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Here's a song I wrote in February 2023, and recently finished the recording.


I was inspired by Floyd's recent use of the cello RT, but I couldn't get it to work for me on this song, so ended up using a viola RT, and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out!

All RT's are listed below. All lead, plus a rhythm track are my Tele being played through a Boss GX-100 processor that I recently got. I'm doing all the vocals as well.

I did use my MODO Drum plugin for some additional drum parts.

I mastered with IK Multimedia's T-Racks 5.
I also used a number of module processors (plugins) from that same program in my DAW (Reaper) when recording.

As always all comments are welcome.


https://soundcloud.com/greg-achord/when-im-around-you



RD Drums_NashvilleEven8 + IK Multimedia Modo Drums
RT 701 Bass
RT 642 Guitar Elec
RT 364 Guitar AcouFP
RT 368 Guitar AcouStrum
RT 2825 Piano Acou
RT 2921 Piano Acou
RT 2336 Viola

©2023 Greg Achord


When I'm Around You


I don't wanna let you see, the way you make me feel... When I'm Around You
I thought I could never find, this joy I feel inside... When I'm Around You
Who knew it would be this way,
I'm just so afraid of what I think you'll say
I don't wanna let you see, the way you make me feel... When I'm Around You


Sometimes I find it hard, to say the things I want... When I'm Around You
'Cause even though it's in my heart and mind, I'm just so shy... When I'm Around You
I wish that I could let you know,
You had me from our very first hello
Yea even though it's in my heart and mind, I'm still so shy... When I'm Around You


(Solo)


I pray some day I can open up my heart
And make you see we should never be apart
Then I hope you say the words I've longed to hear
Come hold me close to you yea always keep me near


That'll be the day I let you see, the way you make me feel... When I'm Around You
Yea then I'll wanna let you know, the way you make me feel... When I'm Around You
When I'm Around You

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Greg...Beautiful country/rock ballad...I really like the track and your use of the viola...stellar writing...your vocals are super and the solo instrumental is perfect for the song...really, really nice!


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AC.

nice vocal emotion n' lyrics mate,...
liked the cello.

i really like those doubled vocs,

only idea ...maybe try the lead guitar with a higher harmony part ? ie low n' high ?

i just heard it that way in my mind.

great slow rock effort mate.

best

om


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Nicely done man, I enjoyed this ballad.
A good write and your voice has a Dave Mason vibe.

Well done.


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That’s a good ballad, Greg!

The heartfelt vocal and fine harmonies served the lyric very well.

The viola does sound great, as does your guitar work. Nice solo!

And you wrapped in all in a fine mix that sounds GREAT on our monitors.

Kudos!

J&B


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Good love song.
The viola definitely works, that was a good choice.
And you have a good voice, really a very emotional performance.
Well arranged and mixed!

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An excellent write and production, Greg. SO pro all the way. Your lyrics are so relatable, and your vocal matches them in emotion. The harmonies are perfect. Great band, especially that Tele player.


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Greg,
Nice, big sound tune. Excellent vocals and guitar work! Liked your progression. Viola RT works very well. The only thing, to my taste I would like
to hear vocals a little more upfront. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

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AC this is such a professional sounding Nashville country song it should be on the radio today.
Loved that viola.
Super heart felt vocals and guitar chops.
Super groove.
Loved it.


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Nice song and vocals. and nice use of instruments. And the solo instrumental parts really fit nicely into the song.

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Originally Posted By: firesong
Greg...Beautiful country/rock ballad...I really like the track and your use of the viola...stellar writing...your vocals are super and the solo instrumental is perfect for the song...really, really nice!


Thank you very much firesong!


Originally Posted By: justanoldmuso
AC.

nice vocal emotion n' lyrics mate,...
liked the cello.

i really like those doubled vocs,

only idea ...maybe try the lead guitar with a higher harmony part ? ie low n' high ?

i just heard it that way in my mind.

great slow rock effort mate.

best

om



Thanks for the listen & comments om. Not sure what you mean about the guitar part... there is no harmony part, do you mean I should add one?



Originally Posted By: Bass Thumper
Nicely done man, I enjoyed this ballad.
A good write and your voice has a Dave Mason vibe.

Well done.



Hey BT, thank you very much!



Originally Posted By: Janice & Bud
That’s a good ballad, Greg!

The heartfelt vocal and fine harmonies served the lyric very well.

The viola does sound great, as does your guitar work. Nice solo!

And you wrapped in all in a fine mix that sounds GREAT on our monitors.

Kudos!

J&B


Thanks J&B! I certainly appreciate your taking the time to listen and comment.



Originally Posted By: B.D.Thomas
Good love song.
The viola definitely works, that was a good choice.
And you have a good voice, really a very emotional performance.
Well arranged and mixed!


Thanks for the nice comments B.D. I'm pretty happy with the viola part... Wanted to use the cello, but it just wouldn't work, no matter how many times I regenerated!

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Great arrangement and vocals. Thanks for posting

Mike B.


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Great sound you have here!

I really like your vocal, and nice guitar work also.

Well done, enjoyed.

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Originally Posted By: BabuMusic
An excellent write and production, Greg. SO pro all the way. Your lyrics are so relatable, and your vocal matches them in emotion. The harmonies are perfect. Great band, especially that Tele player.



Thank you Marty for the very nice comments!


Originally Posted By: Rustyspoon#
Greg,
Nice, big sound tune. Excellent vocals and guitar work! Liked your progression. Viola RT works very well. The only thing, to my taste I would like
to hear vocals a little more upfront. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.



Thank you Misha, I've been experimenting lately with having my vocals a little furhter back in the mix.


Originally Posted By: MarioD
AC this is such a professional sounding Nashville country song it should be on the radio today.
Loved that viola.
Super heart felt vocals and guitar chops.
Super groove.
Loved it.



Thanks so much Mario! I have a band mate who's a DJ at one of our local country stations and he's going to put in the late night rotation... So it will actually get some radio play soon.


Originally Posted By: Joe Stroffolino
Nice song and vocals. and nice use of instruments. And the solo instrumental parts really fit nicely into the song.



Hey Joe, thanks for the listen and nice comments. I appreciate it.

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Hi Greg
Very nice song
Sounds really good
The background track is well done
Also the vocals are convincing
Great work Greg
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

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Originally Posted By: cubanpete
Great arrangement and vocals. Thanks for posting

Mike B.



Thanks for the listen Mike.


Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Great sound you have here!

I really like your vocal, and nice guitar work also.

Well done, enjoyed.



Hey Dave, thanks for the nice comments.

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One of the BEST BIAB backing tracks I've heard here. Loved the vocals/harmonies as well. Keep rocking my friend.


Trax

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Nice all around - good singing, nice lyric, solid backing.

I'm with Misha - the vocal placed so far back make the mix feel "flat" to me, even though I can clearly hear the instruments in the left and right channels. Weird.

Viola works quite nicely! smile


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Man Greg, you've got an excellent sound here. The viola was an excellent choice. Your guitar work was really good too. Fits the song perfectly. Your vocal really shines in this one. I also think it it's a good write, very relatable. If I had to be extremely nit-picky, I thought it might sound a little more intriguing if the words "Around you" didn't rhyme with themselves quite as much. Another "oo" rhyme might give it a little more kick and anticipation? As is though, it's very strong.

Brad

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Originally Posted By: PROJECT M
Hi Greg
Very nice song
Sounds really good
The background track is well done
Also the vocals are convincing
Great work Greg
Many greetings
Andi ;-)



Thanks for the listen and nice comments Andi.



Originally Posted By: Muzic Trax
One of the BEST BIAB backing tracks I've heard here. Loved the vocals/harmonies as well. Keep rocking my friend.


Trax



Hey Trax, thanks for the very nice comment!



Originally Posted By: dcuny
Nice all around - good singing, nice lyric, solid backing.

I'm with Misha - the vocal placed so far back make the mix feel "flat" to me, even though I can clearly hear the instruments in the left and right channels. Weird.

Viola works quite nicely! smile



Hey David, thanks for the listen & feedback. I've been experimenting lately with where I put the vocals in the mix... As long as all the words can be understood, I don't feel like they're too far back.


Originally Posted By: Brad Williams
Man Greg, you've got an excellent sound here. The viola was an excellent choice. Your guitar work was really good too. Fits the song perfectly. Your vocal really shines in this one. I also think it it's a good write, very relatable. If I had to be extremely nit-picky, I thought it might sound a little more intriguing if the words "Around you" didn't rhyme with themselves quite as much. Another "oo" rhyme might give it a little more kick and anticipation? As is though, it's very strong.

Brad



Thanks so much Brad! I did consider another rhyme "since I found you", but eventually decided to leave it, since it was the title & hook.

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