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When I Was Young by Joe Brady [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 1190
Comments: 26
Votes: 6
Plays: 300
Last Played: Oct 06, 2008 - 04:49:43 PM
Downloads: 107
Fans: 9
Uploaded: Mar 02, 2007 - 09:17:55 AM
Last Updated: Mar 02, 2007 - 10:58:47 AM
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Keywords:
Young (4), batty-eyed glance (1), whispered (1)
Description:
I was thinking how my daughter was always surprised when things didn't go as planned. I thought about this tendency re: matters of the heart. She wasn't quite old enough to know about these things but she would learn soon enough. So I wrote her a song about my first real heartbreak so she would know a kindred spirit when it happened.

I used the SM57 to record the fingerpickin/thumb strumming and the Beta 58 to record the pick-strumming, then plugged into the Firewire Solo for the lead. I think the levels need some tweaking and probably could redo the vocal but I wanted to hear suggestions before remixing. Fire away. Thanks for tolerating; didn't realize this was 5 minutes until I mixed it down in iTunes.

Lyrics:
When I Was Young
Words and Music by Joe Brady 2001


There was a time when I could
Look foreward to living
There was a time when I could
See the glass half-full
A time when a batty-eyed glance
Could set my heart racing
And wake me in the middle of the night
When I was young

I remember the first time
She put her hand in mine
That first hug I got
That wasn’t from my mom
When I could see myself
And I liked what I was seeing
Cause man I guess I couldn’t do no wrong
When I was young

Over and over her voice
Whispered in my ear
My heart was her’s
I loved her more than I could bear
When I was young

There was a time when
I confessed my love
Poured empty out my heart
And I swore my soul to her
I told her she’d changed my life
And she told me I was crazy
While laughing at me she opened up her arms
When I was young

There was I time I cried and I
Thought my life was over
Head on Mom’s shoulder my chest
Heaving with my sobs
And I couldn’t tell her why
Why couldn’t it just be right
What was it about me she couldn’t love
When I was young

Hardware:
Alverez Yarri, Shure SM57 & Beta 58, M-Audio Firewire Solo

Software:
Garage Band/drum kit loop
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Great tune... &mdash 03/02/07 - 10:07:46 AM
great guitar playing... picking and all... great singing... and some fine lyrics. I really enjoyed this, so I had to DL it. Thanks. I like your style a lot.

Jack

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Thanks Jack &mdash 03/02/07 - 10:23:09 AM
I love your music and your reaction to my posts are warmly anticipated. Thans for stopping by...............Joe

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Glad I found your page &mdash 03/02/07 - 10:29:23 AM
Really nice, Joe. I'm glad you added the info about the mics, etc. Great lyrics, singing, and guitar. I'll listen to the rest of your songs after the grandson goes home and I can concentrate on the words.

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Thanks for the visit, Roxy! &mdash 03/02/07 - 11:25:07 AM
I loved Happy Birthday, but who didn't? I appreciate the kind words. Currently checking out your collaboration with Cori; very nice. Look forward to your input. Pleased you could make it by. :-)

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Rathskeller &mdash 03/02/07 - 12:26:46 PM
Excellent writing, well balanced, honestly sung. The extreme stereo panning entrance of the R guitar is kind of disorienting in headphones and I'd start with a balanced L-R acoustic or else center the first one and pan the others; consider bringing them all slightly closer to center. The track has a demo, open-mic night feel, but the reverb on the vocals doesn't match the vocal ambience; I'd go for that open mic feel, tho, cuz it fits the track well. Also, consider adding a bass line. Very pleasant folk track.

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Thanks Tobin, &mdash 03/02/07 - 04:29:29 PM
I wish I had a bass here; may have to invest in one. I will take your advice on bringing the guitars closer to center. I was trying to recreate the sound I achieve with my friends when we would do some pickin' at my friends house; giving each piece a sort of geographic aural location, but it was slilghtly extreme. Coop has told me that being objective about your own favorite things is the hardest thing(so true!), so I appreciate your ear and time here. Many, many thanks.

What a great place:-).........................Joe

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On second thought &mdash 03/26/07 - 07:42:06 AM
After re-listening, I like the reverb on the vocals. In fact, I like the whole vocal aspect. It seems very alive, very real, very present to me. Compared to your reworking of the vocals in your latest post, I prefer this.

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Not at all ... &mdash 03/02/07 - 08:36:33 PM
.. a matter of tolerating!! Lovely vocals and nice playing - I agree with Tobin about the panning - especially the entrance of the RH acoustic. I'm wondering whether the song might sound best with just a single acoustic - the "open mic" idea - although I think what you've done is great. I think if you're going to have drums, then you need to make them louder - and if you have louder drums, you need bass. If you'd like a bass track, send me a note.
Good post - hope your daughter enjoyed it.
Neil

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Thanks Neil, &mdash 03/02/07 - 10:06:40 PM
For the nice comments as well as the helpful ones. That's a generous offer, I'll send you a post. Loved the production on Well Enough Alone.....I typed that I hadn't noticed the percussion.....meant to say hadn't noticed it as artificial. Great track you got there.

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Ahhh... &mdash 03/02/07 - 10:48:24 PM
the things we'll do for our children.

I really like the flow of this song- especially the phrasing. Nothing I can suggest technically. Will certainly be checking back to hear this with Neil's bassline should you decide to post it again.

Nice job!

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When I Was Young &mdash 03/03/07 - 06:52:53 AM
Hi Joe
This is a great song. I think the first thing that impressed me was the quality of your voice. It matches the feel and honesty of the song. I would consider a re-mix simply because I think it comes across as trying to make everything equal whereas, in reality, it's the words and they way you sing them (with such an accessible melody) that gives the song its charm. My tendency would be to change a word or two here and there but these are all very little critical notes on what is a superb song. I hope you're not offended by these comments. I get the feeling we write from a similar place and I'm used to collaborative working...which always means hearing a different opinion. Bottom line...you've got a fan.

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Tom, &mdash 03/03/07 - 11:03:21 AM
I am thrilled you found time to visit. I have always wondered how one goes about working collaboratively; there are so many successful examples out there. I often recognize one or two spots in my songs that could be changed, but I am either afraid to take away from the authenticity or have no idea what to do. I am feeling that's all about to change, and that's pretty exciting.
Thanks so much Tom.

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very nice &mdash 03/04/07 - 09:43:53 AM
I think it sounds good the way it is.. Even though Im a bass player. I wouldnt add bass.I like the live feel. Very sweet song. Straight from the heart! The guitar sound are great!!!

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Hey Steve, &mdash 03/04/07 - 08:04:59 PM
Thanks for the nice comment on my production. Still, I'm kind of excited about collaborating (still a virgin). I'm listening to Inclement Weather right now (really nice) and I want to try something like that. I appreciate the comments re: "live sound" but I want to learn how you guys get that "studio sound". Much obliged.

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Hindsight still hurts? &mdash 03/04/07 - 08:44:08 PM
Excellent song. I guess we all have a girl (or guy) in our past who just keeps popping up in your memory, no matter whether you may have alrady found the love of your life. You can't help wondering "what if".

Ok, about the recording. You have a great voice and you sing well. Please get a pop shield. There are a couple of nasty ones. "I remember the first time she Put her hand in mine...."

The guitar work is also great. Cut some some low/mid frequencies from that left guitar. (Or is there a third guitar, mixed center? Then it's that one.) It becomes a somewhat unpleasant drone.

But hey, it's a good song and I'm only nitpicking because you were inviting comments on the recording.

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Thanks Vic, &mdash 03/04/07 - 09:05:16 PM
The Pop shield I should be able to do easily, thanks. The guitar was miked and I'm thinking that it may be a matter of mic placement or input level? GB2 or the Firewire solo leave little room for adjustment, unless you know of GB tricks I haven't learned yet. I placed the mic not far from the sound hole. It was a bit of an experiment (I plugged directly in to the solo for my other tunes). You are right, 3 guitar tracks, two of them with two different microphones. Thanks for taking the time and listening so closely Vic, it is appreciated.

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thoughts from the bull... &mdash 03/05/07 - 09:07:04 PM
i really enjoyed this one. something about reflective songs that bears an honest lyric. we can't escape the realities we've created in our lives and this one proves it.

funny how when we're young we strive to be older; then, as we age we secretly beg for youth. well, i do anyway. hehe

the music is pure and simple. i love the clean sound and the two channel mix. nice. your voice is recorded so well that the tonation has a great resonance. same with the "lead" guitar. lyrically, it's easy to read as it is, but to hear the words along with the music works all the way. great job with this.

thank you for your comments on my song and i'm happy i found your music as well. i'm really looking forward to what you come up with next! thank you, Joe!

- mark

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Nice tuneage Joe... &mdash 03/07/07 - 02:06:18 PM
Evokes so many memories...I really enjoy your guitar playing and you have a very nice voice. More please!

Be well!

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Thanks Mike! &mdash 03/08/07 - 05:29:20 PM
Glad you liked it! Thanks for the nice compliments too.:)

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Terrific song &mdash 03/08/07 - 08:08:32 AM
Hey Joe, great lyrics, pickin'&singin'. Downloading it now.

God bless,

Rick

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Rick! &mdash 03/08/07 - 05:33:51 PM
Much obliged!Thanks for stoppin' in;-)

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&mdash 03/08/07 - 05:55:58 PM
Nice clean guitar work and emotional, honest delivery. Good work!

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Thank you Rebsie &mdash 03/10/07 - 01:46:35 AM
I appreciate the comment as I am trying to improve the sound of the guitar on the recording. Very nice to see you here!!

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its a beautiful song &mdash 03/08/07 - 11:02:24 PM
Id like to hear the band kick in, an electric solo and a bridge. then you could give "the boss" a run for his money.

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Beautiful &mdash 03/24/07 - 06:00:32 AM
Beautiful... I've listened to both these songs-the remix with Ji-gu-ma also They're both so good very passionate .I believe thats You on the picture :) There's a forum where MJ-rs are posting old photos its great! *OLD PICS*

Thanx !

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Your words &mdash 01/07/08 - 05:05:29 PM
just blow me away they are so descriptive of the personal emotions a lot of us hold or have held. I'm a real fan of yours Great vocals and guitar, regards M

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