Nothing much to do this Sunday morning, so I thought I'd have a look at some of my old songs and covers ... long story short, I've re-done "Amazing Grace", which I'd first covered in 2019. This one is dedicated to Ed Shaw, who has always been ever so kindly enthusiastic about my little songs and arrangements, but particularly about this one, as I remember :-)
I just took the BIAB MIDI band below, took the RealDrums out and replaced the other MIDI sounds in Mixcraft Pro Studio 9. A dash of "Cathedral"-level reverb and here it is :-) All thoughts and comments welcome - thank you for listening!
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to feel, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did grace appear The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.
ORIGINAL BAND:
****** Song Summary ************* Title: Amazing Grace - 7 October 2019 File:Amazing Grace - 7 October 2019 B.SGU Key=Db , Tempo 55, Length (m:s)=3:09 No intro. 18 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 18. Repeat x3 choruses No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Style is 9-8_SLOW.STY (9/8 Slow-Tempo Arpeggio) Style MIDI Instruments are : Acoustic String Bass (33), Electric Piano (5), Acoustic Guitar (26), Orchestral Strings (47), MIDI Drums :1 Standard Drum Kit (1)
RealDrums will be substituted :Pop98^3-a:Brushes , b:Sidestick, Ride
Thanks for that thought, James. We can always count on you to find some overlooked gem in BIAB Styles. I love that driving, congregational, arpegiated backing. It works well with Amazing Grace, one of those hymns that always seems to put me up against the wall when I try to do a version myself. Maybe that's why I appreciate the efforts of others.
fj: yes, it's nice to stretch one's vocal chords on a song sufficiently in my range, so as not to hurt any eardrums when straining for a high note or something! haha. The arrangement is all BIAB, I merely changed the instruments ... so all that juxtaposition of the strings to the bass is BIAB's work :-) Thanks so much for listening and for commenting so kindly!
Scott C: thank you. I really appreciate you listening to, and commenting upon, my little musical efforts!
Steve Young: thank you. I'm so glad you like the arrangement, as I deliberately wanted to keep it simple.
Ed: thank you ever so much for yet more kind comments from you. I don't see why you don't have a go at the song, yourself. BIAB, as you say, is full of styles - and you are an accomplished musician, of course ... so it's just a case of finding something that matches your inner vision for the song, as I see it. I'd love to hear an Ed Shaw version, personally - sacred songs are your forte, so I think you'd be amazing at it ...
Peter: thanks! You are such a good arranger and producer, so yours are highly appreciated words, for me. Thanks!
James, Well sung; your vocals are sincere and have a nice depth. Its enjoyable to be reminded of the purity of the hymn with a simple arrangement like this.
Beautifully done! Love to hear you singing on this one . . . really, really good. So much so that I would have loved to hear that vocal come up a little bit more on the mix. Wonderful cover of a classic tune—well done!
You immediately grabbed my attention with that introduction-free beginning. I loved it! It's a strategy that some of the very best singers and arrangers have used over the years and it works really well because it immediately plunges the listener into thick of things.
Here are a couple of people who did the same thing. As you'll notice, you are keeping mighty fine company.
I really liked what you did with Amazing Grace. It's such a beautiful song. Those chords where you stepped outside the usual harmony were nicely inventive
Thanks so much, Noel! That is exalted company indeed, far too high for little ol' me, of course ... but I'm glad you enjoyed the song, "straight into it", without introduction, as it is! You've always got a kind, constructive word to say when you comment, so thank you - really, really appreciated!
Some of my earliest 50's small rural church memories are a cappella versions of this tune.
We enjoyed yours and thanks for the memories!
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
Ronnie, Janice, Bud: thank you. I love this hymn, which terrifies me when I want to sing it almost as much as I love it :-) - so it's great to know that you liked it! Thank you so much for listening and for letting me know it's not a total disaster, haha ... really appreciated. Those rural church a cappella memories must be incredible ... I can only wish I'd heard it in similar circumstances. So far, I love the gospel versions of it that I hear ... but it's such an incredible hymn, it really stands out on its own anyway ... for most singers, anyhow, haha :-) thanks.
James, I too like to hear you sing as opposed to many of the spoken tunes (which you did a fine job on). You have an excellent voice! Very nice treatment of the old classic on this one! Thanks, Torrey
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