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#613856 - 09/05/20 06:50 PM
[User Showcase]
NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
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Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 6571
Loc: Davis, CA
Veteran
Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 6571
Loc: Davis, CA
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Hello forum friends. Just listened to a whole bunch of great songs here! Will continue to catch up this week. There are lots of things that inspire songs. This one was inspired by a film about the late 60's in Laurel Canyon, called Echo in the Canyon. For me, although misrepresented in the lyrics, I was a bit late in my appreciation of that era until about 3-5 years later. But, the wonderful music of that era speaks to me like no other music does. It was as if God shone his light in that small and beautiful geographic location for a moment in time. If someone gave me one trip in a time machine, I would choose there and then. Seeing the film makes me ecstatic, and at the same time tearful, because I feel a sense of loss for a scene I never got to experience. After seeing that film, I had to write a song to capture it within myself. After seeing the movie a 4th time, I realized that there were two scenes which inspired it. One is the song Going Back by the Byrds written by Carole King (one of my musical soulmates) and Gerry Goffin. I didn't realized until later that the theme of going back to a time of innocence was echoed in my song. The other scene in the film was when Graham Nash said "I truly believe music can change the world", and he, with emotion that you could see almost swollen him whole, "I'm not letting this go". That part was also subconsciously taken by me for this song. Really hope you like it, and please comment if you can. I was so pleased with the wonderful response to Whatya Done!! Take care all. https://soundcloud.com/gjohnson-2/never-letting-go-of-the-dream
Edited by Greg Johnson (09/05/20 06:57 PM)
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#613864 - 09/05/20 09:00 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 08/21/18
Posts: 1368
Expert
Registered: 08/21/18
Posts: 1368
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Just fantastic. You're really singing my heart here. I hope I was hearing some electric 12-string arps in there, but I heard them either way. Line after line of sweet refences tempered with wisdom, but still allowed to be. Love this so much.
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#613866 - 09/05/20 09:34 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 02/20/10
Posts: 1707
Loc: Maryland
Expert
Registered: 02/20/10
Posts: 1707
Loc: Maryland
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"My heart was in the canyon and my head was in the clouds." Wow, what a great line. Another winner by one of the best here on the Showcase. Loved everything about this. Fantastic vocals as usual. Need a lyric sheet, might be some other great lines I missed. Liked ending the song with a guitar solo.
_________________________
Windows 10, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 6i6, Komplete keyboard, Sony Acid Music Studio 11, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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#613885 - 09/06/20 02:48 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 01/03/14
Posts: 606
Journeyman
Registered: 01/03/14
Posts: 606
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#613886 - 09/06/20 02:56 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 11/30/07
Posts: 4344
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Veteran
Registered: 11/30/07
Posts: 4344
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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WOW! You have outdone yourself with this one, Greg! Lyrics really spoke to me being a child of the 60's/70's, just an exceptional write. And I'm certainly getting a Byrds vibe with those (sublime!) vocals/harmonies. I watched that movie too a while back, thanks for the reminder, I think I'll watch it again tonight. I'm with Tangmo; Fantastic is a perfect one word summary! Loved it 
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#613915 - 09/06/20 07:54 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 10206
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 10206
Loc: Florida
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BEAUTIFUL.
In every regard.
Songwriting - Beautiful! Top-shelf. A real Knock Out.
Vocals - Beautiful! All those guys rolled into one - the Byrds, CSNY, The Eagles, a little Beach Boys, the Mamas and the Papas...
Production & Mix - Beautiful.
Don't ever let go of that dream!
SO damn good!!
fj
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#613949 - 09/06/20 03:50 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 12/06/03
Posts: 4812
Loc: Sydney Australia
Veteran
Registered: 12/06/03
Posts: 4812
Loc: Sydney Australia
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Greg
A lush sounding tribute to a very creative period in music history.
Lovely vocal and harmonies, and a very well put together backing.
Some top quality song writing, producing and performing.
Peter
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#613961 - 09/06/20 05:55 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 5119
Loc: Sacramento, California
Veteran
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 5119
Loc: Sacramento, California
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Listening was like being lifted and carried away by wave of well-produced nostalgia. 
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#614003 - 09/07/20 07:22 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 12/08/11
Posts: 6641
Loc: Edmonton, Ab, Canada
Veteran
Registered: 12/08/11
Posts: 6641
Loc: Edmonton, Ab, Canada
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Very cool song Greg. Loved you harmonies and did get the Byrds feel. I really enjoyed that film. There was a Winnipeg boy who fell right into the middle of all that. Neil Young made his way down there via Winnipeg to Toronto to LA. Loved the tune
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#614008 - 09/07/20 08:05 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 11/29/06
Posts: 2718
Loc: Finland
Veteran
Registered: 11/29/06
Posts: 2718
Loc: Finland
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Nice story, although I haven't seen that documentary, I can relate to getting inspired by a such a watching experience.
Beautiful vocals and lush harmonies, lovely nostalgic band - especially the picking guitar and the organ create nice atmosphere.
Janne
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#614092 - 09/07/20 10:01 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 11/30/19
Posts: 232
Loc: Sunny Florida :)
Apprentice
Registered: 11/30/19
Posts: 232
Loc: Sunny Florida :)
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Great vocals, nice nostalgic and sweet vibes, I love the feelings that this song generate. You did a really great job!
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#614106 - 09/08/20 04:47 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 04/13/16
Posts: 4425
Loc: Cooran Queensland Australia
Veteran
Registered: 04/13/16
Posts: 4425
Loc: Cooran Queensland Australia
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Lovely melody and vocal performances.
Who's what & where?
_________________________
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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#614146 - 09/08/20 08:26 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 06/09/16
Posts: 3179
Veteran
Registered: 06/09/16
Posts: 3179
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Greg,
A sweetly melodic tribute to a magical time. Fine lead and near-perfect harmonies with a good approximation of that Byrds sound from the band (for my taste the guitar outro didn`t quite fit; maybe I`m just hung up on the Rickenbaker sound!).
Great work.
Robert
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#614147 - 09/08/20 08:31 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 10/02/19
Posts: 294
Loc: Aberdeen, NC
Apprentice
Registered: 10/02/19
Posts: 294
Loc: Aberdeen, NC
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Hi Greg,
Maybe you ought to go there in person if that place inspired such as great tune! This is such a well done song, the music as well as the vocals. The only downfall I can find with it is the fact you didn't post they lyrics anywhere, or if you did, I missed them. Thanks for posting it, I enjoyed listening to your song.
Edited by Bawb (09/08/20 08:32 AM)
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#614176 - 09/08/20 12:16 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 09/30/16
Posts: 1629
Loc: Netherlands, Haarlem
Expert
Registered: 09/30/16
Posts: 1629
Loc: Netherlands, Haarlem
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Hi Greg,
I didn't know the origin of these songs came out of a canyon. But I know I liked and still like these kind of songs.
You created a nice example of that music. Nice vocals, a catchy melody and good choice of the band. very well done!
It reminds me of some Dutch boys becoming famous in those years (Bolland and Bolland). Probably you never heard of theme, but here in the netherlands we liked them very much for this kind of music.
So you brought some nostalgic with your song. A pity these days are the past now...
But as long as I can hear it from you I'm happy.
Hans
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#614191 - 09/08/20 01:13 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 12/05/11
Posts: 11778
Loc: GA USA
Veteran
Registered: 12/05/11
Posts: 11778
Loc: GA USA
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Having watched the documentary a while back we feel you nailed the era
with the lyric, the band, the melody, the mix and your excellent vocals.
It was a creative musical era that spawned a lot of good music and you've
produced a song that harkens back to the best aspects of it.
Really well done Greg! It sounds like an excellent lost cut from that period.
J&B
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#614239 - 09/08/20 04:46 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 06/05/12
Posts: 1081
Expert
Registered: 06/05/12
Posts: 1081
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Beautiful song. Great use of the band. Above all else, the 60's showed the power of music, especially the power of the three minute (or so) popular song style. We are still feeling the reverberation of that era today.
_________________________
My music can be heard at: The Cracks
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#614260 - 09/08/20 08:21 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 12/29/12
Posts: 5897
Loc: Originally Missouri ... Now Al...
Veteran
Registered: 12/29/12
Posts: 5897
Loc: Originally Missouri ... Now Al...
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Hi Greg ...
I'm still drifting on that cloud that's floating over the canyon.
This is awesome, my friend! I can think of no rational reason you're not a household name ... it should be. two things, besides your magic voice, that stuck out in the best of ways as I listened:
1. I love the way you split the vocal harmony so wide. Your low harmony on the right channel was so nice ... I know we always complement you on that soaring high range you possess, but this is the first time I've heard you sing that low. It was dang good!
2. The 12 string just carries the listener to the era and sets him/her right in the middle of it. I was in high school at that time - you got me looking for my the homework I need to do!
This is a truly authentic sound. It was a fabulous listen. I, like the others here, fee privileged to hear your music ... not just thankful, appreciative and delighted by it ... but truly privileged.
Take care and be safe ...
Alan
_________________________
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#614289 - 09/09/20 05:51 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 3495
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 3495
Loc: Florida
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Greg, this is an extraordinary write and performance! I have a great affection for that time and place. Although I’ve never been there ( spent about an hour in smog filled LA in 1970 and immediately headed north) It was a huge influence on me. My first band played “ Feel A Whole Lot Better” by the Byrds. Petty covered it just a few years ago and I was thrilled. CSN&Y, Jackson Browne, The Eagles and several more California bands were among my favorites. This song has captured the era perfectly with the exquisite harmonies of vocals and the peace movement. I believe hearts were in the right place but it was not sustainable in the harsh realities of the real world. Thanks for the trip back in time so eloquently delivered, Tom
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#614332 - 09/09/20 11:58 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: NEW SONG POST: Never Letting Go of the Dream
[Re: Greg Johnson]
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Registered: 12/23/17
Posts: 780
Loc: Alabama
Journeyman
Registered: 12/23/17
Posts: 780
Loc: Alabama
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Yeah, I was 14 going on 15, But, boy do I remember 69. Love this song Greg, your vocals are so d---- good. man you cooked this one for all of us!!! Cliff
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