To listen on SoundCloud...
Reflections Of Hope - SoundCloud

Video...
Reflections Of Hope - Video

The past few months have been rather difficult. I feel bad that I have not been around to contribute more to this very fine forum. We had a death in our family a few weeks ago. We have the great peace of knowing he is in heaven, but that took me out of commission for a little while.

This Tuesday I had my most recent MDA doctor visit, and the report from the doctor wasn't the best report I have had. I came home and decided I was going to do what I can do as long as I can (My health is not so bad, but I have lost significant strength in my hands). There is not a lot of Band In The Box on this one (I did use the bass part, to make it acceptable to submit here on the forum.) I probably would not be doing what I am doing today were it not for the day that I picked up a copy of Band In A Box a few years ago on a whim. But I wanted to play as much of the instrumentation on this one as possible, myself. I wrote the song around the piano, but kept adding orchestration, and ended up here.

I dusted off my old "Sam Ash Special" $80 Ibanez acoustic guitar and decided to play the guitar solo. The piano sound is Alicia's Keys in Kontakt 5. Most of the orchestration is EastWest Hollywood Strings, Brass, Woodwinds, and Percussion. All recorded in Logic Pro X with my M-Audio KeyStudio 49. The guitar is just single-mic'd with my MXL Live Series mic.

I'm calling this one Reflections Of Hope. I hope you enjoy it! (I will try to get to listen to some of the great songs I have been missing over the next few days.)


RealTrack used...

RealTracks in song: ~2474:Bass, Acoustic, Held Ev 085

Steve,

It's really good to see you. I'm so sorry to hear that things have not been travelling along as smoothly as possible for you and your family. I'm also very sorry to hear about your loss.

Like a few of us on the forum, I've discovered, over the last few years, that getting older has a price tag attached to it. Still, if that's what it costs to sit on Earth just a little bit longer, I'll pay

This composition of yours is stunning, really stunning.

The beauty of the music rolls along like a warm gentle breeze on a pleasant summer's day. Everything about this had me captivated from beginning to end. Your piano melody is really enchanting. Your choice of notes and the harmonising of them made for a wonderful journey in sound. And then there was the orchestra...

Your ability to orchestrate is up there with the best in the forum. I've said this many times over the years. Since your scores never diminish in quality, though, it's always worth saying again! I greatly admire your talent and the way you consistently manage to find exactly the right sound and combination of sounds to provide the best musical excursion possible.

As I said earlier... stunning, really stunning.

All the best,
Noel

Steve

A beautiful composition and fabulous production. I'm very sorry to hear you're going through a bad patch health wise and family wise. I hope composing these beautiful tunes brings you some solace at this time.

Neil

What a beautiful tune, Steve Sorry to hear about your health. At least it doesn't seem to have stopped you from making great music. The composition on this is truly stunning

Thanks so much for sharing - and from all of us at PG Music we hope the best for your health

Steve
Sometimes words are not relevant. This composition is amazing. I could listen to it for hours. I am trying to put a little more of myself into my recordings, as well. I have problems recording bass as well. I don't play bass as often as I should, so my delivery has suffered for it. I haven't fired up my keyboards in months, so it is going to be a long process. I will say that the quality of your piano doesn't seem to be suffering. You play beautifully. Sorry you are having problems with your health. I wish you well, and pray for better days ahead.

Hi Steve,

This is simply beautiful! What a marvelous piece of music. You made that $80.00 Ibanez sound like a million bucks.

The arrangement and tracks are splendid. I'd love to be able to do something like this. Don't think I'm that talented.

Sorry to hear about the family loss. And those health issues are always a matter of concern. I'm glad to hear the issues aren't as bad as could be. I know your frustration as I have Focal Dystonia, which has significantly hampered my guitar playing. I'm using BIAB guitar tracks on many of my compositions now. Aldo, the chemo left my left left hand fairly numb. Hang in there and keep doing what you can while you can. And Di is so weak now she can barely walk from the bedroom to the kitchen. But, we keep at it as much as possible. Good to see you are doing the same.

Wishing you the very best and, once again, a beautiful piece of music.

Alan

Hi Steve,

We are very sorry to hear about your loss and the problems with your hand.
But wow... this really is gorgeous!
One small nit, we missed your beautiful voice

Rob and Anne-Marie

Very nice Steve! Beautiful work that puts one in a very contemplative, reflective state of mind! Sorry to hear about your loss and best wishes for your health! It's amazing how sometimes the inexpensive instruments that we take for granted can make the best music! Your sound here is very good!! Thanks, Torrey

Noel, it is always so good to hear from you, my friend! Your comments are always so thoughtful, encouraging and uplifting. Music to my ears! So appreciate your kind words.



Neil, thank you so much for your kind words. I really appreciate your thoughts of concern. God definitely uses music to strengthen me. Once again, thanks!



Thank you very much, Deryk! Glad you like this one. I also truly appreciate your comments of encouragement about my health. PG Music has had a greater impact on me and my music than I know how to express. Great product, great staff!

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Steve

Steve your work is always original and outstanding.
Very emotional and delicate.
Wonderful to listen to.
Sorry to hear of your loss.
Well done. Rob

You have so much to say musically

this is beautiful, emotional, touchingly expressive

you are such an asset to this group

thank you for sharing

Kenny

Steve,

You never fail to impress me. That streak continues.

This is gorgeous - in all regards.

I wish you strength in all things.

Thanks for all you share with us.

floyd

Not only is Floyd a great songwriter. He is a master of the written word. I could not say it better. This is just beautiful!! Should be a movie score. I have some plugins and fool around with MIDI at times but cannot make anything that sounds like this. WONDERFUL!! Wishing you well. Take care. Greg

Steve, so so sorry to hear about your problems recently. More often than not, when we're sad we compose the best music and THIS is one of the loveliest pieces of music I've ever heard on here. It would make fantastic incidental music for a movie or a series like the game of thrones.
You should submit this piece to Classic FM here in the UK for airplay they would play it for sure.

Hello, Steve

Great orchestration!
I was deeply moved by your splendid score.
The melody is also very beautiful.
All the instruments are very well chosen and combined.
I think you really well studied the orchestral arrangement.
The skills of piano and guitar are also wonderful.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Hi, Steve !


Please accept my deepest condolences !
There is only the one road we must
go and time is the only healer !!
Hope you are allright ?

Wonderful music, could go
stright into a movie !!!!


Cheers
Dani

Thanks, Gary! So glad you like this one. I say it's time to fire up your keyboards and practice that bass! I look forward to hearing more of your stuff! Thanks again for your kind words.



Thanks so much, Alan. Really appreciate your generous comments! I pray for you and Di, that you will both be strengthened and encouraged. You are a blessing to this forum. Always enjoy hearing from you.



Rob and Anne-Marie, it is always so good to hear from you! Glad you enjoyed this one. It has been allergy season in this part of Texas lately, and my voice has been just a little "scratchy". But I plan on recording some vocals real soon. Thanks again for your very kind words!

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Steve

Thanks, Torrey! Always good to hear from you. Glad you like this. Thanks for your kind words!



Rob, I really appreciate your comments! Thanks for dropping in on this one!



Thanks so much, Kenny. Your kind words are very appreciated!

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Steve

Beautiful song Stephen. Sorry for your loss. Music has a wonderful way of making sad times a little bit better.

hi steve sorry to hear about your lost and heath problems steve i enjoy your contributions very much this one is stunning a beautiful presence in this peace hope and peace thanks for sharing eric

It's great to see you posting in the showcase again, Steve, and what a beautiful song you've shared with us. I am very sorry your health has not been the best, and even more sorry to hear you have had such a great loss. I admit I am happy to hear you are still creating despite these hard times.

Keep it up! <3

That is one of, if not the, most emotional instrumentals that's been posted here. And we enjoyed every second of it. It is superbly produced.

We find it to be a showcase (within the showcase) of what can be done with one's own playing, BiaB and other products and a masterful mix.

We've no doubt that both your faith and positive attitude will guide you through this.

Thanks for sharing....

J&B

Thanks so much, Floyd! Always so good to hear from you. Thanks for the good thoughts. Much appreciated.



Greg, thanks very much for your generous words. Glad you enjoyed this one.



Thanks so much for your comments! Really appreciate you taking the time to listen and say such nice things!



Thank you, Shigeki. You do such good work, I really appreciate your compliments.

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Steve

Thanks so much, Dani! Appreciate the kind words.



Thank you, Scott. Yes, music does have a wonderful way of making life better in the sad times!



Thank you, Eric! Really appreciate your encouraging words.

Steve

Thanks, so much, Ember! Really appreciate all the encouragement. You guys at PG Music are the best!



Hey J&B, thanks so much for your kind words! Always so good to hear from you. You know I am a big fan of your work!

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Steve

Steve,

This is simply beautiful music. The melody resonates instantly; uplifting and soothing at the same time.
Absolutely top notch orchestration and arrangement.
I wish you all the best.

Robert

It's great that you are able to channel your deepest emotions into your music. A composer cannot ask for more.

Steve
A truly beautiful piece and I think floyd's comments were very eloquent and I mirror them.
Look forward to hearing more.

Peter

Thanks, Robert. Really appreciate it!



Thank you, Will. Very true words, much appreciated.



PeterF, thanks for taking the time to drop by and comment! Glad you enjoyed this.

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Steve

Man, I was already massively impressed by this song before I came to read your post on it here - Now, I'm beyond "impressed"!

Steve. This is absolutely beautiful. It and your description has brought a small tear to my eyes. My prayers are with you.

Thanks, Icelander, for your very kind words!



Thank you so much, Joanne. Really appreciate it!

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Steve