Just got back from 49 days deep in the North Carolina mountains with no cell service. I’m sure I missed a lot of great songs here. I plan on going back and listening to some of them. I won’t be commenting on the older songs so I don’t mess up the normal flow of the forum. I wrote this as I was driving. It started as a road song, then turned into a breakup song. I hope everyone is staying safe and well in these unusual and trying times.


https://soundcloud.com/tommyad/turn-around


http://tommyadamsmusic.com/track/2424147/turn-around


RealTracks in style: 2825:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryPopMike12-key Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 2911:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm CountryPopBrent12-key Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 3074:Mandolin, Rhythm AmericanaSlow16thsAndy Ev16 060
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 2853:Piano, Rhythm CountryPopMike12-key Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 2825:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryPopMike12-key Ev 085 Held
Royalty Free Loops


Recorded in Logic Pro X
Plug Ins : Nectar 2, Neutron 2, Ozone 8, Tonal Balance, Waves LinMB, Waves, L3-LL Multi Limiter, Scuffam Amps S-Gear, Waves Vocal Rider, Waves Bass Rider


Vocals, Electric Guitars, Acoustic Guitar, Tom Adams




Turn Around


Miles and miles of winding roads

reminding me what i should have known

it never felt right from the start

Tank’s as empty as my broken heart

Can’t recall the last car I passed

Headlights dimming nearly out of gas


It’s a long hard road to the next town

Ain’t no place to be broken down

I just reached up and tore off the rear view mirror

if i keep driving I might disappear

Radio’s dead don’t make a sound

I’m too far gone now to turnaround




Who’s to blame I’ll take my share

On a road that leads to who knows where

some things are never meant to last

When it breaks down it breaks down fast

This trucks not as good as it used to be

Bout twenty years out of warranty



It’s a long hard road to the next town

Ain’t no place to be broken down

I just reached up and tore off the rear view mirror

if i keep driving I might disappear

Radio’s dead don’t make a sound

I’m too far gone now to turnaround

©2020 Thomas Adams

Tommy, this is fantastic. I really liked your vocal and the lyrics in this one. Your playing was top notch, as usual, and your mix was exceptional!

This may be your best to date.

Tom

Loved it - instantly accessible - great hooks, lovely playing and singing.
Nailed everything.

A real treat.

Peter

Love your songs Tommy. This was no exception Guitars were excellent. Loved the way they framed your vocal. Well done

Great imagery--the road and break-up (or break-down). I liked the line "if i keep driving I might disappear".
Was the break-up with a girl or with your truck??!?
Real nice track, and I enjoyed it throughout.

Some really nice writing here, but I'll just pick one:
Tank's as empty as this broken heart

Love rhyming mirror with disappear.

Well sung, well produced, nice melody. Subtle harmony, excellent playing, great dynamics... Even heard a bit of that mandolin hidden in the background.

Man, so good! Great song, great performance.

And man, I just love listening to your mixes! Such a treat through the 'phones, the way you can hear everything so clearly. Would love to be a fly on the wall during one of your mixing sessions.

Very much enjoyed, Tom, and good to see you back

49 days in the NC mountains.... nice vacation. I'd hate to have to leave after a month and a half in the hills.

I really like the song. Another good writing and recording job my friend.

Wow this is excellent work tommy very professionally done nothing out of place well done thanks eric

Mario, thank you for your continued support for many years. I always appreciate your comments, Tom

Peter, thanks for the kind words. It means a lot coming from you as I am a big fan of your music, Tom

Right. After spending 49 days in the hills of NC the first song you'd write would be called Turn Around. Great delivery and inspiration!!

Good song with excellent lyrics and vocals. Pro production all the way. Really enjoyed it!

Hey Tommy,

after way too long away from the user showcase, I stopped in tonight and saw your name. I KNEW I would be happy if I clicked on the link, and danged I wasn't exactly right! Making good music requires a person to wear a lot of hats, and you wear them all so well! I know you have done your time on the smoky stages, so you come by your expertise honestly. As others have already said, everything you do is good, and this is no exception. The tone, the mix, the lyrics, the vocals.. everything sounds top notch to me! And, apart from the technical stuff, I just like the song.

Having said all that, there is one small disappointment. You were in NC and I didn't know. Bummer. But the music is not disappointing in any way shape or form. Just keep on doing what you do so well.

Tom,

Love the minimalist opening. Band sounds great when they join - every piece so clear in the mix and all blended perfectly (including the vocals). A truly great drum sound. Nice guitar work.


"it never felt right from the start
Tank’s as empty as my broken heart
Can’t recall the last car I passed
Headlights dimming nearly out of gas"

Nice.

"...This trucks not as good as it used to be
Bout twenty years out of warranty"

HA! Nice.

One measure of a good song is being so wrapped up in it that you do not notice time passing. When this finished I was surprised to find it at 3:30. It felt like about a minute.

Great to see you back. Welcome home.

fj

(something is going on... i have notes on my phone for a song about running away from a broken relationship and running out of gas...)

Scott, thank you so much for your very nice comments, Tom

Janice's first thought was "it sounds like a Tom Petty song." And I gotta agree.

The lyric is one to dream about writing...just excellent. And, man, your vocal sounds so rich in that mix. You have a fine ability to get EVERY track cooperating with one another. Clarity and openness to the max.

Your guitars, RT's, loops and the MST ALL sound like a bunch of fine musicians having fun in a studio. As though they've played together for years.

Back to your vocal...so plaintive and it exudes THE word for us - soulful!

Outstanding our friend...

J&B

Great song Tommy.
I love these lines:
"I just reached up and tore off the rear view mirror
if i keep driving I might disappear".
The mix is terrific. Can I ask where those guitars are panned in the verses? The separation is stunning.
Cheers,
Mike

Just great, Tommy. May I call you Tommy? Forty-nine days in the mountains sounds a real treat. The lyrics are very evocative as road-trip songs seem to tend to be. Maybe it's those hours of boredom punctuated by moments of terror that does it.

I don't usually do this, but I first heard this on my crappy little phone speaker...and it sounded good! I don't think that happens by accident, so I'm just reporting success.

Admirable piece from first lick to that unsettled and unsettling ending. Loved the tasty guitar coming in the left. A lot happens in the left on a road trip (at least in countries where they drive on the correct side), so even that little "touch" was very nice.

I like this one plenty.

Excellent all around, Tom. Everything shines and the clarity of each track is wonderful. Those drums are clean and crisp. Instruments and vocals are where they belong. Very well done.

Thanks for taking the time to listen. I value your comments, Tom

Hi Tom,

Your vocals are very good, Tom. I was amazed. And the song was so good. Your singing and the kind of songs immediatly make me think of Floyd Jane. Have you ever played together or planning to? That would be something!
Your instruments and vocals sounds very bright/cristallclear in my headphones. I hope I can reach that level once...

Thanks and stay safe overthere in Florida,
Hans

Hi Tom ...

You got it all in this one! Lyric is exceptional, backing tracks perfectly blended, a vocal that simply shines and the perfect blend of all that.

Mt favorite lines have all been mentioned by previous commenters. Just know that I think every word fits perfectly and adds to the overall appeal. Nothing wasted here ... everything it needs and not a single thing it doesn't. A great song and delivery!

wishing you the very best. Be safe out there!

Alan

Tom,

I could listen to your music all day long... A great song, vocal and production.

Great stuff.

Bob

David, thank you for mentioning the writing, the harmony and the dynamics. I really appreciate you bringing attention to them. Tom

Thanks Dave! I appreciate the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it,Tom

Herb, hopefully we will return for the fall leaves. Those mountains are some of my favorite places. Thanks for listening and commenting, Tom

Hi Eric. Thanks for the wonderful comments, Tom

Outstanding song. I love the guitar solo, and the lyrics are so truthful. Thanks for sharing!!

What write, Tom! So many good lines in this one. Love the imagery. I think this is my favorite write of yours to me. Very well put together, and just "vague" enough to fit numerous life situations, so most everyone can relate to this song.

I am always a fan of your vocals. They always have a raw purity to them that just draws me into the song. The past couple years have been challenging to my schedule to say the least. So I haven't been able to be as consistently involved in the forum as I really want to be. But every time I do have the chance to get back here, I really love to hear what everyone is doing, but there are a few members that I actively look for their material, and you are one of them. I am never disappointed! Thanks for writing and sharing this one.

Always looking forward to more!

Steve

Now that’s funny. Thanks Marty for the nice comments,Tom

Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment, Tom Hey Pat, great to hear from you! Thanks for saying all those nice things. We may be coming back to the mountains soon. If things work out here I’ll let you know, Tom

Darn good song. No doubt about it.

The lyrics bring the listener right into the experience of the song's persona.

Guitars, vocals, mix, melody: all excellent.

Great tune and performance Tommy. I really enjoyed it

Tommy,
"if i keep driving I might disappear

Radio’s dead don’t make a sound

I’m too far gone now to turnaround"

Dark driving, dark thoughts, dark roads...
No seams between your n BIAB's - mix is solid.
VERY cool sir.

I always want to hear your thoughts. I'm glad you liked it, Tom [ By the way Get outta my head!]

After her listen, my wife said sounds like a Tom Petty song. I hadn’t thought of that. Those are a lot of great comments. Thanks for all that, Tom Mike those two lines are the most important to me. The guitars were panned 12 L &12 R. When the acoustic comes in, it has a stereo spread on it about 70/30. Thanks for the nice words,Tom

Friggin LOVE IT!!! After a little hiatus, great to come back to a Tommyad tune!! Just a great write and a great delivery!! Some of your best lyrics EVER!!! Take care. Greg

Bored and terrified. That about sums up a road trip. Thanks for the nice comments. I stay far too busy keeping it in the right lane to attempt it the correct way. Tom

Tom,

Yeah, this is a keeper. Terrific sound right out of the gate, with an vocal that pulls the listener right in. Stellar production work! Better than most country songs coming out of Nashville or wherever (what few I listen to anymore these days). Just outstanding!

Humble regards,

Deej

Scott, it’s great to hear from you. Thanks for the wonderful comments. Hope you’re doing well, Tom

Hans, Thanks for the kind remarks. Floyd and I share the same birthday and have done a collaboration to celebrate for the last 9 years or so. Tom

Alan, That is simply a wonderful review. Thank you so much, Tom Bob, I'm very glad you liked it, Tom

Ronnie, thanks for giving it a spin, Tom Steve, thanks for your generous review. Those were some very nice things to say. I hope you’re doing well,Tom

Song that I really appreciate so much in the lyrics, the chord sequence and the mixing. It is well done.

Dero13 alias JaniJackFlash

Sounds great Tommy!!!

Really rich sound! Perfect mix. Man. Awesome.

Love these lyrics.

Thanks for listening and commenting, Tom SD, those are some very nice comments.Thanks, Tom Thank you Ray. Your comments are appreciated, Tom

Hi Tom,

When we set off to France we have a six hour drive to the ferry and I
could easily leave this track on repeat play for the whole journey.

A fabulous rolling sound which is so commercial (in the best possible sense).
Loved the backing track, loved the vocals, great lyrics and some very
tasteful guitar work.

I'd happily buy the album.

Cheers,
ROG.

Thanks much Greg. I appreciate your kind review, Tom

Deej, Those are some very generous comments. Thanks for all the,Tom

Tom,
Even if made my goal to find weak spots, it would be extremely hard. Pro at all levels. Nice one! Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to listen and comment, Tom

Over time, I've probably written more than 500 'road' songs that erased from my ram memory the second I turned off the ignition in the drive. This song makes me wonder if any were any good because you've produced a new favorite from you. This one has it all, great write, arrangement, production and performance. Glad you came down from the mountain to pay us a visit. Enjoyed my listen of this top notch song!

Thanks Dave. Glad you made it by, Tom ROG, That's a terrific review! Thanks so much, Tom

I’m glad you liked it. Thanks Misha, Tom Charlie, thank you for coming by and for all your kind words and support over the years. It means a lot to me, Tom