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Butterflies and Dragonflies (Re-Master) (with garner_smake) by guitapick [Email]
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Keywords:
butterflies (1), dragonflies (1)
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Description:
One of the great things about Macjams is the wealth of information that's shared. I've learned so much in the year or more that I've been here, in terms of recording my tunes. Thanks so much...
I've been re-mastering some of my earlier songs lately, using the techniques I've learned. "Butterflies and Dragonflies" was my first submission here. It was recorded weeks after my daughter and I performed it at my in-law's 50th wedding anniversary. They're both poets/writers. That's going on 2 years ago.
We only did one take with one track. Minimal editing/effects. I've been able to make some subtle but (imho) effective changes since then and am offering it to you for your comments.
Some points to be made:
1) Because it was only one take/one track, I can't adjust the guitar or vocal
volumes separately. Too bad, as the guit's a bit heavy over parts of Ava's vox.
I can, however, live with that, as I've heard it all before: "Turn that freakin' guitar
DOWN"!
2) We could record it again, but, as I said: we did this weeks after the event for
which the piece was written. It's "fresh"...and this is what she and I sounded like
at the time. That's important to me.
3) When I first uploaded it, some people mentioned shortening the intro a bit.
I've decided not to for the same reason cited above and...well...I
like it like this. So there....
All thanks in the world to Ava (can hear her stuff at http://www.macjams.com/artist/garner_smake). Both for her vocals and spurring on the lyrics (it was going to be an instrumental before she "interceded") and to Jim Baker for doing the recording.
BTW: this is the same guitar you can hear on "Hayseed"...the versatility just blows me away. Just angle the mic and/or picking hand differently and sail on...
Lyrics:
"Butterflies and Dragonflies"
Lyrics by Bob Prince and Ava Prince
There's a girl on the shore of the ocean
singing, but nobody hears her.
So she sings to the sky
and the land breeze
carries her words out to sea.
And her thoughts travel like butterflies
blown by the winds of summer skies
yet sure to reach their partner
in the end.
There'll be friends and books and poetry
a son and daughter family
and grandchildren to smile at you today.
Near a dock in the cool rays of morning
a boy takes his boat out to sea.
And he raises his sail to the sea breeze
catching her clear melody.
And the ship moves like a dragonfly
that travels on the passing time
to meet it's destination
on the shore.
There'll be friends and books and poetry
a son and daughter family
a granddaughter to sing this song to you.
©2007-Bob Prince
Hardware:
National Radiotone Resophonic Guitar (how "official")
Two Rode Mics on the Guitar (the thin ones)
Rode Mic for the Vox (the fat one)
(Sorry...I can't remember the models...not mine)
MacBook Pro
Software:
ProTools for the recording
GB4 for the re-mix and mastering
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Butterflies and Dragonflies &mdash 04/21/08 - 04:41:54 PM
Incredible !!!!!!!!!! how can you let this guitar
sound like a lute ...the singing just honest decent
and awesome ...what a gem my friend ...true live
performance ...I love it ...thnx for sharin such gem ! [ Reply to This ]
Hey Feter... &mdash 04/21/08 - 04:53:02 PM
...I love your ear, man. Put your right hand close to the neck and you get that hollow lute sound. One of the things that blew me away when I first played it at the shop. [ Reply to This ]
Bob, this is &mdash 04/21/08 - 04:47:55 PM
simply beautiful. Without a doubt one of the most enchanting songs I have heard.
Cheers
Len
[ Reply to This ]
Thanks, Len... &mdash 04/21/08 - 11:29:52 PM
Extremely cool! &mdash 04/21/08 - 04:49:04 PM
Thanks, Mark... &mdash 04/21/08 - 11:36:13 PM
so good, again! &mdash 04/21/08 - 05:09:33 PM
Loved this the first time, so good to hear again. Ava really did a wondrous job singing this, and your guitar composition and playing is great... thank you for bringing this to the light again, hope many others now discover your talent!
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
~ &mdash 04/21/08 - 05:28:31 PM
You know: Ava's going to be pretty angry at me for posting this again...but I think she's absolutely perfect on it. And I'm very happy with the "tweaking" I did on the production end. I liked it, originally...but it's so cool to be able to actually DO something about those spots that bother you. You folks are really wonderful, here, Eduard. Thanks. [ Reply to This ]
You catch me... &mdash 04/21/08 - 09:52:28 PM
...just finishing some actual music making, with the headphones still on my head, and with tired ears..
Wonderful re-mastering job... This has incredible presence... Great clarity... The guitar has body and sparkle like nobody's business...
Ava's got some kind of pitch to negotiate the melody, too... She sounds wonderful... I fully expect she'll hate it anyway, but when she's thirty or forty she'll get it...
Gee, where IS that download button?
Ed [ Reply to This ]
Glad to hear... &mdash 04/21/08 - 10:42:50 PM
...your ears are getting a personal workout. Looking forward to hearing it, too...
The guitar's a peach. I'll probably re-record the Woodbury Suite so it sounds more like this and Hayseed. No compression. BIG presence. I love it.
Ava's Ava...yep...got it goin' she does.
You were the first to comment on this when I posted it. My first ever MJ fan. Means a great deal to me that you still like it.
Sorry about the download button, Ed. I'm shooting for the summer to put out my cd and this (along with a bunch of others on MJ) will be on there. Is that "playing cricket", after all, Binky? Pip pip, and all that...or am I being a bit of a rotter?
Bob [ Reply to This ]
I can only speak for myself... &mdash 04/22/08 - 09:59:00 PM
Even if I download it for free, I'll still buy a CD...
Sometimes it takes me a while, but I usually do...
Ed [ Reply to This ]
A gift &mdash 04/21/08 - 10:44:33 PM
What a great pleasure to hear this... The fact that it is a father-daughter combination goes right to my heart. The fact that it is a wonderful song, performed beautifully, well, I'm a wee choked up.
Such a treat to listen to... Thank you both very much. [ Reply to This ]
You're welcome... &mdash 04/21/08 - 11:33:56 PM
...and thank you, very much. It was a treat to play this together and I'm glad you like it... [ Reply to This ]
The composition itself... &mdash 04/21/08 - 11:00:32 PM
...is quite wonderful, Bob. Those harmonic changes are really compelling. There is something unusual about it all that is enhanced (if I might say) deliciously when the vocal line enters with its great leaps and disjunct melody. So strange to hear and so delightful. (Of course, you know where I'd probably go with all of this: a little subtle string ensemble, a soft electric bass, and probably a French horn to lay down a smooth carpet of lush Montavanti-style sound....But the simplicity of your solo guitar is beautiful as it is. ... I WOULD like to hear Ava's voice more out front. You should consider that even though you feel so strongly about the original recording.)
Beautiful song.
Peace.
Paul [ Reply to This ]
Well &mdash 04/22/08 - 12:40:21 AM
...if I could convince Ava to do the tune again, I would...but she's definitely got a mind of her own...and it just doesn't look like it's going to be happening anytime soon.
I agree with you, though...it would be nice to have both this and a more balanced update.
You know...I still have that Mantovani Christmas album. It was my favorite through my childhood. Got a mint condition one at a tag sale, recently.
[ Reply to This ]
Simply wonderful &mdash 04/22/08 - 03:27:43 AM
Lovely picking and lovely singing. A fine song enhanced by fine performances.
"And her thoughts are like butterflies" - that falling pattern is brilliant.
John Fahey with vocals.
I'm in awe :)
Cheers
Dick [ Reply to This ]
Fahey with vocals... &mdash 04/22/08 - 09:56:40 AM
...that would have been heaven.
It's taken me years (decades, actually) to get back into lyrics. Shut off the spigot in my late teens.
It's nice to get back to it. Still a bit self-conscious. Feel a bit like an imposter...just more comfy with the guitar, alone, at this point.
Thanks, Dick. [ Reply to This ]
Lovely &mdash 04/22/08 - 06:05:39 AM
Great!
We love it!
So beautiful vocals to so such a great guitar!
On the behalf of 'We are Not perfect"
Johannes [ Reply to This ]
~ &mdash 04/22/08 - 11:15:26 AM
Beautiful &mdash 04/22/08 - 06:31:49 AM
I am blown away by this! It's hard to process the many levels on which this touches me, but here are a few:
%u2022The sound of the guitar; it's warm, but very different from a typical guitar sound. I really like this.
%u2022The playing; as always, incredibly musical and masterful.
%u2022Your daughter's voice; so pure and unaffected, it cuts right through to the heart. Intonation very good, even when she has to do a sudden register change.
%u2022The fact that it's you and your daughter doing this. Don't know what it is, but it brings a tear to the eye, possibly because I have a daughter who sings (but who rarely sings with me), and because I'm an old softy, according to my wife.
%u2022The song itself; it's just wonderful. No cliches, just a wonderful song.
It's just beautiful. All ten's, easy. [ Reply to This ]
Hi Clark... &mdash 04/22/08 - 09:59:25 AM
...glad you like the piece. I'll pass along the compliments to Ava...I agree, she's got a really nice voice.
"Old Softee"...you and me, buddy. I've even got a "Pillsbury Doughboy" decal plastered onto the top of the case that carries the very guitar you hear on this. Very cool find.
They call me "Sergeant Sensitive"... [ Reply to This ]
Hello Fodda, Hello Dotta... &mdash 04/22/08 - 07:24:52 AM
What a beautiful gift to your In-Laws.
And Ava did a wonderful job holding tight to that high-and-low pitch, like a sea captain at the helm during a storm.
You sounded pretty good, too, Bob. :p
Did I detect a little Beatles in... The End... here? Well, with the love you made here, I'm sure you take a lot back for it. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Here I am at...Camp Granotta... &mdash 04/22/08 - 11:27:24 AM
You KNOW the Beatles are within and without me 'till they lay me to rest. Nothing done on purpose, here...but how can you help but let your influences show? Good ear, Joe.
Thanks for the listen. Hope you're well...
Bob
[ Reply to This ]
wow bob &mdash 04/22/08 - 09:14:42 AM
i love the intro! and the vox are absolutely a treat. for a guitar guy these lyrics are flowing beauty indeed ... seriously bob, did not hear the first recording but this is amazing and is now downloaded ... man... excellent [ Reply to This ]
arrggh... &mdash 04/22/08 - 09:16:10 AM
you stinker ... no download ... lol .. ok will just return here and listen as needed ... peace bro. ...once again ... amazing [ Reply to This ]
I'm sorry, Mr. America... &mdash 04/22/08 - 11:06:11 AM
...(I've always wanted to say that)...
Seriously, though: thanks for checking out the tune. Sorry about the download (or lack of it)...I'm getting towards finishing up my cd (months...not years, anymore) and I guess I'd like people to have a reason to buy it, other than the fact that I'll tell my mommy if you don't...
;) [ Reply to This ]
... &mdash 04/22/08 - 11:43:46 AM
it's best to keep the passion in trade of production i think. many songs i've recorded and have issues capturing the original emotion when i go back record them. nice vocals she has. a very meaningful piece. [ Reply to This ]
Exactly... &mdash 04/22/08 - 03:38:00 PM
I remember &mdash 04/22/08 - 04:47:09 PM
D Loading this the first time you posted it Bob and I loved it then, not knowing it was your first post and I was really impressed, but it seems to have a new life now with such clarity. Ava's voice is wonderful on this and it's quite an intricate melody for her to have sung being so young at the time... yet note/timing perfect. The guitar playing is perfect too for the title, with it's fluttering sounds, just beautiful, cheers M [ Reply to This ]
Yeah... &mdash 04/23/08 - 01:47:08 PM
...she's a talent, alright. Seen it since she could first make sounds. Actually taking voice/piano lessons now (previously it was all piano)...
I was all set to record a new tune when I clipped my left index finger WAY too short. So I decided to revisit this tune...
Thanks for the listen. [ Reply to This ]
Loved it before &mdash 04/22/08 - 07:00:31 PM
and love it still.
A jewel to be shared by all. Could actually be part of some broadway musical, applauded by all as "the" tune; the one people walked out of the theatre with and eventually find themselves humming at different times throughout their busy week.
We are lucky to have it within our music community.
I've played it for my nieces several times who like it too. [ Reply to This ]
B'Way Musical... &mdash 04/22/08 - 10:54:02 PM
...that's what McBoy said of the tune when I first posted it. Hadn't thought of it that way 'till then and now. Cool slant...youz guys is so smawt....
That's nice that your nieces like it...tell them thanks, please.
[ Reply to This ]
Keeper &mdash 04/22/08 - 09:35:52 PM
Hi Scotty... &mdash 04/23/08 - 01:42:31 PM
...I don't think it's too long, either. Tell you truth, I kind of relate it to a version of this tune "Jing Jing" (sp?) that Wayne Shorter did, decades ago. Brazilian tune. Beautiful, simple melody sung by this woman with a very simple, clear voice along with a nylon string guitar. Thing is that it's "surrounded" by 2 long instrumental sessions with Wayne and his band.
Great piece...I don't like to think in terms of time in music, other than the beat and signature...
Nice to see you, man. Love to look you up if I'm ever down your way... [ Reply to This ]
Yeah boy! &mdash 04/23/08 - 01:07:19 PM
I love this one.
Remaster sounds clean and pro.
But the playing is great!
Be well Bob! [ Reply to This ]
Thanks, Micheal... &mdash 04/23/08 - 01:44:07 PM
...the raw material's the core...but it's nice to polish it up. Like my electric pedals...not "necessary"...but so much fun and sounds great...
Best to you, man... [ Reply to This ]
TAlent &mdash 04/23/08 - 06:14:37 PM
Must spill from you when you play.. To have this played in one take with your daughter must have been allot of fun. I never heard the original but now that I have heard this song I think it is one of your best! [ Reply to This ]
Yeah... &mdash 04/24/08 - 07:10:42 AM
...it was definitely a trip...never done anything like that before...the performance at the anniversary party was even better. [ Reply to This ]
Beautiful! &mdash 04/23/08 - 09:23:46 PM
To be honest, I can't remember the original version very distinctly, but this is really nicely done. Ava's voice is perfect - her grandparents must have absolutely LOVED this.
Very nice jangly guitar sounds.
Sweet!
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Yes... &mdash 04/24/08 - 07:20:43 AM
...the grandparents were floored. All they knew was that I'd written a song. These were the first lyrics I'd written since I was around 18...so they definitely weren't expecting that...and then to add Ava to the mix...
Best to you, Neil... [ Reply to This ]
Golden &mdash 04/24/08 - 08:46:36 AM
Timeless and profound. I simply love this song. If I voted, I'd give this perfect 10s. [ Reply to This ]
Yeah... &mdash 04/24/08 - 10:55:00 PM
...I'm not much on voting, either...but thanks for the sentiment and kind words... [ Reply to This ]
Sweet &mdash 04/24/08 - 05:41:00 PM
Very beautiful and moving. Delicate voice, solid and soulful guitar play. The kind of song I love to find here. Thanks, guitapick. [ Reply to This ]
Your welcome... &mdash 04/24/08 - 10:59:44 PM
...Youra...and thank you for the listen...something tells me that's a nice guitar you've got there...what is it?
Bob [ Reply to This ]
Gear &mdash 04/25/08 - 03:13:07 AM
An Ibanez Artist. Heavy solid body. If you want to know how it sounds :
<a hef="http://www.macjams.com/song/27550">Astro Bar</a> [ Reply to This ]
Great! &mdash 04/25/08 - 03:06:46 AM
It was your first post here and I loved it before and when I pressed the "Play" button, I started singing the melody.... Still a fine piece of work. Wonderful performance by both! KUDOS
"good luck with your new CD"
Take Care
- Yeman A. Al-Rawi [ Reply to This ]
Thank you, Yeman... &mdash 04/26/08 - 07:21:27 PM
...I think you know how much it means to me when you visit and listen. Thanks... [ Reply to This ]
3rd time lucky &mdash 04/25/08 - 07:48:45 AM
This is the third time I've come back to this song..because, to be honest, I wasn't sure if I liked it or not..but something stuck inside so I came back.
I like the almost dulcimer quality of the guitar and the vocals are beautiful but simply put forward, like a better suzanne vega.
It's not a song that immediately grabs you but maybe it's beauty shines through like a chink of sunlight through a curtain and I think this will be something I keep coming back to.
Great guitar playing bTW [ Reply to This ]
Thanks... &mdash 04/25/08 - 08:15:21 AM
...you bring up an interesting point:
When I first started writing the piece, I wasn't sure how much I liked it, either. Knew I had a deadline before the Anniversary party and was trying out a few ideas. But I kept coming back to it and liked it more and more, to the point where I put the other possibilities on the shelf (just took one off of there, recently) and just worked on this.
When I'd finished it, my daughter walked into the room and I asked: "Do you think I should add words"? She immediately sang the first line off the top of her head (she's so smawt!) and I finished it by the end of the day. I play an instrumental of this when I gig. It's nice...but the vox definitely add a very, very nice dimension that "completes" it, imho... [ Reply to This ]
Butterflies and Dragonflies. &mdash 04/25/08 - 07:57:29 AM
Stunning!
performance, wonderful singing amazing guitar sounds,
cheered me up listening to this .Love those guitar chords WOW!!
thank you also for commenting on my song
David / Droop.Tribute songs.
Outstanding. really fantastic production all round.
Peace love respect
Dee .
[ Reply to This ]
My comments... &mdash 04/25/08 - 08:17:40 AM
...about your tunes are from the bottom of my heart. Glad you liked the tune, Dee. [ Reply to This ]
great playing &mdash 04/25/08 - 08:22:44 AM
Wow I love this guitar-performance, wonderful variations, virtuosic, very enjoyable! Thanks for sharing :-)
Superb and touching vocals! [ Reply to This ]
~ &mdash 04/25/08 - 06:14:02 PM
Thank you...you know how much I enjoy your music. Your kind words mean a lot to me.
[ Reply to This ]
What a nice piece &mdash 04/25/08 - 03:45:28 PM
and the singing is really one of the best you voices I've heard here at MJ.
Way to go! A great backdrop with that guitar for the wonderful singing.
WAy to gO ! [ Reply to This ]
~ &mdash 04/25/08 - 06:27:13 PM
I hope Ava doesn't read this stuff...she hates it when I talk about her...but, what the hey:
She's been literally singing since she could talk. Just now, at age 11, started lessons with a great voice/piano teacher. I just plain love her voice. Glad you do, too, Bill.
[ Reply to This ]
Sigh &mdash 04/25/08 - 06:33:38 PM
This is the song that made me first fall in love with you and Ava both. I'm always happy to have an excuse to take another listen, though the original gets many, many workouts on my iPod. Thanks to you both for this pure magic. [ Reply to This ]
Awww... &mdash 04/26/08 - 04:50:01 PM
...thanks, Lisa. We love you, too..
I think this will be the final version, though a little snag just caught my ear this afternoon...
I've truly appreciated every visit you've made to my virtual domain...a true class act you are, my friend...
Best,
Bob [ Reply to This ]
Wow &mdash 04/25/08 - 06:38:06 PM
Hove H could I miss this I'm I blind very cool I mean nice guitar playing as mixing is outstanding... Peace & Respect.
Kenta [ Reply to This ]
Thank you, Kenta... &mdash 04/26/08 - 05:00:17 PM
This &mdash 04/26/08 - 03:26:30 PM
isn't the kind of thing you usually hear played in open G tuning.You have an incredible ear to come up with something like this- beautiful playing.And your daughter's voice makes it beyond great. [ Reply to This ]
You know, Mark... &mdash 04/26/08 - 04:58:11 PM
...when I first played this guitar, at the shop, it was in open G. This monster player had just walked into the reso room and his sound got me off the '57 Strat I was tooling around with in a hurry. He knew I was hooked and we strummed the row 'till we both hit my honey, here, and said a simultaneous "ahhhhhhh"...
As I sat there, playing it, he said: "Man...that's not what I'm used to hearing in open G...esp, on one of these babies...but I'll take it".
Just as you said.
It's an amazingly versatile guitar. I keep saying it, but can't say it enough. About to go work a tune on it in 5 more minutes (my 15 minute breaks), in fact.
Thanks, Mark. As always: I'm looking forward to your next piece. [ Reply to This ]
Beautiful song &mdash 04/26/08 - 04:50:26 PM
The performances are great. Ava has a sweet voice, and she does a fantastic job on this. Your guitar playing is wonderful. You get such a terrific sound, and the notes are crisp and clear. Great song, love the story behind it, and it sounds terrific. Nicely done. Peace. [ Reply to This ]
Thank you... &mdash 04/27/08 - 12:36:30 PM
A sweet simplicity... &mdash 04/27/08 - 10:01:05 PM
This track simply sparkles. (Ava--I love your voice!)
And I love that it's a father/daughter collaboration :)
Beautiful in every way: lyrics, instrumental, singing.
Just beautiful :)
Thank you both for sharing your talents here.
(PS: I love butterflies and dragonflies, and have a small collection of both!)
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sound like a lute ...the singing just honest decent
and awesome ...what a gem my friend ...true live
performance ...I love it ...thnx for sharin such gem !
[ Reply to This ]