Instead

Along with Monday this is my favorite solo project. I recorded this somewhere in 2015. It was never posted here and I had to do some digging to find the BIAB specs.

If I remember correctly I did the lead guitar on my Alhambra. But to tell you the truth, it also sounds a lot like Brent. Hmm...maybe it was. Not sure.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. As always, comments are encouraged!

Rob


Style is CHAMBER1.STY (Chamber 1 Orchestra)
Style MIDI Instruments are : Strings (49),
RealTracks in song: 891:Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment PopLiverpool Ev 065
RealTracks in song: ~365:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 1759:Bass, Electric, Pop16ths Ev 085
RealDrums [in Song:BrushesFolk16ths: a: Brushes b: Brushes Tap
Strings: Kontakt vsti
Lead classical guitar: me (I think)

Oops, forgot to add the lyrics (thanks for noticing Musician 17)


Instead of your words, I'll get by
Instead of the things, you define
Instead of the days, creeping by
Instead of your songs, I will cry

Instead of leaving
Such a way to go

I followed your dreams, every night
I followed the goals, you wore in mind
I followed your ways, silently
I thought of the things, you've given me

I thought of leaving
What a way to go

I thought of where I belong
Where pretty dreams have been
Forgiving me, forgiving you

I thought it's where I belonged
No matter where I turn
Forgiving me, forgetting you

Wow, really beautiful, only knock is it was over too soon. But I just played it over again (and again).

Hi Rob,

I assume this is you singing - very good.

Also a good song and good lyrics.

Best Regards
Nigel

Beautiful. Beautifully sung, really well written (wish you'd posted the lyrics, so I could follow along, but no worries, of course). The guitar playing (whoever is playing, haha) is also beautiful.

Not easy at all to sing this well. Bravo.

If I am to REALLY nitpick (and who am I to nitpick? but I'll do it anyway, haha ... please forgive me), I would just say that I would have loved your voice to have been EQed so that it has an ever so slightly darker timbre in it. It sounds really great as it is, don't get me wrong!!! but I just thought that a little darker timbre might give it a more smouldering, "real" feel to it. Bit like the difference between milk chocolate and dark chocolate, perhaps? But what do I know!!! :-)

In any case, loved it. Well done.

Beautiful song, Rob, absolutely love your vocal!

Nice, tasteful guitar solo. Needed to google Alhambra, never heard of that brand before.

I had a listen to Monday as well while I was there, loved that one too

I think it's a bit unfair that there's a couple where BOTH can deliver exceptional vocal performances.

Great vocals, very good arrangement and really wonderful melodies.
I like it a lot!

Hi Rob
Top song
Sounds great
Genius songwriting
The song is developing very nicely
Your vocals do the rest ;-)
Great great work Rob !!!
Wish Anne-Marie and you a Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy new year
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

Wow Rob, this is great. So nicely written, sung and produced. I too wish it was longer because it's so easily to get lost in ... I wanted to be lost a little longer. Very, very good. Regardless if you're doing the guitar or Biab, it sounds great in there. As always, your mix is spot on. Loved it.

Rob,
This a beautiful example of pop song lyric writing; expanding on a simple repeated phrase has a hypnotic effect and frees the listener to feel.
You have one of my favourite voices here; back then and today- truly topnotch singing.
I`m glad you resurrected this.

Robert

Very nice Rob.
Nicely mixed and appropriate, understated instrumentation.

Vic

Another Beautiful song Rob!

Love the nylon!!

Wow. Gorgeous.

One of the best songs I've heard here in a while. The intro got me hooked instantly. Great singing and catchy melody!

Rob...that was gorgeous...I love the use of the strings and the way you added the progression of the instruments...the acoustic is so nice in the interlude...and man! that maybe the best vocal I've ever heard on this forum! I don't know what else to say...Wow!

Rob,

Real pretty tune, wonderful write and love the simplicity of the arrangement; really nice build throughout. And a sweet and stellar vocal—a lot of emotion in that voice. This is an absolutely beautiful tune. Very impressive!

My very humble regards . . . and wishing you all the best this Holiday season.

Deej

Hi, Rob.

I suspect that's you on guitar, too.

Everything - vocals, strings, guitars, arrangement - sounds awesome.

Really, really good!

This is really well done.
The only thing that stands out in need of help would be the high midi strings...that's exactly what they sound like - a bit of ADT & some EQing + reverb might soften them.
I REALLY enjoy the song & your performances - that's the important thing.

Rob,

Beautiful.
Excellent write.
Lovely vocals.
Nice production.
Good mix.

Well done all around.

fj

Always up to your high standard.
Thanks for posting. Rob4580

Rob,
Very passionate vocals and amazing work on composition. Nice playing! Sounds fantastic. Thank you for sharing.
Misha.

P.S. "it also sounds a lot like Brent" LOL

Thanks! I generally keep my songs under three minutes. That's a late 70s mentality on one hand, and sort of shortcoming lyrics-wise on the other. I usually have a hard time writing coherent lyrics and the inspiration usually stops after one and 1/2 minutes or so. Whatever comes after that I usually have to scrape together

Rob

Great performance, Bob!

Your song is very very nice, your vocals are wonderful, and the song is too short.
Everyone said the same in all kind of words, but I can only fully agree with all those compliments and you have earned them.

Were this your vocals back then or can you still sing that high?

Merry Christmas for you and Anne-Marie,
Hans

Rob,

Loved that Piano and Cello opening! Your vocal on this is one of your best and that is really saying something! The work with the strings is excellent! Loved every part of it!

Thanks, T

Awesome vocal Rob. Just loved this. Really cool lyric and perfect choice of instrumentation. Loved that piano. Well done...

Oh, you know you're good when you can't tell if it's you or Brent. Your vocal is just so wonderfully good, Rob. I want the album version --you know, the longer one. The strings add a nice touch to this very pleasing mix. Beautifully written and produced.

Thanks, Nigel.

Yes, it's me singing ;-).

Rob

Thank you, really appreciate your comment.

I've added the lyrics a couple of days ago.

About the EQ of the voice. I usually remove a lot of low frequencies because I found that the result can sometimes be little bit muddy. But in this case I might've left them in.

I will certainly consider your advice in future songs.

Rob

Hi RnAm,

Beautiful song with a nice orchestration. It's very pleasant. I appreciated.Well done.

Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

Rob, That is a tremendous vocal performance! I liked the lyrics and the way the production was put together. Beautiful, Tom

Very lovely songwriting. Nice simple story with the right amount of melancholy.
Excellent simple arrangement, every instrument has its moment and place, the strings and the piano work nicely together and the lead guitar is the icing on the cake.
But even top of all those, there is that magical fragile vocal performance.

Janne

Lovely song that, as Janice said, “pulls at your heart.”

Your vocal sounds great and your guitar solo blends so well with the piano.

We can see why it is one of your favorites!

Happy holidays!

J&B