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Description:
This is actually an extension of a piece originally posted as "American Fanfare." Several people felt the fanfare was too short, and needed to be expanded. So, this is the next movement of what will eventually be something resembling a symphony, which will include the fanfare, this movement and additional sections to be added later. At first I decided to call the completed work "American Symphony," but drakonis reminded me that there was an American Symphony in a movie with Richard Dreyfuss. Suddenly the title seemed trite. So I have renamed it "America," and will add to it down the road. Let's see, there aren't any songs with that title, are there?
Thanks to Mystified and pgreenstone for their support and assistance.
** update 11/30/04 This piece was later renamed -again-"American Plain."
Photo: Kansas
near Shady Bend, Kansas
June 2003
songs from the american plain
now available
the lost records™
Hardware:
Casio Privia PX-300
G5
Software:
GB2
Jampack 4 Symphony Orchestra
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superb...... &mdash 07/27/05 - 12:08:26 PM
i also have your guitar movements and they inspired me
(along with pat metheny) to try something along those
lines......this is simply beautiful, like white clouds and gentle
breezes, the dreams of children and the smile of a pretty
woman...........thanks for sharing.....! [ Reply to This ]
superb...... &mdash 07/27/05 - 12:15:00 PM
My guitar pieces inspired Pat Metheny??? Oh, wait a minute, now I get it. They
inspired you. That's even better, McBoy. I appreciate that, and I appreciate the
nice things you wrote about this. Thanks. [ Reply to This ]
It sounds American &mdash 07/27/05 - 01:00:31 PM
In that sort of National Park way. There's this sort of majestic landscape to the heart of America that this reminds me of, that open horizon, the Big Sky and all. I wonder what the strip mall and superhighway movement will sound like!
Very good! [ Reply to This ]
It sounds American &mdash 07/27/05 - 02:07:57 PM
Thanks, Jim. If I were to name this movement, it would probably be named
"Kansas." I am glad you saw the big sky in this, and that Mcboy saw clouds
and felt breezes. I believe America is, for all its faults and flaws, a beautiful
country.
I am already thinking about the strip mall/asphalt/commercial movement.
That's the one where convenience store lights shine so brightly at night they
tear a hole in the starry sky.
Thanks again for listening, Jim. [ Reply to This ]
nice &mdash 07/27/05 - 02:28:40 PM
nice &mdash 07/27/05 - 04:32:56 PM
A creative wonder &mdash 07/27/05 - 06:53:26 PM
This is really beutiful and different music! And you are a
creative wonder Tom! One thing I cant understand is how
you you get anything else done ... I mean ... I remember you
wrote some place that you still work for TV ... hmmm ... are
they getting any movies done any more ... or are you
creating all these musical wonders on your coffe brakes :) [ Reply to This ]
A creative wonder &mdash 07/27/05 - 07:23:36 PM
These are all good questions that you raise, Curry, about coffee breaks and
movies and such. Let's just keep those matters between you and me. No need
to drag any corporate types from CWK Network into this. They might
misinterpret what you're trying to say, about how hard-working and
dedicated I am...
I appreciate your kind words, and your support. And your email.
[ Reply to This ]
Shifting nature &mdash 07/27/05 - 07:26:02 PM
Quite pretty song youve made here, I like the slow build up &
mix, I actually wish it was longer, very nice [ Reply to This ]
Shifting nature &mdash 07/27/05 - 07:32:54 PM
I guess I didn't want this piece to wear out its welcome. I thought about
making it longer, but since it will eventually be part of a bigger piece, I also
thought I needed to keep people from falling asleep.
I am glad you liked it, Mr Wounded. Thanks for listening. [ Reply to This ]
(%u2022)-] &mdash 07/27/05 - 08:37:03 PM
Lovely. Slightly somber at times but mostly comfortingly
reflective. A beautiful and moving theme. The pacing is
perfect. I love how you make such grand music feel intimate,
personal. [ Reply to This ]
(%u2022)-] &mdash 07/27/05 - 10:41:20 PM
Made my day better &mdash 07/27/05 - 09:25:43 PM
Thanks Atwood - this one really soothed my soul. A very
precious tune. Very well orchestrated. I love the way you
gently strole from phrase to phrase and from one end of
the dynamic spectrum to the other. I especially LOVE the
array of very warm and colorful textures on this one. I
always feel a little intimidated by your music writing
abilities, but at the same time, it gives me something to
strive for. (If I could ever get jp4 to work on my little
plastic music machine.
Congrads! on yet another beautiful work of art.
Cydniko [ Reply to This ]
Made my day better &mdash 07/27/05 - 10:21:17 PM
Well, Cydniko, that's about the finest compliment I can think of, that this
piece made your day better or soothed you in some way. Thanks for that.
Glad that you liked the colors.
As for intimidating? "Pffft," as Mystified would say. I sure don't feel
intimidating, not on this site. Not when I listen to "Theamazingcryingsoulact"
or your African Train piece.
Thanks for your comments. [ Reply to This ]
There is a beautiful simplicity... &mdash 07/27/05 - 11:33:13 PM
...about your compositions, Tom.
And yet a depth of richness to them, too.
This is a wonderful contrast to the Fanfare--gentle and
shimmering in its wake.
I am so glad that you continued on with this to create a
symphony. You have a gift, to make such music.
Thank you for sharing it here.
[ Reply to This ]
There is a beautiful simplicity... &mdash 07/28/05 - 05:51:09 AM
I am tempted to joke with you, Cat, about simple music coming from a simple
mind. But seriously, this piece would not have been written without your
gentle urging. When I wrote American Fanfare, I was done. Next piece. But
after talking to you about that composition, and its unfinished feel, I decided
to keep going with it, and I am glad I did, even though as Cori Ander points
out, I may lose my day job. (And now I have to write a section on convenience
stores for Jim Bouchard!)
Thanks again for the suggestion and for your help along the way. I really
appreciate it. [ Reply to This ]
this is such a beautiful pieace. &mdash 07/28/05 - 03:30:42 AM
wow. this is such a beatiful pieace. I really like the harp
part of this song. thanks for sharing.
- Hawks [ Reply to This ]
this is such a beautiful pieace. &mdash 07/28/05 - 05:55:16 AM
Goooooooooood &mdash 07/28/05 - 06:07:35 AM
As I've said before, I really like your orchestral writing; it's
easy to use GB instruments to write stuff that sounds like
an orchestra; but actual orchestreation that lets the
colours shapes shine and develop like these pieces do, I'd
guess is much much harder. This writing is so very
beautiful and considered; I like the linear flow of some of
this - sustained string parts where the harmony and
rhythm changes underneath them, and the way each
section seems to hand a baton to the next. It has clean
modern clean lines and a sort of economy of writing, at
yet at the same time has this wide, nostaligic feel to it.
Excellent again. [ Reply to This ]
Goooooooooood &mdash 07/28/05 - 06:22:12 AM
I'm sorry, William, no one from the UK is permitted to comment or vote on
this. Only US citizens. Admin will be notified and your vote will be strick---
wait a minute, let me check your vote...
Never mind. Thanks for the comments and the vote. [ Reply to This ]
Goooooooooood &mdash 07/28/05 - 08:50:10 PM
Yep, that's how we do it here in the USA...check your vote and the decide if we'll
count it...
[ Reply to This ]
just downloaded it for myself. &mdash 07/28/05 - 06:16:07 AM
This piece draws you in .
I love the close harmonies bordering dissonance.
Beautiful warm orchestration .
[ Reply to This ]
just downloaded it for myself. &mdash 07/28/05 - 06:26:41 AM
Okay, Cormac, I guess the British floodgates have opened up. Give me your
poor, your tired, your Scottish hens...
Nice to meet you yesterday. Thanks for stopping by and downloading. Keep
your distance from mandolinquent. [ Reply to This ]
just downloaded it for myself. &mdash 07/28/05 - 07:00:09 AM
Be wary of who you call British round here, Mr Atwood. When I last looked
Cormack came from Cork. I think they fought a war of Independence too... [ Reply to This ]
just downloaded it for myself. &mdash 07/28/05 - 07:47:17 AM
Thanks for the anglo-clarification mando. My apologies to Cormac. Your
comment prompted me to check his songpage, and his new piece "Believe My
Love," and now I must go commit suicide. Be right back.
[ Reply to This ]
Lovely &mdash 07/28/05 - 07:14:24 AM
Definately has that breezy, lazy Midwestern feel. I could
imagine myself walking down a gravel road in Iowa,
driving through Missourri's lush hills, passing through
Ohio. Next stop Pennsylvania...
*drifts off* [ Reply to This ]
Lovely &mdash 07/28/05 - 07:51:25 AM
You know what I love about the Midwest? It has a beauty that is subtle.
Doesn't ever slap you in the face like Colorado, or California, or Utah, or
Oregon. It has beautiful smells and sounds. Yard bugs. Corn. The municipal
vehicle spraying for mosquitoes on a soft summer evening. Kids running
through the fog of chemical spray, laughing.
Thanks for your comments cjhoose. [ Reply to This ]
My mind sees harmony. &mdash 07/28/05 - 07:57:23 AM
Gentle music scale.
The mind sees harmony.
Performance of scene of play.
The oboe is beautiful and gentle. [ Reply to This ]
My mind sees harmony. &mdash 07/28/05 - 09:27:41 AM
Lovely comments, Tadashi. Thanks, and thanks for listening, and for "Space
Swim." Great funk. [ Reply to This ]
Beautiful &mdash 07/28/05 - 09:22:33 AM
I say again,you loved by music.
What a bautiful sound and melody!
I really love this great work!
I
[ Reply to This ]
Beautiful &mdash 07/28/05 - 10:06:47 AM
contemplative &mdash 07/28/05 - 09:40:51 AM
You created a wonderfully contemplative, introspective
mood with this piece. It is reminiscent of Copland and
Hovahness.
The treatment of clarinets is excellent; good phrasing and
reverb.
The string chords are captivating and quite beautiful.
However, the endings of notes are a bit sudden and
abrupt; I might suggest using more reverb in the strings
to smooth things out.
The ending seemed sudden. Maybe hold out the final note
longer?
Overall, this is a lovely piece of music. [ Reply to This ]
contemplative &mdash 07/28/05 - 10:04:10 AM
Thanks, Cameron. As usual, your ears have locked on to key issues. I always
wait a little nervously for your comments on these orchestral pieces,
especially one that features a "horn."
The strings have been the main problem for me throughout. It is what
pgreenstone has been helping me with. The sound is much improved over
earlier versions, but still has some problems. I think the endings of phrases
are still mechanical. More reverb muddies the staccato notes, though. So,
there it is.
As for the ending, I am hoping it will seem less abrupt when this is all fit
together someday. This is the middle part of a planned larger work. But
sustaining the last notes a bit can't hurt.
Thanks again for listening. Thanks for not slamming it!
[ Reply to This ]
contemplative &mdash 07/28/05 - 11:26:03 AM
Tom, thank YOU for being so receptive and open to my comments (and
everyone else's, for that matter!).
You bring up an interesting dilemma regarding the strings, which I've
wondered how to solve, myself.
In orchestral pieces, there's usually a wide variety of string articulations. It
would be appropriate to use more reverb in sustained notes, especially for
endings of notes. (One usually wants to simulate a concert hall.) But for
pizzicato notes, there shouldn't be as much reverb, especially when combined
with other sounds because they would tend to be muddy, as you pointed out.
So my immediate thought to address this would be to have separate tracks
for sustained strings and for pizzicato strings, so you could control the
reverb of each independently.
Gosh Tom, I would NEVER "slam" any of your pieces, and hopefully not slam
**anyone's** work submitted to this site. It takes a lot of courage to put one's
music "out there" for everyone to hear and critique. I admire everyone here
for doing so.
You have a well-developed musical sensibility and your pieces are always
gratifying to listen to. [ Reply to This ]
Somehow tonight... &mdash 07/28/05 - 08:56:06 PM
...all of my downloads are ending up classical...
'Cept for something about a jellyfish. Well. Maybe that is
classical, come to think of it.
This is out of my league for real commenting, only
responding. It feels American, it feels strong, it feels
heartful, it feels 'about right.' I look forward to more.
Another good one, Tom.
Ed [ Reply to This ]
Somehow tonight... &mdash 07/29/05 - 07:39:12 AM
Thanks, Ejh. I assume another piece you downloaded was "Believe My Love,"
by cormacbrenock. Wonderful, sad, Irish lament. Thanks for shopping here at
K-Mart, too.
[ Reply to This ]
Spring Sunday Sunrise &mdash 07/29/05 - 05:38:20 AM
I like the melodies and arrangement here. Very soothing.
When we all get laid off from our day jobs, maybe we can all
work for MacJams! [ Reply to This ]
Spring Sunday Sunrise &mdash 07/29/05 - 07:41:38 AM
Laid off? Do you know something I don't know? Cori Ander has been timing
my coffee breaks hasn't he?
As for working at MacJams, nice work if you can get it.
Thanks for listening, Bill. [ Reply to This ]
Sweeping Sound &mdash 07/29/05 - 10:21:27 PM
Sweeping Sound &mdash 07/30/05 - 09:04:22 PM
Exquisite... a true accomplishment... &mdash 07/30/05 - 08:30:39 PM
GarageBand-wise, musically in my mind. I know a little of
what it is to play in an orchestra (clarinet). I know what
the sound and feel of the music is. Tom... you capture it
here. And I am in awe that you have done this thru the
digital world of GBand. I gave you straight 10's, because
this is no small feat. Can I tell this is not a real orchestra?
If I listen carefully. But as I listen the music carries me
and I have to pause and ask myself is this an orchestra?
OK... it isn't... but.... it is truly a wonderful musical work.
Hats off to you Tom. Thanks for a great song... what do
you do in your spare time?
Jack [ Reply to This ]
Exquisite... a true accomplishment... &mdash 07/30/05 - 09:09:07 PM
Thanks, Jack. Just went to your artist page. Guess I haven't been there, or else
forgot that you are a reed man. I am glad that you enjoyed this clarinet-
driven piece. I have found that some instruments in Jampack 4 are more
realistic than others, and I guess I tend to use those in hopes of achieving a
sound that is not overly synthentic. By the way, the "french horn" in this piece
is really the Jampack 4 tuba played way up above its intended range.
Thanks again for your comments. I really appreciate it. Hope you enjoy your
new keyboard. [ Reply to This ]
You have... &mdash 07/30/05 - 09:35:42 PM
... a sensetivity beyond belief. I've been here before, often.
Yet I don't go there intentionally. Thanks for letting me
visit Kansas from your point of view. I will be awaiting the
next movement. I may already be there passing you in the
streets of "Anytown" USA. [ Reply to This ]
Pastoral Americana &mdash 07/31/05 - 02:44:39 PM
Love the clarinet writing (being an ex-clarinet player),
good pacing and maintained interest, I like your dynamics,
keeping the dit-dah rhythm of the strings in the
background with horns over them... having two horn
sections (and two pizzicato cello sections?), one panned
left and one panned right sounded a bit odd with the
ping-pong handing off of melody back and forth, but that
may just be due to headphones. Overall, you did
masterfully in separating the instruments and keeping it
from getting muddy, everything was clear and distinct...
that's hard to do with an orchestra, great job! I liked this
a great deal, and look forward to seeing how you'll weave
these together. A symphony aye? Wow, that'll be a grand
achievement, but you seem to have the talent! Tell me
when the tickets go on sale, I'll be there! When it is
premiered at the San Diego Symphony, stop by and say hi!
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
nice &mdash 07/31/05 - 08:22:23 PM
Nice work, lots of careful placements of instruments. Nice
buildup towards 3/4 of the way. Like your use of the harp!
The violins sounds fine. It would be a nice section for a
movie drama.
Good going
Thanks for shaing Tom! [ Reply to This ]
Gorgeous &mdash 08/01/05 - 06:54:33 AM
I'd love to hear this played by a full orchestra! Not that your production is lacking by any means, I just think it'd sound amazing. Love the melodies and the twin clarinets. You've outdone yourself! [ Reply to This ]
Beautiful &mdash 08/01/05 - 02:52:42 PM
This reminds me... &mdash 08/01/05 - 03:48:05 PM
...of a piece I played at a band clinic in high school. Not the
tune really, but the feel. A nice flowing, melodic feel that,
since there was damn little for the French horn section to do,
we just got to sit back and enjoy. This is a great expansion,
continuation, addition to "Americna Fanfare." Can't wait to
hear what you come up with next. [ Reply to This ]
Floaty &mdash 08/02/05 - 04:55:18 AM
morning again &mdash 08/02/05 - 08:22:07 AM
there's a lot of hope in this piece of music. thanks for
reminding us that it's still possible to feel it. [ Reply to This ]
very very cool &mdash 08/02/05 - 03:10:57 PM
there probably are some songs with that title out there
somewhere.
did you compose this an then do it in garageband? or
work with is as you went? [ Reply to This ]
Beautiful piece of work! &mdash 08/03/05 - 02:17:26 AM
Tom, thanks for posting this one - just shows what can be
done with a little spare time! If you have to go on a MJ
vacation, this is a nice parting gift.
Look forward to more on your return - relaxed and
refreshed (musically at least).
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Super! &mdash 08/03/05 - 06:13:49 PM
I love this piece. It takes incredible talent to be able to paint a vivid landscape using music. But alas, you have done it! Great job. [ Reply to This ]
Beautiful &mdash 10/06/05 - 06:36:49 AM
What I like most is the little wind instrument choral in the central section,
but the whole piece is really enjoyable. [ Reply to This ]
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(along with pat metheny) to try something along those
lines......this is simply beautiful, like white clouds and gentle
breezes, the dreams of children and the smile of a pretty
woman...........thanks for sharing.....!
[ Reply to This ]