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#707706 03/06/22 06:23 AM
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I made this song back in 2016, but decided to remix it recently. I liked the melody.
The remix included parts of the band and a bit of the lyrics. I think the solo stayed the same and the style.
The lyrics needed some change because I noticed my English was worse than it is now.
It was my plan to post this last week, but because of a cold I couldn't get the vocals well. That's why I posted another song (After All, v2).
And I liked to post it now because it's a bit actual.

The song is about questions we all had/have in our lifetime, although with another personal touch, I think.
I began to question the meaning of life religiously, politically, socially and personally. I'll end by saying it were just questions.
In a way it's a sad song, but covered up as an alternative rock song.
As you would have guessed the song is called Questions https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/questions-remix

The lyrics are on SoundCloud, the technical aspects below:

The style is CAMPING.STY, 110 bpm.

RealTracks in song: 4028:Bass, Electric, ModernCountry8ths Ev 120
RealTracks in song: ~405:Guitar, Acoustic
RealTracks in song: 3171:Guitar, Acoustic
RealTracks in song: ~618:Fiddle,
RealTracks in song: 1265:Synth Pad,
RealTracks in song: ~2201:Guitar, Nylon
RealDrums [in Song:ChaChaPerc^04-a:Congas, b:Sticks

But beside these instruments I used a lot of other instruments with my keyboard and in my DAW (loops).
I hope you like it,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
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I like it a lot... Very nice arrangement, the background vocals are very interesting, they're from your keyboard?


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Hi Bloc-head,

Thanks for your comment.
The bg was more or less experimental, to get something els than what we / I always do.
I used some (parts of) loops and sounds from Native Instruments.

As far as I can see you were the only one responding to the song. That's a new experience for me and I can tell you, not a pleasant one!

But thanks a lot,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
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This is strong stuff! That is one powerful opening, and it opens wide into an awesome interrogative litany.

The contrast between the first big social questions and the later close personal ones is interesting, it has me thinking how someone might actually make that jump in what they're wondering about. I do find the change a bit disorienting, though, it seems to kind of discard the first set, rather than follow it somewhere.

PS – There's a small sound at the very beginning that possibly wasn't meant to be there, before the slide enters.

PPS – I'm curious about those background vocals as well. I have to say, I loved it when they entered in back of the question about the imams (though I did pause with a thought about infantilization, but anyway.)

Thanks for this, strong and good stuff.

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Hi Birchwood,

It's a well-crafted song that allows us a personal reflection on the meaning of life. It's fun and it's well done.

Best regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash


Kindly regards
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash
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Easy listening at its best. This reminds my of Harry Nilsson style music, which means it is wonderful. You have very nice voice. Gentle but swings. Great message contained in the lyrics. The band was good too. Good one.


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Classic folk music - a mellow sound, but subversive lyrics. wink

Hey priest, can you tell
Is Earth like Heaven
Or more like Hell?


Nice!


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
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Originally Posted By: Mark Hayes
This is strong stuff! That is one powerful opening, and it opens wide into an awesome interrogative litany.

The contrast between the first big social questions and the later close personal ones is interesting, it has me thinking how someone might actually make that jump in what they're wondering about. I do find the change a bit disorienting, though, it seems to kind of discard the first set, rather than follow it somewhere.

PS – There's a small sound at the very beginning that possibly wasn't meant to be there, before the slide enters.

PPS – I'm curious about those background vocals as well. I have to say, I loved it when they entered in back of the question about the imams (though I did pause with a thought about infantilization, but anyway.)

Thanks for this, strong and good stuff.


Hi Mark, at first, thanks for your nice, sharp comment. I will start with the PS and PPS:
The ps: I corrected it. Normally I hear those things, now I didn't. So thanks for that.
The pps: The bg appeared to become my greatest challenge in this song. My thoughts: The bg had to be very different from the leadsinger.
I tried an African choir, a children choir, yelling people, a lot vocals on my keyboard and even singing it myself. But then I found the kind of tune I liked most. and where you say infantilization began, it was with that tyrant. But I needed some kind of warning from the bg, like oh oh, oh oh. So the bg had to respond on the lyrics (a bit).

Then the rest: my idea back in 2016 was to muze or raise questions about political or social issues and soon after that the personall ones. I had noticed people often start with mentioning these big issues and finally come to what really matters for them. That's what I copied in the song. And not pretend I have answers. In that sense you weren't right on discarding questions, but only wondering why.

I hope you read this, but thanks again for what you wrote,
Hans

Last edited by Birchwood; 03/08/22 02:37 AM.

Hans Berkhout
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I really like the results of your experiment with the background vocals, Hans. Man, this song has so many good qualities. Your vocal sounds terrific, and the mix is so rewarding to the ears. Those acoustic guitars are so well placed. It's always such a pleasure to listen to your songs, man. There is so much --so many little pieces that are so perfect in the mix.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Hans,

LOVED that opening!! And the BAND (and ALL the parts added) stay REALLY interesting from start to finish.

I like the write. Good questions, for sure. More people should be asking those kinds of questions.

Well sung. Mix sounds good.

One of your best! (there are a lot of good ones)

fj

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Yes, great questions that we all should ask

I liked the transition from world to personal, extremely well done

Super vocal backed by an outstanding band

Outstanding lyrics

loved it

PS - the Bible has the answer to your last question.


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Originally Posted By: Birchwood
my idea back in 2016 was to muze or raise questions about political or social issues and soon after that the personal ones. I had noticed people often start with mentioning these big issues and finally come to what really matters for them. That's what I copied in the song.

Thanks for explaining, I know some might think it against the rules of esthetic criticism but I appreciate being able to ask you the artist what you had in mind.

This has me recalling the song "Easy To Be Hard" from the musical "Hair", which does a very different take on the personal and political:

How can people have no feelings?
How can they ignore their friends?
Easy to be hard, easy to be cold
Especially people who care about strangers
Who care about evil and social injustice
Do you only care about the bleeding crowd?
How about a needing friend?
I need a friend

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Very cool intro Hans. Super mix. Very clean lots of separation. Another excellent vocal and lyric. Loved the backtrack and chord progressions. Well done.


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Interesting and thought provoking lyric.
I'm not convinced targetting Islam for the question about gender bias is entirely fair or reasonable given the soft question the "priest" gets.
The music is cool and the melody is good too.
Vocally this isn't as "halo" laden as your last offering but the processing is apparent as it accentuates the sibilant stuff.
Well done Hans, well done.


Cheers
rayc
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Hi Hans
Fantastic song
Brilliantly arranged
Excellent sung
Can be listened to again and again
There is so much to discover in your song
The nylon guitar does a great job
Well done, Hans
many greetings
Andi ;-)

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This is chock full of evocative questions written in a clever and understandable manner.

You sang it with conviction...very nice vocal.

The band is excellent. Your choice of BiaB tracks, your keyboard and other loops worked together in a seamless manner. And they are very well mixed.

We are glad you decided to revisit it and, yes, we like the melody also!

Engaging and enjoyable...

J&B


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Hi Derochette, Jptjptjpt, David and Marty,

I'm glad you didn't accuse me of 'overkill' with this second song so soon after the other one (After All v2)! Normally I don't post 2 songs in a row, but in this case i thought I had to, as I explained. Thanks for your very nice comments.

Originally Posted By: Derochette
Hi Birchwood,
It's a well-crafted song that allows us a personal reflection on the meaning of life. It's fun and it's well done.


Derochette, thanks! The questions were not really personal, although I admit I also had these kind of questions like more people. Only the one about my father came close. But I wanted to outline a thought process that I often saw taking place; people raise all kind of questions, but in the end it's the personal things that matter the most and then boldly say that they don't care. And there I made a joke that also goes back to the first question. Glad you liked it!

Originally Posted By: jptjptjpt
Easy listening at its best. This reminds my of Harry Nilsson style music, which means it is wonderful. You have very nice voice. Gentle but swings. Great message contained in the lyrics. The band was good too. Good one.


Jptjptjpt, thanks for these words! And by referring to Harry Nilsson you came close to my honorific; John L, by J&B ;-)

Originally Posted By: dcuny
Classic folk music - a mellow sound, but subversive lyrics. wink
Hey priest, can you tell
Is Earth like Heaven
Or more like Hell?


Nice!


David, back in 2016 these words were slightly different, but I thought it must be some nasty question to ask a priest. The Imam would have less problems with his question. But I didn't want to hard religious questions, because that would distract from the song/melody. Something like criticism light... Nice you liked the song!

Originally Posted By: BabuMusic
I really like the results of your experiment with the background vocals, Hans. Man, this song has so many good qualities. Your vocal sounds terrific, and the mix is so rewarding to the ears. Those acoustic guitars are so well placed. It's always such a pleasure to listen to your songs, man. There is so much --so many little pieces that are so perfect in the mix.


Mart, you always say things so nice and this is no exception. thanks a lot! And you mentioned the background vocals. Well, let me tell you it took me a long time to arrange them like this. At first I had a 'classical' bg; singing them myself and change the pitch a bit. But i found this boring here. And to make a long story short: I cutted a bunch of different vocal loops into this and hoped for the best... Apparently it worked ;-)

And let me finish by wishing you a very nice weekend,
Hans


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Hans...really enjoyed the song...loved the track and your vocals were great...interesting song...we all have these questions but few of us could express them as well...a poignant song indeed! Thanks for posting it.


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Hi Hans,

Very well written, and excellent vocal.

Track sounds great also. What did you use for the intro if you don't mind my asking?

Good song, one of many actually smile

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Hi Hans,

Very good song.
We like the intro very much.
And as for the subject of the song... don't we all have this kind of questions from time to time?
Zo, nu sta je toch weer bovenaan laugh

Rob and Anne-Marie


We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.

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