Memory of friends gone by

VicDiesel

Genre: Other

Get Flash to see this player.

Description

Something that happened this past weekend reminded me of the fact that I've lost a couple of friends way too early in their lives. This track is dedicated to them, and in particular to Marian Moffett, who lent me her bass viol, but who died before we ever had a chance to play together.

This is a long improvisation from which I've snipped the bits that were (more or less) in tune. Production only involved riding the faders on the straight sound and the processed sound.

Leave a Comment

You must be registered and logged-in to comment.

Song Stats

Hits: 1800
Comments: 31
Fans: 6
Plays: 272
Downloads: 103
Votes: 14
Uploaded: Feb 14, 2006 - 08:36:16 AM
Last Updated: Feb 14, 2006 - 04:51:25 PM Last Played: Oct 17, 2009 - 11:25:23 AM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
ShareAlike

Song Actions

Keywords:

viol (1), gamba (1), improvisation (80)

Hardware:

7-string bass viol, Mac G5

Software:

Logic, KTGranulator

Comments

	said 1377 days ago (February 14th, 2006)
	Ethereal and mournful and cathartic and interrupted, like these peoples' lives.

	said 1377 days ago (February 14th, 2006)
	PS I would love to know what the person who left the 5's and 6's was thinking. I could understand votes that are further up or down, depending on the reaction ... but "average"? This is anything but average. --- Ars longa, vita brevis.

jmt	jmt said 1377 days ago (February 14th, 2006)
	forward Yeah... very emotive! Excellent, I look forward to hearing some more. Check out my latest song called mARINERS lULLABY

jesushairdo	jesushairdo said 1377 days ago (February 14th, 2006)
	sadness i certainly felt the sadness you mustve felt when you lost your friend. nice to listen to something not so looped up music. Check out my latest song called Elephant in the Sky (Orchestra version)

Dayton said 1376 days ago (February 15th, 2006)

Really Raw Sound......Very unique
I don't know that I have heard a bass viola before, but the pickup that
you have gotten on this one is quite interesting.

I am not sure wether I like it or hate it. In artistic standpoint, well
done. Way to solicit an ambiguous emotion from me, as it keeps me
questioning my opinion on the track. Where as the majority of music
out there tends to lead the listener to either favor, or not favor the
experience, you left me hanging right in the middle.

I applaud your creativity and willingness to push the sound beyond the
norm.

Will certainly look forward to hearing more, and perhaps this track
finished up, as it seemed to cut off without really ending.

Check out my latest song called I'm Not Dead

VicDiesel

VicDiesel said 1376 days ago (February 15th, 2006)

Really Raw Sound......Very unique
Thanks for your thoughtful commentary.

First of all: this is a "viol", not a "viola". The viol, or viola da gamba is an older
family of instrument than the current violin/viola/cello family. Compare for
instance the sloping shoulders to the straight shoulders of a cello.
Furthermore, this instrument is tuned in fourths, not fifths, and has 6 or in
my case 7 strings. It also has a thinner sound (and softer) than a cello, but
the range is comparable.

Secondly, this piece was intended for a composition on another web site
(kvraudio), and for that it had to stay under 2 minutes. As a result, what I
intended as a long plaintive chant came out more as a single anguished cry. I
am definitely going to make a longer version of this piece with much more
development.

Finally, this was recorded through a microphone, but I have little experience
with live sound, and my room is far from studio quality where acoustics are
concerned. I'll try to improve that a little.

Cheers,

Victor.

Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

VicDiesel

VicDiesel said 1376 days ago (February 15th, 2006)

Really Raw Sound......Very unique
Thanks for your thoughtful commentary.

First of all: this is a "viol", not a "viola". The viol, or viola da gamba is an older
family of instrument than the current violin/viola/cello family. Compare for
instance the sloping shoulders to the straight shoulders of a cello.
Furthermore, this instrument is tuned in fourths, not fifths, and has 6 or in
my case 7 strings. It also has a thinner sound (and softer) than a cello, but
the range is comparable.

Secondly, this piece was intended for a contest on another web site
(kvraudio), and for that it had to stay under 2 minutes. As a result, what I
intended as a long plaintive chant came out more as a single anguished cry. I
am definitely going to make a longer version of this piece with much more
development.

Finally, this was recorded through a microphone, but I have little experience
with live sound, and my room is far from studio quality where acoustics are
concerned. I'll try to improve that a little.

Cheers,

Victor.

Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

The Fritters	The Fritters said 1376 days ago (February 15th, 2006)
	I can dig it I appreciate the imaginative effort here. The production could be a bit tighter, but the idea is really beautiful. Looking forward to hearing more from you--kelli Check out my latest song called Down to the Core

The Fritters	The Fritters said 1376 days ago (February 15th, 2006)
	I can dig it I appreciate the imaginative effort here. The production could be a bit tighter, but the idea is really beautiful. Looking forward to hearing more from you--kelli Check out my latest song called Down to the Core

Stunt Kabbage

Stunt Kabbage said 1376 days ago (February 16th, 2006)

Stunning textures
I tried to leave a comment on this a day ago but for some reason my
comment disappeared! Essentially what I tried to say was that this was
amazing... but it ended when it seemed to be getting going. Lots of rich
overtone stuff going on and even a hint of Elgar's 'Cello Concerto... I just
want to hear more.

Treated bass viol... now that's probably the most obscure instrument I've
come across on MJ!

Check out my latest song called Lowlife

ACWAT	ACWAT said 1375 days ago (February 16th, 2006)
	Wow love that sound Checked out your song, fantastic emotion in there real thought provoking stuff, keep up the good work. That KTgranulator works a treat with this source material and that distorted sound on the end part mmmmmmm. Would love to get my hands on some samples of that Viol. P.S. Can't wait for the longer version. Check out my latest song called Golden Ratio

alanfraser	alanfraser said 1375 days ago (February 16th, 2006)
	The feeling is there but it's much too short. I understand that's the point but it's still frustrating in a way. You're way out on the edge and I seriously respect that. Looking forward to more. Check out my latest song called It's For You w/Mystery Lady

thoddi

thoddi said 1374 days ago (February 18th, 2006)

soulful
This is shows how powerful feelings can be expressed through music. It's so strong in how it shows the sadness and the feeling of not knowing how to reach through to our lost one's anymore.

The sudden stop is in a way a reminder of how our lives will eventually end...

I like the impulsive way of this recording. It's full of the energy present at the time.

Check out my latest song called Don't tell me what I can't w/KTB and Ingve

screamalexz	screamalexz said 1372 days ago (February 19th, 2006)
	sad it has a bit of a gritty sound to it, mournful and painful sounding, almost has a hint of chaos. nice. Check out my latest song called Die (Album Version)

dreadmon	dreadmon said 1372 days ago (February 19th, 2006)
	primal screams the EQ could soften some of the harsher textures, but there is no tuning an impassioned wail nor a cry of anguish - and from that heart, this is a very primal and evocative piece, well communicated. Check out my latest song called Dive!

	said 1372 days ago (February 19th, 2006)
	Too short... My only complaint is that this ends too soon. As I listened I recalled the various friends (4 so far) that have been taken from this life. Makes me want to light a candle and sit quietly for awhile. Thank you.

beauty.cult	beauty.cult said 1311 days ago (April 22nd, 2006)
	a most appropos cliche? i shall not even attempt words... Check out my latest song called Set 4 U by Al G

Liemannen	Liemannen said 1310 days ago (April 23rd, 2006)
	So sad.. I love that Sergio Leone feeling! Almost like unplugged doom.. Check out my latest song called Monstium tortium

bethrobin	bethrobin said 1309 days ago (April 23rd, 2006)
	truly emotive this cuts right through to the heart. if it were 3 minutes long it would be a perfect cathartic moment with a beginning middle and end. Check out my latest song called Park With Me

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1309 days ago (April 23rd, 2006)
	truly emotive Don't worry. I'm working on a longer version. Thanks for listening and commenting! Victor. Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

drakonis

drakonis said 1307 days ago (April 25th, 2006)

hmm...
I could definitely feel the longing, this is a great instrument for that,
and very aprropriately played to evoke that edge-of-the-seat, what's
coming next, type of feeling. The post-processing of the chopped bits
helped create tension. But two nits. One is on EQ, it sounded in a
couple places like there was a midrange peak, certain notes came out
rather loudly, swamping others. Also, as for creating the literal
musical analogue of a life too short, I think having the music file stop
in mid-play is good, but I would have given a haunting room echo
afterward for it to fade away into, so that (1) the listener knows you did
that on purpose and they didn't get a corrupt mp3, and (2) the memory
of the person lives on in echoes of the survivors, as shown here, so I
would capture the echo as part of the musical metaphor. Overall, this
was edgy and effective.
ttfn,
Drakonis

Check out my latest song called Lullaby for the Inner Child

SmokeyVW	SmokeyVW said 1253 days ago (June 18th, 2006)
	hey! what?! i was listening and getting engrossed and thunk it stopped. hey! what?! i clicked the playbar towards the end and played it again. it just stopped, right in the middle... and then, i'll admit, i cried when it struck me that that was the point. i've been sitting here trying to think of what else to say... nothing coherent... Check out my latest song called One For Me

SmokeyVW

SmokeyVW said 1253 days ago (June 18th, 2006)

longer version? no
now that i've regained my composure, i read the posts.

you mention a longer version.
well, my take on it is: don't.

it's perfect as it is.
it's almost brutal how it just chops off.
that's why it works so well. you got me.

you'll lose this if you lengthen it.

(just my opinion - but, man, you struck a nerve. these days that is
really hard to do!)

Check out my latest song called One For Me

DJ WERD	DJ WERD said 1245 days ago (June 26th, 2006)
	mmmm...tasty this sounds as though it could be in an independent trippy film. almost like donnie darko or ghost world. i enjoy it mostly because it makes me feel like i always have to be alert or something, like im on the edge of my seat. great sounds you used. Check out my latest song called YO 808 vol. H20 - ext. homospien mannifestation

Hectorious	Hectorious said 1241 days ago (June 30th, 2006)
	Crazy Tension It goes up your spine and up to your brain COOL!!! You try different things I dig that. Check out my latest song called Short Circuit (Sample)

Sarutobi	Sarutobi said 1215 days ago (July 27th, 2006)
	Very Ambient I really like this it really seems to express something. It is very haunting. Thanks for the comment on my track btw. Check out my latest song called How Could You Leave Me

Sarutobi	Sarutobi said 1215 days ago (July 27th, 2006)
	Very Ambient I really like this it really seems to express something. It is very haunting. Thanks for the comment on my track btw. Check out my latest song called How Could You Leave Me

Sarutobi	Sarutobi said 1215 days ago (July 27th, 2006)
	Very Ambient I really like this it really seems to express something. It is very haunting. Thanks for the comment on my track btw. Check out my latest song called How Could You Leave Me

timothy devine	timothy devine said 693 days ago (December 30th, 2007)
	moving very special. peace to you and your friends always tim Check out my latest song called Mankind Needs a Change/WoodstockII

	said 557 days ago (May 14th, 2008)
	Yes I can undrestand How you may have been feeling when you created this music it speaks for itself. Thank you for sharing your pain with us all to. it was very Emotive and sad, I have two on my Page both dedications One to my Brother Who comitted Suicide and one to Droop Paul Davis who suddenly passed away from a heart attack whom I thought very highly of also. Peace Dee.

Feter	Feter said 412 days ago (October 6th, 2008)
	Memory of friends gone by this Viol has a stronge mood sound ...you used it so perfectly with this sad music ...a true dark lament ...a real master touch ..thnx alot for sharin !!!! Check out my latest song called A Night With Feter feat'(Roxylee sloparts crissew johnwhitehead and Yamin AL Yamani )

Fan List

Artist Info

Name: Victor

In past lives, VicDiesel was a country fiddler, a shawm player at the Burgundy court, bellows pumper for JS Bach, Geoff Emerick's factotum, and a beggar playing drums in the streets of Calcutta for alms. Unusually, the memories of all that come... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

More songs in Other:

Chat

crissew	4
persona	1
pos69sum	46
scaustrita	12
tonestones	4
TracyVosh	13
VicDiesel	45
wzabar	0