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#638572 01/27/21 02:00 AM
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Hello everyone,

I was away for a while. I see a lot of songs I have to listen to. But I hope you also want to take a listen to my first new song of 2021 and also first contribute to our forum this year. The song is called LISTEN, not only because I want you to do so. It's mainly because of the story of the song:
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/listen-240121-v18a

It is some kind of lovestory and has a bit a French setting. I used an accordeon for that. I also used a Koto, a Japanese snare instrument that one cannot use so easely in a song. But here it does and also on a solo part.
I think you won't have any difficulty with the French words I used whistle

Let me know what you think of it; what is good or what can I improve.
Thanks,
Hans (Birchwood)

The song:
Style is _NATURAL.STY (Natural 1990s Indie Folk Pop)
I used:
RealTracks: 3468:Bas
RealTracks: 1757:Accordeon
RealTracks: 3703:Guitar, Acoustic
RealTracks: 3708:Guitar, Acoustic
RealTracks: 2327:Koto, Synth
RealTracks: 3236:Guitar, Nylon
RealDrums : Congas and Shaker [Multi]
Keyboard for 'house-sounds' in choruses

The lyrics:
Listen
(c) HWBerkhout (Birchwood) 24-01-2021

She came from Paris on her own
It's the place she calls home
She speaks English with a French accent
But whatever I say she'll understand

A week ago she came to visit me
And she loved to stroll near the sea
"Je t'aime"! I wished to shout out loud
But she puts her finger on my mouth

Chorus
Then she whispered in my ear:
"I love your voice
I want to steal that smile of yours
But at the sea is more to hear
than just some noise
So listen
Listen"

=solo=

Oh, she speaks English with a French accent
But whatever she says, I don't understand
"Je t'aime"! I only wished to shout out loud
But I didn't had the nerves

Chorus
Then she whispered in my ear:
"I love your voice"
And I listened
I listened
"But at the sea is more to hear
than just some noise"
So I listened
I listened

Oh, we had nothing much to say now
Silence can be sweet, I know how
"Je t'aime" I tried to say to her, but
I kept my mouth shut

She went back to Paris that day
"Je t'aime" she smiled and drove away
Maybe one day she will call
I have her picture on my wall
And I listen
I listen
Listen...



Last edited by Birchwood; 01/27/21 02:01 AM.

Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
Birchwood #638604 01/27/21 05:37 AM
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Hans,

This is excellent.

A very good write. Actually, the fact that English is not your native tongue, it is an amazing write!!

""Je t'aime"! I wished to shout out loud
But she puts her finger on my mouth"

Nice!!

"Then she whispered in my ear:
"I love your voice
I want to steal that smile of yours
But at the sea is more to hear
than just some noise
So listen
Listen""

Nice!!

Your production is your best - ever! Terrific arrangement. Great use of BIAB instruments. The koto is an inspired choice. The entirety of the production keeps the ear happy all the way through.

And a solid mix. Your vocal is (perhaps) your best. And it sits in the mix nicely.

Excellent!!

fj

Birchwood #638659 01/27/21 02:58 PM
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I really liked the restraint in this. You gave some details and allowed for some very effective mystery. And the arrangement and mix were so pleasing to the ear!

Maybe your best yet. Listen...


Windows 10, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 6i6, Komplete keyboard, Sony Acid Music Studio 11, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
Birchwood #638660 01/27/21 02:59 PM
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You certainly got me listening, Hans. Lovely song and great production. The Koto really suits the mood - an inspired choice indeed.
Regards,
Leon

Birchwood #638662 01/27/21 03:08 PM
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Hi Hans,

Very well done. You captured the "French vibe" quite good with your choice of instruments. Nice production!

Thanks for sharing and happy 2021 to you!
Will

Birchwood #638670 01/27/21 04:07 PM
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SOLID,
pleasant vocal.
There're, from my limited experience, two approaches to saying "Je t'aime" one has a delayed soft ah, "je tem ah" at the end and the other doesn't say any ah as in "je tem". I'm uncertain which is more "romantic".
Either way the song's a cracker . I enjoyed it - the arrangement, the story and your performance.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Birchwood #638687 01/27/21 08:00 PM
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such an interesting and beautiful song! Its not often that I hear a song that doesn't instantly remind me of ten others, but this has a very unique and exotic sound to it. I like it a lot. Excellent choice of instruments. and the lyrics say what they must while still leaving a few holes into which my imagination can wander...

Thanks for posting

Birchwood #638702 01/27/21 11:56 PM
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Hi Hans,

that's very beautiful! Nice lyrics, very well-sung and another marvellous backing track. And a superb soud , too !!!.

So French that I immediately lit a Gitanes...

very good, indeed, Hans.

All the best,

Stefan

floyd jane #638898 01/29/21 01:55 AM
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Hi Floyd,

I was super proud reading your post!
Thanks for your very nice compliments. Especially those about the lyrics.

I was hesitant to continue making this song;
The theme was a bit 'overaged' on my age, although I liked the idea of conga's, an accordeon combined with a kind of 'House' rhythm and still associate it with France, if you know what I mean.
But on the other hand, I like challenges (in songs).

When do you come to the Netherlands again?
Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
TuneMonger #638899 01/29/21 02:00 AM
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Hello TuneMonger,

Thanks a lot for your comment.
It was nice you mentioned that restraint. It was on purpose, but I had a battle in myself according to it. Normally I want a story to have head and feet while here it stayed in between.
But the 'mystery' was succesful, I understand.

Thanks again,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
Leon1 #638900 01/29/21 02:02 AM
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Hi Leon,

Floyd gave me some 'proud' feelings, but your nice comment came close to that.
It's nice to read I got you listening to Listen...

Thanks man,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
Will Josef #638903 01/29/21 02:10 AM
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Hello Will,

You said it very nicely in your post. I really appreciate!
I was concerned the variety of instruments would be too much for some, but luckily that doesn't seems the case.

Of course a happy 2021 for you too with lots of new songs, Will!
Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
Birchwood #638968 01/29/21 08:45 AM
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"Je t'aime"! I wished to shout out loud
But she puts her finger on my mouth"

floyd beat us to quoting that but it is a tremendous line in a great write.

Listen is a good title because we just did ... three times!

Everything about this is inspired -- the band, your vocal, the mix and
the creative arrangement.

Janice said she could picture the two on a sidewalk at a small French cafe.

The aura of slight mystery throughout is creative and engaging.

Excellent!!!

J&B

Birchwood #638971 01/29/21 09:02 AM
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Nice imagery in those words. I like the way you tossed in a few major thirds from time to time in what I was expecting minor thirds. It kept me guessing and wondering.

The Japanese Koto was an interesting opposing point to the french accordion and the french imagery of the lyrics.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Birchwood #638973 01/29/21 09:16 AM
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Beautiful song Hans. Lovely feel to song. Excellent choice of instruments.


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
Birchwood #639012 01/29/21 02:49 PM
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You placed me in a cafe in downtown Paris with this song.

Excellent choice of instrumentation combined with a super groove.

Everything about this one is top shelf, especially since English is not your native language.

This is your best to date IMHO.


Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.

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Birchwood #639021 01/29/21 03:19 PM
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Hans

That was very nice indeed. Excellent mix and choice of band & instruments. Good vocal and lyric.

Enjoyed.

Peter

Birchwood #639211 01/30/21 03:11 PM
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This is a cool song. I like the atmosphere that you created with the rhythms and instrumentation. It's quite inviting, which brings the listener in to your story.

I enjoyed this a lot!

Birchwood #639217 01/30/21 03:26 PM
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Hans,

I've been to Paris twice - one in the 70s and once in the 80s. You took me back there again. Thanks for the reminder of those two fabulous experiences. The koto was a big surprise but it works so nicely! I was expecting a mandola or accordion. Nice choice.

The lyric (which is wonderful), combined with the music, leaves the listener with a sense of mystique and romance. And your vocal is wonderful. That was a really nice listen. It is my favorite of all your songs I've heard. Very well, conceived, arranged and executed.

Wishing you the best. Take care ...

Alan


BIAB 2022 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

Birchwood #639344 01/31/21 10:43 AM
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Very cool!! I love the mysterious sound of the music.....fits perfectly with the story of the song!! And the solo is also a perfect addition!! Certainly one of your best, if not your best!!! Take care. Greg

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