Hi all! I posted this morning about why I have been absent from the forum for the past several weeks. I hope everyone here is staying safe and healthy. I am doing well, have been in quarantine the past few weeks, under my doctor's orders. (Thank God I do not have the virus, but I have some health conditions that place me in high risk and merit the quarantine.) I have been working from home, providing support for Walmart Grocery Pickup and Delivery customers. As such I have observed so much pain in people I have talked to. Very heartbreaking to talk to so many people who have lost so much, including the loss of loved ones. So I decided to write a song to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives to this tragic virus, as well as to honor those who love them. I hope it brings the proper respect and honor to these folks. I am so thankful that all my family is healthy. If you are a praying person, we really appreciate your prayers, as my wife works at our local Walmart, where several associates have contracted the virus, and some of the folks who lost their lives shopped at this store. We are trusting God for continued good health and protection. Thanks for letting me ramble. Now for the song...

Long Way Home - Video

Long Way Home - Soundcloud

Long Way Home
©Stephen W. Young

I knew it happened every day
The words that no one wants to hear
And people don't know what to say
They don't know where to go from here

I never thought it would be you
It had to be somebody else
If I could choose between the two
I'd gladly offer up myself

So take the long way home
I don't want to be alone
In a house as empty as a shell
I know that I'll be fine
It's just gonna take some time
for me to learn just how to say farewell

I know you want me to move on
I know you're in a better place
But it's the night before the dawn
Tomorrow brings a special grace

So take the long way home
I don't want to be alone
In a house as empty as a shell
I know that I'll be fine
It's just gonna take some time
for me to learn just how to say farewell

-
I did this one in Luna (UA just released this daw free to anyone who has a thunderbolt Apollo interface.) Pretty impressive workflow, and UA is pretty well known for their quality (if not expensive) plugins. Although this is a simple arrangement, with the orchestration and all the background vocal tracks, I ended up with 30 tracks on this one, and Luna never blinked. I played the piano, organ, and orchestra parts. All the instruments I used also came free with Luna. I'm pretty impressed with the setup Luna provides. Here is the awesome "band" that BB provided...

RealTracks in song: ~2474:Bass, Acoustic, Held Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 3109:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm AmericanaFolk16thsLowBrent Ev16 060
RealTracks in song: 1038:Guitar, High-Strung Acoustic, Rhythm NorthernRockBallad Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 2880:Fiddle, Background AmericanaSlow16thsAndy Ev16 060
RealDrums [in Song:AmericanaRoots16th^05-a:Kick, Sidestick, b:Snare

Hi Steve ...

As I mentioned on SounCloud ... you always create some wonderful and amazing music. This is one of your very best. perfect message with the perfect delivery.

To my knowledge, no one in our local Walmart has tested positive. Hope it stays that way. Di and I have both been tested and found negative. I'm in good health but Di is an easy target ... over 73 years old, very compromised immune system and a myriad of other health issues. But so far ... she's holding strong.

Wishing you and your loved ones continued blessings and fortune. Will include you and yours in our prayers tonight.

Excellent song! Normally, I might say the vocal is a little too forward in the mix ... but I think it's just fine for this song. It works, and that's what counts. Take care and God bless. Be safe ...

Alan

Excellent song, vocal, and production. Great skills and a great voice to boot!

All around excellent recording. It is so well done technically I almost
forgot the meaning. Almost, not quite.

Thanks Alan! I pray for you and especially Di. I hope she is doing well. I know you guys have had a real battle. I truly appreciate your kind words. I wrestled with how forward the vocal is in this one. But ended up leaving it as it is, to emphasize the message. Blessings to you, my friend...



Thanks, TuneMonger! So glad you like it. Thanks for dropping in on this one!



Thank you, Ed! Really appreciate you taking the time to give this a listen and comment! Thank you for your very generous words! (And I'm glad you didn't forget the meaning.)

===

Steve

Beautifully done, Steve. Stay well.

Excellent song-writing and delivery. You have just the right tinge of softness that carries the wistful message beautifully. I love the spaciousness of the band. That low guitar line holding back for just the right moment to peek through. That'll keep you listening if nothing else would. Wonderful.

"So take the long way home
I don't want to be alone
In a house as empty as a shell
I know that I'll be fine
It's just gonna take some time
For me to learn just how to say farewell"

You broke my heart with that, Steve. Heart-breakingly beautiful.

A really nice production and a vocal dripping sincerity.

Beautiful.

fj

Steve

Beautifully done - superb vocal and lyric. Just lovely.

Best wishes from here in Australia we can see you are all doing it very tough over there.

Peter

Hi Stephen,

Again, a beautiful song from you with that nice, dark voice of yours. Very sensitive and good lyrics.
Very good production all together.
One little observation: I noticed on SoundCloud your song sounded -slightly- better than on the video. How come? My ears?

Cheers,
Hans

Steve, your voice gives me shivers, it expresses the fragile life simply perfectly. The simple arrangement with long holds leaves room for thoughts while listening to those deeply touching words. Strings and the fiddle complete the masterpiece. I just cannot listen to another song after this breathtakingly beautiful melody and words.

Janne

Steve,
beautiful and touching song. To my taste, this is one of the best tunes I heard by you. Very well done all the way. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

Steve lovely song , lovely arrangement and a Beautiful up front (NOT TOO MUCH) vocal tops this off, lyrics are soulful, This had a Rodger Whittaker feel sound to it for me.

Now that's not a bad thing!!

Enjoyed this.

Take care.

This sounds great Steve!!

Beautiful Heart piercing. Great song. Great vocal performance. You really drew me into the song.

Nice song.
You did a nice job capturing the situation.

Steve,
Beautiful sentiments floating in that awesome chorus. You capture warmth in such a present, relaxed way vocally; listening to you on this is a kind of balm for the soul.
Wonderful song.

Robert

Really beautiful song, Steve and your vocal is so good.
Best wishes to you and your family.
Regards,
Leon

Thanks so much, Marty! (Love the Good Times Roll)



Thank you, Tangmo! So glad you like this one!



Always good to hear from you, Floyd! Really appreciate your thoughtful words. Glad you like this one.

===

Steve

Wow, very powerful song! That chorus is perfect. Love your vocal too.

Excellent, Steve, enjoyed!