|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,547
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,547 |
Ok. 1. Sorry to clog up the board with two songs in quick succession. I said, in my previous post, that I was out of inspiration. Well, today something happened, it seems. Anyway, here's a new, original song. I promise I will listen and comment on double the amount of songs, to make up for it  . 2. I'm way out of my comfort zone on this one - for one, I'm singing more or less throughout it. But see what you think? All advice and feedback very welcome - thanks so much for listening. Christmas CHRISTMAS I'm sat down, for Christmas ... the snow is so deep, I'm sat down, for Christmas, and wish I could sleep, The presents are ready, the tree is up there, And all that remains is a reply to my prayer. It's been such a long time since I saw you, last, You kissed me, last Christmas, and left, oh so fast ... You left me to wander, my hopes all but blown, For everything's ready, but now I'm alone. So let me just hope, while I eat Christmas roast,
That you've not gone far, but just to the shops,
That you'll return, some strange day, and sit down to talk,
As if nothing had happened, as if you just took a walk.It's still Christmas Eve, the house's getting dark, I blow out the candles, I hear angels hark, I go wrap up warm, and thence off to bed, Thinking of all the things you and I had once said ... The vows of our marriage, the hopes we once had, The joys of some children, we had it all planned ... It's Christmas, once more, and I'm all alone, So please do forgive that I still wait by the phone ... So let me just hope, while I eat Christmas roast,
That you've not gone far, but just to the shops,
That you'll be back, some Christmas, and sit down to talk,
And if nothing had happened, as if you'd never walked ...This house's getting colder with each Christmas Day, So, please, if you care, don't let me so wait, For life has a limit, and time is not kind, So please, if you can ... come back tonight. Come back, if you can, today or tonight. ****** Song Summary ************* Title: Christmas - 26 November 2023 File:Christmas - 26 November 2023.SGU Key=C , Tempo 90, Length (m:s)=4:16 No intro. 124 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 124. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Song is saved with bar changes for Key Signature, Style is _ORIGINS.STY (Origins Country Folk Piano Waltz) RealTracks in style: ~1121:Bass, Acoustic, CountryWaltz Sw 085 RealTracks in style: ~1700:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryWaltz Sw 085 RealTracks in style: 3411:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm OldTimeyWaltz Sw 090 RealTracks in style: 3369:Mandolin, Rhythm OldTimeyWaltzAndy Sw 090 RealDrums in style:NashClassicWaltzSw^6-a:SideStick, Brushes , b:Snare, Brushes *******************
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,173
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,173 |
James, well, it's a SAD song, isn't it? So I feel a LITTLE bad saying I enjoyed listening to it. Love all the modulations you put in the progressions to keep it musically interesting. Love your voice, too. But I married a Brit so may be biased. Ha! Thanks for sharing!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,778
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,778 |
AH, you are way too inpirtional to others to exclude yourself from such enthusiasm. Love this, James, and to me you seem quite comfortable. Your zone is much larger that you think. I like the change of keys --a very subtle modulation. It really conveys your anticipation very well. Merry Christmas to you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,372
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,372 |
Hullo James.
A nice sentiment and instrument selection but to my ears there are some odd sounding chord changes here and there that you may want to change.
Also, These lyrics (You kissed me, last Christmas, and left, oh so fast) suggest she left last Christmas after a kiss but in the last verse (This house's getting colder with each Christmas Day) you are suggesting more than 1 Christmas has passed.
You could change that line to "This house is much colder on this Christmas Day".
Could be a nice song with some changes.
Vic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,547
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,547 |
DC Ron: thanks! Yes, a sad song (I write many of those, lol), but thanks for your kind words, nevertheless! Marty: thanks and a Merry Christmas to you, too! Vic: absolutely spot on, especially regarding the lyrics. Argh! How didn't I spot that? THANKS for pointing it out!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,537
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,537 |
Nicely done James...
Beautiful song and a good vocal. I also like the mix - very clear with good separation.
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,633
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,633 |
Hi James,
As always, your song is so good. As, I believe Ron said, it's a bit odd saying such a sad song is an enjoyable listen. But it is. I enjoyed the key modulations - they tend to give a song renewed life.
You are the king of spoken word!
Wishing you the very best,
Alan
BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,991
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,991 |
Ah, a sad "I'm without you on Christmas". Are you sure you're not a country singer? Like the blues, it's hard to go wrong with this sort of song, and you do a good job here. While I liked the modulations, some of the chord changes feel out of place. I suspect I'll always gripe about them, and you'll continue to use them forever.  With the cell phone fitting in one's pocket, this line doesn't have the punch it once had: ...I still wait by the phone ...Anyway, I enjoyed the song - nicely done.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,951
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,951 |
James, this is a beautiful sad Christmas song.
You are the expert for spoken work songs.
I did like your chord progression.
Great job on this one.
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,694
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,694 |
A sad song, James.
Wish you had sung this one.
fj
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,175
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,175 |
Hi James. This song was quite an experience. The lyrics are sad and filled with forlorn hope. Your story is well thought through and you've captured it in song form very well. While some of the chord changes surprised me, it seems to me that you chose those chordal surprises to make the listener feel the emotional disruption and turmoil that the song's character feels. That was was a clever strategy and one I admire. It worked for me and help amplify that emotional content of the lyrics. Thank you for sharing it --Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,547
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,547 |
Bob: thank you. Alan: so kind, as always. Thank you! David Cuny: it's good to have SOMEONE to at least try to keep me in check with my modulations As for the cell phone thing, how does the listener actually know what kind of phone it is that I'm waiting by?  Thanks so much for your kind feedback! Mario: thank you! floyd: I tried to sing it, but I'm no good at singing songs (partly because of my unorthodox chord progressions), unless I have the tune written down in front of me. This wasn't the case here, because I wanted to sound as if I'm improvising, so ... that's what happened. Thanks, though, for listening! Noel: wow - thank you. Too kind. My chord progressions are a little like that spread we have here in the UK - Marmite ... people either love them or hate them, it seems, haha Thanks so much for such kind comments, so glad that you enjoyed the song.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,799
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,799 |
Well done and it captures the blue Christmas feeling that many folks have.
Good mix/band too and modulations sound good.
Happy Holidays,
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 60 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until December 31, 2025. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49. Browse the full contents of each package and listen to demos here.
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,206
Posts789,612
Members39,838
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean