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Keywords:
jazz (370), vocal (144), jazz vocals (4), trio (14), showtune (13), musical (22), piano (586), acoustic (452), love (922), lullaby (44), romance (44), Woody (9), Creature (13), Dreams (63), dream (96), tobin (67), ensemble (8), nightclub (7)
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Description:
This is the song's third version posted at MJ, so you can tell it is one of my favorites. This version has Woody Mankowski's vocals fronting the jazz trio. Featuring Jeff Cox on bass, Dane Richeson on cymbals.
Earlier versions featured Emily Rohm on vocals (over synth/harp): Dreams II
and Aaron Paul on vocals (with first draft piano accompaniment; this track won the first song writing contest at MJ): Dreams I
Other songs featuring Woody Mankowski:
A Promise
I Wanna Fly
Cliff's Edge
Windowshade
River Runs Through Me
Pilgrim of the Return
Final Words
Artwork: "Train" by Eric Green
Lyrics:
Dreams.
What are you dreaming?
Do you know I am here,
while you sleep?
What do you see
when my hands hold you near?
When my breath touches you,
can you feel?
Maybe when you awake,
you’ll know to never fear
That I should go away.
You’ll know I’m always near,
When you awake.
When you awake to me.
When you awake to me,
All the world’s ache will fall away,
like clay, cleaned away.
I’ll give you all you need.
Make ev’ry dream come true.
All you can take from me.
All I can give to you.
When you awake…
When you awake to me.
(from "Creature" © 1996 Tobin James Mueller)
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Beautiful &mdash 09/26/05 - 12:19:39 PM
Everything in this song is beautiful. The mix is very, very good. What
stands out in my ears are the billiantly played piano, the vocals, the bass
and the lyrics. I also really like how the cymbals are used, not just like
something to establish the tempo but as an instuments on it's own, very
well performed. The art is also very interesting by itself. [ Reply to This ]
Beautiful &mdash 09/27/05 - 07:12:46 AM
Thanks for the comment about the cymbals. That was the concept going in, to
use cymbals only and have Dane's inventiveness as a musician carry that
instrument as a delicate and almost subliminal yet equal trio partner. I messed
around with the mix in Peak quite a bit to achieve the balance I wanted in my
ears, plus the original mix was very soft and needed to be boosted considerably,
so I used compression to boost bass, clarify treble, and EQd the track to make
the cymbals crisp yet not abrasive. Hope it worked. [ Reply to This ]
I agree... &mdash 09/26/05 - 12:33:31 PM
...that this would be great as an instrumental. I LOVE Woody's voice,
and I love your jazz trio, but something about the style of the vocals
vs. the music didn't quite match. That said, this is one of my alltime
FAVORITE songs, no matter what style it is done in!! [ Reply to This ]
I agree... &mdash 09/27/05 - 07:52:39 AM
I will have a version of the song you sang in the show, "Spirits, Spirits," coming
as an instrumental in a bit. I love Woody's voice so much, I tried to find as many
places to let him sing during the session as I could. Funny how our ear creates
genres even when our brain wants it not to matter. [ Reply to This ]
take me there &mdash 09/26/05 - 01:29:48 PM
woody's voice is tops, almost ray charles cool. i still love it best when you sing it, though. (i know, i know.) magical song magically played into another dimension. take me there. [ Reply to This ]
take me there &mdash 09/26/05 - 01:30:41 PM
woody's voice is tops, almost ray charles cool. i still love it best when you sing it, though. (i know, i know.) magical song magically played into another dimension. take me there. [ Reply to This ]
take me there &mdash 09/26/05 - 01:32:34 PM
sorry about the double post. the comment showed up at the top instead of at the bottom of the list and i didn't see it. something new in the settings maybe. even though i do like it well enough for two comments!
---
morning girl [ Reply to This ]
take me there &mdash 09/27/05 - 08:28:26 AM
Mixed feeling... &mdash 09/26/05 - 02:59:25 PM
...indeed.
Not sure, how to put it, so will just go.
Beautiful playing on all accounts, piano, bass, percussion; flawless performance, exceptional quality development, tasteful arrangement, solid vocals... One thing, though: the vocals don't belong. The singer is so "musical theatre", that it hurts (not that I have anything against that particular genre, although I am not a true fan either).
I know, it IS a musical theatre piece, and I understand, how difficult it must be for a performer to re-render the song in a different genre, if it was initially written for a musical, but... there are genres, and there are stylings, and there are great examples of both, and yet: if not for the instrumental break, which is absolutely beautifully perfect, and made me want to run home and jam over it, I would not even think about this piece as of a jazz tune. The song like this might have happened only if somebody would have a Broadway cast party at Blue Note (not that it is humanly imaginable either).
The point is, that there are two songs in this one, played in perfect coordination, and yet not together stylistically. Both worth a very high score (I, personally, prefer the instrumental layer), but the fusion didn't happen.
Ever thought about going all instrumental on this one? It would be a great ballad... [ Reply to This ]
Mixed feeling... &mdash 09/27/05 - 08:23:59 AM
Thanks for the idea. I'm booking the Blue Note right now! (You'll be invited,
don't worry.) [ Reply to This ]
Mixed feeling... &mdash 09/27/05 - 10:04:46 AM
Thanks :{). One more thing - forgot to compliment you on the production quality - it's PERFECT.
---
iLYA [ Reply to This ]
Jazzy Show Tune &mdash 09/26/05 - 03:09:42 PM
While it certainly is a cool jazz tune, this has much more of a theatrical
feel to it. Somewhat of a plaintive vignette at the end of an act,
perhaps. Maybe that's what Emily Rohm sensed as a mismatch in the
vocal presentation.
In any event, a very fine presentation with body and fullness in every
musical aspect.
The only "fault" I noticed was that Woody sounded at times as though
his vocals were hitting the microphone off-axis... but that may have
actually helped give this piece a more convincing "live" feeling.
Sweet! [ Reply to This ]
Jazzy Show Tune &mdash 09/27/05 - 08:35:53 AM
Thanks for the comments and good ears. There are 2 or 3 spots Woody's vocals
nearly saturate, altho I think it is more line compression than off-axis. He does
move when he sings to compensate for his quite powerful voice when he opens
up. Yes, the all-in-one live take feel lets your ears gloss over it, but I wish I was
a better engineer. [ Reply to This ]
right on track &mdash 09/26/05 - 03:17:21 PM
The timing, improvisations, vocals - wonderful:)
I get the feeling of beeing in a jazzclub, dimmed lighting, the crowd is nodding their heads to the ride symbal...
Its not allowed to smoke in public places no longer (in Norway) so the room is not filled with smoke tough...
The upright bass is way cool and the piano shares some warm feelings. The vocals is perfectly soft and right for this piece.
This I would buy if available on CD.
D/L and on top of the stack of favorites.
AND - Thanks for the encouraging comment on my song home Tobin:)
Thoddi [ Reply to This ]
right on track &mdash 09/27/05 - 08:57:41 AM
Thanks for the comments. I am, indeed, one of your fans. By the way, laws
don't let people smoke in New York City nightclubs any more either. Kind of
nice, actually. My son smokes, tho, and it can be a real pain for players that
smoke, especially in winter. Thanks for mentioning the bass, Jeff has some real
nice moments. [ Reply to This ]
whoa! whos this vocal? &mdash 09/26/05 - 04:37:31 PM
i believe that ive never had a chance to listen to Woody Mankowski
before.... wow... i got totally blown away from the very first voice!
the songs very beautiful and somewhat dreamy....
great instrumental arrangements too... its a perfection!
i dont know what else to say?! downloaded! [ Reply to This ]
whoa! whos this vocal? &mdash 09/27/05 - 08:26:11 AM
Another tune Woody sings for me: A Promise
http://www.macjams.com/song/9825
You should check it out too! [ Reply to This ]
Refreshing . . . &mdash 09/26/05 - 05:56:48 PM
especially after a tense days work. I dig these great laid back pro sounds.
To me this is real satisfiying Jazz.
Love how the percussion sounds so crisp, the piano is spot on to my ears.
The singing is right on. But most importantly the whole unit; bass, piano,
percussion, vocal is really in sync and very melodic and pleasant to hear.
Thanks for sharing you guys!
[ Reply to This ]
Superb! &mdash 09/26/05 - 06:39:06 PM
Jazz interpretation lends itself perfectly for this renditon.
Not much more I can say except %u2013 WOW!
10s/fav/iPod [ Reply to This ]
"Creature" must be... &mdash 09/26/05 - 08:15:19 PM
...something great...
This is the second song I've heard from that work, and it's very
beautiful and moving... I find myself, as I did with the first, tumbling
imagination-first into a sense of what the production must be like...
I love the playing and the setting here...the jazz trio sounds great...
Piano sounds great, cymbals great, upright great...
I think I hear what people are hearing about the vocal, but first off, this
is so ridiculously good that if you recorded it through tin cans onto
lacquer I'd be hypocritical to nit-pick...
and second off, I'm leaning toward Joe Hollywood's take on it...there
are a couple of spots as the song goes by where it seems as if the mic
address is different...the timbre or the distance to the mic or the
direction to the mic seems different...something changes,
anyhow...The vocal detaches from the mix a little...
In my own too-overdubbed world, this would mean a punch-in using a
different mic or positioning or something...or me, halfway through the
song, changing a compressor setting... the vibe of this, though, is all
live, so maybe just a change in angle or something...
But Tobin, I've never heard this song before, and the recording is quite
good, and the song is stunning and the band is very musical...
I like it a lot...
Ed [ Reply to This ]
"Creature" must be... &mdash 09/27/05 - 09:12:09 AM
Yes, there are few things as frustrating as discovering anomalies on a track after
the session is over and nothing can be done about re-doing a recorded
performance. There two or three moments when Woody's vibrato interacts with
the compression and his backing away from the mic to create a kind of different
space moment. You know, you huddle around headphones after a take and
listen while guys are opening cases and using cellphones and something is
missed. But if you imagine it live, your brain doesn't mind so much. All in all, I
love his performance. And thanks for your kind comments. [ Reply to This ]
I can tell class when I hear it &mdash 09/26/05 - 09:04:36 PM
Tobin, I'm not a big jazz fan, and certainly have very little knowledge
in that area (or in musical theatre for that matter), but I can tell class
when I hear it. This is very nicely done.
There is something gnawingly not right about Woody's voice for this
track (he has a brilliant voice, so that's not the problem). It may even
be that it need a female voice - must go back and check Emily's
version. Anyway, what would I know!
Wish I could be more knowledgeable with my comment (as you always
are). All i can say is that this will be a great late nighter for me!
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Interesting take &mdash 09/26/05 - 11:16:09 PM
I think the version with Emily is still my favorite, but I do love the feel of
that trio. I think I agree that the vocal style and the jazz trio never feel
quite "matched" here to me and I also echo the question of what it would
be like with maybe a Miles Davis-ish trumpet performance replaced the
vocals. That might e the best treatment in a jazz setting. Still a lovely
lovely song. [ Reply to This ]
Interesting take &mdash 09/27/05 - 07:07:16 AM
A Miles Davis solo would be truly cool, a definite improvement. To die for,
actually. I really dig jazz trumpet when done right. Yes, I can hear that. Great
idea. Emily's version is still my favorite too: Dreams II
http://www.macjams.com/song/2205 [ Reply to This ]
Nicely done &mdash 09/27/05 - 12:05:52 AM
fav version &mdash 09/27/05 - 12:44:09 AM
This is just a great tune,
brilliant voice and playing.
The sound is very warm and soothing.
Great job by everybody.
Cheers [ Reply to This ]
nice tune &mdash 09/27/05 - 03:05:36 AM
i'm a sucker.... &mdash 09/27/05 - 06:41:28 AM
for such kool and emotive jazz.....masterful!......i just bought ziti's new
cd.....if u put one out with this material,let me know, i'll pick one
up....peace ..... [ Reply to This ]
i'm a sucker.... &mdash 09/29/05 - 07:23:24 AM
Ok, time to work on an album of this stuff! Thanks for the motivation. [ Reply to This ]
Special time &mdash 09/27/05 - 07:10:36 AM
Nice... &mdash 09/27/05 - 10:53:34 AM
...moody, definitely paints that dim smokey jazz club picture. The
musicianship here is top notch.
I do have to agree with a few comments that I read here in that the vocals
seem a bit misplaced. Perhaps it was in the production of the vox... the
seem a bit boxy and not quite lively enough for the performance given...
but that's just my opinion.
You know Tobin, you force me to write the same thing evertime... you
amaze me with the depth and diversity of your musical knowledge.
Please, keep them coming. [ Reply to This ]
very lovely piece &mdash 09/27/05 - 09:06:48 PM
I liked everything about this. I disagree about some comments of the
vocals not fitting or whatever. It sounds wonderful to me, but that's just
my opinion. Hats off to Woody and the trio. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
I find... &mdash 09/28/05 - 12:07:58 AM
...nothing wrong with the vocals. I close my eyes and imagine it being
played live, in front of me. It has a "movie' soundtrack quality more
than a "show tune". The texture reminds me of the song from Vangelis'
Blade Runner soundtrack, "One More Kiss, Dear". The vocals are part of
the whole. Emily's version is my fav, but this stands on its own... in its
own "space". [ Reply to This ]
I find... &mdash 09/30/05 - 09:49:17 AM
Thanks for the vote of confidence on the vocals. I feel no fundamental
disconnect, as some of mentioned. I think if he would have not used vibrato,
everything would have integrated better. And I'm with you on Emily's version and
hope if people haven't heard they should check it out; such a pure rendition she
gives. (See link above: Dream II.) [ Reply to This ]
swayin' to the music &mdash 09/28/05 - 06:17:36 AM
Nice work! The lyrics are done well and the piano is spot on! Great song and produced very well with volume levels very very good on the instruments and vocals. I like the soft start and listening to it as it gets bold then back down, then back up.
[ Reply to This ]
smooth trio &mdash 09/28/05 - 07:07:53 PM
Very, very touching song. The instruments have that really laid back
feel that drives me nuts, so cool, so smokey. They just propel each
other. The singer slides in just perfect. Everyone accents just right.
Everyone has the touch. Everyone is so in tune with everyone else. [ Reply to This ]
smooth trio &mdash 09/30/05 - 08:40:32 AM
Great art too &mdash 09/29/05 - 07:37:08 AM
Bravo on the artwork, just to add a new note. Not an obvious choice, but
it is as spellbinding as the music, stirring the same feelings, adding a
layer, a mystery. Green's art is genius. I agree with Alimar that the vocals
integrate well. Everything. All around genius again. [ Reply to This ]
Great art too &mdash 09/30/05 - 08:27:14 AM
Thanks for mentioning the art. Eric and I have been good friends since we were
14 years old. He doesn't paint anymore, only works with pencil in paper, due to
health problems and turpentine. And he has just finished his 3 detective novel.
Watching the turns and twists of life is bewildering. But thanks for mentioning
the art, I think he is a genius too. [ Reply to This ]
mmmmm smoooooth &mdash 09/29/05 - 11:22:35 AM
Lovely to have a smoke and listen to .
Stands up to repeated listening .
I love it all . Piano is great , as is the double bass and percussion .
I am downloading this one and show off that I know the composer.
Thumbs up for this one .
[ Reply to This ]
slowing my day.. &mdash 09/29/05 - 01:04:52 PM
thanks for the nice little break, tobin. beautifully done, truly enjoyable
listen [ Reply to This ]
Dreamy &mdash 09/29/05 - 01:06:23 PM
I love Woody's voice. I can see his face when he is singing (even though I
am totally making it up) and that is always a good sign of a song well
sung. I have to see the singer. Everything sound so sweet and dreamy,
just like the words. If only we could give everything to those we love! The
song is both a lullaby and a romance song, both a sweet lie and a
believed promise. Pretty perfect. [ Reply to This ]
smokey goodness &mdash 09/30/05 - 09:26:12 AM
wow.. what an awesome tune! closed my eyes on this one & was in a smokey little jazz club in NYC, only thing missing was a nice scotch. love the sound of the upright bass. vocals were emotive & silky smooth. i'd definitely pay to hear this live & that's the highest praise I've got. Thanks a ton for sharing this one. [ Reply to This ]
smokey goodness &mdash 10/03/05 - 07:10:34 AM
Thanks for the comment about paying to hear it performed. With all the free
music around, that is great to hear. Buy that man a scotch! [ Reply to This ]
great &mdash 09/30/05 - 09:28:25 AM
Tobin, it's great. Beautiful. I can taste the nicotine in the jazz bar.
Fantastic mix, great vocals. Well done [ Reply to This ]
Exceptional &mdash 09/30/05 - 07:15:16 PM
Wonderful.
First of all, Woody's fantastic performance. I always loved his performance
on Promise, as well.
I really like the bass. Very subtle, yet lets you know it's there...
The piano is outstanding, so soft and delicate - wish I could play like
that...
Very fitting percussion as well. (Don't want to leave anyone out, heh)
Gorgeous song.
Fav'ed and DL'ed! [ Reply to This ]
Very nice &mdash 10/02/05 - 05:09:10 AM
Although I prefer Emily's version of the vocals (and I'm admitedly a fan
of hers), I loved the jazz trio sound of the instrumental backing.
Gorgrious piano, bass, cymbals. [ Reply to This ]
Professional in &mdash 10/02/05 - 02:48:08 PM
simply beautiful &mdash 10/02/05 - 04:48:54 PM
Stunning singing. Im not even a fan of Jazz but i loved this.
Really great. [ Reply to This ]
Just wonderful. &mdash 10/02/05 - 06:25:54 PM
Great tune... subtle and moving... beautiful vocal... the trio is a nice
treatment...
If you ever need another vocalist (which I'm sure you don't), I would
consider it an honor to sing one of your compositions.
[ Reply to This ]
Just wonderful. &mdash 10/03/05 - 06:34:09 AM
Wow, thanks a ton. I really dig you voice, actually, I dig your whole approach to
music and your versatility. I will put on my thinking cap and come with
something, most certainly. Thank you for your offer. [ Reply to This ]
Just wonderful. &mdash 10/03/05 - 01:51:07 PM
Right on! Excellent! I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for all your
kind words.
Sincerely with cake,
I. Spike [ Reply to This ]
Yeow! &mdash 10/02/05 - 10:26:08 PM
Precisely jazzy and very relaxing! Put me and my pet turtle to sleep! The vocals need more reverb! [ Reply to This ]
Almost perfect &mdash 10/09/05 - 11:49:40 PM
Flawless production. Very insidious song. The lyric is tight, nothing
wasted. You lost me on the "like clay" simile, though. That's the
"almost". [ Reply to This ]
Almost perfect &mdash 11/11/05 - 07:50:56 AM
The "like clay" lyrics comes from this: In "Creature," the song is sung by Victor
Frankenstein, who is, of course, the famed Doctor, but in my play is a frustrated
artist, a sculptor who went into medicine becuz his father drove him there (a
respectable career) and due to Victor wanting to undo the death-at-birth of his
mother. (See my song: "A Promise.") So now Victor sculpts flesh instead of clay.
With obvious god-Genesis references, too. The cares of the world can wash
away "like clay" from dirty hands, from a burdened conscience. That is what I
was going for. [ Reply to This ]
Top of my List. &mdash 10/13/05 - 12:46:50 PM
Very nicely done and so professional. The vocals are out of this world. The accompaniment of the keys, drums and bass...wow what more could you say but Top Notch! [ Reply to This ]
real strong production! &mdash 10/23/05 - 07:27:58 AM
great writing, fantastic produciton. i didn't hear the other versions. have
you ever done this with a female voice? for some reason i hear it that way.
bravo! [ Reply to This ]
real strong production! &mdash 01/09/06 - 01:14:59 PM
This is a link to a version using a female voice, Emily Rohm: http://
www.macjams.com/song/2205 ...(Dreams II) [ Reply to This ]
I am bottomlipless &mdash 10/26/05 - 04:15:15 AM
It is not sensably possible, that I don't know who you are... Everyone
who is someone her, is a fan of yours. It would seem that the only way
to miss you is by being deaf and blind, or just not be present here at
MS. Regardless, it has been my loss.
This tune... I haven't read your bio and granted, I know anything about
you, but it would seem that it is odd that you are here. Not in a
negative way is this odd. "Dreams III" is simply, beautiful. It is also a
striking and wonderful work of art, and of the paid highest callibur.
The details that makes this stand as a true statement, it is obvious to
me that you are already in the know... If not, I'm sure to leave you clues
on you next new posting.
Excellent work Tobbin!
Dion/Cydniko [ Reply to This ]
Production &mdash 10/31/05 - 11:56:18 AM
listening... &mdash 11/01/05 - 02:20:46 PM
commenting...
I agree that the vocal component is more theater than jazz. Some very
fine piano licks there. [ Reply to This ]
masterful. &mdash 11/04/05 - 12:40:24 AM
i love the lyrics. man you have a touch with the keys. i wish i could compose/perform/play this style. just wonderful harmonic content. and the melodies are astounding......... wonderful voice.... wonderful playing........... soooomuch respect. - shawn [ Reply to This ]
masterful. &mdash 11/11/05 - 07:53:23 AM
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stands out in my ears are the billiantly played piano, the vocals, the bass
and the lyrics. I also really like how the cymbals are used, not just like
something to establish the tempo but as an instuments on it's own, very
well performed. The art is also very interesting by itself.
[ Reply to This ]