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#304217 - 07/26/15 06:32 PM
[User Showcase]
NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
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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 forum friends. I have always loved water, particularly the ocean. I particularly love the northern California coast-many parts are absolutely beautiful. For Spring break of '14, my Family and I stayed in Point Arena in Mendocino county. That was the trip during which I wrote the lyrics to Real Good Time. We stayed at a place about 2 miles from the Point Arena lighthouse which is featured in the film FOREVER YOUNG with Mel Gibson, and NEED FOR SPEED. The latter was playing in the theater 50 miles north of there and we watched it during the trip. That was a cool experience to come back there after the film and connect the lighthouse to the climactic scene of the film (the film is very so-so). We also took the tour of the lighthouse and heard about the duties of the keepers. I was always intrigued by lighthouses, beacons in the night maintained by solitary men. It was this intrigue that motivated me to write this song. Hope you enjoy it! Comments much encouraged. Take care. Greg THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER Say a prayer for the lighthouse keeper His loneliness is getting deeper Pale light reaching into the distance For some confirmation of existence And his grey eyes are growin’ old He learned his craft from his dad Still laughs and cries over talks they had High seas tales and pirates’ treasures Noble lads and earthly pleasures But now, the winds blow cold He spends his days now in a fog Nights are without end Making entries in his log Of visits from imaginary friends Sand and lonely lighthouse keeper Had a love once, couldn’t keep her She blew in one day off the ocean He stayed put, she stayed in motion Like the tide, came and went In a few more years now, he’ll be gone No need to pass his knowledge on His humanity is antiquated His successor will be automated He’ll be laid to rest for eternity On a little hill above the sea Next to his beloved father Two lighthouse ghosts will scan the water For the ghosts sailing by https://soundcloud.com/gjohnson-2/lighthouse
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#304223 - 07/26/15 08:17 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 05/30/08
Posts: 4318
Veteran
Registered: 05/30/08
Posts: 4318
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Greg,
What a great sounding production/arrangement and the lyrics are a wonderfully crafted visual and emotional story. I love lighthouses too, there's such a mystic about them and you can't help but let your mind wander to what it was like when a real human had to climb all those stairs. It never occurred to me to write a song about it. Kudos!
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#304247 - 07/27/15 06:24 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[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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Man, Greg! This is SO very good. In all regards.
A beautiful write - beginning to end. Paints a perfect picture... Such elegant language...and yet, conversational. Songwriting at the highest level.
The melody is gorgeous.
The production/arrangement is excellent. Reminds me of Springsteen's "Meeting Across The River" (one of my all-time favorites).
Beautiful vocal. Good mix.
"Sad and lonely lighthouse keeper
Had a love once, couldn’t keep her
She blew in one day off the ocean
He stayed put, she stayed in motion
Like the tide, came and went"
It does not get better than that.
(I read "The Light Between Oceans" not long ago... this captured those images perfectly)
I'm a fan (don't I sound like a blubbering one?...)
floyd
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#304252 - 07/27/15 06:57 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 12/13/13
Posts: 665
Journeyman
Registered: 12/13/13
Posts: 665
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Man, Greg! This is SO very good. In all regards.
A beautiful write - beginning to end. Paints a perfect picture... Such elegant language...and yet, conversational. Songwriting at the highest level.
The melody is gorgeous.
The production/arrangement is excellent.
Beautiful vocal. Good mix.
"Sad and lonely lighthouse keeper
Had a love once, couldn’t keep her
She blew in one day off the ocean
He stayed put, she stayed in motion
Like the tide, came and went"
It does not get better than that.
Greg, I'm shamelessly stealing from Floyd, because he said it far better than I ever could. And boy, did you ever send me down Memory Lane. My wife is from N. California. We met while I was stationed in Eureka. We're going back this fall on an anniversary tour. And having sailed those west coast waters for several years - I spent many a watch taking bearings to Pt Arena Lt. I still remember the chart numbers. Here's a link to one of them you might find interesting. Take care. http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/18640.shtml
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#304266 - 07/27/15 08:54 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[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,
just very beautiful in all aspects. The sax solo
seems to be made exactly for this song.
I'm not touched by songs very often. This is
an exception.
Guenter
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#304294 - 07/27/15 02:09 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[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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Hi Greg, Very relaxed song! Nice piano, which RT is it? Nice lyrics too. Lots of lighthouses here in Holland, so this might as well have been a Dutch song  Rob and Anne-Marie
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#304315 - 07/27/15 03:32 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 05/23/10
Posts: 1651
Loc: New Zealand
Expert
Registered: 05/23/10
Posts: 1651
Loc: New Zealand
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Very nice one Greg! Love the subtlety of the lyrics vocal and backing.
Confirmation of existence
Noble lads and earthly pleasures
visits from imaginary friends
humanity is antiquated
Just a few of the delicious tidbits.
Leaves me feeling mellow. Cheers.
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#304319 - 07/27/15 04:32 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 01/24/03
Posts: 4969
Loc: California
Veteran
Registered: 01/24/03
Posts: 4969
Loc: California
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Beautiful song.
Thanks for sharing it with us.
Has a Barry Manillow feel/sound to my ears.
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#304333 - 07/27/15 06:17 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 02/11/05
Posts: 2646
Loc: Kentucky
Veteran
Registered: 02/11/05
Posts: 2646
Loc: Kentucky
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Great write and performance; thanks for sharing!
_________________________
My TunesPsalm 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
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#304334 - 07/27/15 06:22 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 04/03/09
Posts: 6014
Veteran
Registered: 04/03/09
Posts: 6014
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Very nice work..... out of the box in one way and in the box in the other.
Your lyrics are fantabulous!
_________________________
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music
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#304344 - 07/27/15 06:52 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 02/12/14
Posts: 184
Loc: Edmonton,Canada
Apprentice
Registered: 02/12/14
Posts: 184
Loc: Edmonton,Canada
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My, but that's a pretty tune.
Well done!
Thanks for the music,
Dan
_________________________
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#304398 - 07/28/15 08:16 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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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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floyd already quoted it but wow!!
"Sand and lonely lighthouse keeper
Had a love once, couldn’t keep her
She blew in one day off the ocean
He stayed put, she stayed in motion
Like the tide, came and went"
I see no reason to try and parse out
everything that is so good about this.
Both of us had rather just kick back
and enjoy it all again.
As an aspiring writer I am humbled.
Thanks for this addition to our SC
playlist!
J&B
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#304428 - 07/28/15 01:30 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[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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Simply superb in every aspect Greg. Beautiful song, performance and production.
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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#304453 - 07/28/15 08:07 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 12/29/12
Posts: 3555
Loc: Alabama, USA
Veteran
Registered: 12/29/12
Posts: 3555
Loc: Alabama, USA
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Hi Greg ...
what a lovely song! This is sweet yet poignant ... and so enjoyable. We loved everything about this. Simply put .. a wonderful musical project from beginning to end. This is a great example when the sum of the parts makes the whole as good as it can be. We loved it!
Alan & Di
_________________________
BIAB 2018 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win10*8GB DDR4*I5-6th Gen*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120 Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops
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#304473 - 07/29/15 05:13 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[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, I spent the last week camped on the beach in the Fl Keys staring directly at the Tennessee Reef lighthouse. This is the only unmanned lighthouse in the Florida Keys that still has a lantern and it has a Fresnel lens. It is still in operation today. Also walked past the Key West lighthouse across from Hemingway's house. Since I had the visuals to go along with the song it made listening extra special. This is very well written, produced and sung. A touchingly beautiful lyrical and mood piece. Glad to see you toned down the brightness on the vocal. It is perfect. The melody at times is reminiscent of something that I just can't put my finger on. Really great work and a gentle reminder of better days gone past. Top notch all the way! Tom
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#304510 - 07/29/15 08:32 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 11/19/12
Posts: 1744
Loc: Middletown, PA.
Expert
Registered: 11/19/12
Posts: 1744
Loc: Middletown, PA.
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Beautiful melody and song, love the easy flow, love the piano and sax. Well written, made me think of Brian Wilson. I'd like to know if that's a piano real track or super midi also, wherever it comes from it's very nice.
Kenny
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#304674 - 07/30/15 01:18 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[Re: Sundance]
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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 Josie!! I always look for you feedback and it was a nice treat to see you first to post. Really dig you Rhino song! Take care. Greg
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#304675 - 07/30/15 01:19 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[Re: floyd jane]
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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 for the wonderful review Floyd! It means a great deal to me. You are truly a Zen master songwriter. I truly treasure your kind words (and your song posts)! Take care. Greg
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#304929 - 08/01/15 01:10 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[Re: olemon]
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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 for the nice reply Scott! I checked out your link. Never seen a map like that. Very cool! You've been doing some really excellent stuff lately. Always look forward to hearing more. Take care. Greg
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#304930 - 08/01/15 01:13 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: The Lighthouse Keeper
[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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"I'm not touched by songs very often. This is
an exception."
Guenter, this is truly one of the greatest compliments I've ever received. That's why I write-to try to touch people's emotions. Great to know that I occasionally succeed. Absolutely love your remixes. Every one is so much better than the originals. You are truly creative!! 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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