Well, you're allowed to use loops if you make such
creative use of them! This sounds really good. The
vocal is polished and confident too. You've done a
great job with this all round ... it's an excellent song.

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Yay, you were the first to comment. Thanks so much for saying you like the song and for reminding me that I forgot to mention that it was "Rebsies SOS," that prompted the idea for me to add sound effects to this.

I admire your voice so much; it means a lot that you thought the vocal sounded okay. Thanks so much.

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this is lovely - reminds me of trippy summer days, donovan and flower power - my mother told me!! how typical for rebsie and i to come rushing to the garden - thank you x

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I can't imagine anything lovelier than being in the garden with you and Rebise, especially if you let me borrow a hat. Of course, I don't think we should hang around this particular garden for too long or we might get pruned (which for some reason sounds like a euphemism for drunkeness...) I'm so glad you enjoyed this.


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Soothing to hear that pretty voice. Very entertaining, keep
on posting those wonderful to listen to tunes.



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Thank you, thetiler. I'm thrilled you liked it and that you enjoyed the singing. As you know, I'm in awe of your musicianship, so your kind comments mean a lot.

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What a fresh, new sound. Birds and wind chimes, nice touch.
A day-dreamy serene aura. But lurking, edgy danger around that row of tomatos! What fun! I agree with Caroline's mom, trippy quality.
Very natural vocal phrasing,,,tasty. Nice layers of sounds, instrument changes fit just like the grip on that favorite pair of garden shears.
Ms le debutant, if your garden is as furtile as your imagination and the ease in which you fling words around, Well....you'd have a truck load of produce and bouquets.

End of the season
the leaves are taking a dive.. that smokes



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Well, hello Mr. Metaphor. The grip on a favorite pair of garden shears..that smokes (but obviously not while you're trying to use them because that would just HURT!) You're right, I might have a truck-load of produce, maybe something like Blackberries, perhaps? (This will only make sense to us for a few more days*giggle*.)

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Northwest mom cuts up magazines, folds laundry, writes
and sings about murder & nature. Almost sounds like a
news story, but so far it is our secret here.

After listening to both versions for the 1st time today, I
think this is a big improvement. Better to come clean, as
you have done ledebutant, whether the issue is
songwriting, murder or knotweed.

I don't really know how 'tuning correction' works. Most of
the time, I just sing out-of-tune. Maybe I should look into
it. It did seem to change the pitch of your engaging vocal.

Excellent piece, Lisa. If all pop music was this good, I
would listen to it. 9-8-9-9

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Please, Tom! You have excellent pitch. It's one of the reasons I'm planning to kill you...(Oh GOD! Did I say that out loud?) I meant to say compliment you extensively.

I think this Northwest mom will always be a MacJams secret. I can't think of anything more enjoyable. I love the little thrill I get listening to songs here, almost as though they were made just for me. Though, I wish huge success for everyone here, there is always a moment when my inner song hog just wants to grab all the music and keep it for myself.

I have something to admit. I don't fold laundry very often.


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I'd not heard the original, so this is my first listen to this song.
I really like it--except for the fact you beat me to using windchimes and birdsong in your intro!! I wanted to do that for a future song....(mind if I go ahead...or will you kill me for it? ;)

I love that you're using loops and singing your heart out! It's how I started here at MacJams...next come the collaborations!

Again...well done! :)


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Thanks Mysti, I'm thrilled to pieces that you like the song. This is the web site where I found the start for my wind chimes sound:

http://www.wind-chimes-free-shipping.com/StoreFront.bok

They have sound samples of all their chimes and tell you the key, type of scale, and notes played by the chime. Very handy information indeed!

Yes, collabs. I have one that should be finished next week. It was lots of fun to do.



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I really loved this. I'm not ashamed to say I was around in
the 70s and this would have been top 10! Reminiscent of
Traffic, and others. The loops simply added to the feel of
the song. Only criticism is that the fade out was a bit
quick for me - not really a problem, but it left a sudden
silence which I wasn't ready for yet.
Excellent piece of work!!!

DL

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Hey, no shame in the 70's. I was around then, too. I'm really interested to know which Traffic song(s) this reminds you of. My dad liked them quite a bit, but Steve Winwood's solo career scared me off from ever giving Traffic a listen.

Blessings be upon you for the download.



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Wasn't counting on remembering a particular song (we're talking the 70s here, where memories didn't always get stored in the usual way!) - just a Traffic feel. Will need to go back and dust off my vinyl collection and get back to you. BrandonP mentionad Liz Phair further down the page, and that's a good call.
Where did you get the flute sound? I am having trouble getting decent flute sounds for a new one I'm doing.

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I used Pop Flute and I dropped software guitar and piano loops into the track until I found something I liked and then fiddled with the notes a little. I hope I'm not too late to help.



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Your voice has a deliberate sense of confidence this go
around. The flute could stand for a bit more reverb on it,
but other than that, the song has a cool sound. The break
adds color to the overall spectrum created by the
soundfield. The faded ending through me off abit... could
have gone on with a repetative counterpoint of your final
lyrics. Great that you went back in to develope it further.
I've been known to do thrre versions, sometimes four
befoe I get it to where I feel it shold be, based on other's
welcome suggestions. Smiles to you!

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Smiles right back atcha!

Thanks Alimar, especially for letting me know it wouldn't be too psycho to come back with a third version. I'd really like to add some JP4 instruments. As Mando, says below, I could mix this song forever. I'd like to do a dance mix, next.

I'd never thought of playing with the effects on the flute. Dorky me. Great suggestion on the reverb.



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Much better sounding this time around.
Now you have to make a video!

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I'd rather be in a video for Clerical Error. I think the make-up and costumes might be better.

Thank you so much for your help on the first version. It taught me to run my songs through good speakers before posting them, so you helped with my future output, too, just with that one comment.

I bow before the ears of Mungo.




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alley-oop mentioned it; that mixture of pretty and sinister
is so wonderful. It sounds like there are children playing
in the garden, with all the potential for innocence and evil.
I love that line "I'll check for footprints... is there anyone
missing." It sounds nice, but when you start to listen
there's something quite disturbing about it...

Very beguiling. I think the loops are working really well
now. And keeping your voice mostly clear of FX on this
version makes it much better. It's very clear and sunlit-
sounding this time. It's the sort of song you could carry on
mixing for ever too, adding bits, taking away bits...

Brilliant.




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I live to beguile and disturb. I agree with you that the cleaner sound adds to the overall sound adds the effect I was going for, which was for the listener to think, "Hey, this is so happy and poppy and...what THE HELL did she just say?"

Leading people down the garden path, as it were. Thanks for commenting, Mando, and thanks even more for liking the song...



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I'll be back to reply to comments and pay return visits on Monday.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday and Sunday, full of music and frolic.


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Really nice singing and great production! The birds'n'chimes fit so well, and I love the way it's like those 'twilight zone in nature' moments. Okay, at least I know what I mean. This is really great ledebutant!

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Hey man, you're speaking my language. I know what you mean...okay, I don't know what "twilight zone in nature," means, but I think I do. I'm very happy that the Captain of the Rhythm Police likes my birds'n'chimes. Thanks PV.



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I like the simplicity of this piece. The arrangement really lets your voice shine through. Speaking of your voice - I find it strange but sensual. Can't put my finger on it. The whole piece has an eighties feel to it. Kirsty Macoll maybe?

Quirky, interesting and fun. Nice!

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Ooh Pie! I'm very excited you came over because I love your music. I'm not surprised you sense the eighties in this, since I left large portions of myself behind in that decade. Thanks for turning me on to Kirsty Maccoll (who I didn't realize I already knew from that Pogues song). I downloaded "Days."

What I though was funny is that I was daydreaming of songs I'd like to cover the other day and "A New England," was high on the list. I'd really love to hear her do that song. I'd also love to get my hands on a copy of "There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis."

Thanks for coming over.


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I love that 'A New England Track' :-)

---
these online signatures are a load of bollocks!

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I keep hearing Elizabeth Frasier in your voice. My favorite
singer ever. The song itself reminds me of Red House
Painters and Liz Phair. I like the music a lot. Cool bass line.
Cool chorus. Unique. Bravo.

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That's a lofty compliment indeed, brandon! Thank you very much.



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This is a great leap forward for this tune. (I went back and
listened to the previous version, which I also liked.) This is
nice and clean and your vocals sound great.

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Thanks J. Hey, if you see my left wrist next time you're back in the eighties, could you bring it back for me? (this will probably only make sense if you read my response to Pie...)



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Great remix Ledebutant! I think this is a really brilliant
track...you have loads of interesting sounds going on in
the mix, really full sounding. I also think you have a really
great singing voice and writing ability. I like the dark
lyrical hints that lie below the upbeat pop sheen of this
tune!
Steve

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Thanks Steve and thanks for your comments on the last version; you helped me make this song better, so a little bit of it it is yours.




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Didnt' hear the first version, but this is inspiring! Not sure
what mods you made to the voice track, but I think you hit it;
soothing, serene and befitting the personality of the song on
a whole! Great job!

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Thanks nisper. What some people might find interesting is that this is exactly the same vocal track (I didn't re-record it) but with the effects stripped off and a tiny (okay, copious) amount of tuning correction applied. It's amazing how much production can change a song.

I'm really glad you enjoyed it.


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and I think it really helps take this to the next level. Such a
pretty song! Now I must go back and decode the lyrics. I
think there must be a hidden message buried in there and
I want to be the first to figure it out.

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Thanks illuminati. I did actually figure out the secret meaning of this song the other day. I usually think the songs or poems I write are just random, but then it hits me later what I was on about. I'll let you dig for hidden meanings yourself, though. I'd hate to ruin it for you.

One tip, stay away from the bed with the roses with the crabapple heads.



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your choice of subject and lyric is just so honest and
fresh. comes accross completely unique and joyful.
no pretense, no schmaltz.
this is a very refreshing song to listen to on this very
hot, humid, atlanta day. makes me long for the
bright, crisp, early summer days of my youth in
higher lattitude.
i admire your approach to songmaking- keep at it.

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Why thank you, E. I'm especially pleased the song eased the humidity for you, like a little musical Fresca. I do try to have fun when I'm making these songs and I'm so happy that you picked up on that.



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Your voice is sweet and clear, yet powerful. The melody of
this song rises and falls hypnotically, perfect for the
subject matter of plants and the changing seasons.

Very nice sound effects. I like the way you've combined
and interwoven the faster notes of the flute into your
melody. Very artful!

I agree that reverb could be a good option for the flute,
but it's an interesting effect as is. Echo might also be a
good, trailing off at the ends of phrases, making the track
more "ethereal".

This is a very pleasant song to listen to, and I think that
your musical evolution on this site is amazing in the short
time you have been here!

Keep making music.

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Cameron, I'm always glad to see you because I think you have some of the best ears on the site. Thank you for saying that the melody matches the subject matter, anything that happens like that at this point (like the Pop Flute, too) is purely accidental rather than artful.

You mentioned that you think I'm progressing quickly. The only reason is that people comment really thoughtfully and generously around here and I'm getting an education by being at MJ's University. Thanks so much for being one of my teachers.




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Darkness and light, how I love to hear them mixed!
There's definitely something of Elizabeth Frasier
about your voice, Brandonp is right about that. You
didn't steal her voice and bury her under the beds,
did you?
And please do a version of "A New England". I love
that song. I know MacJams has a no covers rule but
I'd still like to hear it.
Keep 'em coming, ledeb!

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...I have, 'cause today I'm listening to CD's I burned from my MacJams playlists at work in my office, but this song is becoming a "return to it" sort of song for me...I look up when it comes on...and maybe play it twice...Some songs hit me strong with a first listen, and some just grow over time...This one has become one of the latter for me...

I guess that 'growing over time' thing is appropriate to a song about a garden...

SO I have come back to the site list myself as a fan and say 'thanks',

Ed

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I got referred here because jiguma said my new song was
like this one. Well I don't hear that but I do hear a very
nice song that I like a lot! Good job of singing and putting
together a very nice framework for it. Lyrics are very
subtle and you have to read them a couple of times before
you really get what it's about. It's easy to be fooled by the
sweet melody. Good job!

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Very nice voice, tracking, feel and structure. I can't believe you achieved such a good sound from the built in mic. I like the stock loop sounds in this track very much, especially the arpeggiating (i am sure I misspelled that, but am too lazy to look it up right now) flute sound. Sounds great and mellow!

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firstly, i'm sorry it's taken me so long to comment on this.. it's a song that I found within hours of becoming a member here, and to be honest with you i was more than a little intimidated by it and felt most unqualified to make any remarks.
i have returned to re-download it (haven't heard my favourite gardening tune for some weeks now, sadly) and after playing it again today, a month and literally hundreds of MJ songs later, it sounds even fresher than it did on first listen! (even with the vocal effects! ;)
i just adore all the extra sounds you've added too. and do please let me know if you're ever going to re-record this without the voice distortion or as part of an 'ledebutant unplugged' album.







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you are hilarious, even when you are not trying to be. Great track!

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reading your notes i see you really evolved this song online. way to go.
Its quite beautiful and I really like the lyrics. Im there, out in the field
with you, sarah right behind, need any help mulching?

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You belong in a real recording studio! But thanks just the same for
blessing us humble MacJammers with your art. This has such a flow...Love
the lyrics, and, of course, THAT VOICE! Bravo and bravo again!

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I just thought about starting some seeds today and listeneing to this
helped instill the spirit. Love your voice with its simple clarity.

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Hypnotic, beautiful, summery & black.

Winning combination. Too short by far - a whodunnit!

BTW - what GB vocal setting did you use I think it's immense!

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i'm inspired and love the birds in the background . You took me there. thank you

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Where or how can I get a full album by you? One thing, I have heard some of your other stuff and I think your voice sounds a lot better with fewer effects on it. I use them because my voice sucks, but I believe you've got one of the best voices on this site.
LL

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You're a sweetheart, lavalamp and I apologize for not having gotten over to listen to your stuff, yet.

Where can you get a whole album's worth of my stuff? I think it might be at a little place called macjams. :-D I post everything I do here and you're absolutely welcome to download it as much as you like and share with anyone you feel like.

You've been so generous with your listenting ear that I think you might be running out of ledebutant tracks. Have you hear The Orbiting? That's the virtual, born-on-macjams band I formed with illuminati. We have five songs posted here at http://www.macjams.com/artist/The+Orbiting if you want to check them out. We did Neverland that's posted here under my profile, but the rest are over at the band page.

Thanks again for all the listens and the kind words about my voice.

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delicate and beautiful. Thats what you convey. The sequencer type percussive sound you use really lays nice with the strings. Like free floating in the garden. Your voice is entralling as always. the bird fx were great :-)

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Yeah, dedicated; that's me. I saw the newest version of this song today, so I thought I'd go back and listen to the previous version. It was very early; everyone still in slumber mode. No headphones, so I snuck out of bed, went to the living room, had a listen, liked it, and was half-way through writing a comment when Alexander woke up (age 2.5). My turn to get up with him, so I collected him, but he insisted that mommy was the one he wanted. I suggested that daddy was a fine substitute, and that mommy needed to sleep. He demurred. I suggested that I was mommy, albeit mommy who happened to be having a hideously bad hair day/life. He was unconvinced. I suggested that maybe Ginger (callico), who just happened to walk into the room, might be mommy. Usually 2.5 year-old finds this humour uproariously funny, but not today. He forced me to admit that Ginger was clearly not mommy, and my attempts at humouring him were pathetic. Once I conceded that point, he seemed happier, and went back to sleep on my lap. I looked at my laptop and noticed it had shut itself down without my having posted my song comment. Grumble grumble. No further opportunities to rectify this 'till I came in to work, or "work," as some of my friends call it. Make that "friends." So. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

But enough about me! Or should I go on in this vein? NO, no, I understand; must make an actual song comment, so here goes:

I always really like your voice; it's the first thing that jumps out at me in any of your songs. So much so, that I need a few hearings to actually pay attention to the lyrics. In any event, I don't know what the vocal problems were previously (if any), but you sound in excellent voice here.

I love the way it opens, with the wind chimes and birdies, and I would have liked them to transition into the musical intro more gradually; they seemed to cut out rather suddenly.

I'm impressed that you did this with loops; I think you chose and combined them really well.

I am not sure what the song is about; is it about someone missing? I have an uneasy feeling that it's about something very serious and disturbing... but it could just be as it appears, gentle and pastoral. Is it about the importance of composting?

FWIW, I like this version best. I listened to the JB version, and it just had WAY too much going on for my taste. I think a simple treatment works best in this case.

I will now single-handedly try to raise the score for this into the 8.x realm. Let's see if it works or not...

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My ears are dripping with goodness! And now, I shall just sit back and bask in their glow.

It just tickled my soul into satiation.

That'd be, I have arrived to the state of:

sa�ti�ate (s%u0101'sh%u0113-%u0101t' shun) Pronunciation Key
tr.v. sa�ti�at�ed, sa�ti�at�ing, sa�ti�ates
To satisfy (an appetite or desire) fully.
To satisfy to excess.

But I am left feeling beholding to someone...

So for what it's worth, thank you! Macca

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