Hi Folks.
Sorry my attendance was sporadic. Good old fashioned flu embraced me in a long hug. Here is something I was working on in the past couple of weeks. A lyrical co-write with Ray Cochrane (rayc). Started as a simpler arrangement, but tasty synths that I could not resist creeped into it. I tried to mix this thing as best as I could, but probably lost focus. All feedback is welcomed and encouraged. Thank you for listening!

Chimera

Lyrics:
Future-chamira
Peeking playfully through
cracks of crystal ball
Searching for the answers,
tracing shadows on the walls

Arguing with mirror
Ciao mio bambino
Faulty lower gear,
Endless epilogue.
Struggling to tune in
to music of the universe
with my dead ears of van Gogh

Future-chimera
Sneaking artfully
to take a silent call
Searching for the questions,
Burning outlines on the wall

Arguing with weather
Ciao giovinezza
Shed a silent tear
endless epilogue
Keeping all the protocols
Being serious and cold
on the back seat of a dusty hearse

Russian part rough translation:
"Mo&Jo" equivalent (just funny names from one of the earliest Russian children rhymes) were drinking all night long.
In the morning they burned the Czar's palace to the bones
Feeling the breath of civil unrest on their backs
Lenin in his casket sleeping tightly - can't hear a thing.

Future no nearer
Slipping carefully through
shards long after the fall
Rejecting the answers,
Casting shadows on the wall

Arguing with terror
Ciao ciao neonato
Try to alter fear,
Formless demigogue.
Praying to the dollars, praising phony scholars,
Stirring ancient troubles, starting bloody wars.

Do we really want to know if the stars shine both ways?
Grazing at the sky with our eyes shut.

Tech things:
Lyrics: Misha / Ray
Vocals, arrangement, synths, mix - me.
BIAB:
921:Bass, Acoustic, Bossa Ev 110
1215:Vibes, Rhythm Bossa Ev 085
2890:Accordion, Rhythm PasoMusette Ev 120
3614:Marimba, Rhythm Soca Ev16 120
2541:Pedal Steel, Background ModernPopCountry Ev 110
1756:Pedal Steel, Rhythm Pop8ths Ev 110
3900:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm NewOrleansSoul Ev 090
RealDrums:WoodblocksEv[single]-01-Clve32LH [Multi]

Synths of Kontakt. Recorded in Cakewalk.

Well Misha (and Ray), this is something completely different!
Fascinating.
Awesome music, vocals and lyrics.

Rob and Anne-Marie

I always look forward to hearing from you. I'm not disappointed. You always have something interesting, unique, and captivating.

Modern tango combined with Slavic folk mood and strong and scary poetical landscape, cuts through history like a sharp knife, amazing end result with images like "dusty hearse" and "formless demigogue".
Excellent band mixed well, nice to hear marimba RT and how well it works with the accordion. Another masterpiece of the creative minds.

Janne

Hi Misha
Excellent song
The background track is so elaborate. Brilliant !!!
Great sung
As always great work, Misha
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

Super work Misha and Ray! Misha, you are great at adding little touches to the RealTracks with synth work! The overall sound of this track is wonderful! The haunting vocal sounds are rich and vibrant, and I really like the mix you've got on them! Your work is always complex and delivered professionally!

Thanks, Torrey

Misha, never question your mixing skills as they are outstanding

Interesting groove and instrumentation - super job on that

Strong vocal

You and Ray should be very proud of this one

Two thumbs up

Man, I want to grow up to write lyrics like you can, Misha & Ray. What a wonderful opening: "
Future-chamira
Peeking playfully through
cracks of crystal ball"

Man, there is so much in this gem, guys. Yet, everything is easily heard and appropriately mixed. It's the kind of tune you can listen to a hundred times and you'll hear something different each time. Misha & Ray. Yeah, when I see that, I'm already hooked. You guys likely have some idea of how much respect I have for your abilities, but it never hurts to mention it again, right?

Misha & Ray,

Unique, interesting, distinctive, original, innovative.

Always enjoy your lyrics. Always enjoy your musical creations. Amazed, really. So Big, So Full.
The mix is excellent.

Much enjoyed.

fj

Thanks folks!
Thanks, yet again, to Misha for allowing me to participate.

Cool groove on this one Misha. Very cool lyric Ray and Misha. Super vocal and loved the backtrack and effects. Sounded so good on the monitors. Well done

Hi Misha and Ray,

Herb pretty much summed it up for me I think, "You always have something interesting, unique, and captivating".

Very, very, cool indeed, well done!

What a start---a ball grabber.

Another gem!

I've said it before: your instrumentations are always interesting, along with the rhythms and changes,

I (Bud) only wish you guys could have seen Janice tango dancing while we listened. Really

BTW, Janne's review nailed it all ... little to add.

What a cool write Misha and Ray. Your collabs are always winners!

Right from the start Janice loved the combination of the vibes and accordion.

Creative write, excellent vocals, fine mix ... the total package guys.

Kudos!

J&B

P.S. We are glad you have recovered from the flu, Misha.

Fantastic feel you guys!!! I always love Misha's vocal style.......and it's perfect for this song!! A delicious treat for the ears!!! Take care. Greg

very creative! nicley done

What a great production. Very exotic and cinematic. Has some Tom Waits aspects to it, but is totally original.

Loved it!

Rob & Anne-Marie, Herb, Andi, Torrey, Mario, Marty, FJ, EZ, Dave, Scott B, J&B, Greg, Billy, David

Thank you for giving this time and your awesome & supportive feedback here and on SC!

Misha.