Essays in idleness

VicDiesel

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Description

In the early 14th century, the Japanese writer Kenko wrote a book "Essays in Idleness". I found this a wonderfully evocative title, and since it's really hot here in Texas at the moment, I decided to write a lazy, summery, tune.

The picture with this tune is a bit of a joke: since there is no percussion on the tune, the drummer is clearly taking a nap. I don't blame him. It's too hot to play drums.

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Song Stats

Hits: 2481
Comments: 24
Fans: 4
Plays: 210
Downloads: 70
Votes: 7
Uploaded: Jul 22, 2006 - 07:39:01 PM
Last Updated: May 24, 2007 - 02:38:21 PM Last Played: Jun 23, 2009 - 04:10:58 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-ShareAlike

Song Actions

Keywords:

flute (147), oboe (25), lazy (10), instrumental (556)

Hardware:

Just my G5

Software:

Logic, Garritan Personal Orchestra for the winds, Cheesemachine for the synth, ES1 bass, Plugsound guitar

Comments

jiguma

jiguma said 1205 days ago (July 22nd, 2006)

Special
Not at all what I was expecting for some reason. I like the guitar sound
you're getting, and the rhythm it plays behind the virtuoso stuff is just
weird enough to make it a feature. To me, the synth pad (the harsher
part thereof) seems just a tad too harsh to the point where something
seems to be clipping. Could be just my 'phones.
This is light hearted and, dare I say it, makes me feel bone idle.
Something about the rhythm you set up makes this special. I'm
impressed, and like this a lot. The pic looks like most drummers I know
around packing up time!
Neil

Check out my latest song called Under My Skin

VicDiesel

VicDiesel said 1205 days ago (July 22nd, 2006)

Special
Thanks for commenting.

Y'know, one reason that there is no percussion is that the guitar and melody
instruments define a gentle rhythm that would become too obvious with
percussion. I like the rolling feel of this.

I'll listen to this track on some cheaper speakers. My monitors are quiite
expensive, which is not always a good thing, since they handle all sorts of
sounds easily that would send other speakers into overdrive. I've had that
problem before.

---
--
I review yours, you review mine. 'kay?

Check out my latest song called Pipe Spring at Dusk

alley-oop	alley-oop said 1205 days ago (July 23rd, 2006)
	ultra nice... melodies... I mean really nice. I really dig the composition Check out my latest song called anymore

drakonis

drakonis said 1205 days ago (July 23rd, 2006)

hop skip & jump
This has an enjoyably off-kilter feel, the staccatto guitar-plucking
throughout gives an almost goofy lilt that I like. The unusual
harmonies are great. But this sounds very "loud" (pushing the
compression?) and the flute and flangy-stringy synth have a very biting
edge, which is not very pleasant in headphones, at least. The oboe
sounds great, GPO is alluring! The articulation of the flute sounds
great, like its human-played. As far as lazy, this feels laid-back, but
the lack of legato anywhere makes this a little more peppy than lazy...
that's great for this tune, but doesn't fit in my brain with the feeling of
"idleness" you said you wanted to convey. It makes me want to get up
and do a 3-legged dance with my kahlua in hand. :-) The Japanese
book sounds intriguing, I would go look for it, but it is too hot outside
to go to the library, so I'll just sit here and idly sip my kahlua :-) Very
nicely written/orchestrated!
ttfn,
Drakonis

Check out my latest song called Temporal Tantrum (Sister Savage Mix)

VicDiesel

VicDiesel said 1204 days ago (July 23rd, 2006)

hop skip & jump
Interesting comments on the production. The synth has zero effects on it, and
the flute just some reverb. I don't know where that bite would be coming from.

I'll agree with you on the dynamics. There is a limiter on the master bus, and
maybe that masks some overenthousiastic dynamics. I'll take a closer look.

Thanks for listening and commenting!

Check out my latest song called Pipe Spring at Dusk

Hectorious	Hectorious said 1203 days ago (July 24th, 2006)
	Time for a Carona Chilling out on a hammock. That what I picture when I heard this tune. Great instrumentation on the piece. The melodys are very spacious and tastful. Great tune Vic 10's here. ;-} Check out my latest song called Short Circuit (Sample)

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1203 days ago (July 24th, 2006)
	Time for a Carona So I inspire one listener to thoughts of kahluas, and another to coronas? Maybe I should write music for booze commercials... Thanks for your kind words. V. Check out my latest song called Pipe Spring at Dusk

Hectorious	Hectorious said 1203 days ago (July 24th, 2006)
	Time for a Carona Why not Jimmy Buffets making a killing $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ I'll have a Cheese Burger with that please.....in paradise j/k ;-} --- Hector The Music Inspector ;-} Check out my latest song called Short Circuit (Sample)

1rwhite1	1rwhite1 said 1203 days ago (July 24th, 2006)
	Interesting I found this piece interesting. I'm not sure if I would call it "rock," but then again, defining any genre is open to debate. Very colorful, though. Thanks for sharing. Check out my latest song called Who We Are

borisluxx	borisluxx said 1202 days ago (July 25th, 2006)
	Fun!!! This is a really pleasent tune. I see this track playing on a warm summer's day, when you just feel like being lazy and wanting to just enjoy the sun and the breeze. The picture is fitting. It's got a nice calm feel to it. I like! Peace! -Boris Luxx Check out my latest song called 0379

vbluesky	vbluesky said 1202 days ago (July 26th, 2006)
	very cool melodies,I like the flute sound....Its hot here too.This jam is simple and refreshingly cool with some good sounds...thanks 4 the jam Check out my latest song called SMILE ( onesweetworld Remix )

perceptualvortex	perceptualvortex said 1201 days ago (July 27th, 2006)
	Yah with the heat There have been some days here like that picture... everyone melting in snooze... people, cats, plants, random objects. Very nice smiling tune, captures the heat laziness nicely. Check out my latest song called Machine Man (w Beastie Boys)

	gnr said 1198 days ago (July 30th, 2006)
	Lazy summers in the mountains Very nice feel. Tempo puts me in the mountains by a cool, lazy flowing mountain stream.

	gnr said 1198 days ago (July 30th, 2006)
	Lazy summers in the mountains Very nice feel. Tempo puts me in the mountains by a cool, lazy flowing mountain stream.

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1198 days ago (July 30th, 2006)
	Lazy summers in the mountains Somewhere in the Smokies, eh? Check out my latest song called Pipe Spring at Dusk

SmokeyVW

SmokeyVW said 1196 days ago (July 31st, 2006)

*sigh*
*sigh* i guess i have to write something. this is so good. but, i'm
feeling lazy and each time i replay it, i feel lazier. better type this now,
before it's too late...

overall, excellent. i agree with other comments about the flangy synth,
somehow it's just a little too strong. any way to mellow it out just a bit?

swaying palm trees

absolutely, there is no need for drums at all. it's perfect. what would
happen if you slowed down the BPM just a couple of beats?

a light breeze

i'm getting a tad bugged by a few of the notes on the oboe. i guess
they're just too far from the chords for my tastes.

a fizzing gin and tonic

i like the interweaving melodies - that works well.

swaying palm trees

another gin and tonic

Check out my latest song called Settle

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1196 days ago (July 31st, 2006)
	*sigh* Thanks for the flattering comments. Both melodies were a conscious attempt to play something natural sounding that would still avoid any chord note that was explictly played by the guitar or bass. For the oboe that occasionally led to almost bluesy melodies, but I kept them that way. Have another gin and tonic. This one's on me. Check out my latest song called Pipe Spring at Dusk

SmokeyVW	SmokeyVW said 1191 days ago (August 5th, 2006)
	*sigh* thanks (hic!) --- B^) Check out my latest song called Settle

Schello	Schello said 1127 days ago (October 8th, 2006)
	,-) Fantastic! Check out my latest song called Snozz'en (Cronik Mix)

MattGranz	MattGranz said 1127 days ago (October 9th, 2006)
	Ya Hit the Nail on the Head... Yeah the title says it all about the feel you generated here. Your sound reminds me a bit of Pet Sounds era Brian Wilson... or the High Lamas. It's a beautiful arrangement. Check out my latest song called Electric Kool Aide

timothy devine	timothy devine said 680 days ago (December 30th, 2007)
	You have great music the sounds are so sweet and an easy listen for me I will maks a Vic Playlist for sure. tim Check out my latest song called Mankind Needs a Change/WoodstockII

HenriROGERsoloandbands	HenriROGERsoloandbands said 505 days ago (June 22nd, 2008)
	Drummer nap I like the sounds and the harmonies . It has some humor or lightness (guitar rythm) and sadness (melodies , chords) together . Music out of time and fashions , very interesting . Check out my latest song called HyperKineziK 1/1

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 504 days ago (June 23rd, 2008)
	Light sadness Thanks for listening. This piece is kind of a favourite of mine. The simple melodies came out really nicely in their unhurried feel. (I just wish I'd let the wind instruments take a breath every once in a while. It sounds just a bit unnatural this way.) Check out my latest song called Pipe Spring at Dusk

peacepiano	peacepiano said 471 days ago (July 26th, 2008)
	Lovely Lovely melody. I'm with the drummer, too hot to play today :) I also see what you mean about the software instruments, especially the winds. Hard to make them sound nearly as good as a real player. Thanks Bill Check out my latest song called I Should Have Known

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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]

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