Hey Leon - great to have something new from you at last. Funny you mention detective shows - I thought of the theme from Moonlighting for some reason. This has a nice pulsing soundbed, and your big voice sings a very big, expressive set of lyrics. I really like the end section where it gets more aggressive and expressive, although it could have gone a little longer for me.

Nice collab guys - send it to NBC - i'm sure they can use it !

steve

[ Reply to This ]

Didn't take me long to decide I was gonna sing on this one. Victoria really got me mesmerized from beginning to end of her piece. It just had all the elements, the flair and the rhythm, that go well with my singing style, and I have been interested to do an electronica song for a long time.

I am surprised you thought it could be longer LOL... it is 6 1/2 minutes long and I was thinking of abbreviating it, but I thought the last part was the culmination.

Thanks for taking time. Your thoughts weigh a lot, coming from a much admired fellow artist.

[ Reply to This ]

This is the type of stuff I am aiming for. Leon its really catchy and great to dance to. Plus same name as my Bruv.

Vocals good too. Cannot find anything wrong with it. Love it.

[ Reply to This ]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I was aiming for a danceable electronica/rock song that is catchy and dramatic. I guess you read my mind in this song. Thanks for your appreciation!

[ Reply to This ]

a Vampire series?

As I read all the lyrical elements, that seems to be a real possibility.

Terrific vocal performance, Leon. The instrumental is funky and solid, but if y'all are considering another version, you may want to try modifying the arrangement and the mix a bit to make it more vocal-friendly.

The vocals should now *carry* parts of the tune that the instruments previously had to in the instrumental version.

Still, a solid performance, with lots of possibilities. ;)

--- Joe

[ Reply to This ]

Hmmm, you have great perception and imagination, Joe! Come to think of it, this song is indeed about a fallen angel, yeah... an angel that has fallen into the dark side, so what better imagery than a vampire. Now, I have an alternative vision of this song when I listen to it! Victoria may not have approved of it if that was my working theme, haha!

Anyway, in general, this song is about any innocent soul that has fallen into the wrong side of fate and not finding a way to escape and turn it around.

As for the possible vocal revision, that was a suggestion from Victoria, and I hope to collaborate more with her in future projects. Her imagination of this song was probably more gentle and low key and spiritual. As you said, there are lots of possibilities, and there is really no definite melody line to follow. Another artist can transform this song into a world or gospel song if he so desires, I guess. It has a versatile quality to it and that is the great beauty of the original piece.

I rarely say this, but I liked my voice on this one. I thought the high notes really flowed with the song.

Thanks so much for listening and sharing your thoughts, Joe!

[ Reply to This ]

So great to have you back, Leon! And what a great collab. I really liked Victoria's original piece here (though my comments were erased when she updated it, I compared it to Enigma's 4th album intro.) And your lyrics and vox really give this thing power.

So, when it first starts out, and your voice initially comes in, it is fairly gentle, and also hard to tell what direction it is going to go melodically. This ambiguity had me wondering at the beginning how well you'd pull it off, but as it built up steam I had no doubt you had control of it and knew what you were doing. Some have suggested they liked it when you finally kicked it into "angry gear"... and I do too, but I believe that it is important that you work your way there, otherwise it loses its punch. So bottom line is I think you did the right thing here, building it up toward the break. Nice vague lyrics too.
ttfn,
Drakonis

[ Reply to This ]

I try to get here still every now and then whenever I could squeeze a little free time. This song was finished over a weekend and a few missed meals LOL!

Thanks for your always erudite observations and critique and your willingness to share them. Your thoughts are generous and artists need to hear more than just a "great job!" remark. Which is why this site really appreciates your presence here.

Your comment is right on the dot. I wanted to start with a gentle, sympathetic tone, then questioning, then furious towards the end, just like an abandoned lover trying to understand, then trying to help, then wailing in anger as he realizes that she is desperately mired in a troubled world and not coming back. Read JA Stewart's comments and that adds another twist to this vision, too.

Thanks again!

[ Reply to This ]

worth the wait Leon; excellent vocals as always and I love how you can 'let it rip' as well as dumb it down when needed, with great lyrics too and such a fantastic background sound. You're right, this could be the soundtrack to one of those movies. Lovely stuff all round, regards M

[ Reply to This ]

Your generous remarks about this song as well as my previous songs have always made me smile. On both artistic and personal levels, you are a very well-liked and respected person here at Macjams, and I am always honored and pleased that you take time to listen and admire my humble work.

Victoria's awesome instrumental really got me all inspired to squeeze in a little time to do another song, although I do have commitments to other artists here too that remain unfinished to this date. I wish I had all the time to do music whenever I please. I am embarrassed to admit that I have fallen short of fulfilling my promise (to do vocal performance) to others, so I am working hard on that whenever possible.

Thanks again, M!





[ Reply to This ]

back here with some new music. You have a great talent, and it was sorely missed! Your voice is as good as always, and you certainly put your heart into this one. The music is great here - it really fills the speakers, and the mix is great (although it seemed a little subdued in my phones - I found myself turning the volume way up) and then your voice on top just works wonders. You know you got soul. This is great work. So glad you could find the time to do this. Hope you can do more soon. Nice work. Peace.

[ Reply to This ]

Aren't we both freezing here in Minnesota? LOL

Thanks for passing by and listening to this piece. Your generous praise certainly made my day . You did notice that even when I sing pop or rock, my soul style does come through. I don't know how I picked up this singing style, but it does become a little obvious when the song carries a lot of emotion in it, like anger or love. Different styles can convey the same emotion, and I can definitely say that about your distinct cool style and soothing vocal delivery as well.

As regards the volume of the song, I think I had that problem too when playing other songs on macjams, and I later noticed that the Flash player volume level usually defaults at the low level. This song is actually louder than most of my previous songs.

Thanks again, and I do look forward to your future songs as well.

[ Reply to This ]

Yes, we are freezing! But the worst is behind us (he says optimistically...). By the way, you are right about the volume. Since I listened to your song, I've listened to a few others with the Flash player, and they all have the same issue. So I take it back! Volume's fine! Peace.

[ Reply to This ]

After that performance at the top of your range you deserve it. Great singing Leon! Clear as a bell and pitch perfect- you really have a great voice. Certainly well suited to this genre (and many others). Love how you can generate so much power and soul at the same time.

Victoria provided a great playground for you- and you romped all over it!

[ Reply to This ]

Thanks, Adam, for the vote of confidence. Coming from a much admired singer like yourself, those comments are well appreciated and treasured. On a normal day, I don't think I can reach those high notes very well. I found out that if I drink a little alcohol (and it has a diuretic effect), it dries up the vocal cords a little bit and I seem to reach notes that I normally struggle with rather easily. Which is why I think, those rock stars are high on something to give their best performance. Haha... oops.... not that I've tried their stuff. Mine is just a mug of beer or two and my cords are ready to go. Hehe! Anyway, I'm sure every singer has his own routine to prep their vocal cords. What's yours? :-)

Anyway, I digress.. Thanks much for the listen. I will be listening to your stuff as well in a short while.

[ Reply to This ]

Catchy and unique. Tight! I wish I had more time for words. I had to take a break for this and boy am I glad I did. Sorry I'm short on words, kids. This is great. Leon, your voice is magnificent on this. You make a lot of pop singers look bad. :-)

[ Reply to This ]

We've been missing you here at Macjams truly. Well, not that I have been here much myself but i kinda peek here every now and then and leave remarks and hoping I can cathc the music of some of my favs, too, like you. You're one of a few people here that can command my attention anytime. Which is why when praise comes out of your pen, er keyboard, I'm like really tickled. Hehe! Thanks so much for the kind words you say about my voice, but I am likewise in awe of your great musical sense and creativity. So yeah, the admiration is mutual! Victoria is a new member from Australia and her work does remind me of yours too. Big sound, great drama and mesmerizing flow. You are the gold standard and She is a Miss C in the making, hehe. What have you been up to lately?

[ Reply to This ]

what a voice.......yeah i can feel the film noir vibe.......this track needs a touch eq on your voice to sharpen and define it within the mix.....it sounds a tad to bassy...tad lacking in sparkle......just tads......a harmonic exciter on the vocal just might do the trick.....doe'snt diminish the majestic performance.....bravo.....!

[ Reply to This ]

Really honored for you to listen and leave your ever-appreciated remarks, Macboy! I totally agree with your observation about the voice EQ. I struggled with finding the right mix here because Victoria's gigantic music was enveloping and it has a tendency to swallow everthing side, front and back. My first mix made my voice sound tinny and screechy, and this current one posted here made me sound droning at times, especially on the low notes. I'll get back to it and see if I can find a middle ground, maybe chip off a little on the bass and add more mid-range. Thanks for your flattering remarks about my voice. Personally, I feel it's nothing much, but your kind words always make me think it's probably special. I'd rather have your guitar skills I think. :-)

[ Reply to This ]

Your voice is still amazing, and this is a fantastic bed you've appropriated. The lyrics really say a lot .. and are of a dual interpretation I suspect.
Excellent - really just needs some tweaking on the vocal mix.
Cheers from Oz,
Neil

[ Reply to This ]

It's been all Aussie for me lately. I spent the past two weeks following the Australian Open Tennis in high definition and had a grand time appreciating the fun-loving people of the Land Down Under. Recently, I had this awesome musical collaboration with Victoria, who is Australian. And now you put the icing on the cake of my great Australian experience by lavishing praise on me. Thanks, Neil! I really am thisclose to calling myself Aussie Leon lately. :-)

[ Reply to This ]

a real techno spy thriller for sure.

Great to hear you, it has been a while. Real driving tune. I caught the Foreigner reference.

The vocals very smooth and soulful as ever!

[ Reply to This ]

Hmm... noir, spy thriller, vampire... all images are welcome. Just adds another dimension to my imagination when I listen to this song again. Vic, thanks for passing by to listen and leaving some thoughtful remarks!

[ Reply to This ]

I first hear Enigma, then it could be a soundtrack for a 002 movie, then it reminds me of Foreigner, then back to the 002, then gets modern rock/funky.. I love it!

[ Reply to This ]

Hi, Roxy... I really appreciate your kind remarks about this song. It does have a James Bond kind of feeling to it, although I agree it is a mix of a few other elements. You have a keen sense to discern all those. And yeah, I have been listening to and admiring your songs as well. Seems to me you've been having a lot of them on the charts lately :-)

[ Reply to This ]

cool beats, you have a nice textured in your voice. Pleasant to hear. There is a famous singer that sings jazz that you sound like but can't remember his name.

But hey, nice style!

Thanks for sharing!! And hitting those high notes too!!

[ Reply to This ]

Good to hear from you, not only your kind comments but your awesome guitar recordings, too, of course!

[ Reply to This ]

fine, brainy songwriting! I'm digging your voice - overall absolutely radio comaptible (take this as a compliment). Do you know the british pop act "mesh"? maybe they could appeal to you, since their (latest) songs go into a similar direction.

keep up ...

[ Reply to This ]

Good catchy rhythm.... Very good sound on this.... That synth sounds great.... Good song.... Thanks for sharing...

[ Reply to This ]

a very rich track, like the vocals, a wonderful collab

[ Reply to This ]

You are at the top of your game with this one. I don't think I've ever heard a more powerful vocal from you. You definitely had some amazing music to work with (HAVE to check out Victoria) but the power in your singing is stronger than I've ever heard it.

I agree with Steve. This belongs on a demo. It's just terrific.

[ Reply to This ]

WOW - this is terrific. I'm sorry to be late to the party here - glad I got here finally though - what a great listen. The vocals are amazing, and lyrics extremely impressive. But on top of all that, the musicality here, the orchestration, the flow - wow - you really know what you're doing! Gotta go listen to more of you - thanks!

[ Reply to This ]

And again amazing vocals!

[ Reply to This ]