A few months ago, Steve Young posted a song about his father who had passed. I lost my father about 3 and a half years ago, and could relate to the pain of that loss. I wrote him a PM and linked him to a song I posted around then which was inspired by the painful realization that my dad was quickly going downhill. Steve told me how much he liked the song and that he would like to do an arrangement. I said......well, let's see......YES,YES, YES!!! You see, I have always been a big fan of Steve's work, as a writer, arranger, and artist. So, this is his arrangement and mix of that song. Some of you have heard the original post. BTW, if you have not heard Steve's latest post, Quarter to Nine, you should......it's AWESOME!!!! Steve and I would love to know what you think. Take care. Greg


https://soundcloud.com/gjohnson-2/theres-a-road-with-steve-young

Greg & Steve.

WOW. Goosebumps. (What else would we expect from a collaboration of two of the best).

The arrangement and mix bring out your vocal like it should be. Pure Shine. The ebb and flow of the the arrangement lets the words being sung shine, as well.

This is just purr STUNNING. What more need be said?

Good as it gets.

fj

Stunning. It's late here and I should be in bed, but I saw this post and just had to listen. I may comment in depth in the morning, but, for now, let me just say this ...

Tears in my eyes. Beautiful. Stunning. So moving.

One thing ... can you at all post the lyrics by any chance? They sound so, so beautiful and I'd love to be able to read them as well as listen, if possible ... only if possible.

Thank you so much for posting this. I will listen again in the morning, but ... this is definitely one of the very best I've heard you post on here.

EDIT: it's now morning and I've listened again. Tears in my eyes - beautiful. A classic of its kind. Can't praise it enough and don't know how to. Well done to both of you.

Hi Greg and Steve,

Every way I listen to this song, it sounds outstanding.

I remember it from a few years ago. I was impressed then and now I'm impressed all over again.



The writing is first class and this arrangement of Steve's lifts the song to soaring heights. Everything about this presentation -- arrangement, vocals, mix, production -- takes the listener on a most wonderful journey of musical mastery and musical listenability.

Congratulations to you both on an outstanding result. You've shown us all what BIAB makes possible in the collaborative hands of two of the forums most talented artists.

All the best,
Noel

What a fine and beautiful song!

Your song just made my day much better... it is such a great melody and chord progression. The arrangement and mixing is top class!

I feel blessed that I got to listen to this song... what a threat!

Will

Hey Greg, I really appreciate the opportunity to work on such a special song! You know I am a fan of your work, and this one is special to me. When you sent the link of it to me, I really was touched by it, and I'm so glad you were willing to let me have a part in keeping it alive. I hope everyone enjoys it as well...

As floyd jane said: Wow.

The vocal, lyric, understated arrangement - come together to take me to that place only excellent music can take me. The arrangement is simple and subtle, and your vocals are achingly lovely.

Greg & Steve ...

This is my first listen after a prolonged absence. And what a wonderful way to come back. This is simply amazing. The simplicity of the arrangement allows the vocal to shine (as all of Greg's do) ... but this is extra special. The arrangement is simple yet powerful. The fine touches Steve put on this are just the best. Perfect vocal, mix, arrangement and delivery.

My father died many years ago (1969) but you brought him back for a little while. Thank you. And the highest respect for a wonderful, professional presentation. It just doesn't get any better than this.

God Bless and wishing both of you the very best ...

Alan

The arrangement, (I'd love some detail as to BIAB parts and those played by the two of you), carried the vocal really well and, whilst lush in parts, avoids the mawkishness that could have destroyed the song. Excellent restraint by both of you.
Lovely.

Outstanding!

One of the best songs I have ever heard here, well done to both of you!

Brilliant.

Wow - you absolutely knocked this out of the park. Incredibly heartfelt and tender. The progressions, the vocals, the songwriting - all impeccable. It is stunning and beautifully delicate.

You should be very proud of this one - thanks for sharing

Greg & Steve

Greg in your words "you knocked it out of the park".

Beautiful ballad, great sentiment, lovely singing and a superb arrangement.

A masterful collaboration,

Peter

Greg & Steve,
A wonderful tribute - beautiful cadence to the melody matched by the subtly changing arrangement.
Vocals,well... simply superb.

Robert

Hi Greg and Steve,
This is a very high quality song transmitting deep feelings.
Thank you for that !
Christian

I'm not sure I want to sully the experience of listening to this with a "review". Let's just say it is moving, beautiful, and artfully presented. The both of you are are on my short list for "must listen", and this combination of talent is testament to why that is. Wonderful.

That is absolutely gorgeous. I really like that it's piano based. It has a Jackson Brown vibe to it.

Loved it.

Well, take two of the finest performers on the board and the outcome is more than deserving of ALL of the above accolades.

We like Ray's comment. Yes, it would be tempting for a lot of artists to go overboard on the vocal, arrangement and the backing tracks.

Having avoided that you two have produced a song that has that often hard to find sweet spot where there's nothing left to add and nothing left to take away.

The heart warming vocal and lyric is certainly something that the two of us can relate to. And Steve's arrangement and multiple tracks seem like they were just waiting for this song.

As we might say down here, "y'all done good!"

J&B

So professional sounding, as good as it gets, that last line leaves you with your heart ripped out. More of this!

Thanks Floyd! Steve did a wonderful job on the production/arrangement! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much James! I will see if I can find the doc with the lyrics. Take care. Greg

Found the lyrics from the original post.


THERE'S A ROAD

There’s a road
That I walk past nearly every day
But I haven’t wandered off that way
Since I can’t remember when
But today
Gonna take my time and walk that way
Cause I know this sweet and sunny day
Is never gonna come again

It’s such a shame
All the time we waste inside our heads
With things we’re dreamin’ of, and the things we dread
Most of which will never be
And all the while
Still the train is runnin’ down the track
It’s never, ever coming back
And there’s so much here to see

We all arrive with nothing
Travelers on this foreign land
Create our fragile kingdoms
Like castles in the sand
We strive to reach our pinnacles
Of prominence and pride
Then lie down on the sand
To await the rising tide

There’s a road
That someday each of us must walk alone
Our lonely footsteps on the hard, cold stone
And there ain’t no goin’ back
But for now
I’m gonna wrap my arms around this place
Feel the magic of a warm embrace
Not regret the things I lack

I remember the song Steve posted very well. This is a wonderful continuation and collaboration, with Greg taking a lead on theme. This is radio quality music, without commercial overkill. Music and lyrics are very sencere. Vocal performance and composition are top notch. Congrats to both of you on this beautiful tune!

Misha.

Hi, Greg & Steve !


I just heard this wonderful
tune and ...well, I´m out of
words ...completely awed by
everything about it !

Masterpiece just don´t seem
enough for this absolutely
sublime written, sung and
produced tune !

Congrats to both of you !

Cheers
Dani

Brilliant. As usual, your vocal is primo. This has hit written all over it.

Awesome, beautiful song. Well done guys.

Thanks so much, Greg, for posting the lyrics up. They are SO beautiful - it's great to see them written down.

Absolutely awesome guys, Did you record this a while back Greg I remember commenting then, Both versions as I remember are Brilliant.

Its a Fantastic write and if a song should be picked up for a recording deal this is it.

This has got to be Your Candle In The wind ,Then you guys do it justice all over again.

Loved this.

Thanks

Great performance and production! Brings a tear to my eye.

Thanks so much for all the kind words from everyone on Greg's song. I think he hit a home run with this one. I very much enjoyed working on the arrangement.

Someone asked about RealTracks used in this one. On this version, there are no Band in a Box instruments used, although the song was crafted in BB. As anyone who is familiar with any of my work knows, I use a LOT of BB RealTracks and RealDrums. But on this particular arrangement, I wanted to play all the parts, only for the sake of complete control of the arrangement on this very special song (certainly not to show off my playing abilities). However, I think Greg would say the song probably would not have existed in its present form without the use of Band in a Box.

Greg's vocals are always very inspiring to me, and this is just another example of the purity and feel of his voice.

Steve

Thanks so much for that great review Noel!! Always enjoy your reviews and your music! Take care. Greg

Thanks Will for those extremely kind words!! Take care. Greg

Hi Greg and Steve,

this is really outstanding; I'm totally caught by this song. It's so soulful, so brilliantly and modestly arranged. Greg, your singing is just far out. What a treat!

All the best,

Stefan

Such a cool vocal Greg. Just loved this. Well done..

Greg (and Steve):

My word, how pretty this is. Greg, I’m so envious of your vocals on this . . . so soft, but with such depth. And the production . . . the vocal sits so well in the mix. Beautiful song, gents. So, so well done. Loved it!

My humble regards to both of you,

Deej

Wonderful to have you put your incredible arranging skills on my song Steve! THANK YOU!!! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much David for the listen and the kind words! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much Alan! I really appreciate your kind words! Take care. Greg

Hi Greg and Steve,

I think this is a very very strong, impressive song. It reminded me of Elton John.
You have a great voice, but you knew that already.
I like these kind of songs very much, although the lyrics make me feel sad for more than a while.

Thanks,
Hans

Congratulations to you & Steve on a strong song & arrangement...
I really enjoyed listening...
Right now I'm listening to your old version from 3 years ago...
You should be proud of this write!

Greg & Steve,

A wonderful tribute.
Very beautiful song.
Splendid vocal.
Great arrangement.
The orchestra instruments, especially the piano are wonderful.
It touched my heart deeply.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi