Hi everybody,

the big data companies - are they the good ones? I have some reservations..

I wrote / we produced this song in late 2019 and for the first time I wrote a very detailed script for the video (thus causing cold sweat attacks with my family and friends when I told them what was coming up to them).

When I had all props ready we scheduled the video shooting for a certain day in early March 2020. Well, fiddlesticks - Covid-19 struck us, lockdown and all that crap. Meanwhile we’re facing the 4th wave and I really don’t seee when the video will be even started.

So here’s the X-RAYED audio. The lyrics may be funny, but the issue is even more serious now than two years ago, I think.

X-RAYED (audio + lyrics)

Technical stuff

This is the only song left in our pipeline that has been eq-ed and mixed by Maha - we still don’t know if she will ever be able to do it again. But believe me: I do hope that so strongly!

Like almost always the song was designed im BIAB, and then transferred to RealBand where I worked on the arrangement, added the horns etc. After that Maha took over and polished and mixed it also in RealBand. I think at that time she only used some built-in plug-ins and mastered it using Ozone 8. Like alwayss I really like what she did.

These are the absolutely fantastic musicians who had no chance to escape playing with me. I was especially happy to find these soloist RealTracks, which needed just a little editing to make them meet my needs.

On the X-Rayed page of my website you will find links to infos and musical examples of each of them.

Back Line:

Craig Scott, dr (BIAB RD HipHop)
Dow Tomlin, b (BIAB RT579)
Mike Durham, g (BIAB RT3442)
John Jarvis, p (BIAB RT 2157)

Awesome solos:

P. J. Perry, as (BIAB RT1333)
Brad Turner, tp (BIAB RT 1335?
Ian McDougall, tb (BIAB RT1334)

Vocals and BGV: Me

Add. MIDI:

Horns (tb, ts, tp): arr. & progr. by me -> Big Fish Vintage Horns

Hope you will enjoy the lsten - any comments are highly welcome.

Maha sends her love to all of you; stay safe, guys,

Stefan

Hello Stefan
This is a very elaborately made song
I like very well
Especially the background sound is very good
Vocals and solos fit exactly
Really great made
Viele Grüße
Andi ;-)

Stefan,
this is a really good fun, great sounding examination of a VERY serious issue.
Pity about the vid but I have the audio and the lyrics (not essential as your vocal & diction are ace).
That rhythm guitar is a treat isn't it?
The horn lines are ace too.
Thanks for the joy.

All the best to Maha.

Cool rocker Stephan. Super vocal and lyric. Horn section was smokin. Well done

Your videos are always so excellent, Stefan & Maha. Your songs are always the star of the show. Man, you do such an amazing job on those horns. Genius. Your lyrics are always the driver, and the whole station wagon full of bandmates really enjoy the ride. A very clever mind and a brilliant show of talent. Love and hope back to you both.

Super lyrics delivered with great vocals. Horns are very good. What a package!!

Stefan

Great song and clever lyrics to get the message across.

Always love your horn sections - great work.

Excellent vocal.

Peter

Hi Stefan,

Good song!

Very well written, arranged, and performed, I especially like what you did with the horns.

Maha did an excellent job on the mix as per usual.

Best to both of you!

Stefan ...

Super cool rocker! Too bad so much of the lyric is probably true. But man ... you know how to put a song together! As always, your vocal is tops. I also love the horns. And the chord progression. And ... well, everything!!!

Di and I hope Maha's health improves.

Great son g - great listen!

Both of you take care.

Alan & Di

Funny lyrics, although based on scary truths about the current new world. Server farms and dolby surround in the same song, very clever and skillful writing And very good ending line.

Excellent sounding soulful rock. Good work on the arrangement and mix, you have made horns great again! I really really wish to see the video one day, maybe "they" have it all ready!?

Janne

Stefan,
Sorry, late for the party. I wanted to sit down without kids running around in the background to listen to it.
Ohh my. How do you come up with those lyrics? Mind boggling good. They read so easy as Shel Silverstein, but only for adults.
Excellent performance and musical arrangement. A+ to Maha for mixing. Hope she feels better and starts doing creative stuff soon.
Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

P.S. Had a guest over last week. A musical friend since school days... I put on a couple of tracks from your "SF" stash from 1970s . He liked it a lot.

Fun lyrics, clearly (as well) sung. Good arrangement - the brass is a blast to listen to.

The swells on the horns were a bit slow, but that's how they're recorded in Vintage Horns, so there's not really anything you can do about that.

I really enjoyed this - even without the video!

Hi Andi,

thanks a lot for your kind comment on our song - I'm glad you liked it.

Ein schönes Wochenende und herzliche Grüße

Stefan

Hi Ray,

I was pretty sure that at least the lyrics would meet your kind of humour, and I'm really delighted to read that you enjoyed the rest, too.

Thank you so much for taking the time to listen and comment in such a kind and supporting way. And one thing's for sure: One day I will post the corresponding video, so just hang on a ... year (or so)...

Thanks for your good wishes for Maha - she is always very grateful for them. She's making slight (!) improvements (that's why I could return to the forum), but is still lightyears away from who she used to be. And we're still sceptical that the next setback might already be hiding around the corner.

Have a great weeken, Ray.

Stay safe,

Stefan

Thanks a lot, Scott - I really appreciate your kind comment.

Take care,

Stefan

Hey Marty,

so good that I do not have to reply orally - your very generous comment would make me stutter like a kid caught stealing a candy.

You're way too kind I think - I'm so happy that you enjoy our stuff and I am very grateful for your words. But there is definitely nothing ingenious with the horns - it's more or less sheer patience (or even pigheadedness) and a lot of trial and error. Any 'real' arranger would break out in tears of compassion if he saw me fighting with the piano roll...

Most of all: Thanks a lot for your good wishes, Marty.

All the best to you and Barb,

Stefan

What a clever song about a very serious issue!

This masterpiece has it all. A great vocal, a superior band, all mixed to perfection. Loved the lyrics!

A super groove augmented with a super horn section.

Loved it.

Stefan & Maha,

EXCELLENT.

A very clever write. And very well written (your best, It think).

Killer horns! You are so good at that!!

The mix is superb. Everything sits right. Everything is crisp and clear. Vocals are right where they should be. A treat for the ears. I do hope that Maha can continue working her magic in the future...

Good Music.

fj

The Stasi of free society.

You are a clever fellow. Those are a fine set of lyrics.

Love the horns.

I enjoyed the listen (again )

Wow, Mario, if that ain't a comment that mahes one blush...

Thanks a lot for it - I'm absolutely glad you enjoyed it.

Stay safe,

Stefan

Hi Tunemonger,

thanks a lot for your very kin words.

Cheers,

Stefan

Hi Peter,

I really appreciate your kind words - thanks a lot.

Al th best,

Stefan

Hi Dave,

thanks so much for your kind and supportive comment. Maha was delighted when I passed your remark on her mix - I think that's helping her a lot with her improving.

All the best, Dave,

Stefan

Stefan,

This is a clever and excellently written song. Strong vocal and a great mix.

Well done!

Bob

As we have both received three jabs of mRNA it was not even necessary to turn on the sound system to listen. The chip implanted in our brains took care of it all.

Your strong vocals well delivered the witty lyric. Witty and hitting home.

As always you called in a great band and well augmented it with the cool horn arrangement.

Maha set up a nice soundstage with the mix.

Well done and best to you both!

J&B

Hello Fi and Alan,

thanks a bunch for that very nice comment - we always appreciate your kind words a lot, because you both (as such talented musicians() definitely know what you're talking about.

I think you've already received my e-mail.

All the very best to you: health, health and health !!!!!

Stefan

Hi Janne,

that was a very, very kind comment - thank you so much for it. The video will definitely come - one day or another !

Take care,

Stefan

Hi Misha,

wow, what a plaudit from the lyrics genius... Thanks an awwful lot, I was definitely blushing. I have to admit that I didn't know Shel Silverstein prior to your message, but now that I looked him up I'm double flattered by your comparison.

I passed your compliment on the mix and your good wishes to Maha - she was flattered, too, and says, Thank you so much.

Your PS was stunning: I would never have expected that ANYBODY but us old bosy ourselves would ever have a listen to our old Space Fart stuff. Thanks a lot for blowing some dust from that part of my website - I'm really glad that you enjoyed the listen.

All the best, Misha,

Stefan

Hi David,

thanks a lot for your kind words - due to that pandemic you may have to hang on for a while but the video will definitely come.

All the best,

Stefan

PS: The swells weren't the built-in ones - they were 'handmade' in the velocity lane. I had never read the VH manual, so I simply did not know about those possibilities . But meanwhile I do know and in my last song I made heavy use of them. As I've always been a huge Chicago fan I especially like those sforzatos...

Hi Floyd,

thank you so much for your very kind comment - I'm gla you liked it.

I passed your plaudit for the sound and mix to Maha, and I think, that your words possibly bolstered her up more than anything before.

Thanks a lot for that, too.

Stay safe,

Stefan

Haha, Scott - I think you nailed it... (I mean the Stasi, not the clever fellow. On the other hand...)

Thanks so much for your kind comment.

All the best,

Stefan

Thanks, Bob - I'm glad you liked it.

Take care,

Stefan

Stefan and Maha:

Another great write and catchy, “up” tune . . . with a bitter taste of truth about our big data companies—just sadly so true. Your usual stellar production. Very cool tune! I’ll look forward to a video at some point in the future.

My very best to both of you,

Deej

Thanks a lot Deej - I really appreciate your very kind comment and your good wishes.

Don't know when this will happen, but there WILL BE a corresponding video someday when that damn virus is finally beaten. After all I have already bough all the props needed ...

All the best,

Stefan

Clever lyrics as per usual, Stefan (and yeah, I don't think big data have our best interests at heart), superb horns and excellent vocals. Great fun.
Regards,
Leon

Love it!

Another creative take on our bizarre world.

moto