https://soundcloud.com/andyshearer-1/steely-blue

I'm sorry that health problems have meant that it's been awhile since I last visited the forum, but thankfully things have settled down now and so I'm back with a new song composition of my own.
Well it's actually an old song from the early 80's which has been rewritten and rearranged.

I used the _FPBRTEV.STY (2 Fingerpicked Guitars w/ Band) for this recording and added my own guitar, synth strings, mandolin and Irish bouzouki playing. I'm singing the main vocal and the backing vocals were provided by my son, Alex. Hope you like it and if you do, please give it a like on Soundcloud.

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She came to you in the night
Gave you love and promises
Left no questions in your mind
She made you laugh, she made you sing
Singing songs of happiness
It made you glad to be alive

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In your eyes - steely blue
Oh in your eyes of steel blue
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Then today she walked away
Down that long and winding road
By the meadow in the sun
And when you turned away
Well the sky was dark and grey
And the heavens opened wide

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In your eyes - steely blue
Oh in your eyes of steel blue
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You hide the sorrow in your life
So much heartache, too much pain
You know the show must go on
Yesterday she came along
Down that long and winding road
By the meadow in the sun

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In your eyes - steely blue
Oh in your eyes of steel blue
In your eyes - steely blue
Oh in your eyes of steel blue
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Nice job. I'm trying to place what this reminded me of but it's escaping me at the moment.

Thanks Guitarhacker. It's a pretty simple and common chord progression and melody. I'm sure there are many similar sounding songs.

Ok. That's bugging me. It's right on the tip of my tongue.

I listened again on nice buds. Good mix. Lucious. My only nit is the blatantly doubled vox in the chorus. I'd suggest that you might want to use this method to fatten up vocals without getting a weird fx effect. Record the vocals 3 times. Pay attention to the phrasing and get it as close as possible on all 3 takes. Pick the best one for the lead. Pitch fix it if you want. Pan the other ones hard opposite. 100% R&L and lower them to where you can barely hear them. Generally -12dB below the lead. This is a method i employ a lot. It sounds like one really full vocal track.

The harmony at the end was excellent. That worked well.

When I figure out what song this reminds me of I'll let you know.

Yep.... Good job.

Thanks for the advice on fattening up the vocals. I'll keep it in mind for future reference.

I liked the song from the first few bars of intro. It has an atmospheric, ethereal feel.
There is a cool, distant quality to the vocals (that might be a deliberate choice to match the melancholy tone of the story) but I think it would benefit from a bit more warmth.

Thanks for listening Ghostgum. I'm glad that you liked the song.
I intentionally wanted to make the lyrics ambiguous so that the listener can give the song their own interpretation, but yes you were right in thinking that the vocal was deliberately sung in the way that it is. It was an attempt to convey how the main character's loss has left them with a sense of bitterness without self pity (cold resignation). I also tried to give the double vocal a 'steely' quality in the chorus by applying an offset chorus effect, although I appreciate that it might not be to everyone's taste.

Pretty intro, nice melody.

I hear what others are saying about "warmth" - the high end on this mix is really cranked up, so the phasing on the chorus makes it harsh. Sorry for piling on here.

Really like the write, and the arrangement is great. Love the echoed harmony.

I like this song a lot, it's just a bit harsh on my tender ears.

Not at all David. I welcome constructive criticism and as the overwhelming consensus of opinion is that the song would sound more appealing with a less harsh sounding vocal in the chorus, I've had a rethink and decided to re-record it without applying any phase/chorus effects.
I'll try using the method suggested by Herb, and I'll post the new mix soon.
Thanks everyone, I appreciate and value your helpful advice.

Nice song and arrangement.The chorus vocal seems to have a pronounced "chorus" effect with added reverb that makes the vocal seems as if its in a different space.
The mix is pretty good but I hear it as pretty muddy in the mids...I think the synth drums and bass are overlapping and building in that zone.
Nice b vox from the lad.

Thanks for the feedback rayc. I'm going to re-record the chorus without the "chorus" effect and use the same reverb as in the verses, so hopefully that will help. Any ideas on how I can improve the mids?
I put the drums, bass, strings and main vocal in the centre on this mix with everything else panned left or right to some degree.
Do you think that it would help to lessen the muddiness if I moved the strings from the middle, or should I move the bass and drums slightly to the left or right?

For me, it's still work in progress when it comes to mixing, but I've always placed the drums and bass in the centre on my previous recordings.

Impressive mix and quality production. The guitar intro is exceptional.

The vocal accompaniment adds a genuine quality dimension to the song which really works.

Clearly a big effort went into this delivery, and this shows. Great job.

Andy,
A pretty singalong melody and the bittersweet lyrics are a good fit.
You already have suggestions on vocal processing; I agree they could be simplified and improved. I was hoping to hear more of your bouzouki ( one of my favourite instruments)and wonder how this would sound without the synth strings. Just a thought- the song is definitely a keeper.

Robert

Thank you for all the advice my friends.
I have remixed the song and the Soundcloud link will now play the new improved version.
I've re-recorded the chorus and made a few other minor alterations.
Please let me know what you think, and if you like the song, please give it a like on Soundcloud.

Leave the bass n drums centred BUT have a look at their EQ and cut some of the overlap from the bass.
Move the strings and put a high pass on them at 100 or so. IF they're stereo maybe leave them centred but def. a high pass to cut their bottom end.

Well, my listen was to the new mix so I missed the Chorus effects of the original. I really enjoy your song and was impressed with the harmonies and the overall emotional feel you were trying to convey. Excellent job and I've enjoyed my listen.

Thank you Charlie. I'm sure that it could probably be further improved, but I'm much happier with the new mix and I think that I'll leave it as it is for now.

Hi, Andy, glad you're feeling better. I really like the song, and the mix that you've done because it's as you want it. The mix, as the say, is never done. Give the same tracks to any one of us and it'll be different. Like A thousand monks, a thousand religions. On my second listen. The song is really catchy and fun to sing and play along. Well played and well sung. You and your son sing very well together.

Wise words. Thanks Marty. It's always a good sign when someone listens to your song more than once!

Andy,
You are a good song writer. Very nice 80s resurrection. Very fluid and dreamy instrumentals. Excellent performance! BGV by your son fit very well. Liked it. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

Nice production, vocal, BGV's, instrumental performances and write.

We like connect your dots lyrics and this is a good one indeed.

Enjoyed it and best to you!

J&B

This was great, gave me an Al Stewart feel. Really enjoyed it!

Very pleased to read that comment. Al is one of my favourite artists and songwriters.

Hope your heath continues on a positive track.

Well written.

Well done.

moto

Hi Andy,

What a mighty fine sound!

I'm really loving what I'm hearing. It's such an incredible audio journey.

I really like what you've created. The songwriting is super-strong—just like your performance—and your arrangement is stunning.

I enjoyed every second.

Regards,
Noel

Dear 'Andyman' & Son...

Must be nice working with family members on a musical production! I can only imagine the creative interplay that occurs.

Your lyrics describe a bewitching character possessed of an ephemeral nature that makes it even more difficult to possess her. Your moody, yet coolly moving music as manifested by your Real Tracks and your own somber multi-instrumental performances reflect a sense of her transitory presence: here, there, anywhere. But then, the steady, laid-back drums performance lends a forward-moving feel to the song as though you are catching up to her even as she continues to elude you.

The song has a tantalizing mystique that's wrapped-up in vivid lyrics that are inspired by the natural world: rain and roads and sun and sky. They add an earthy aspect to her personality that begs the question: is the woman with the 'steely blue' eyes actually a goddess searching for a mortal lover? The fluid female harmony ooo's say, "Yes.'

This song takes you to another place. I hope your heath improves, and soon, too.

Thanks bluage. It's very nice to work on musical production with my son, even though it's usually via the internet, as we live in different counties.

I love your interpretation of the lyrical meaning, and it's a great example of what I hoped to achieve. I'm a big fan of the 'join the dots' style of songwriting, and if anyone ever asks for the meaning behind the song, I think that I may quote them your wonderful interpretation.

I was diagnosed with stage one prostate cancer on New Years Eve in 2019, but thankfully it hasn't progressed any further so far. Earlier this year I had a major health scare when I developed a lump in my neck, but after several hospital visits and scans, it was found to be nothing more than Sialadenitis, which has now subsided without any treatment being necessary. Thanks for your kind words.