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Meant to Be (With Paddler, collab adding bass) by Doug Somers [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 612
Comments: 16
Votes: 3
Plays: 51
Last Played: Nov 21, 2008 - 05:29:48 AM
Downloads: 43
Fans: 6
Uploaded: Nov 09, 2007 - 08:04:43 PM
Last Updated: Nov 10, 2007 - 12:13:45 AM
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Keywords:
rg paddler (44), paddler (47), doug (4), somers (4), balalaika (2), acoustic (493), folk (370), love (983)
Description:
Meant to Be is a beautiful and touching song written and performed and previously posted by Paddler (MJ36581). I thought that as lovely as it was, the sonic feel was towards the top end of the spectrum and that the addition of some low end weight would help balance the balalaika and guitar. I had in mind an upright bass playing very simple patterns which I thought would honour the integrity of the acoustic treatment of the original and still let the main focus remain on Richard's fine vocals. After a test jamming along with the posted song, I approached RIchard and asked if he minded if I had a go in adding a bass track. He very kindly agreed and after hearing the results suggested I post the collaboration, and also suggested posting it as an open collab which I agree is a great idea. Hope you enjoy the result, and thanks again Richard!

Lyrics:
Lyrics by RG Paddler

Lyrics:
Do you remember it was early spring,
Outside the window a bird was singing
you were in the garden with the children playing

We woke up early with the rising sun
We had our problems we had our fun
Driving through the country we were always laughing

And the days still seem long
And whatever comes your way its meant to be

Do you remember the evening breeze,
Blowing gently through the pine trees
You were painting pictures of a clear horizon

We played music in the firelight
The comets fell that starry night
Everything seemed simple pure and bright

well the days still seem long
And whatever may go wrong its meant to be

Well I remember how I broke your heart
We'd always known right from the start
that someday we'd be sure to say goodbye
Wherever you may choose to go
I wish you well and I hope you know
In the time we had together we loved a lifetime


Hardware:
guitar,balalaika, MacBook Pro

Software:
Audacity, GB '08
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Meant to Be (With Paddler, collab adding bass) &mdash 11/09/07 - 08:15:00 PM
it grem ..and when ever its flourish
it ll shine more and more ...I m enjoyin
the whole music here the upright bass
gave it such depth reminds me of those
days of PP&M ..KUDOS !!

[ Reply to This ]
Thanks Feter! &mdash 11/09/07 - 10:47:00 PM
Glad you enjoyed the additional instrumentation. I was going for that kind of clean and simple 60's folk sound since it seemed to best compliment Paddler's original gem. I hadn't thought of Peter, Paul and Mary specifically but now that you mention it, their influence had clearly sunk into my (then) young consciousness.

Thanks again,
Keep well sir!
Doug

[ Reply to This ]
Fav &mdash 11/10/07 - 01:03:02 PM
This is one of my favorite songs. The addition of the bass sounds great.

Thanks
Bill

[ Reply to This ]
Thanks Bill, &mdash 11/10/07 - 01:24:29 PM
It is a great song (as are so many from Paddler!). I'm really pleased you liked the new bass track. It was fun to do.

Thanks for your comments,
Doug

[ Reply to This ]
I agree &mdash 11/10/07 - 01:16:26 PM
The low end was perfect and rounded it out very cool and now even now more beautiful

[ Reply to This ]
Great to have your feedback &mdash 11/10/07 - 01:42:42 PM
and glad you think this version rounds out the original. Sometimes these tinkering inspirations come to me although this is the first time I have followed through and contacted the original artist.

Just came back from your latest work - a great piece! I thought I had already faved you so I'd hear about your next releases but clearly I had forgotten. That's fixed now.

Thanks again,
Doug

[ Reply to This ]
I liked &mdash 11/10/07 - 03:03:32 PM
this before, but how much diffrence the the bass makes with that balancing depth. The harmonies are beautiful and the Balalaika sounds all the more harmonic, now. Such a nice song and so well sung, cheers M

[ Reply to This ]
Hello again &mdash 11/11/07 - 09:33:26 AM
Thanks for your supportive remarks Maurice! Great to have you stop by! It was a pleasure to add a little to something that was already so very rich.

Cheers,
Doug

[ Reply to This ]
Something ... &mdash 11/10/07 - 04:33:10 PM
sounds slightly flat,is the balalaika out of tune? Pleasant song. Be lucky.

[ Reply to This ]
out of tune &mdash 11/11/07 - 06:37:28 AM
yeah - its a bugger to tune.haha - hopefully that doesn't flatten it too much.

[ Reply to This ]
Very nice... &mdash 11/11/07 - 02:05:12 PM
...subtle touch with the bass. Works beautifully. Loved the original and this is fine, too...

[ Reply to This ]
Thanks Bob &mdash 11/12/07 - 08:24:22 AM
Appreciate you listening and passing on the positive comments.
Keep well!
Doug

[ Reply to This ]
this is &mdash 11/12/07 - 02:38:51 AM
this is the first time i've heard the song and it's wonderful. the bass adds character, to say the least. great addition.

[ Reply to This ]
Adds character... &mdash 11/12/07 - 08:35:58 AM
Glad you think so, and I appreciate you letting me know.

Cheers,
Doug

[ Reply to This ]
very sweet song &mdash 11/13/07 - 11:12:40 AM
I hadn't heard the original. but enjoy Paddler's work... and this is a beauty, nice bittersweet lyrics, great singing, wonderful song structure & melody. You are correct that it would need some bass-support, and your addition seems to fit right in. Now it just needs one more thing... a teeny bit of mix-engineering. Having the balalaika off to the right seems slightly off-balance (the guitar on the left doesn't balance it completely.) Also the vox/vocal-harmonies need a teeny bit of crispness added. I'd suggest doubling the balalaika track, and panning each track to near the edge of left & right (spreads it away from the vox, but still sounds "centered".) Great work on the collab, good choice!
ttfn,
Drakonis

[ Reply to This ]
Thanks Drakonis &mdash 11/13/07 - 09:02:03 PM
Glad as always to have your feedback and support. Maybe Paddler can address your mix comments as I don't have the individual tracks (I could play with EQ of the whole thing but I'll defer to the Master Performer for now....). You may want to hear the original as well in case something happened in the decompression/ recompression. I know for sure the level dropped overall but that doesn't speak to your comments.

Thanks again Sir!
All the best,
Doug

[ Reply to This ]
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