Minstrel Boy (soundtrack mix)

Mystified

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Description

Wikipedia notes of the song, 'The Minstrel Boy":
"the song gained widespread popularity and became a favorite of many Irishmen who fought during the United States Civil War."

So, listen to this approach as a soundtrack to an imaginary film....

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Thanks to Rebsie for her wonderful vocal track. (It's nice to collaborate with you at last! ;)

Thanks, too, to the freesound project at
http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/
and contributions from 'acclivity' (horses) and 'man' (marching) for this composition.

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Song Stats

Hits: 2385
Comments: 50
Fans: 30
Plays: 354
Downloads: 147
Votes:
Uploaded: Aug 13, 2007 - 01:09:48 AM
Last Updated: Jan 17, 2010 - 10:23:13 AM Last Played: Feb 01, 2010 - 11:36:41 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Keywords:

Mystified (163), Minstrel Boy (2), Rebsie (48), Civil War (6), soundtrack (196), cinematic (98), battle (34)

Hardware:

macbook, MAudio 61es keystation, Behringer B-1 microphone

Software:

GB3, LE7, JP4

Comments

	said 912 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	This is the BEST version yet... I never cease to be amazed and inspired by you Cat. :0) Fantastic

Mystified	Mystified said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	Thanks, B :) I'm glad you liked this!! Thanks for the listens and encouragement :) And ditto on the 'amaze and inspire' bit, too! sbc (: Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

lengold	lengold said 912 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	This is Absolutely brilliant. Well worth the wait. Cheers Len Check out my latest song called Fantasy Lady (ft Awigze)

Mystified	Mystified said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	Thank you! Thanks, Len, for coming by and listening, and for the kind words. It was nice to check out your latest tune--I will have to listen to more on your list! Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

alfalpha

alfalpha said 912 days ago (August 13th, 2007)

At last!
I was hoping you'd post this soon, Cat.

Cinematic indeed! I really like your choice of chords in the orchestral 'prelude', then the vocals start, & I'm thinking 'geez, this is great!'....so I start to type thinking the end has been reached, then "BAM!", the full choir starts, & I'm at a loss as to what to type next!

All I can say is, 'Wow'!- faved & downloaded!
Many, Many Thanks for this version Cat!
Cheers & Best wishes,
Alf

Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

Mystified	Mystified said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	:) It's been great to hear all the versions of 'The Minstrel Boy,' and it was nice to challenge myself to something different and more structured than I've been used to doing lately. I'm glad you stopped by for a listen. Thanks so much for your lovely comments! Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

RickW	RickW said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	Absolutely beautiful! Fantastic! Cat and Rebsie, you need to do more collabs. :-) This is so beautiful and so touching. Thank you! God bless, Rick Check out my latest song called Picture of Perfection (MJRF)

Mystified	Mystified said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	Thanks Rick I'm so glad you stopped by. It's nice to know that you find enjoyment and beauty in this piece--and collaborating with Rebsie has been something I've wanted to do for a long time, now :) Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

Feter	Feter said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	Minstrel Boy (soundtrack mix) it took me a second to start write here this is so awesome . the cellos at the beginning and the horns then teh fife drums the panning and the back ground sounds then the choir at the end ..so Impressed with such charm .. just a perfect gem !! Check out my latest song called A Night With Feter feat'(Roxylee sloparts crissew johnwhitehead and Yamin AL Yamani )

Mystified	Mystified said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	Feter Your words are so very kind...thank you! I'm glad you heard the details in this--the horns and fife, drums and panning, the background sounds. In approaching this song, I wanted it to have an authentic feel, and yet still reach the size and scale of the movie screen. Thanks again for dropping by to listen and taking time to comment :) Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

ceilidh

ceilidh said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)

Mysti
this is SO wonderful. I have to agree with biba, this is in my opinion the best version ever. The horses in the nature are simply brilliant! You have the whole story, the movie in front of your eyes. The first is leaving the cavalery (the army section with horses), then a flautist with drummer playing to keep the lads in the step, then all foot-soldiers and what is left behind is the sorrow, missing, loving feelings of wives, mothers, lovers, brothers... It is so punctually, in detail worked out, that it is eradiating from the music. You can "hear" the amount of time spent on it and the love and perfection with which you were creating it. Beautiful music, every single instrument there, flutes, drums, horns, (the change from a key to another is truly brilliantly done) and the harmonies at the end.... mysti THAT is simple pure beauty and joy. Wonderfully, a total perfection.

Check out my latest song called Gartan Mother's Lullaby

Mystified

Mystified said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)

Wow...
...such praise is humbling!

Thank you for these comments.
When I first heard of the vocal challenge, I thought I wouldn't have time to tackle it, but when I went to research the song (I, too, love Celtic and English folk music), I was struck by the song's history, and the fact that it had been a favored tune in the American Civil War. That started all sorts of sonic imaginings, and I started to look for the aural pieces of the puzzle that I was hearing in my head.

It's not often that I can match the greater and grander sounds that I imagine of a piece, but I was able to come close enough with this one. Thanks again for the very kind words.
:)

Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

Roxylee	Roxylee said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	You've outdone yourself here! Gives me chills when the singers come in. Perfect buildup to the gorgeous vocals. All the feelings are therre, and the production and arrangement is flawless. Wow. Download this, everybody. Check out my latest song called FWIW w Awigze and Dadai2

Mystified

Mystified said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)

Thank you Roxylee :)
I recorded the harmonies on this first (that was the easy part!) and I really enjoyed singing to Rebsie's main track. It was deciding how to incorporate the chorus into the track as a whole that was the initial question, then, as I could 'hear' the chain of events, the storytelling, in my mind, it made sense that the vocals should come at the very end.

Thank you for taking time to leave a comment. All this feedback is very helpful :)

Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

caroline	caroline said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	fine work indeed.... beauty and detail - gorgeous - thank you xox Check out my latest song called i'm a reunion maid MJRF 2010

Mystified	Mystified said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	Maybe not so pink & fluffly... ...but I'm so glad you listened and left a comment!! :) thank you, Caroline! Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

drakonis

drakonis said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)

uh...
oh, right, I'm supposed to type something in this box. Superlatives fail me. The composition is amazing... appropriately sparse, nice slow build, and you tweaked timings here and there to give that ragged imprecisely played feel... perfectly imperfect. Lots of space for the music to breathe. The slogging footsteps were effective, and choosing a long quiet breath before Rebsie sings was also inspired. The harmonies you built were great. Overall, yes, I hear this as pro Hollywood Soundtrack quality, no doubt. Kudos again to Rebsie for offering a wonderful recording.
Stunning work.
ttfn,
Drakonis

Check out my latest song called Lullaby for the Inner Child

Mystified

Mystified said 910 days ago (August 14th, 2007)

uh....uh....
...and I'm supposed to reply to what you wrote in the box above this....??

Well, first of all, let me tell you "Thank you!"
I value your comments and your dragon's ear for detail :)

I felt very fortunate to find those tracks of 'slogging footsteps' and horses on freesound--they were perfect for the feel I wanted to add to this track.
As for the imperfect timing, this was one blessed instance in which my usual 'battle with the metronome' paid off in my playing. I was able to let things be, instead of tweaking/quantizing things to order!

And singing along with Rebsie was a joy, as is sharing the result here.
So, thanks again for sharing your enjoyment and thoughts on this track.

I appreciate it! :)

Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

	said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	Great ! A real Cinematic version of Minstrel Boy, beautiful horns and cellos, nice to hear Mrs. Fairholms vocal here with yours Cat, much enjoyed listening to this piece. Thanks for sharing this here with us. Take Care ============== Yeman Auf Al-Rawi

Mystified	Mystified said 878 days ago (September 15th, 2007)
	Thanks so much! ...for these lovely comments :) And, I agree--it was great to sing along with Rebsie's beautiful voice at last! Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

Macaudion

Macaudion said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)

Misty Misty Misty...
What a nice composition

Not much left to the imagination...

You could give lessons on how to make music graphically vivid. Great job of detailing a scene of events, and from a 'specific' moment in time.

Great job of placing effects. And I thought that the addition of the male backing vocal was a excellent choice.

This flowed REALLY nicely, too!

I especially thought that the instrumentation was lacking as much of the digital feel that's usually prevalent w/ midi - Nice job w/ that. A really nice production

All n all, an excellent arrangement!

Felt like the only thing missing was the smell of popcorn, and or, a box of ju ju beans...

Thanks! Very well done! Dion

Check out my latest song called 123 iGetU

Mystified	Mystified said 878 days ago (September 15th, 2007)
	Dion.... ...these comments mean a lot. Thank you :) Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

composerclark	composerclark said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	John Williams = Mystified? Is that who you really are? You've created an amazing soundscape/intro, followed by a sublime harmonization. I am HUGELY impressed by this! Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Mystified	Mystified said 878 days ago (September 15th, 2007)
	Thank you... ...I'm hugely humbled by such praise :) Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

Reinholt56

Reinholt56 said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)

Very well done to you both....
This track oozes hard work and is a great track to boot.

I seem to have problems with downloading this track. It happens with a lot of the tracks I try and download from MJ's lately. So I have to listen through the player applet only whilst I'm online. Not the best way to appreciate a piece of music. (I'm not ranting at you guys, just letting off some steam. The windows are clouding up here).

I can see this being used in the way you say. It would fit very well. Plenty of atmosphere and great production.

Well done.

Take care.

Paul.

Check out my latest song called Cosmic Journey

eanbardsley	eanbardsley said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	Well this is very nice,,, Mystified. Definitely the quality for a soundtrack. I can see this in the movies, very impressive!!! Check out my latest song called The Meeting

Mystified	Mystified said 878 days ago (September 15th, 2007)
	Thank you! I appreciate you stopping by to listen and taking the time to leave a comment :) Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

Rebsie	Rebsie said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	Ooo. Beautifully done, Cat! Lovely stirring orchestration with the melody variations. Is that the Fitch Cello? Then the vocal section with its amazingly richly layers. You did well to get the harmonies so crisp when my timing was all over the place! :) Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Mystified	Mystified said 878 days ago (September 15th, 2007)
	The Fitch Cello it is :) ...and your timing was FINE :) I had a lot of fun singing to your track and harmonizing! Thanks for the opportunity, and I'm so glad you like the result :) Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

SlimGirlFat	SlimGirlFat said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	Wow Stunning! You are so talented Cat! Slimmie Check out my latest song called Memory ( MJRF2010) Feat Alimar+Peter Greenstone

apb	apb said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	Awesome .. .. lovely rendition here. Nicely paced .. good length and the harmonies were just brill at the end. Excellent. Check out my latest song called Tell me (feat. ia)

bud	bud said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	So glad to see thet the Minstrel Boy lives on - and what finer way to carry on his legend than with this amazing offering. You really took the song to heart and worked every aspect of it's meaning and grandeur into your composition. Hats off to you! Check out my latest song called Sailortown w/echoroom (MJRF 2010)

EMP	EMP said 911 days ago (August 13th, 2007)
	Wow Not what I was expecting, totally stunning. Great work. Check out my latest song called FP Tour

Bubowski	Bubowski said 910 days ago (August 14th, 2007)
	Nicely Orchestrated This was very nicely put together. The singing was (of course) wonderful and the choice of instruments and pacing beautifully captured the theme. Great work...you've got an incredible range of style and interests. Can't wait to hear the next one! Check out my latest song called Instant Karma 1 - Whorls of Barsoom

Diviner	Diviner said 910 days ago (August 14th, 2007)
	Cleverly done Lots of lovely layers that have been so well constructed. This is definately professional standard. Fantastic mix and a blinding entry. Jaw dropping and awe inspiring. Check out my latest song called Over The Rainbow MJRF2010

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 910 days ago (August 14th, 2007)
	Damn, that's a good harmonizer! Oh wait, you actually sang those harmony vocals? Nice! Kind of an interesting take to have the instrumental and vocal parts completely separate. I was expecting a combination of the two. Good work on the instrument part in particular: you've really fleshed out the melody to a symphonic piece. Victor. Check out my latest song called Nonesuch

ledebutant	ledebutant said 910 days ago (August 14th, 2007)
	Hope Tom A has heard this You've outdone yourself this one. They really don't make letters big enough to write the wow that needs to go in this space. How did you do the male vocals, they really sound real? Check out my latest song called Merton's Prayer (work-in-progress with Jim Bouchard)

Mystified	Mystified said 878 days ago (September 15th, 2007)
	the male vocals.... ....are my vocals affected with the vocal transformer in GB3, which I really like to work with! I went in and eq'd them as well, to give them a fuller 'bass' sound and to lessen the 'robotic' effect of the transformer. Thanks for your comments here, Lisa :) Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

musichead	musichead said 909 days ago (August 15th, 2007)
	Its great!!! infact,,I had a great grandfather that I have a picture of in local band like your picture. But I think they did Sousa stuff..this reminds me of a war march. good job Check out my latest song called All before family

stevel	stevel said 907 days ago (August 17th, 2007)
	Fabulous! This is a really great track...its lovely to hear you and Rebsie singing together at last! The instrumentation on this is perfect too....should be used for the next Hollywood Civil war epic Steve Check out my latest song called Heart of The City

Epileptic Gibbon	Epileptic Gibbon said 905 days ago (August 19th, 2007)
	Rebsie & Mysti together at last... ... it's like Al Pacino and Robert De Niro meeting for that first time in 'Heat'. Good work, Mysti! :) --- Check out my <a href="http://www.epilepticgibbon.co.uk">music podcast</a> Check out my latest song called Fiddler Off the Roof w/Komrade K & Caroline

Mystified	Mystified said 878 days ago (September 15th, 2007)
	hehehee Yes! Together at last! It was about time! Glad you enjoyed the result :D Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

MissChaos	MissChaos said 907 days ago (August 17th, 2007)
	shiver. Cat, this gave me goosebumps. It's full and rich and full of 'sound' -- I know that sounds rediculous, but there's so much packed into this, it really leaves me awestruck. Amazing arrangement with an astonishing aftershock. Check out my latest song called Mama Cries - Album Version (MJRF)

Mystified	Mystified said 878 days ago (September 15th, 2007)
	Thanks, MissC :) Your comments are so lovely and so appreciated! Thank you :) Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

michael2	michael2 said 906 days ago (August 18th, 2007)
	speechless that is so perfect. you are such a great talent. i am a sucker for french horns BTW. Check out my latest song called Blow Yer Blues Away

Mystified	Mystified said 878 days ago (September 15th, 2007)
	thank you, Michael I'm a sucker for the JamPack 4 Classical Instruments. Being able to write for orchestral instruments like this has opened up a whole new musical dimension for this classical singer. Thanks again for your comments :) Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

I. Spike

I. Spike said 893 days ago (August 31st, 2007)

Movie theater in my head...
Where did you get that drum!? I must have it!
So richly visual.
Now someone needs to make the film to go with it.
I guess maybe I just made the visual to play inside my movie theater head... (I wish the reels didn't make so much noise... all that clicking and clacking...., really...)
Wonderful singing at the end... wow....

Check out my latest song called Mighty Cracker Fly

Mystified	Mystified said 878 days ago (September 15th, 2007)
	feature film.... I'd expect no less than a deluxe movie theatre inside your head, Mr. Steve!! Thanks for your comments here--Hope you had popcorn and Jr. Mints handy! (Oh...all the drums were from Jam Pack 4: Symphony.) Check out my latest song called V: Kenen Gor

gwhoose

gwhoose said 887 days ago (September 6th, 2007)

Rough Riders
I'll never forget the scene in RR when the band got a direct hit. Instruments everywhere. Music has a lot to do with esprite de corps. Wonder if spirit was on the minds of those that died while playing, maybe Minstral Boy. MB was used in that movie as the King Pin for spirit in the RR corps. Odd how each group that must fight harkens back at least and most likely to the last generation. Certainly this is passed on in tradition.

Check out my latest song called Deck The Halls

elfdaughter	elfdaughter said 753 days ago (January 18th, 2008)
	*Jaw hits floor* WOW, Mysti! That's the best version I've heard! pounces on the fave and download buttons Check out my latest song called The Journey Begins Final Version

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