Here's a new song that I started putting together about a month ago. I thought I'd play around with jazz-funk. Hope you enjoy it.

Also... just recently, I read a post by Charlie Fogle wherein he said that he'd like to see some BIAB-created videos of songs. Charlie, the below video link will take you to such a video. It's great that BIAB 2015 makes these videos so easily. I synchronised my audio with it in Windows Movie Maker. Hope this clip is what you were meaning.

BIAB-created video: Out There Somewhere

Audio only: Out There Somewhere

Comments and criticisms welcome.

Regards,
Noel


Band In A Box
Style: _JFNKPOP.STY (JazzFunkPoppyRhythmSectn [110RS])

RT 1434: Bass, Electric, JazzFunkPoppy Ev16 110
RT 1435: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm JazzFunkGroovinChords Ev16 110
RT 1436: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm JazzFunkGroovinMute Ev16 110
RT 1437: Piano, Electric, Rhythm JazzFunkGroovin Ev16 110
RT 1761: Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Pop16ths Ev16 085
RT 745: Guitar, Electric, Soloist Jazz Ballad Sw 085

Drums: JAZZFUNKPOP^1-a:HHSDSTK, b:HHSNR


Lyrics
Red and orange ripples on the ocean
The scent of frangipani rides the breeze
Another moon will soon be climbing higher
As another sinking sun meets the seas
And here I stand, staring at the sunset
Hoping that a miracle will sail this way
If only I had wings
I could escape
Fly away today

Out there somewhere is home and I miss it so
It's out there somewhere and my heart is hungry to go
Every night I close my eyes
And with all my soul I hope and pray
That some day God will help me fly beyond the sea
Out there somewhere is where I long to be

In mem'ry, I see their happy faces
Friends and family wave me farewell
I watch the harbour fading in the distance
And feel adventure thrill me with a spell
But now I'm here, struggling for survival
Shipwrecked on an island unknown by man
I hope it's not too long
And to keep it short
I'll do everything I can

Out there somewhere is home and I miss it so
It's out there somewhere and my heart is hungry to go
Every night I close my eyes
And with all my soul I hope and pray
That some day God will help me fly beyond the sea
Out there somewhere is where I long to be
Out there somewhere is where I long to be

What a good song Noel, I really enjoyed listening and following the chords on the video.

Nice catchy chorus, a song that could be used in lots of different ways, just listening to, or film.

When I look at the chords I am amazed at the complexity of them, and how you were able to weave a nice melody line around them, curious to know Noel how you came up with the melody, did you have it first, and then just work out the chords for it, or put in chords and work out the melody line from them?

A most enjoyable listen Noel and the video is brilliant in showing us the chords and how its done.

Take care
Musiclover

Noel,
You've done a sensational job with this. I really like the vocals especially with the placement of backing vocals in the Choruses. They really fill the song out nicely.

The selection of style really works well, with a great guitar feel sitting throughout the mix.

The song tells a meaningful story in a well presented manner. Excellent choice of Styles.

Congratulations!
Trevor

Hi Musiclover,

Thanks for popping in.

This song was inspired by a minor-sounding loop I listened to over and over and over. I've found that if I repeatedly listen to a loop of music, around 2 to 8 bars, sooner of later words start coming to mind and sometimes those words can lead to lyrics. In this case, they did.

Originally this song began in the key of G minor because that was the key of loop. The chord progression for bars 3 - 10 came first and I built the melody around it simultaneously as I developed the lyrics. Then, when I got to the chorus, I thought it might be useful to give it a musical lift and so I went to G major (like the Cilla Black song, "You're My World"). Bars 3 - 10 are chords I, IV, V in the minor key and these are paralleled by chords I, IV, V in the major key in bars 19 - 26. Bars 11 - 18 were the last to be added and they came about when I was looking at extending the song. Essentially they are a transitional bridge where I'm travelling from the minor-key verse to the major-key chorus.

Thank you for taking the time to have a listen/watch. I appreciate it.

All the best,
Noel

Hi Trevor.

Good to see you. I agree. This is a really great style. I thought of eric and his classy, laid-back guitar playing when I put it together. He's the jazz-funk specialist in the forum!

I appreciate your taking the time to listen... thanks for the comments, too.

Regards,
Noel

very nice song. Much feeling in it.
Nice chords line.

I appreciate your video, so I played my guitar
while I was listening to the song very easily.

Great voice as usual.

Sergio

Hi Sergio,

Thanks for visiting. I appreciate the comments. Also, I'm glad the video was useful. It was a good idea of Charlie's!

All the best,
Noel

Noel,

Loved this! Solid write. Start to finish.

"Red and orange ripples on the ocean
The scent of frangipani rides the breeze"

Great opening! (I did have to look up frangipani...)

The chorus is terrific. The cadence of this:

"Every night I close my eyes
And with all my soul I hope and pray
That some day God will help me fly beyond the sea"

... is outstanding. Folks often neglect how important the cadence of a lyric/melody combination is to creating a good (well-written) song. This is truly top-notch in that regard! The 2nd time it came around, I could not help but break out in a big smile...

The arrangement/instrumentation and mix are excellent - no surprise there. Your vocal is wonderful - in the pocket.

I thoroughly enjoyed this! Terrific.

floyd

Wow Noel, a really great song. This one flows very naturally.
Thanks for the nod to me about the video, and it is exactly what I surmised, expanding the song to 'see' what we 'hear' and gain a teachable moment.

I think the video allows the BIAB user to get a meaningful and technical insight into the song. For the non-BIAB user, they can follow along with the chord progression and also hopefully to get motivated to purchase their own copy of BIAB because if nothing else, the video accentuates the PGMusic marketing piece and makes it appear you simply enter your chord progression, choose a style and sing-a-long with your song. LOL, those little red squares and red chord/dots swiftly pass by un-noticed.

It's good to see that others have commented favorably about including the Biab video feature.

As usual, top shelf lyric and story, excellent mix and great vocals. I enjoyed the backing vocals and think they sit perfectly in the mix.

Enjoyed this from start to finish.

Charlie

Hi Noel,
+1 I couldn't say it better.
The video is a nice touch.

Guenter

Hi Noel.

I was hooked by the rhythm right from the start and then there's that beautifully smooth vocal floating over the top of it.

Great song and I especially liked the harmonies.

Where the lead guitar link came in I was hoping for a solo, but then I always am!

Cheers, ROG.

Noel this is fantastic. I really liked the chord progression, backing tracks, lyrics and especially you vocals.

Great song!

Very nice, Noel. Enjoyed the listen.

Regards,

Bob

Beautiful melody! very enjoyable.

Kenny

Wow!!!well done mate. Very original.
Love the video. Rob

Well Noel,

This is definitely something else than your other contributions we've heard so far. Very nice rythm/arrangement, smooth and relaxed groove.
What's not to like ?

Rob and Anne-Marie

Great sound Noel! This style suits you really well and the tight well written lyrical journey with it's deft choices of imagery held me from start to finish.

Hi Noel. Great song. Really enjoyed the lift to the chorus and very much like seeing the chords.
Wish all songs were posted with chords. I think this song particularly suits your voice. Cheers.

Noel,

Such sad lyrics, I feel, but as usual up to your impeccable high standards.
I like the vocals over bars 27 - 31 a lot.

I also appreciate your insight into your technique for writing songs as it is SO different from my method. I also like that you can explain the reasons for the changes whereas I go "well why not?"

good stuff

very enjoyable as usual

Alyn

Thanks floyd! I appreciate your comments.

I played around with the "Every night I close my eyes..." section quite a bit before it settled into what it now is. It has taken me a heck of a long time to develop an ear for how the sounds of words fit together.... a decade or more in fact! I've also discovered that it's sometimes necessary to close my mind to the meaning of words and just listen to how they fit together sound-wise. Learning to write lyrics has been a long and interesting journey for me. I'm just grateful that you discovered these forums because your songs have been a huge part of my journey.

Strange about 'frangipani'. I had a look in Wikipedia after reading your comment and discovered that the flower has a heap of different names. Live and learn!

Thanks again!
Noel