I can't say that I've ever heard anything quite like it...

Part of the charm is the "keyboardiness" of the singing...

Gets me thinking of how many times through the ages human beings have tried to invent instruments that would sound like a human voice, or have tried to play instruments in ways reminiscent of the human voice...

There's a lightheartedness to this that I like....

Ed

[ Reply to This ]

Ed, thanks for the comment and glad you enjoyed the little number. I agree with your thoughts on the human voice: still the best instrument around, hands down.
Peace (on the earth!),
Paul

[ Reply to This ]

I didn't even know a keyboard could do that. It must have been hard to gtive every note just the right pressure, and it sounds perfect. what a fun piece to listen to! :-)

[ Reply to This ]

:) I had fun with this one and am happy you enjoyed it. (I wish I could actually sing like that!)
Peace (on the earth!),
Paul

[ Reply to This ]

A delight. I thought, what great singers, until I realized it wasn't, and that just added to my smile. I especially love the ultra-low stuff. Are these sounds available os software plugins, do you know? I loved that a cappella era of jazz in the 60-70s; I could see the paisley in the background. Thanks for sharing this.

[ Reply to This ]

Tobin,
Thanks for the comments and I am glad you enjoyed the number. Much fun to put together, to be sure. I am only aware of the Roland software embedded on my keyboard. It's interesting: the keyboard itself is split all over the place on separate "files" (I guess) and the "pressure" business that creates each of the vocalizations (bop, wah, dawww)is then somehow spliced into each files as well. I have found them all as descrete solo stops, but here they are all combined, so the performer has to adjust "feel" and "pressure" as he goes. I have no idea how THEY do all of that, but it sure is fun.
Paul

[ Reply to This ]

Amazing athleticism of the keyboard aside (those are some incredible sounds), this is a delightful composition, remidns me a little of the Carpenters' tune "Drucilla Penny" from the brown album. There is a local group in Orlando called "Toxic Audio" that could pull this off live - seriously, you should contact them with sheet music and see if they'd record it. They have performed off-Broadway and continuously tour. I think they'd get a serious kick out of this piece; I know I did!

[ Reply to This ]

Hey, Dread,
For a guy who "doesn't listen to this stuff much," I am totally stoked (that verb dates me!) that you enjoy this little jazz vocal. I am not familiar with the "brown" album from the Carpenters, but I love just about everything they did "back in the day." Thanks for giving this a listen and I am glad you enjoyed it so much... That group you mention must be really something else if they can actually vocalize this kind of stuff. Wow. I'll have to score this and send 'em a copy.
Peace (on the earth!),
Paul

[ Reply to This ]

Hah! I totally use the word "stoked" often - must be a west coast thing.

They are at ToxicAudio.com - and they could totally pull this off. Though they do write their own material, they seem to focus mostly on popular music interpretations. Best of luck with your submission!

---
Mahalo nui loa,



Bing Futch



[ Reply to This ]

This song is a whimsical, cute departure from the usual.

Rather realistic vocalizations for being synthed!

The rhythm and chords are catchy, often idiomatic for the voice; this could be performed live to great effect.

I would still like to hear more consistency and continuity in the thematic material, but that's just my personal taste. Lots of neat ideas here, regardless.

[ Reply to This ]

Yes. Personal taste it is, to be sure.

[ Reply to This ]

Takes me back to some exercise that Sergio Mendes Brazil '66 used to put out>

Really neat-o, man! (Keen-o?) Ok, I date myself.... :-)

. - Harold

[ Reply to This ]

Glad you liked the number. Yes, those were the days. Still, the "sound" is cool and I admire those who are actually able to pull this kind of stuff off live (e.g. 5th Dimension, Swingle Singers, etc.) And "to be dated" is, I think, a good thing. I'd hate to actually repeat the "good old days."
Peace (on the earth!),
Paul

[ Reply to This ]

Awesome experimentation. You should collab with Curry (Coriander) and his musical beer cans! [http://www.macjams.com/song/27806] I love this!

be well!

[ Reply to This ]

Just wait until you hear "Virus" ... (I'll just tantalize you with that thought!)
Peace.
Paul

[ Reply to This ]

A fun piece. For me what stands out most is that you pushed the creative envelope quite a bit; and isn't that whats its all about? Very interesting indeed.

[ Reply to This ]

Chris,
Thanks for the comments on the little jazz vocal number. If you read up on the comments others have made on this number, I explain how I put it together -- or at least how the keyboard and software deal works with this. I've never been able to exactly duplicate what I did on this number. It was totally improved and done in one take. Sure was fun.

[ Reply to This ]

is what its all about. Its amazing how people can do things with such inspiration especially when it isn't their profession. I have found that trying to duplicate something thats good isn't a great idea. I try to just let go and see where it takes me, I just submitted 2 original pieces yesterday. I would like to hear your feedback (honest opinion) when they are available. Its my first 2 submissions. I never got a confirmation that said they posted sucessfully, but I assume they did. The system said it can take up to 48 hours, so hopefully by tomorrow they are on the system. One is a long dance/deep house oriinal based around eastern themes. The other is a smooth jazz/salsa effort.

---
you plan to fail when you fail to plan

[ Reply to This ]