Hi forum friends. Have not posted in a while. Being sandwiched in between an elderly mom at an assisted living facility in my town, 2 young teenagers who need rides everywhere at all hours of the day, and a wife with a busy job, my life has not been my own. I have recently gotten to listen to a lot of great stuff when I grab a little time here and there at work, and there is a lot of GREAT stuff being posted. We write songs for different reasons. I wrote this to express my true feelings and I think it does. I hope you like it. I would love to hear any comments......you are my only audience. Take care. Greg


https://soundcloud.com/gjohnson-2/old-school

Will post lyrics and tracks later (when I get a minute).

Hi Greg,

I know what you mean about your life being divided in so many ways you think there's hardly any of it left for you. But we sure do miss your great music on the forum - and that's the full truth.

And WOW! So many of us here can identify with this. As always from you, this is a fabulous song. Your vocal is great - lead and the background fills. For me, the most obvious parts of the lyric are the best ...

"Guess I'm just old school, just an old fool."

And then ...

"You could say out of touch, It could be some small source of pride".

An the remainder of the lyric is equally powerful. There's not a wasted word anywhere in the lyric. And you couldn't have picked a better set of backing tracks. I could keep writing accolades forever on this one, but I think you get my point - this is a marvelous song with a fabulous delivery.

You conjured so many memories as I listened (I'm writing this as I listen for a 2nd time). This is sentimental country at its best. Still sitting here amazed as I listen. This song has such beauty and grace. Standing "O" from me and Di.

Alan

Greg

Loved the song loved the delivery and more people should have the privilege of hearing you than just this small audience.
Hope writing this was cathartic and this are going well.

Peter

Great song Greg. Really enjoyed the melody and the great chord progression. Great story telling. Rob

Hi Greg,

Like you, my busy life hasn't left me much spare time for the forum of late, but I'm
so pleased to have caught this one.

No one does this sort of stuff better than you. This is fabulous.
It's clever, it's professional, it's beautifully performed and above all, it's entertaining.

All this, and yet there's still more - it's something which many of us can relate to.
It doesn't get much better than this.

ROG.

Yes, 100% agree with Peter.

Excellent writing, I really enjoyed the lyrics. Of course I'm old school too! And you have such a wonderful voice, always enjoy hearing you sing.

Greg,

Don't know how you do it, but you seem to get better with every write - going stratospheric!

That first verse is stated beautifully... one of those "why didn't I think of that" type song ideas! (For me, it was Great Garbo - I used to watch old black and whites after coming home late from gigs).

The "music verse" (2nd verse) is nothing short of STUNNING. Original and touching - in a place that would easily contain hackneyed clichés in the hands of a lesser writer (a place you NEVER go). WOW.

The final verse - the "take me back" verse - is a perfect knock-out punch. Unique, perfectly worded to elicit the intended feeling from anyone who is actually listening... Another WOW.

Excellent arrangement and production. Excellent vocal - really well recording and processed - one of those that is SO good, you don't even think about it (until you think about it).

Songwriting at its best!

In a just world, you would be a star.

fj

Enjoyed this song the vocals and lyrics were great and fitting for the old school feel.

Wow!

Got goosebumps from those vocals and lyrics man.

Been a while since that happened.

This in an incredible song in every way (progression, mix, instrumentation, build, poetry, mood, beauty of the lyrics, incredible singing, just for starters) and has become one of my favorites instantly.

Everything a song should be. I will be going back for 10 to 100 listens.

Totally awesome man.

Hope this song was able to give you some release. It really sounded fantastic, so I hope you had fun making it!

I was glad to see you had posted another tune Greg. This is a beautiful piece of music. Lovely choice of instruments. So complimentary to such a beautiful vocal and lyric..

Wow - what a tune! Your voice is magical on this - and the melodies with those backing tracks - the whole thing works perfectly. I wouldn't bat an eyelash hearing this on the radio. You really created something special here.

You did an outstanding job here - thanks for sharing

Greg this is a classic song, beautiful so well written, sand and produced. Cliff

We've never seen all the superlatives gobbled up so quickly on a post -- and you richly deserve them all!

This is one of those that if it were to come on the radio one would have to pull over to listen to.

floyd much more articulated the the creatively of the verses than we would ever be able to.

It's a privilege to add this to our playlist. Thank you!!!

J&B

Greg,
A beautiful write - personal and universal,funny and moving- a ramble through a life.
Vocals (and harmonies) are instantly engaging.
Fine work... and even more impressive for a guy with that schedule!

Robert

I love it! It's got the hallmarks of some of the best Eagles songs.

It's all good, but I'd be remiss not mentioning how great your voice is, and how nice the backing vocals are, especially on the "echo" portion.

Great write, well sung and produced. I'm glad you were able to find the time to put this together.

Rich, solid, lovely and earnest.
I dig it.

Really great song! Love the overall feel, so evidently right from the heart and expressing exactly the thoughts many of the listeners here, I’m sure. The vocal was perfect, I can’t think of anything I would improve about this… Thank you for sharing!

If you need the number for a good parent support group....!

Thanks for that ultra-kind review Alan. You have no idea what it means to me!! You've been posting some great stuff in a variety of styles. Take care. Greg

Very, very kind of you to say that Peter! You've been killing it with your recent posts.....love the last one (some kind of geologic age.. name escapes me). Take care. Greg

Bud beat me to it-- riding down the road and this song comes on the radio, I'd pull over right away. Fantastic at every level. Excellent write, arrangement, performance and production. As Floyd said, "in a just world....."

Hello, Greg

Great song! Very nice country waltz.
The melody and the chord progression are excellent.
I love the bass line and the way to use B7 chord.
Your vocals are truly pleasant as usual.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

hi greg this is awesome work vocal perfect chord progression love it well done sir

Thanks Rob. You've been quite prolific lately with a lot of cool and interesting stuff! Love you vocals!! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much for your very kind words ROG! I always love hearing your songs... always fun and so well produced! Take care. Greg

Sounds like you have been busy Greg. Glad you were able to squeeze this one in between everything else. Absolutely stunning vocal. Love the song all round.

Very fine country waltz, beautiful melody and touching sentimental lyrics expressing nicely your personal feelings. Your singing and arrangement are perfect as always.

Janne

Thanks Dave for your kind words. I always love your blues!! Take care. Greg

I am extremely humbled by your kind words my friend! Take care. Greg

I liked the sound quality. Good mix. Good song. Good vocals.

THanks so much for listening and for the kind words. You've been doing a lot of good stuff lately! Take care. Greg

Thanks David! Your words mean a great deal to me. Always, always love your stuff!! Take care. Greg

I am pleasantly stunned at this in many ways. It's a mix of the old Eagles, when they were still writing folk country up in the canyon. Then, there's the Beatles influence in the last verse with the BGV following the main. Loved it.

Production is excellent. I really like the smokey quality to your voice on this.

Nice choice of tracks too.

And the lyric writing.... well, that's nothing short of brilliant.

This is my favorite song of everything I've heard this year.

Another job well done.

Thanks Ember! Yeah, it just feels good to write something and feel like you communicated what you set out to. Thanks for listening and commenting! Take care. Greg

THanks Scott! I always enjoy your posts, and your positive input on the forum. You play some sweet guitar! Take care. Greg

Greg,

man, what a song! A beautiful melody from one of my favorite singers

I've gotta say it makes me think of Glen Frey, which means that I

just love it and it sounds like a very professional recording, great job

on the mix

Kenny

Hi Greg,

We're glad you found the time to post this song.
Such a melancholy, sweet song.
Great lyrics and your voice sounds so very nice here!
Very, very, good job.
Enjoyed this one a lot!!!!

Rob and Anne-Marie

Really beautiful song and production Greg. Love those harmonies/echoes.

Thanks Deryk for that wonderful compliment! Love seeing the PG staff weigh in! Take care. Greg

THanks Cliff. Much appreciated. I always enjoy your stuff!! Take care. Greg

Back for some more listening. Janice wanted to point out how much she enjoyed your reference to two of her favorites, Ella and Frank!

J&B

WOW, that is such a flattering review! Thanks so much you guys. Your words mean a great deal to me as I am a fan of your stuff! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much Robert! Always love hearing your stuff. Your creativity with lyrics is amazing! Take care. Greg

Greg,

This is beautiful... lyrics, melody, arrangement, production and it's a music cake extraordinaire iced with your elegant and exquisite vocals. Everything sits so perfectly that it's a pleasure to travel along with your story.

Simply stunning!

All the best,
Noel

Thanks David. Any comparison to the Eagles is always extremely flattering to me.....one of my favorite bands ever. I really appreciate it! Take care. Greg

THanks so much Ray. Appreciate your listen and nice comments! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much! I always enjoy your songs...always creative, clever, thoughtful songs! Take care. Greg

Greg,

I know I'm a little late to the party . . . I listened to this a couple weeks back and just haven’t had a lot of time recently to spend here on the BIAB the forum. But I had to hunt this one down (turns out I didn’t have to go far) and make sure I commented on it. This is just a perfectly done song—I mean, really, every aspect hits solidly. This deserves a lot of attention and I hope you get it!

My humble regards,

Deej

Thanks so much for those extremely kind words Charlie. You have no idea how much they mean to me! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much Shigeki. You are a true master of melody! Take care. Greg

Thanks Eric. Always enjoy your wonderful instrumentals! Take care. Greg

Thanks Joanne. Great to hear from you! You've been doing some wonderful stuff lately! Take care. Greg

Fantastic on every level! Great write and your production/engineering excellent!

In a word Soulful!