Hi All,

I wouldn't want to excite your anticipation by claiming any particular genre for this offering.
In truth I don't know what it is - I wrote it by accident whilst programming a piano sound into a DX7 for a colleague.
So it's a fairly simple backing with me playing keyboards and just a guitar at the end. The piano is the aforementioned DX7 and
the synth sounds, including the bass, are an Oberheim VSTi emulation. The drums are midi using our own samples from a
Simmons electronic kit, with extra cymbals and gongs from Edirol Orchestral.
There's only one RT in this - vocal oohs and aahs and the whole thing was done from start to finish in Realband.

THE WINNING HAND
Well I know you could have anyone you wanted
Anyone at all would fall right under your spell
And I've been watching from a safe distance
And I think I finally know you well

And I know you're watching your reputation
And that can sometimes make you seem so hard
But you and me babe, we've got our hands on the table
And every day we're turning one more card

Well maybe you think that I'm holding deuces
And it's just a bluff that I can't hope to win
And I'm not saying that I hold all the aces
But I've got a hand to play so let's begin
Sometimes you find you hold the winning hand.

A big thank you to everyone who finds time to give it a listen.
ROG.

Hi Rog,

I enjoyed your song very much.

I particularly liked your vocal style which sounds quite Bob Dylanish.

Best Regards
Nigel

I like those synths. Nice work. It's amazing at times how a simple sound can inspire a song. It's kinda like magic when that happens and it's so cool to be in the process and watch it unfold into a completed song.

It reminds me of an 80's hard rock band ballad. Not a bad thing.


Good Job

ROG,

Excellent opening. Always nice to hear someone put some real thought into that...

A good write.

Nice use of vsts. Have to say I did not care for the piano sound - it seemed really "dry" and "short" (no sustain). That is, of course, subjective. Well played...

Always like your vocals. Mix is solid.

fj

Hi Nigel,
Many thanks for the listen and review.
I quite often get the Dylan comment - basically, I think it's because neither of us can sing!
Cheers,
ROG.

Hi Herb,
Good to hear from you.
I agree - it's strange how a song can emerge from a simple sound and yes, it's a good feeling when it happens.
An 80's hard rock band ballad might just be what it is, thanks.
Cheers,
ROG.

I really like this. Creative composition with nice changes throughout. Enjoyed the intro. I could listen to this over and over.

Hypnotic and lilting sounds making me sway to the music. Well done, Rog.

very unique song.
nice start/intro.
maybe tad less fx on the vocs ?
also might suggest lots of opportunity for vocal doubles at various times.
happiness to you.
om

Hi Rog,

I was pleasantly surprised by your composition. It is well done and very airy in terms of sounds. It's pleasant, well mixed. And I really liked it. Well done.

Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

Hi Floyd,
I'm always pleased to hear your thoughts.
Funny that you should pick up on the short piano sound - I'd previously programmed that DX7 piano patch with a longer decay and release which worked well for chords, but which had a tendency to smear on fast solos, so my friend asked me for a separate edit with a more of a percussive sound and less sustain. On the song I used the original patch for the left hand chord pattern, but tried out the new patch for the solo. Maybe I over-did it a bit and if the track had been recorded in MIDI I would try it with the other patch, but unfortunately I recorded it as audio and that double note solo was a bit challenging for me, so I might never play it the same again!
Anyway, I'm always grateful for the review - many thanks.
ROG

Hi Ezekiel,
Many thanks for looking in - I always value your comments.
Pleased you liked it, especially the intro which was actually an afterthought and dubbed on after the song was finished!
Cheers,
ROG.

Dylan fronting OMD?
I really like this though the drums sound a) like they're in a different room,(reverb setting), and b) from a different genre.
The intro sounds like the Krull soundtrack or some OMD swells and does seem a little "tacked on".

Nice one, ROG. Vocal is indeed a bit Dylanish. I'm in the camp who think Dylan is a truly great singer, by the way, so take it as a compliment

Rog

Nice song - enjoyed the style you created - nicely played throughout.

Enjoyed.

Peter

Dylandish is good. I would listen to more of that. Cool stuff.

Billy

Hi Marty,
Many thanks for the listen and comments - much appreciated.
Cheers,
ROG

Hi Muso,
Thanks for the listen and review, very kind.
Cheers,
ROG

Rog you put that Oberheim VSTi to excellent work. Super sounds.

Yes your vocal does bring up a Dylan comparison. Excellent vocal and mix.

Two thumbs up.

Hi Derochette,
Many thanks for the listen - I'm pleased you liked it.
Cheers,
ROG.

Hi Ray,
Thanks for the review - pleased that you liked it.
As to the drums, I only used one reverb setting for everything on this track.
As I said in the OP, I'm not sure what the genre is, so you could be right!
Cheers,
ROG.

Hi Leon,
Many thanks for the review and particularly the Dylan comment - it made my day!
Chhers,
ROG.

It sounds a lot more like ROG than Dylan to us And there ain't nuthin' wrong with that!

Janice liked the melody in particular.

We are always amazed at you folks who can sit down with all the tech goodies and
put together an entire band on your own. Waaaaay above our pay grade!

The poker theme was cool.

Cool vocal and instrumental performances all the way!

J&B

Hi Peter,
Thanks for the listen and comments - much appreciated.
Cheers,
ROG

Hi Billy,
Thanks for looking in and the positive comments.
Cheers,
ROG

Hi Mario,
I always value your opinion - many thanks for the listen and review.
Cheers,
ROG

Hi there J&B,
You're always very kind with your comments.
I think the dating game and poker have a lot in common- I got lucky and drew the queen of hearts!
Many thanks for looking in again.
Cheers,
ROG.

Very good lyrics, really like the theme, I have written one similar casino of life -type of song, bit sadder though. I like the optimistic title.
Has nice 80's feel, reminding me Drive by The Cars and OMD, as Ray mentioned. Good sounds and nice solo in the end. Enjoyed the fragile but still confident singing.

Janne

Hi Janne,
Many thanks for giving it a listen - much appreciated.
Always liked the Cars, so pleased with that reference and also the "fragile but confident singing" - more than happy with that description.
Cheers,
ROG.

ROG, Herb said exactly what I was thinking! Those Oberheim sounds are amazing! It's a catchy memorable melody that stays with you! Thanks, Torrey

I like the general outline on this.

The piano seems to dry and the vocals a bit too wet though.

A tasty bit.

moto

Hi Torrey,
The Oberheim VSTi is remarkably like the real thing and has some wonderful vintage patches which I remember from years back.
Many thanks for the listen and review.
Cheers,
ROG

Hi Cap'n,
On the first mix the vocals sounded too dry, so I increased the reverb a bit - maybe a bit too much!
Thanks for looking in and for the review.
Cheers,
ROG

Very cool intro Roger. Excellent backtrack. Got a little Tom Petty vibe on this. Excellent backtrack. Super vocal. Well done

Hi Rog,
Nice job on the music and the vocals. Your song kind of has a Howard Jones feel to it. It's like at any moment I'm waiting for you to bust out with "No one ever is to blame"! Thanks for the brief trip back to the 80's...

Hi Scott,
Pleased you liked it, especially the intro which was an afterthought and nearly didn't make it onto the song.
Many thanks for the listen and comments.
Cheers,
ROG

Hi Bawb,
The Howard Jones comment isn't one I've had before, but I'm quite happy with it!
I can't help revisiting the 80s from time to time.
Many thanks for the listen and review.
Cheers,
ROG

ROG.
Sorry I am late to the fiesta.
Loved the big synth opening . Song has a nice cadenced pulse throughout which is pleasing to my ear. When the DX7 made it's appearence I thought I was going to hear Roger Voudouris instead of Rog from York however I was very happy with your Dylanesque delivery. I mean that as a compliment. Wow a real life DX7 and the Ober VST sounded good as well.
It is a good write , both music and lyrics, which I very much enjoyed.
cheers
Gary

ROG,

I really like this, Cool sounds. I love a DX7.

The whole thing has a real Mark Knopfler vibe.

Really nice.

Hi Gary,
Pleased that you enjoyed it.
It was a treat being able to use the DX7 - you forget how good they are until you play one again and how heavy they are until you try to lift one!
I never had an Oberheim, but I've used one in the past and the VSTi which I have is a good approximation of the original.
So many thanks for the listen and positive comments - much appreciated.
Cheers,
ROG

Hi David,
I always like to get your comments - many thanks.
I'm a big fan of Knopfler, so appreciate that.
Cheers for the review.
ROG