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Attribution
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Keywords:
sometimes (9), amble (4), grapefruit (5), unterwafter (3), harmony assistant (9), kevmikwa (2), drakonis (55)
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Description:
As we walk along the beach, sometimes the waves wash beautiful shells up on shore for us to pick up, and sometimes the waves wash all the shells away, leaving us with nothing but miles of sand. Sometimes we gaze at the dazzling sunset, and sometimes the sun just irritates our eyes. Sometimes the harder we work, the poorer we get. Sometimes the quieter we sit, the noisier life becomes. Sometimes the more we love, the lonelier we become. Sometimes by giving up hope, we get everything we ever dreamed of. Life can be frustratingly complicated and unexpectedly perverse, sometimes driving us to distraction. But whatever happens along the way, the universe propels us inexorably and uncaringly forward, toward the next surprise.
Original melody idea jotted down October 2003. Composed note-by-note in Harmony Assistant, imported into GarageBand 2 & tweaked neurotically. Mike "Kevmikwa" Watkins replaced my horribly simple drum track with his own ideas and wonderful drumming performance, helping to give this a very powerful rhythmic undercurrent of paradoxical tension, serenity and inertia. I added a little wash of effects over Mike's final drum mix to catch his set on fire. By popular request, I've changed the main instrument from the cheesy-sounding vibraphone to a much warmer sounding flute... hopefully this is a much nicer sounding piece. The original "vibraphone version" can be found by clicking here.
Hardware:
Macintosh dual 1Ghz G4, Hot Summer daze, cool Summer grapefruit.
Software:
Harmony Assistant composition software, Garageband 2, Mike's drums & Logic, conversion to MP3 by "LAME" MP3 converter.
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Flutes sound good! &mdash 08/06/06 - 08:43:06 PM
I liked it before, and even better now with the flute. Very pretty. :-) [ Reply to This ]
Flutes sound good! &mdash 08/06/06 - 09:33:46 PM
I always liked the flute players when I was in band :-) Anyway, glad you let me
know you like this better... thank you for checking out the change... and by the
way, when will we see your delightfully funny version of this? (smirk)
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
deja vu, it's the next best thing to being there<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22647">Fractal Serenity</a> [ Reply to This ]
Ahh - there it is ! &mdash 08/06/06 - 09:01:21 PM
The dragon changed it into someting magic :)
I don't want to repeat Roxylee ...
This is much better now - a soft and warm sound !
Good decision choosing the flute. [ Reply to This ]
Ahh - one more thing ..) &mdash 08/06/06 - 09:17:14 PM
You should think about changing the title from >S* - less cheese< into
"Sometimes (TheMagicFluteMix)" for example :) [ Reply to This ]
Ahh - one more thing ..) &mdash 08/06/06 - 09:40:34 PM
Thank you very much Rob, for listening to this before I posted it, and insisting
that it really needed a different main instrument. And thanks for the less cheesy
title idea, I changed it per your suggestion, with a Mozart twist.
Tschüss,
Drache
--- deja vu, it's the next best thing to being there
### Today's song: Fractal Serenity[ Reply to This ]
Moody &mdash 08/06/06 - 09:23:28 PM
Liked this before - and again. Very moody piece - like the little special
bits - bell-like tingling. Mike's drums very cool. Flute gives much
improvement.
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Moody &mdash 08/06/06 - 10:13:02 PM
Thank you *again* Neil! I appreciate you listening to improvements and giving
me feedback, and hearing all the little ornamentations I dabbed this with,
thanks!
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
deja vu, it's the next best thing to being there<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22647">Fractal Serenity</a> [ Reply to This ]
Enjoyed.. &mdash 08/07/06 - 11:09:57 AM
Enjoyed.. &mdash 08/08/06 - 09:28:18 PM
Mission accomplished, then! Thanks, Scotty... your stuff always puts big smiles
on my face too!
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
deja vu, it's the next best thing to being there<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22647">Fractal Serenity</a> [ Reply to This ]
Yeah &mdash 08/07/06 - 11:30:13 PM
I like that flute. I'm pretty sure it's an improvement, but I liked the first
one too. Nice drumming Mike! [ Reply to This ]
Yeah &mdash 08/08/06 - 09:34:20 PM
Hey, thank you for coming back and comparing the two. I'm glad my change to
a different instrument was a positive move... and yes, Mike did a great job on
drums, and even came back to play on this version too... uh, OK, I copy/pasted
Mike, but I don't think he noticed that there are now two of him :-)
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
deja vu, it's the next best thing to being there<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22647">Fractal Serenity</a> [ Reply to This ]
BEE---OOO---TIH---FULL! &mdash 08/08/06 - 03:03:50 PM
Wow...you thoroughly tweaked this. It's way better (and it was fine to
begin with!). Watkins' percussive interpretation is spot on and adds space
and depth. I love the flanging in this. And the "flute" is lovely.
Be well!
The Lowlands Of Holland: http://www.macjams.com/song/23403 [ Reply to This ]
BEE---OOO---TIH---FULL! &mdash 08/08/06 - 09:38:58 PM
Hey there Amagi, I'm very happy to know that you liked the flute and effects on
drums and Eq-tweak, thanks! And yes, that Mike's got a great ear for rhythms.
I'm off to listen to your latest now!
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
deja vu, it's the next best thing to being there<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22647">Fractal Serenity</a> [ Reply to This ]
Interesting &mdash 08/08/06 - 09:50:16 PM
It's fun to hear different versions of songs (see Ember :-) ). I liked the
vibraphone just fine, but the flute does definitely adds a different
quality and is a more "in front" lead instrument than the vibe. Check
the box, "Likes both equally," next to my name on the list, E.
--ledeb [ Reply to This ]
Interesting &mdash 08/08/06 - 10:22:30 PM
Check, OK, I wrote that down... but I still think it would sound absolutely
stunning
with your voice, but that's just me. I did write it with "FemmeVox" in mind as
the main (and backup/echo) instrument, I just don't have one of those lying
around (I looked!) So it will have to wait... (smirk) This song did have a strange
computer-synthesized female voice singing about grapefruit early in its life
(which has traumatized my daughter who can't listen to this song anymore
without breaking into giggles.) But I haven't let too many people hear that
version, fearing it would lead to massive aversions to citrus.
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
deja vu, it's the next best thing to being there<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22647">Fractal Serenity</a> [ Reply to This ]
I am one of the lucky/unlucky ones &mdash 08/09/06 - 09:05:05 AM
I am one of the lucky/unlucky ones to have heard the voice-synthesized grapefruit mix. I must say, it's really oddly hypnotic! There's this portamento thing he's coded in there that gives it a human touch. The lyrics are a riot ... here's the first line, sing along with the flute line if you'd like: "I want a grapefruit ... really ... badly". If you're friendly to drak, I bet he'll send you a copy.
Regarding the flute mix - while it's neat to hear a different lead instrument, I'm one of the few that prefers the original sound. Four potential reasons:
(1) The new flute sound has a slow attack (like a real flute) and so it sounds like it's ever-so-slightly behind the beat.
(2) The flute seems to have only one articulation with heavy vibrato. Totally a nitpick, but it's a tiny bit distracting.
(3) The original sound blended well with the backing sounds and lent itself to the almost-Russian flair that the theme carries.
(4) The original sound is what I listened to alot while we were recording and now maybe I just miss it.
But the great thing is that you've kept both versions active. People can listen to whichever version they wish!
If you've got some spare time on your hands (yeah, right) you might want to consider cross-linking the descriptions to each other ... in the first version, you include a bit about "if you'd like to hear this song with flute, click *here*" (and vice versa for version 2). [ Reply to This ]
I am one of the lucky/unlucky ones &mdash 08/09/06 - 10:22:05 AM
Hi Mike, oh great, now the cat's out of the bag! I may have to post the
Grapefruit song now... maybe that will spur Roxylee to finish her parody
version of this too (evil grin).
Mike, your ear is invaluable, thank you for the critiques!
(1) Funny, the very first time I played this with the flute, I thought the same
thing, and then after the 20th time of tweaking other things, I forgot that it
slightly lagged! Dang, I need to fix that, it *is* a problem! All players of
slow-attack instruments, violas, french horns, etc., know to start a little early
to get the note to sound on the beat... duh, I knew that (blush).
(2) I added tremelo, and forgot to turn it DOWN after adding it, dang times
two!
(3 & 4) The flute does soften the feel somewhat, but some people like that, so
I will keep both up.
As always, thank you very very much for your critical honest ear and
comments! I will work on an update to this to fix the above problems, and
also will... sigh... put together a good version of the Grapefruit song (I think
I'll surgically add the computer-synth voice to the newer Garagaband version
of backing instruments.) "Sometimes" has been out long enough now, time
to unleash the original on the world (rubs his hands fiendishly together)...
bwahahaha!
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
deja vu, it's the next best thing to being there<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22647">Fractal Serenity</a> [ Reply to This ]
STUNNING! &mdash 08/09/06 - 04:47:46 PM
STUNNING! &mdash 08/09/06 - 11:13:39 PM
You will? Somehow I doubt that... :-) however, I am happy to whet your
appetite like nobody's Biz-ness! Always glad to have you stop by! Looks like
more versions of this are in the works, stay tuned!
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
deja vu, it's the next best thing to being there<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22647">Fractal Serenity</a> [ Reply to This ]
STUNNING! &mdash 08/13/06 - 09:26:43 PM
No wise cracks dragon! Your day has come and we will swallow you
whole! The beast is hungry!
---
WE WILL EAT YOUR CHILDREN! [ Reply to This ]
Zauber, indeed &mdash 08/09/06 - 06:19:39 PM
I liked the previous version and I like this one as well.
The flute does add a sense of "magicality" to this but software flutes (I'm
assuming this isn't a real one(?)) always lack a little something...
Anyway...
A beautiful melody is a beautiful melody - regardless of instrumental
choice. Well... in most cases... :)
-E [ Reply to This ]
Zauber, indeed &mdash 08/09/06 - 11:21:50 PM
Such a compliment from a master of great melodies, thanks! Nope, it is the JP4
flute, with way too much tremelo on it, making it sound quite unnatural. I'll fix
that, and post an überzauberflöte version, then post my funny version, then
move on to something new.
ttfn,
Drakonis --- deja vu, it's the next best thing to being there
### Today's song: Fractal Serenity[ Reply to This ]
Floating &mdash 08/10/06 - 07:23:19 PM
could perhaps used a bit more sustain on the flute but a lovely melody
nicely set. This has had the benefit of being allowed to mature for a few
years!
SK [ Reply to This ]
Floating &mdash 08/10/06 - 11:20:53 PM
(takes a note... "more sustain on flute") KKool, thank you for the suggestion, I
think there's one more serious version coming, then the silly ones arrive! Yes,
this has been fermenting for several years, and seems to have gotten better with
age... which cannot be said for its author, or cabbage (despite Kim Chee.)
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
deja vu, it's the next best thing to being there<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22647">Fractal Serenity</a> [ Reply to This ]
Nice work &mdash 08/11/06 - 02:20:52 PM
It's a really pleasant theme that holds up well throughout its variations.
Liked that dark synth bed contrasted with the lighter instruments.
Did give the earlier incarnation a listen and definitely think the flute is a
better option for the lead. Also agree that it could use a little more
sustain or reverb. Enjoyed this quite a bit. Nice work. [ Reply to This ]
Nice work &mdash 08/11/06 - 02:43:36 PM
Cool! Glad you liked the melody and newer choice of instruments. I'll rework
the flute to make it more realistic... but I think I will first unleash the silly
original version of this song onto the unsuspecting Macjammerie... watch for the
disturbingly weird and funny "Grapefruit Song" coming soon to speakers near
you, hopefully this weekend. Hmm... I wonder if there should be a new
"Disturbingly Weird and Funny" Genre?
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
deja vu, it's the next best thing to being there<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22647">Fractal Serenity</a> [ Reply to This ]
Magical indeed &mdash 08/14/06 - 12:48:57 AM
Just wanted to say how much I like this piece. I've listened to the
Grapefruit and Mosquito variations which are a riot. But this is the one I'll
keep replaying.
[ Reply to This ]
Magical indeed &mdash 08/14/06 - 01:03:02 AM
Just wanted to say how much I like this piece. I've listened to the
Grapefruit and Mosquito variations which are a riot. But this is the one I'll
keep replaying.
[ Reply to This ]
Magical indeed &mdash 08/14/06 - 12:39:50 PM
Welcome to MJ, and I'm very pleased to know that you like this piece... despite
being infected with the other comedic/demented versions! I like coming up with
and sharing interesting melodies that crawl into your head and don't want to
leave... and stories/ideas that come along with them. Music should be
memorable... give you something to hum later.
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
The one with the most true friends wins!<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/23351">Sometimes - Magic Flute mix</a> [ Reply to This ]
trippy track &mdash 08/17/06 - 06:03:17 PM
wowsers, what a foreign blend. You've got some nice orchestral stuff
happening over what appears to be a reggae groove...and it works! [ Reply to This ]
trippy track &mdash 08/17/06 - 06:14:20 PM
Thank you for listening... Reggae, aye? Interesting, that's mostly Mike's doing,
he really makes those drums sing. He took my percussion ideas and ran with
them.
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
The one with the most true friends wins!<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/23351">Sometimes - Magic Flute mix</a> [ Reply to This ]
Thank you for this lovely tune! &mdash 09/08/06 - 03:42:52 PM
And for the song description!
I like both versions and can't really decide which is the better. I do get
a few ideas though. I can imagine a guitar upon this, or maybe change
the lead instrument to a guitar for a part - not for the entire song. With
the flute I wonder if the last note in quite a few of the bars(?) could be
a bit longer, they sound a bit unnecessarily cut off? I am not sure of the
effect but if you have the time maybe you could try.
Actually, I was quite inspired by this myself. I don't suppose you would
let me have a go at it? That would be an honour!
And thanks again for your kind interest in a newcomer to this site!
Henke [ Reply to This ]
32!!! good grief!!! &mdash 09/15/06 - 02:07:12 PM
what a lovely fat moody picture - i love the twing!! and the shaky sound too ... lots to listen to - a headphone experience - hmmm - i think i have to d/l this!!! sorry it took me sooo long to get here eduard but ... butter lard than margarine!!! big hugs bluedragon and to the little drummer boy too when you next talk with him - 10 weeks and counting!! xoxox [ Reply to This ]
Uplifting &mdash 09/16/06 - 05:37:34 PM
This track has an airy, uplifting nature about it. Smooth and pleasent
melodies abound and the flote keeps a whimsicle fancy about it thuout.
Other elements, such as the 'tinkerbell' sound, are a nice addition as well.
This has a nice full sound to it. I think another video for THIS track would
be nice too. : ) Take care! Peace!
[ Reply to This ]
Wonderful &mdash 09/19/06 - 04:47:16 PM
melody for the flute.Of course the percussion programming suites me
too. The flangy effect gave the track a dreamy quality, while the drums
punctuated quite nicely. Nice exercise in melody driven ambience. [ Reply to This ]
Such a compliment &mdash 09/19/06 - 11:35:14 PM
Thank you Tatin, for stopping by and commenting on this. I'm very happy with
Mike's drumming on this, and I'm glad you liked the flanged effect... a dreamy
quality was exactly what I was going for, and I didn't want to overdo it. The
melody has been stuck in my head for years (see the Grapefruit song, and
people's reaction if you dare) but I agree that it is well-suited for flute.
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
The one with the most true friends wins!<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/23351">Sometimes - Magic Flute mix</a> [ Reply to This ]
Mosquito? &mdash 09/20/06 - 12:42:48 AM
de-bugged version &mdash 09/20/06 - 10:11:13 AM
Hi Enrique,
No, this is the "Serious" version of the song. There is a very silly "Grapefrut
Song" (which got stuck in my daughter's head), and then Roxylee took this and
made it into a "Mosquito Song", to try to get the Grapefruit Song out of HER
head too. So you can listen to those, but they may permanently change the way
you hear this song. I'm glad you enjoyed this version!
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
The one with the most true friends wins!<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/23351">Sometimes - Magic Flute mix</a> [ Reply to This ]
nice &mdash 11/06/06 - 12:20:11 AM
I like this track, the flanger effect and the drum arrangement set a likeable, relaxing mood... [ Reply to This ]
Belated Welcome &mdash 11/06/06 - 11:44:19 AM
Thank you for the positive vote on the light effects on Mike's drums... I had originally written my own simple drum track for this and had it heavily effected (snare was overdriven & flanged, others were just lightly phased), and also had them fading in and out a bit... and I got used to this sound for this piece. When Mike recorded his gorgeous clean drums for this, I had a hard time adding back so much "wash" on them, because they sounded so great as-is... so I just snuck _some_ back in to give it a little of the original "comes and goes" flavor. Glad you liked it!
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
Deja vu - It's the next best thing to being there<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/23351">Sometimes - Magic Flute mix</a> [ Reply to This ]
snazzy &mdash 12/14/06 - 03:39:09 PM
sounds like.. a big, formal party. the women are wearing red dresses and the men black suits. everyone is drinking wine and conversing. [ Reply to This ]
Welcome my friend... &mdash 12/14/06 - 04:27:15 PM
to the party that never ends... Macjams :-) Have some maguro and cabernet. Thank you for stopping in to say hi, glad you enjoyed the band!
ttfn,
Drakonis (attempting laconic responses)
---
Deja vu - It's the next best thing to being there<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/25837">MusiMorphosis</a> [ Reply to This ]
Love the effects... &mdash 01/16/07 - 12:32:33 PM
On the drums. Whatever you've done to them gives them a very airy feel almost. Not sure if airy is the right word, I can't quite seem to explain it. But I think that it's a perfect compliment to the other sounds that you have going on. Everything is so well tied together as a result.
Although I haven't heard the original, I really do like the sound of the flute that you used. I can't imagine it with any other sound.
You've put together a great piece Drak, with such a great mood. And as always, Mike did a great job on the drums! [ Reply to This ]
Flanged widgets &mdash 01/17/07 - 11:33:29 AM
I added a very slight tweaked-flange effect on Mike's most-excellent drums, to give that airy dreamy feeling.
Thank you for listening and commenting, Jen, glad you enjoyed this. And if you cannot imagine this any other way, then DO NOT listen to any of the other humorous remakes of this (like "The Grapefruit Song" or "The Mosquito Song")... they may detract from your enjoyment of this more serious version :-)
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
Deja vu - It's the next best thing to being there<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/28153">Technoid</a> [ Reply to This ]
Good song &mdash 02/10/07 - 07:54:19 PM
glad you liked it &mdash 02/10/07 - 08:04:31 PM
Yup, I wrote this music, one note at a time, and had KevMikWa play drums for me.
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
Deja vu - It's the next best thing to being there<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/28669">Dance of the Technoids</a> [ Reply to This ]
flange those cymbals &mdash 05/01/07 - 11:20:15 PM
I think you got a very fine drum performance that really took this tune to the next level. Very pretty. [ Reply to This ]
didja flange widget? &mdash 05/01/07 - 11:59:53 PM
Thank you for listening to more of my stuff... this was a fun little tune, but I agree, the drums really elevated this... Mike's an amazing drummer (and a super nice guy too!) I wanted a sort of woozy feel and tinted the drums slightly, but didn't want to go overboard, mostly because I was in love with what Mike recorded for me. I appreciate you stopping in again and commenting!
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
Deja vu - It's the next best thing to being there<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/28669">Dance of the Technoids</a> [ Reply to This ]
drak &mdash 05/15/07 - 10:04:38 PM
crappola,
I lost the perfect comment i wrote for you, so you'll have to settle for this one : )
I think the warmer flute adds depth. The melody is beautiful. The drums and effects are perfect. I love your description of this song and can hear it as a voice-over for this done by a voice like Serge Gainsbourg.
I like the original in a very different way. It makes for a storyline "video game soundtrack" with a lot of humanness, which is what this composition has.
Very well done! [ Reply to This ]
second best comment &mdash 05/15/07 - 10:53:44 PM
Thank you for stopping in and listening. These are exactly the kinds of ideas I like to find out about. I originally wrote this hoping to come up with sung lyrics in place of the flute some day, but only had the semi-poetic description written out. Your idea of speaking the sentiments over the music is interesting, and I think I can imagine what that would sound like... that could work! I'd want to tweak the text some to make it more stirring and fix the meter a little. Know anyone who might like to try a nice smooth emotional voice-over on this? (hint hint?) Maybe we could get a flute player to add a real flute too? Hmm... thank you again for the comment, cool idea!
ttfn,
Drakonis
---
Deja vu - It's the next best thing to being there<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/24994">DidgeEmber</a> [ Reply to This ]
Sometimes &mdash 03/02/08 - 03:15:36 PM
Andreas! &mdash 03/03/08 - 11:40:09 AM
Thank you for taking the journey with me... life is worth it! And, thank you for sharing your great talents here too!
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
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