Unforgiven

I've not been around for the past 5 or 6 weeks - 2 surgeries and Di now has dementia. My days are long and exhausting. But that's what it takes. Sorry to have missed out on so much good music by all you talented folks. I'll visit as many of you as I can as often I can.

This is a quick (about 3 hours) throw-together from one afternoon a few months ago - just now got time to post it.

Song Summary

File:Unforgiven.SGU

Key=Am , Tempo 65, Length (m:s)=3:11

Style is _STAGGER.STY (Stagger Dramatic Sw16 Folk Bal)

RealTracks in style: 366:Bass, Electric, Country Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 3321:Guitar, Acoustic, Soloist RnBPopDblBrent Ev 055
RealTracks in style: 3058:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking SongwriterAlternating8thsQuinn Ev 065
RealTracks in style: 2779:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm SongwriterSwingBalladBrent Sw16 065
RealDrums in style:NashvilleSwing16^2-a:Sidestick, Hihat , b:Snare, Ride


The acoustic rhythm guitars have a small amount of reverb applied, the drums and lead acoustic guitar have more reverb applied as an effort to add the perception of depth. By that I mean, as though the two rhythm guitars are physically 20 or so feet in front of the lead guitar and drums. It just sounded better that way to me as I listened with various adjustments to tone and spatial separation.

And yes, there is a mix of EV and SW tracks. But, in my mind, it seems to work.

Hope you enjoy it.

Alan

Alan, I'm so sorry to hear about your and Di's health news. I'll do one of the few things I know how to do in these circumstances, which is to send good thoughts and pray. Regardless, I hope the difficulties of your days ease, at least a little, somehow. I'm here to help in any way I can, so don't hesitate to write, for whatever reason, if you need to.

Your song. You are one of the most amazing composers on here, someone whose new songs I always go immediately to listen to, when you do post them on here. And this is, true to form, a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful song to listen to. The sound of the guitar is hypnotizing, to my mind, and here we have these guitars guiding us, with gentle melodies, into a sad but uplifting journey. I loved it.

The other thing: I usually take notes as I listen, and then post. With this song, I found I couldn't take a single note whilst listening ... I just had to stop and just listen and listen. Which is a big, big compliment, from me.

On my second listen, now ... HOW do you find those chord progressions? SO relaxing, so sad, and yet ... as I already said, "uplifting". Best word I can find.

God bless you and thank you so much for finding the time, somehow, to share your work with us - I'm so happy and enriched, spiritually, for it. Thanks again - take good care :-)

Nice one Alan,
Sad to hear of your circumstances and thanks for putting the effort in all day, every day to makes Di's life better.

Hello, Alan. You two smile forever in my heart with your music. Glad you are making the most of your situation, my friend. On my 3rd listen now. The first one I couldn't type because my eyes were closed taking in all the musical magic you can coax out of a guitar. The second was like James said trying to take notes as to what to write say it. Sorry. Nothing more to say. I think I'll start it over and just listen with my eyes closed again. Such feeling, Alan.

Hi Alan,

So sorry to hear about all the worries. So sorry for Di.
But the music is beautiful and expresses the way (we think) you feel.
Wish you a lot of courage and strength!

Rob and Anne-Marie

Alan,

Love is the best medicine - y'all got that covered....

Nice track, well mixed. Enjoyed the listen.

fj

James ...

You are always so kind with your words. I appreciate you very much. I'm delighted you enjoyed the piece.

As far as chord progressions, they just com e to me pretty easily. I am not music literate, but I guess I have a God-given ability to decipher what does and doesn't work. Same thing with cord structure. I can't always explain why certain patterns work and how or why I structued a chord as I did, but I can usually figure out how to do it.

Anyway, many thanks. It's always a true pleasure to have you in my audience. And I equally enjoy being a member of your audience. Take care,

Alan

Thanks as bunch, Ray! If you love truly someone, it's not a burden or a task - it's just what you do. Wishing you the very best ...

Alan

Hi Marty!

You are such a kind person (and marvelous musician). I'm more than delighted the music speaks to you. There's not much more a composer/musician could want to heart. Di and I still smile and laugh a lot. we often have the conversations several times a day as she forgets what we'd spoken about earlier. I just try to pretend it's the time, every time.

I appreciate everything youo said, Thank you so much. Wishing you everything good ...

Alan

Hi You Two!

Thank you so much! I'm very happy the music works well for you. And yes, it comes close to expressing a lot of my internal feelings. Again, many thanks. Wishing you both the very best.

Alan

Hi Floyd ...

Yeah, we got that love part covered pretty dang good! I'm glad to hear everything about the music works for you. Thanks for letting me know. Best you & yours ...

Alan

Alan...this is a beautiful and well constructed track...showing what a marvelous tool like BiaB could and should sound like in the hands of a master arranger...I'm so sorry to hear of the circumstances you and Di are facing...I hope it's a comfort to know that there is a community of folks who care and hold you both in high esteem with thoughts and prayers...again such a beautiful melody!

Alan,

This lovely track has a beautiful melancholy feel to it! I love your arrangement! You are one of the best arrangers of the BIAB RealTracks! Prayers for blessings of strength and perseverance for you! Keep using BIAB and the forum for some encouraging therapy! My best to you and Di!

Thanks, Torrey

Firstly, Ray well expressed our feelings:
"Sad to hear of your circumstances and thanks for putting the effort in all day, every day to makes Di's life better."
Absolutely.

It's been oft said by us and others but your ability to create all BiaB tunes is a showcase in the showcase forum. We love it and we agree that the EV/SW mashup works well.

Welcome back and we look forward to more!

J&B

Hi Dan ...

Thank you so much for those very kind words. I appreciate them very much. BIAB does all the heavy lifting - Just give it the load. PG Music deserves much of the credit i get for my songs. Nonetheless, your comments are so very nice. Ands thanks for the well wishes. Faith and positivity go a long way when the road gets rough. We're hanging on tight for the ride. wishing you all the very best ...

Alan

Torrey ...

You are much too kind. But I sincerely appreciate all that you said. And you are correct ... these forums and BIAB are great therapy. Again, I thank you so much. Wishing you everything good ...

Alan

Janice & Bud ...

So nice to hear from you. And thank you the encouragement. I give BIAB most of the credit. PG Music has given many of us a chance to offer our efforts to a wonderful and caring group of ears and hearts. Your words are most encouraging. Many thanks!

Alan

Beautiful song Alan. Very soothing piece of music. My heart goes out to you in these troubling times.

Hi Alan,

Very sorry to hear about yours and Di's ongoing problems.

Wonderful piece of music, no one does this type of instrumental quite as good as you IMHO.

My best wishes to the both of you!

I was very sad to hear of your health issues and I know you are doing your best to help Di

I agree with Floyd, love is the best medicine

An outstanding song and mix

Loved it

Another lovely instrumental with an excellent instrument selection and flawless mix. Beautifully sad working chord progression with couple of nice major uplifting moments. All the best for your fight for love and life.

Janne

Beautifully soulful Alan.

Prayers for your strength and peace. Make sure Di is getting (absorbing) enough B12. Low levels make dementia worse.

Josie

Dear Alan,

So nice to see you again. This is beautifully done.

I will be sure to keep you and Di in my thoughts and prayers.

Alan—

You are such a talented composer—the mix is top notch, very smooth and rich sounding. The guitars are just wonderful. Well done!

So sorry to hear about all the health challenges. I can only imagine how exhausting it must be. Sending thoughts and prayers your way. And don’t worry about us folk at BIAB . . . we’ll be here when you have the time. It’s you and Di that matter most—take good care of you both.

All my best to you,

Deej

That is really good. A lot of feeling.

Thanks everyone for your kind comments. I'll be over in a day or two to thank each of you personally, if I haven't already, and to listen to your tracks. Looking forward to it!

Alan

A very lovely melody and played so nice!
You made a very sensitive and beautiful song, Alan.
But your circumstances are so sad to read about...

All the best,
Hans

Wow, it's incredible that you can put together such a beautiful piece of music in such little time and difficult circumstances. As usual, a great sound all the way through. I'm sorry for the struggle you two are going through right now. Remember that often when God feels so far away, he's actually walking right next to you, closer than you can know. Even Jesus wept (John 11:35). I don't have all the answers, but I do have my prayers and you two are in them now. Brad

Lovely and lonesome sounding piece.

Sorry to hear your tribulations. Keep composing. It's good therapy.

Al
Sorry to hear about yours and Di's ongoing problems.

Lovely instrumental, very well produced.

Peter

Excellent work. Great tune and production. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and Di.


Charlie

Keep on going Al and keep them coming.

Vic

Pretty song Alan!! I have not been around for a while but am glad to be back! Nice work!! Take care. Greg

Hi Alan
Hope you are doing well
The song sounds fantastic
An excellent guitar solo
The melody is so beautiful
Really good job Alan
All the best for you and your wife
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

Hi All ...

Just finished listening to as bunch of you folks. Will get back to each of for this one tonight and tomorrow night.

Ya'll sounding great!!!!!!!

Alan