all been said. Our condolences for your losses.
Great song. Great rendition. Love those horns.


Regards,

Bob
Posted By: Steve Young Re: Just A Closer Walk - 08/12/16 09:35 PM
Josie,

I have always loved this hymn. And you know I am a fan of yours. So that makes for a great combination!

But this has got to be one of my favorites of yours. The arrangment is spot on. And I don't think I have ever heard your vocals sound any better. Just sounds like a perfect match to me.

I am sorry to hear about all you have been through. You have my prayers. Stay strong, and I look forward to hearing more from you.

Steve
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