The River Of Eternity

Musically, this song got its inspiration from the music of The Blue Nile. I didn't pay much attention to them in the last century but found them again recently and this time with much more interest, especially in their High album, very fine pop perfection. My song is far from perfection, but I tried to reach similar mood.

Lyrically, I had first the title and when many good and talented people had died recently, I had an idea how deceased people return to the stream of life and life is letting go off them. I was long stuck trying to find something that rhymes with 'easy', I didn't want to give that word up and finally found Assisi. That was the final piece I needed to fill the story, "Take nothing for the journey".

Naturally, BIAB gave me almost everything I needed to build the backing band. Especially I love the tin whistle which I'm using the first time. I used multiriff feature to generate the best possible version for the ending. I had to use BIAB main application to create the drum tracks because of drum generation bugs in BIAB VST, otherwise I worked with the VST version. Only RT missing which I would have used if there were one, is Uilleann Pipes...my wish for the next version. There is a small glitch with the VST Orchestra strings at the start of the first verse, that is due to the rendering process, it works when playing real-time.

Rob (RnAM) asked a ballad with Solaria singing the lead vocals, so here it is I worked more with Synthesizer V settings than earlier to get her singing sound better, although I had to make some compromises, to shorten the length of some notes to get the final 's' to be heard correctly. I know I could add more dynamics and variation in the style to the singing, but those are things to learn for another project

Based on style: _ABIDE.STY (Abide Folky Synth Pop)
RealDrums: Tabla16ths, PopRock16ths, CajonFolkSlow8ths, DjembeKeita16

RealTracks:
1536 Electric Bass PopBelieve Ev16
1410 Piano SynthLayer Rhythm Soul70sA-B Ev16
2335 String Quartet Rhythm PopHall
3771 Tin Whistle Low Background Folky16thsGeoff Ev 085
3544 Guitar Acoustic Rhythm SlowReelPicking Ev16 080
3278:Vocal Mmms, Rhythm RockNRollGospel12-8 4-part Sw 065
4044:Sitar, Background SlowSwing16thsAnwar Sw16 075
2773 Harp Celtic16ths Ev16 075

MIDI: The Orchestra, Kontakt/Uilleann Pipes

Vocals: Synthesizer V Solaria (Lead), Synthesizer V Kevin (Backing) [Neutron 4 used to unmask the vocals]

Mixed in Cakewalk by BandlLab

Lyrics:

Water is cold
nobody told
the passage would be easy.
The river concealed
what do you need?
Ask Francis of Assisi.

From riches to rags
goodbye to your bags
belongings that drag you deeper.
A burden to toll
save only your soul
the raft of a river's keeper.

A whirl among the lilies
ripples on the water
born out of chaos
a momentary order.
Returning the borrowed form
from a taker to a giver
farewell to migrants
merging with the river.

From pools to the falls
mortality calls
the bearer of loss is singing.
The memories bind
burrs of your mind
their teeth are harshly clinging.

Let go of your pains
hand over the reins
escort your dear to the shallows.
The evergreen shades
the providence wades
where solitude swamps the sallows.

A whirl among the lilies...

Beyond time and matter
the mirror of a mind
curves back on itself
back to the undefined
by the river of eternity
the river of eternity
the river of eternity
the river of eternity
the river of eternity
the river of eternity.
--------------------------
Janne

Janne...very intriguing arrangement and melody... really cool intro...love the instrumentation you chose...I am always mystified by the synthetic vocals...great concept and production!

A big WOW from me on this one, it was a joy to listen to. I think all your musical choices worked so well and the end result was something I played several times and thoroughly enjoyed. Lyrics were excellent. I think the "Francis of Assisi" seemed a bit out of place, I'm still debating that. You're doing a fantastic job with these synth voices, I find them perfectly usable. I love uilleann pipes (don't like regular bagpipes at all) but I wasn't sure when they were being played as opposed to the whistle. Did you have the drone on? I didn't hear it, I'll keep listening.

Excellent work, something I'll come back to for more listens.

Janne,
You really produce some excellant arrangements. The synthetic vocals really work and I could listen to a 45 minute version of this.
For me this has a 1970's progressive rock vibe not unlike the British rock band Renaissance.

Nicely done all around.

Janne,

Very well done.

Excellent tracks. Nice use of BIAB.

You do terrific work with the synth voices!!

Excellent mix.

Enjoyed the listen.

fj

Cool use of synth vocals...there were times when I wanted them to slowly swap places. The female voice gets harsh as it gets higher...would reverb soften that?
Your arrangement is REALLY good.
I'm not sure Frank [*****] fits the lyric...I see how he fits the narrative but the name sits like a rock in the flow.

Assisi? Ha. Good one. Man, you are good with those synth folks. Janne, those are outstanding lyrics. I can take any verse and show it as a demonstration of an over-abundance of talent.
"From riches to rags
goodbye to your bags
belongings that drag you deeper.
A burden to toll
save only your soul
the raft of a river's keeper."

EVERY one of these is really really good. Oh, yeah, the song. Your talent continues by putting the best band and music to present those lyrics. The whole package is A+!

Thanks for your rewarding feedback Glad to hear my long work for the arrangement and production has paid off.

Janne

Hi Janne ...

WOW! What a fabulous piece! Very cinematic and classic. Very nice use of the synth vocals. You create some of the best music on this forum. I always look forward to a new song from you - never disappointed!

Alan

Janne,
This is one of the most ambitious productions I`ve heard from you and it works very well.
Poetic lyrics and characteristically creative instrumental combinations held my attention and drew me in... those voices, especially in harmony, are amazing.
Very lovely music.

Robert

Janne

An excellent prog-rock sound, lovely instrumentation and extremely well written. The guitar sounds really good.

I preferred the parts where Solaria was singing in the lower register, she was a bit "screechy" in the really higher stuff.

That said truly excellent work.

Peter

Janne,

Love the mysterious feel of this one. I think the Solaria voicing is a good choice. Really fits the song.

Bob

Janne..

my goodness synth vocals have come a looong way.
knocks me out. soon us singers wont be needed lol.

Very nice song. well done mate.

wish you the best.

om

Thanks, that was really heartwarming feedback Glad you like to give it more listens.

Nice to hear about the lyrics also, about Mr. Assisi, I cannot question that choice because he was an important part of the process and guides to read "between the lines", but maybe I see your point after some time has passed.

Those uillean pipes are playing in the second chorus. In the first chorus, I used harp and wanted to use something else with Celtic feel in the second one, but I couldn't find a suitable RT. So I had to create my own MIDI part for that, this was the first time I used the pipes of Kontakt player. I hadn't much time to learn the secrets of that instrument, it was mainly filling the missing atmosphere. I used drone notes also, but I think they are lost behind other instruments.

Janne

Thanks for your kind words I could make a 45 minute version of the song, but I guess SoundCloud wouldn't accept it

I'm more a pop music than progressive rock person, but thanks for mentioning Renaissance, I didn't know anything about them and have never listened to them, but now I started to go through their albums, so far I have liked especially Ashes Are Burning.

Janne

Thanks fj for your always positive feedback

Janne

I like it, the lyrics, the nice arrangement and the melodies, it's a bit longer song and I never got bored.

I also like the vocals, but in some places you are over the limit of what Solaria can do, especially some of those high "e" vowels, they sound distorted.

Personally, I wouldn't have gone that high, but since you've already settled on the melody, I'd try turning the treble down a bit so the distortion isn't so obvious. Playing around (slightly) with the "Tension" and "Gender" settings might also help, but that could have undesirable side effects in other places.

But overall, I like the song a lot. A lot!

Wow, Janne, this is super good man!

Especially, the lyrics! Very poetic.

I think you did a great job with everything and the mix is superb.

Cool tune Janne. Excellent production. Synth vocals were very cool. Well done

Thanks Ray for your kind feedback Glad you really liked the arrangement. That's a very creative idea to swap vocalist slowly, maybe I'll keep that in mine for future projects.

I think the problem with the higher note is the vibrato, I have probably added too much it to give operatic impression of the voice.

Well, I thought Francis was a harmless person, even with the English connotation

Janne

Thanks Marty for A+, your feedback is really really heartwarming Especially that you appreciate my lyrics so much, I worked quite a long time with them, so time not wasted

Janne

Really pretty song!!! A friend of mine is really into Blue Nile, and I learned of them through him....they are a great band! This song is so well written, arranged and produced, and the vocalist does a great job!!! Take care. Greg

Janne,

That tin whistle is haunting, so well executed in the mix. And I continue to be amazed at how well the vocaloids are working in this song. You do such a nice job using them (you and only a few others do it really well). Great mix/production on this piece. Terrific listen!

All my best to you

Deej

Thanks Alan for your very kind words I feel honored for "some of the best music", now I begin to worry that I might disappoint you some day and wonder how I can keep the bar high enough

Janne

Sounds good!

The vocal is a bit buried in the mix and Solaria seems a bit out of her comfortable range.

But nice and moody, which to me is more important than actually understanding the lyric.

One of the nice things about synth vocals is you can give them interesting melodic lines, and they can't complain about it - something you did to excellent effect here.

Cool listen.

Thanks Robert for your pleasant comment You are my favorite poets on this forum, and I wish I could write lyrics like you. You were on my mind when writing this song, but I'm still really far away from your level. But I'm very glad to hear the lyrics drew you in.

Janne

Thanks Peter, I appreciate your kind words I agree about Solaria being screechy, I know I probably could tame that by decreasing the vibrato, but I wanted to keep her opera sounding voice for demonstrating purpose.

Janne

Thanks Bob for your listen and kind comment

Janne

Janne,

Great that you put Solaria on the lead! The song is very atmospheric and Kevin does a great job on the backing vocals!

A couple of small nits:
I partially agree with Ray about the voice getting a little bit "sharp" in the choruses. It didn't bother me that much, though.

On the other hand, in the verses Solaria could probably be mixed in a little bit hotter.

I have to say, I didn't so much like the cut offs of her voice here and there. But I believe you explained why this was necessary.

All in all definitely a worthwhile listen.

Rob

Very nice, soothing and relaxing sound. Great job with the vocals and the overall production and mix was great. Very impressive.

Thanks om for your wishes and the nice comment All the best to you,

Janne

Thanks B.D.Thomas for your very nice review The song was originally meant for a male vocalist, but I decided to go with a female one. I noticed that it was the right key for Solaria, but I didn't want to transpose and wanted to test how Solaria works that high. And as you and I have notice, there are certain problems, although it mainly sounds quite good. I could try to lessen the vibrato, and thanks for suggesting those settings, I keep them in my mind for further projects. Tension and gender can be changed at any time in the parameters section, so they shouldn't have side effects.

Janne

Thanks David for your kind comment I'm very glad you liked the lyrics

Janne

Thanks Scott, I appreciate your positive feedback

Janne

EPIC!!

The lyric is a wonderful poem and the band is excellent.

That’s a really good combination of unusual RT’s and they work together great.

The synths once again could’ve fooled us.


J&B

PS: EQ wise perhaps a slight high end shelf and a slight midrange boost would tame "her" vocal a bit.

I like the low tin whistle. It has a haunting yet peaceful quality in this song.

Again, I wouldn't have know the vocals were synth if you hadn't mentioned it.

Really good song. Complex production.

Thanks Greg for your very pleasant feedback Glad to hear about another Blue Nile listener

Janne

Thanks Deej for your kind comment

Janne

Thanks David for your constructive and positive feedback I agree about the vocals being buried, I tried to use the unmask feature of Neutron 4 on the vocal track, but only together with synth piano and strings, maybe I should have used more aggressive setting for them. Or add the guitar to the set also.

And I agree that the range is not very comfortable for Solaria, I noticed it, but I wanted to test how she would sound in the higher register, anyway.

Janne

Hi Janne really engaging so good everything is perfect love the vocal and the old acient instruments fits perfect excellent work and great use of biab thanks Eric

Hi jannesan,

Superb composition. The orchestration is impeccable. It's well done. I appreciated.

Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

Janne,

That is a great sounding song! I love the arrangement! I don't know much about using the synth vocalists, but you really have it nailed down! It's one of your best yet!

Thanks, Torrey

Thanks Rob, I appreciate your kind feedback I selected Solaria for the vocals of this song when you asked a Solaria ballad, I had already set the key and was thinking singing the song myself (octave lower, naturally), that's why she is singing that high. Well, this is a learning process, and I hope to learn to mix her better in the future. Interestingly, I left some cut offs and small timing issues just to make her sound more human like including mistakes... I'm sure nobody would have cared if I had sung the same mistakes

Janne

Thanks Brad for your kind words

Janne

Thanks Janice & Bud for your heartwarming comment and EPIC And thanks for the EQ idea, I'll remember that. I used Neutron 4 on Solaria vocals and trusted the settings chosen by AI... I wish I had "golden" ears, but at this age each ear hears things differently.

Janne

Thanks Mr. Storm for your kind comment Glad to hear that the vocals and the tin whistle work so well.

Janne

Thanks Eric, I appreciate your kind and positive comment

Janne

Hello Janne
Sounds fantastic
The intro is so cool !!!
Very well constructed song
Great vocals and background track
Excellent work, Janne
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

Thanks Derochette for your pleasant comment

Janne

Thanks Torrey, I appreciate your nice review

Janne

Thanks Andi for your kind words I'm glad you liked the intro.

Janne

Hi Janne,

I'm very impressed by this song. Especially the composition and the lyrics. Fantastic!
And the vocals are very good. I was impressed by their natural sound. You are a fast learned in that matter.
I only would like the female singer to sing an octave lower, or at least a lower key.
I think that would have given this beatiful song a 'warmer' performance.
But man, you've accomplished a lot on this artificial front.

Hans

Thanks Hans for your kind feedback I agree about the lower key giving warmer sound, but I wanted to test how Solaria would sound in higher register. I have new female vocalists, let's see how they can cope with that range. And as I have said before, it's not about my skills, the software is so good that even the basic settings work amazingly well, just put the notes in the right position and then you can enjoy...

Janne

Very nice instrumentation, and all though I agree that some of the higher register on the voice was a bit harsh, most of the vocals really fit in well. This has a great sound to it.

Thanks Brad for your kind comment Glad you liked the sound and instrumentation.

Janne