I had to go back to an older version of BIAB to find the instruments used for this song from a couple of years ago, thought I'd post it, hope that's ok, dig all that midi!

https://soundcloud.com/kfl44/better-days

Drums Nashville Even 8
Harmonica Background Pop 685
Everything else is midi

NYOUNG Country Style Midi

Kenny,

I like this, had me singing along!

Ain't BIAB great!!!

Alyn

Hi Kenny.

Like Alyn, I was singing along straight away. In fact, I'm still singing the chorus as I'm typing.

I think the power of this song comes largely from it's simple, relaxed format. You feel immediately comfortable with it and by the time the chorus kicks in with those excellent harmony BVs, you're well and truly hooked.

Gotta listen to that again.

ROG.

Hi Kenny
Very nice! I must say that I am starting to get more into midi these days. You have a little Eagles vibe going on here. Good job.

Kenny,

Always pleased to see a song from you!

This is so "comfortable". Easy, relaxed. Great sound. Your vocals always have "heart". Nice arrangement and mix...

This reminded me of Jackson Browne (Late For The Sky era)... better days...

Really enjoyed it...

fj

I’m gonna rise up in the morning
While the sun’s still breaking thru
Pack only the things I really need
Head out to highway 22

Stretch my eyes till I’m awake
Breathe deep while the airs still cool
And I’m thinking about the road ahead
But mostly about you

Kenny, you are a master of setting a scene!! This is just beautifully written. Perfect "band" for the song, and a great musical hook. You're a wonderful writer-I'm never disappointed!! Take care. Greg

Nice vocals and harmonies, harmonica part is the perfect choice for this song too. Could be something the Eagles would have done back in the day. Good stuff!

Kenny

Excellent - really catchy chorus - nice band sound.

Peter

Kenny, This is so easy to listen to. As mentioned previously it has that Cali country rock sound. Great vocals and I really love the write. On my 5th listen and going back again. Excellent, Tom

Hi Kenny, An enjoyable listen.

Guenter

Thanks Alyn, always appreciate your kind words and support.


Thank you very much!

Thanks Josie,

I like midi for its flexibility too, but I don't have a good tone generator. I've gotten so spoiled with these real tracks, there are still a lot of really good midi tracks here!

"Hoping that the wind is kind
And pushing gently at my back
Hoping things will fall my way
And find the inside track"

We have to love this....we recently finished a song with end lines of wind at my back and on the right track for the rhymes!!

"Collected paintings and souvenirs
On display for all to see
From all the places that we’ve been
Do they mean more than me

And the better days we knew
There were better days it’s true"

You push things soooooo far up the image ladder. Everything is always so textured and rich...but not overly so...just the right touch. Few writers in our opinion are able to so consistently nail that sweet spot as you do.

If your vocal was not so good we'd be tempted to say we could hear Henley sing it but you nailed it with an expressive vocal that as a friend used to say "rips the paint right off of your heart."

We got so lost in the vocal and lyric that we had to immediately listen a couple more times to focus on the production -- which is outstanding.

Wonderful piece of work!

J&B

Thanks,

Once again you've uncovered my roots pretty effortlessly. I never even thought of Jackson Browne while writing or recording this and yet he is one of my favorites and Late For The Sky my favorite album of his. A big influence on me, can you believe 40 + years ago now that this record was released. Actually I wanted to write something very simple and straight forward in a Neil Young way (NYOUNG STYLE) "think I'll pack it in and buy a pickup" and with me it will come out more Jackson or JT.
You always have such kind words for everyone and I appreciate it,
Thanks

Greg my main man,
I couldn't ask for a better write up than this,
you should be my press manager, that is if I ever
need one, I don't think I'll need one, getting off
the subject here. Thank you so much for the kind words
as always.

Thanks,
yeah, as soon as I tried the harmonica I thought it worked right away.




Thanks Peter

Thanks Tom,

"Cali Country" play it all you want, that's what it's there for, I play yours over and over.

Kenny

Beautiful song. It is so well written, arranged, mixed and produced. Your vocals are stellar and exactly right for the song. The harmonies and backing vocals are right for the genre and splendidly performed as well.

I had to wait a few minutes before posting my comments so as not to gush all over this song. It is so close in genre, feel and vibe to what I was doing in the early 1970's with my band Angel Oak.

I agree this is a bit of the early Eagles and Jackson Brown Cali sound but it goes back further than that to the simplicity and purity of Gram Parsons. Were this back in that time, you could easily see Gram Parsons or Rick Nelson in the Stone Canyon days recording this song. The one thing either they or my band would have included that's left out in your version is Pedal Steel Guitar. Not a lot, but it would have been there.

Both Parsons and Nelson, (Angel Oak by imitation and access to a pedal steel player) used the steel for its uniqueness as well as a bit of 'in your face' to the big labels and their total control. So, had midi been available back in the day, both may have used it for that same reason.

This is so authentic to that sound in performance and feel resulting from the chord progression using the minors. Uncannily old, but so new and refreshing once again. This is the most authentic recreation of the pre-Eagles country rock I've heard in the 40 + years since it was actually being performed by bands.

This was nice to hear and I really enjoyed it.

Charlie

Kenny,

Love the sound you're getting here. Agree with the Eagles vibe - very nice!

Bob

This little song just grabs you and holds on. Love that soft rock Eagles sound. I really like the arrangement except I thought there could've been a bit less harmonica (or maybe panned wider in the mix) since to me it seemed to be fighting the vocals in spots. The vocals and harmonies sound terrific. Great lyrics and sweet sing a long melody.

One of my personal fav songs of yours Kenny!

Thanks Guenter

Thanks so much guys for the kind words,

It's funny how we were both thinking of similar themes around the same time (great minds think alike) (hope Don Henley hears this)

Hi Kenny,

I really enjoyed this. Love the laid-back feel. Like so many before me, you had me also singing along with you. The ensemble of melody, arrangement, mix and you is perfect. Really, really enjoyable music.

These were my favourite lines...

All the best,
Noel

I like this song! Great job.

I also have nothing against midi. I love midi. There is a lot you can do with it!!

You have proved that!!

What a great song. I love it!

Thanks for the very kind words Charlie, I'm glad that you mentioned Gram Parsons. I'm sure this doesn't do justice to your band Angel Oak, but I appreciate all the comparisons and memories
and kindness.

Thanks Bob!



Thanks Josie for the kind words,

Well I've become a better mixer and producer of my home recordings thru the years (this was recorded a few years back) and it's all part of the fun of learning before I lose all of hearing and I guess maybe somebody tells me I'm too old and to stop it!

Thanks Noel,
Always love to hear what you have to say, you know your stuff.




Thanks David!



Thanks Jamie and welcome to the forums.