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#299694 - 06/14/15 10:27 PM
[User Showcase]
NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
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Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 4415
Loc: Davis, CA
Veteran
Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 4415
Loc: Davis, CA
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Hello community members. Here is a song which is unique for me in two ways: 1) I wrote the music and lyrics to the chorus in my head before playing anything or writing it down. I frequently get musical pieces which fall into my mind at random times and maybe a hook line or intro line but this was very different for me. I was driving at night down the California central valley (which defies all of the glamorous notions of California-it is hot, flat, and ugly) and my family was all sleeping. The idea came to me and I chewed on it so that I had a finished chorus in my head by the time we arrived at our motel. 2) This song uses every note of my huge 1.5 octave range (being sarcastic). It is meant for a real singer but I had to give it a shot. Another unusual thing about it is the chorus is LONG, which meant that I had to write the versus quite short and stick with the metaphor throughout. Hope you enjoy it. Comments encouraged and much appreciated!! Take care. Greg https://soundcloud.com/gjohnson-2/wheelmix TAKE THE WHEEL Now the shadows have grown longer underneath the setting sun And I know they’re weighing on your mind There was a time your faith was stronger, but you’re not the only one Who ever journeyed without knowin’ what they’d find From your lonely little window, you see that old car there up on blocks But you got the means to fix her, and the doors are unlocked So take your life, take the wheel Believe in what you think and feel Fill your soul full of premium ambition Let your journey start with the road map in your heart Let your dreams be the key to your ignition Chase your rainbow, feel the wind blow Let it carry you away Down the highway that let’s your spirit thrive The time is now; here it is baby Take the wheel and drive It’s like your trapped beneath the wreckage of some long abandoned dream And you’ve given up the notion of escape But the promise of redemption may be closer than it seems And may be more than worth the chance you’ll have to take In this vast and wondrous universe, it still remains unclear If anything exists that’s greater, than what we have right here So, take your life….. Your can spend your whole life wrestlin’ with the demons of the past Or head out on the highway and try to lose them at last So, take your life…
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#299704 - 06/14/15 11:10 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 05/12/12
Posts: 2394
Loc: South Africa
Veteran
Registered: 05/12/12
Posts: 2394
Loc: South Africa
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Beautiful beautiful Greg. What a wonderful write. Well I think your voice sounds quite wonderful..don't knock it. I love the message in this song. I keep my iphone handy when I am driving so that I can record ideas while I am on the move.
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#299723 - 06/15/15 04:02 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 04/07/13
Posts: 4716
Loc: South Carolina
Veteran
Registered: 04/07/13
Posts: 4716
Loc: South Carolina
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Excellent at every level Greg. I truly enjoyed every second.
Charlie
_________________________
BiaB Ultra Pak 2019:RB 2019 Build 2. Windows-7, 64 bit, Home Premium Version with an AMD Athlon II X2 215 Dual-Core Processor and 4GB DDR3 Memory.
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#299741 - 06/15/15 06:00 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: Charlie Fogle]
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Registered: 01/28/12
Posts: 2468
Loc: Murgon Queensland Australia
Veteran
Registered: 01/28/12
Posts: 2468
Loc: Murgon Queensland Australia
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Excellent at every level Greg. I truly enjoyed every second.
Charlie I agree with above. Very pretty tune. Thanks for sharing. Rob
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#299742 - 06/15/15 06:01 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 06/22/12
Posts: 2868
Loc: Karlsruhe, Germany
Veteran
Registered: 06/22/12
Posts: 2868
Loc: Karlsruhe, Germany
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Hi Greg,
what a beautiful write and melody.
Your voice is great.
Very enjoyable arrangement and mix.
I'm excited.
Guenter
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#299744 - 06/15/15 06:13 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 2876
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 2876
Loc: Florida
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Greg, You are at the very top of your game here. Great write, excellent metaphors, super melody. Sung with great skill and the chord progression and arrangement is just outstanding. Love the editing. Those little steel pads before the chorus are perfectly placed and very natural sounding. The organ in the chorus adds to the spiritual feeling and was just right. Really beautiful listen and a great way to start the week. Love it! Tom
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#299755 - 06/15/15 07:37 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 6473
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 6473
Loc: Florida
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Greg,
Love this! Beautiful from every angle. Pro at every level.
Stunning production - each part sounding like it meant for the song.
Piano is just right. Steel is perfect. Organ - perfect.
Your best vocals. In the pocket. Oozing feeling. (well recorded)
A gorgeous write. Somewhere right in the middle of Jackson Browne and Don Henley.
Amazing.
floyd
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#299760 - 06/15/15 08:51 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 05/02/14
Posts: 3156
Loc: The Netherlands
Veteran
Registered: 05/02/14
Posts: 3156
Loc: The Netherlands
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Simply beautiful Greg! Second best after "How love is supposed to feel"  We are very curious to hear about the RT's, especially about the keyboard/synth on the chorus. Or is it Vocals? Anyway, one of your best! Regards, Rob and Anne-Marie
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#299778 - 06/15/15 10:30 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 08/25/03
Posts: 3072
Loc: wales
Veteran
Registered: 08/25/03
Posts: 3072
Loc: wales
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Greg, You too were driving down that long old road!! Sometimes driving is a great space to write songs and your journey produced an absolutely out-standing song. The others have said it all. Beautiful, beautiful song. floyd wrote Somewhere right in the middle of Jackson Browne and Don Henley. ABSOLUTELY. great listen Alyn ps My neighbours got to hear this too as I opened the doors and wound it up. No complaints from them, so far 
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#299795 - 06/15/15 02:02 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 12/27/03
Posts: 11612
Loc: Hamlin NY
Veteran
Registered: 12/27/03
Posts: 11612
Loc: Hamlin NY
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I finally got some time to listen to some songs.
I disagree with you in that you are a real singer and an excellent one at that!
I agree with everything that Floyd said, especially his " Beautiful from every angle. Pro at every level." And " A gorgeous write. Somewhere right in the middle of Jackson Browne and Don Henley."
This is your best to date IMHO.
_________________________
Politicians, like diapers, occasionally need to be changed. Usually for the same reason!
64 bit Win 10 Pro - the latest BiaB and RB - Roland Octa-Capture audio interface - a ton of software and some hardware.
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#299827 - 06/15/15 06:42 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 04/09/07
Posts: 276
Apprentice
Registered: 04/09/07
Posts: 276
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So, yesterday opening a neglected how to songwriting book and after an hour or so stopping to digest the chapter on metaphor's. Fast forward to today and your song gives me a great lesson on how to do it correctly. Thanks. Great write and delivery!
Edited by PatrickH (06/15/15 06:44 PM)
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#299857 - 06/16/15 04:14 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 04/03/09
Posts: 6012
Veteran
Registered: 04/03/09
Posts: 6012
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Greg,
Love this! Beautiful from every angle. Pro at every level.
Stunning production - each part sounding like it meant for the song.
Piano is just right. Steel is perfect. Organ - perfect.
Your best vocals. In the pocket. Oozing feeling. (well recorded)
A gorgeous write. Somewhere right in the middle of Jackson Browne and Don Henley.
Amazing.
floyd
It's not often I quote someone on the comments..... but Floyd nailed this one perfectly. Loved the chords you used in this... the progression was great. This would be a great one to get into the proper hands.....
_________________________
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music
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#299910 - 06/16/15 11:09 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: Guitarhacker]
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Registered: 03/04/07
Posts: 725
Loc: Germany
Journeyman
Registered: 03/04/07
Posts: 725
Loc: Germany
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I agree with Floyd on this, a great track! And don't make excuses for anything when you present your songs, you don't need to, your vocal fits perfectly.
_________________________
Chris
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#299911 - 06/16/15 11:11 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 12/05/11
Posts: 6450
Loc: GA USA
Veteran
Registered: 12/05/11
Posts: 6450
Loc: GA USA
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1.5 octave, 3 octaves....who cares. For us the key is
whether or not the singer has soul. A soulful voice
grabs us from the get go irrespective of the genre.
No soul = no interest for us regardless of the
technical chops. floyd really articulated how
we feel about this song Getting in the middle of
Jackson Browne and Don Henley is a heckuva place
to be. I could live there indeed.
Every major component and every tiny detail just
shines here. This is a great production. The write
is introspective but not overwrought. That's a balance
few have. Outstanding.
J&B
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#299922 - 06/16/15 01:28 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: Janice & Bud]
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Registered: 08/29/14
Posts: 4518
Loc: North Carolina
Veteran
Registered: 08/29/14
Posts: 4518
Loc: North Carolina
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Great song Greg. Interesting approach. Writing the chorus first seems to be a darned smart idea, because that is the part we are all working towards. Clever!!  I read an interesting chapter in a book recently where Paul Simon described how he made a working style transition in Graceland. Heretofore, he wrote with a guitar in his lap, working on lyrics and music all at once. On Graceland, he just did all the music, first, and when all the music was complete and recorded he went back and wrote lyrics and did the vox. Interesting. Hmmm.. Well, anyway, great tune and great production man!!!
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#299940 - 06/16/15 04:45 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 06/17/10
Posts: 1667
Loc: Canyon Lake, TX
Expert
Registered: 06/17/10
Posts: 1667
Loc: Canyon Lake, TX
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Greg,
I totally agree with every good thing said about this one. While I was listening, before reading any of the comments, I kept thinking this has a real Jackson Browne feel to it (and that is a real compliment).
In my opinion, this song is not only one of your best, but one of the best songs I have heard on this forum. I agree with Herb, this one needs to get in the right hands.
Steve
_________________________
Steve Young Music"In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of." - Robert Schumann
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#299961 - 06/16/15 06:14 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 11/11/12
Posts: 3068
Loc: Iceland
Veteran
Registered: 11/11/12
Posts: 3068
Loc: Iceland
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After reading your intro for the song, I must admit I wasn't expecting much - you tricked me!! No seriously, you completely undersold this one. I mean, sure, you could've delegated the singing to some 'pitch perfect' alternate, or even added vocals to the chorus, but I'm telling you - you would have lost more than gained by any such fancy treatments. This is a fantastic piece, from start to finish, and the hair prickling on my neck & arms is all the testament I need. Not many songs give this old lump goosebumps, this one does!
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#300035 - 06/17/15 10:56 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: JoanneCooper]
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Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 4415
Loc: Davis, CA
Veteran
Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 4415
Loc: Davis, CA
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THanks so much Joanne!! Really appreciate your support and kind words. Congrats on the completion of your collab project-very cool indeed! Take care. Greg
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#300036 - 06/17/15 10:57 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: Charlie Fogle]
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Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 4415
Loc: Davis, CA
Veteran
Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 4415
Loc: Davis, CA
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Thanks Charlie and Bob. Your nice compliment means a lot to me. Always appreciate hearing posts from you guys! Take care. Greg
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#300037 - 06/17/15 10:58 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Take the Wheel
[Re: boehm]
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Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 4415
Loc: Davis, CA
Veteran
Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 4415
Loc: Davis, CA
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Thanks so much Guenter. I really appreciate your support. You are doing some incredibly creative stuff!! Take care. Greg
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Notation Enhancements in Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows!
There are Notation Enhancements in the NEW Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows! These include:
•A new button in the Print Options dialog which lets you quickly print a "chords only" fake sheet. You can also access this from the right-click menu on the chord sheet.
•A new track type (Drums) is now available for The Melody and Soloist tracks.
•Clicking close to a stave line will put a note on the stave line instead of between stave lines. (Previously, you had to click extremely close to a stave line to insert a note on The line.)
•Double-clicking on the Standard mode Notation window (or on the time line in Editable or Staff Roll mode) plays the song from the current time location. Previously, it played the song from the beginning of the current bar.
•Holding down the [Ctrl] key and pressing the zoom in/out buttons results in finest possible incremental adjustment in size.
•In The Notation Windows Options dialog, The clefs split point asterisk indicates that C5* is middle C.
•Pressing The space bar plays the song from the current time location, not the current bar.
•The clefs split point can be set by the spin controls.
•The right-click menu in the Editable or Staff Roll mode Notation window has an option to change the current beat resolution. Previously, the only way to do this was to right-click on the time line.
•There's a keystroke entry notation mode - the 'N' mode, which lets you enter a melody entirely using keystrokes. The keystrokes are N to enter a note, up/down cursor to change its pitch, and left/right cursor to move the time line.
•You can now edit any track in the Event List Editor. When The dialog opens, it will show you the MIDI data in the current Notation track.
•You can quickly enter forced accidentals from the right-click menu.
We talk about these new features within our Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows®! New Features, RealTracks, and other content! video:
25:45 - New Features: Easy Entering of Notation with the 'N' Key
36:48 - Change Beat Resolution From the Right-Click Menu
37:15 - Easier Entry of Notes on Lines
37:42 - Asterisk to Indicate Middle C on & Spin Controls
37:53 - Force Accidental from the Right-Click Menu
38:01 - Edit Any Track in the Event List
38:09 - Keystroke Note Entry Mode 'N' for Faster Note Entry
38:28 - Print Chords Only Fake Sheet
38:32 - More Control of Notation Size
Rather read about it?
-Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows® Upgrade Manual
-New Feature Summary - Notation Enhancements
The New Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows SongPicker!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2019, the SongPicker has been redesigned!
-The completely redesigned window shows information for up to 50,000 songs.
-The song list build is much faster. Approximately 150 songs get added per second.
-A progress bar will appear if the song list build takes longer than 3 seconds.
-You can see the chord progression for the selected song in the list. You can copy and paste it to a text file.
-Many filters are available. You can filter the list by subfolders, genre, feel, time signature, style, songs with melody, soloist, lyrics, key signature, tempo range, and the year of file dates.
-You can search songs that have similar chord progressions and/or melody fragments.
-Hotkey! ss+enter opens the SongPicker, ss2+enter opens the Recently Played Songs, etc.
Learn more about the updates with our New Features Video - we've made it easy to find the section you'll need:
2:55 - New Feature: Redesigned SongPicker
21:58 - New Features: SongPicker Enhancements
41:10 - Now Over 10,600 Titles in SongPicker
You can also read all about the new SongPicker within our Online Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows® Upgrade Manual.
RealBand 2019 Online and PDF Manuals Available!
Band-in-a-Box® 2019 Online and PDF Manuals Available!
Visit our Online Manuals support page for access to the latest Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows program manuals!
Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows User's Guide: Online Manual | PDF Download
Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows Upgrade Manual: Online Manual | PDF Download
Don't forget.... We're having a SALE on Band-in-a-Box® 2019 Upgrade purchases until December 31, 2018 - save over 40% when you purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows Upgrade! Check out our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available
Band-in-a-Box® 2019 on a USB 3.0 Hard Drive - Speed Thrills!
We're excited to say that all Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows UltraPAK and UltraPAK+ orders now ship on a USB 3.0 hard drive!
What does this mean? Faster hard drive transfer rates will enhance the program operations (faster time to generate tracks, reduced audio artifacts) and offer faster transfer speeds (typically up to 3x faster)!
It's a great time to order your UltraPAK or UltraPAK+ Upgrade... they're ON SALE until December 31st!
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows® New Features!
Our "Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows®! New Features, RealTracks, and other content!" video is now ready! Get to know all about the newest features in Band-in-a-Box® 2019: Click here to watch...
We have listed a table of contents for this video, you'll see it within the YouTube video description, or by visiting this forum post.
RealBand 2019 - A New Look!
Have you opened up your RealBand 2019 yet? You may notice that we've given it a fresh new look! In fact, there are now 3 different looks to RealBand.
See for yourself! Within the program, visit Options | Icon Set and choose from: Classic, Modern 1, or Modern 2.
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