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Posted By: JoanneCooper Not Even Close - 08/05/20 03:42 AM
Hello Band-in-a-Box lovers

I was reading a post in the off-topic forum this morning and was motivated to post one of my recent songs in this forum. I am still writing fairly regularly and here is a song from this years 50 90 song-writing challenge. It was a co-write with Donna Levine.

Comments are most welcome




Lyrics:
Like ev’ry kid
I would study the sky
Dazzled by stars
The how the why

And I’d think to myself
Oh WOW! There must be hundreds
…Well, not even close

Don’t know who I am
Just who I’ve been
Through a prism that shows
All I’ve done, all I’ve seen
...No stopping at what went before
There’ll always be more

Like everyone
I would study the heart
Dazzled by love
Especially the start

And I’d think to myself
Oh WOW! It won’t be painful
…Well, not even close

Chorus
Only two questions concern me now
…Whether I’m a tumbleweed
Or an angel still on course
directionless Or returning to the Source

Chorus
Don’t know who I am
Just who I’ve been
Through a prism that shows
All I’ve done, all I’ve seen
...No stopping at what went before
There’ll always be more

RealTracks

RealTracks in style: ~2482:Bass, Acoustic, Bowed Held Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~362:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~2051:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking CountryBrent Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~365:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085
RealDrums [in style:NashvilleEven8^3-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, HiHat Open
Posted By: rayc Re: Not Even Close - 08/05/20 04:50 AM
LOVELY harmonies as usual.
A very strong melody and a very fine vocal performance.
Posted By: Robertkc Re: Not Even Close - 08/05/20 12:35 PM
Joanne,
Lovely performance of a good uplifting song.
Your voice has been missed here!

Robert
Posted By: TuneMonger Re: Not Even Close - 08/05/20 02:30 PM
Great vocals a la Judy Collins/Joan Baez, and a well-written song with lines like:

Like everyone
I would study the heart
Dazzled by love
Especially the start

I love economical language that says a lot. Great job.
Posted By: BabuMusic Re: Not Even Close - 08/05/20 02:32 PM
Strong and wonderful vocals. I love the melody, and the lyrics. There are plenty of quotable lines, but this one really got my attention:
Dazzled by love
Especially the start
Posted By: Birchwood Re: Not Even Close - 08/05/20 04:29 PM
Hi Joanne,

That's a very emotional, though strong song you made.
Very nice melody and so well performed. The vocals are -as always- very good!
I sometimes think about our 'project'time. Nice times that were...

As Ray mentioned, you have been away too long. Miss you

Hans
Posted By: Scott C Re: Not Even Close - 08/06/20 06:14 PM
Beautiful song Joanne. Lovely vocal and lyric
Posted By: Tano Music Re: Not Even Close - 08/06/20 09:55 PM
Really enjoyed my listen. Beautiful vocal. Nice, smooth melody and song movement.
Especially liked:
Tumbleweed/angel pairing...directionless/returning to the source....great lines!
Posted By: jptjptjpt Re: Not Even Close - 08/06/20 11:54 PM
Nice song. Great vocals. Lyrics are well thought out. Lovely vocals. Band was on time. Cool video too. I like that you showed the chords.
Posted By: Greg Johnson Re: Not Even Close - 08/08/20 07:36 PM
Pretty song Joanne!! Lovely melody and a thoughtful lyric! You have the perfect voice for this kind of tune, and the production sounds great!! Take care. Greg
Posted By: JoanneCooper Re: Not Even Close - 08/10/20 03:00 PM
Ray, Robert, TuneMonger, Marty, Hans, Scott, Tano Music, jptjptjpt and Greg

Thank you all for listening to my song and for commenting. I have missed this forum!
Posted By: musician17 Re: Not Even Close - 08/10/20 06:28 PM
Ah!!! A melodious song ... I love this kind, especially because I, for one, find it very hard to write melodies ... I prefer chords, etc., so ... very impressed when someone writes melodies this well and makes it sound so, so easy.

Stunning lyrics, too. "Don't know who I am, only who I've been" is probably up there with one of the greatest philosophical realisations. I, too, think that we never indeed know who we fully are, only who we have been - and this is directly and so beautifully expressed here.

Finally, the voice is as clear as a spring and totally secure in its technical elements ... intonation, tone control, etc. - as well as so expressive musically.

Nothing to say but: congratulations!
Posted By: furry Re: Not Even Close - 08/10/20 06:32 PM
Joanne this is beautiful. I'd a lump in my throat long before it ended. Your voice is a marvellous gift to have and you always use it well
Posted By: Tangmo Re: Not Even Close - 08/10/20 07:49 PM
Strong Joan Baez vibe throughout. Very nice lyric tying in the underestimations of youth with the realities of maturity. A solid package of listening goodness.

If I have a crit is would be your phrasing choice in the chorus--holding such a long note under "at". I think you could find a way to rephrase that line to break away momentarily from strictly following the rolling groove. Just an observation.
Posted By: Rustyspoon# Re: Not Even Close - 08/10/20 08:44 PM
Joanne,
Excellent co-write! Your vocals are ace! I think flute might sound good with this. Enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.
Posted By: MarioD Re: Not Even Close - 08/10/20 08:53 PM
Joanne, welcome back!

Those vocal lessons that you have taken have paid off big time! Your voice is a lot stronger now!

This is an excellent song; strong vocal, excellent lyrics and backing tracks, and a super mix.
Posted By: Deej56 Re: Not Even Close - 08/10/20 09:46 PM
Joanne,

Just a super lovely (and powerful) vocal, with some great harmonic touches. And a nice write and solid production—the total package. Excellent tune—enjoyed it a lot!

All my best,

Deej
Posted By: PeterF Re: Not Even Close - 08/10/20 10:13 PM
Joanne

Lovely vocal and a captivating melody and overall performance.

Nice to hear a new one from you.

Peter
Posted By: Will Josef Re: Not Even Close - 08/10/20 10:14 PM
I would love to listen and watch, but I get a message saying it is not allowed in my country.. so sorry...
Posted By: Leon1 Re: Not Even Close - 08/11/20 10:52 PM
Just lovely, Joanne. well written lyrics, strong melody and superb vocals. A real treat.
Regards,
Leon
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