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A Soldiers Dream (EKNM Fest) by Moviz [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 715
Comments: 59
Votes: 9
Plays: 81
Last Played: Oct 29, 2008 - 06:18:18 AM
Downloads: 24
Fans: 29
Uploaded: Jul 11, 2008 - 06:46:27 AM
Last Updated: Jul 11, 2008 - 06:48:52 AM
Fan List
Keywords:
Soldier (8), dreaming (13), war (114), love (983), window (7), jewels (1), feeling (25)
Description:
Sire,Lords and Ladies of the Court, Ladies and Gentleman I present to thee a piece of music and spoken word in thoughtfulness for those in Foreign lands who serve our countries well, in peace and in battle for the protection of others as well as ourselves. I penned these words in order that these valiant men should be remembered, as we enjoy our festivities in these halls. Hence I beg thee listen and give a thought to absent friends.
This music was composed and played entirely by my good self, apart from Drums and opening and closing Harp loops.

Lyrics:
Soldiers Dream of Home

Far away in foreign lands, a soldier boy is sleeping,
Though around him are the sounds of mayhem, love is always in his keeping
For the ones he left behind in the homeland that he knew,
They’re still there within his heart, his regrets are very few.

As he sleeps, he is escaping, all the noise and strife abounding,
In his dreams he is recalling, hills and valleys all surrounding,
Where the safety of his childhood made him loved and keeps him loving,
All he knows within his heart, who will be there at his homecoming.

Though the ravages of war have left him tired, his dreams are yearning
For the green hills of his homeland, where the love just keeps on burning.
Tinkling rivers on whose banks he’d played with friends, their laughter sounding,
In his dreams, all this floods back and while he sleeps, the guns keeps pounding.

For a while he snatches rest and through those dreams the miles are closing;
Reaching out to meet halfway, the love that’s sent as he’s reposing.
And in that moments reverie, a window in his mind’s revealing
Treasured memories, lit like jewels, bringing strength from love he’s feeling.

Maurice Vizard 7/7/2008



Hardware:
Mac Intel 10.4, m-audio 49e

Software:
GB, GB drum and harp loops.
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Wow &mdash 07/11/08 - 06:55:22 AM
This is an epic piece, Maurice. The orchestration and arrangement is excellent, and the sounds are terrific. The poem is touching and very well-written, filled with very evocative images, and moving sentiments. I think the music and the words are a perfect match, and your recitation of the poem is spot on. A small recording nit - there seemed to be a hint of hiss on the vocal, not sure if that's my 'phones (or maybe my ears!). Nicely done, my friend. Peace.

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Ahh! The dreaded hiss) &mdash 07/11/08 - 07:07:41 AM
Yes Dave, I thought I'd eliminated it altogether through Audacity, but I got a sort of 'metallic' sound, so I added that over the other vocal tracks (which were a pain to get right tone-wise) in the hope they would be disguised enough. In reality, recording the vocal and getting clarity over the Orchestra was a real pain (been altered and tweaked all week). Anyway, thanks for the listen and your great comment my friend, Cheers M

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Marurice &mdash 07/11/08 - 07:31:54 AM
Very heartfelt. I really appreciate your efforts here. Great job,

Dave

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Hi Dave &mdash 07/11/08 - 12:34:23 PM
Thanks for listening even though it is a bit lengthy. Much appreciated, cheers M

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There is... &mdash 07/11/08 - 08:10:48 AM
...a short film lurking behind this wonderful poem and musical accompaniment. I can easily see the images of war and the images of soldiers weary from battle... A beautiful tribute, Maurice, delivered with such touching sincerity by your compelling voice. Beautiful. Just beautiful.
Peace (to us all).
Paul

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Praise &mdash 07/11/08 - 12:37:01 PM
indeed Paul, from someone of your musical abilities. I'm so pleased that you enjoyed this, regards M

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very nice Maurice &mdash 07/11/08 - 12:12:14 PM
the orchestration is really nice and majestic. well played!

dang that hiss. sometimes, but not always, taking a little off the treble helps. I imagine if I heard it through the speakers instead of the headphones I might not of noticed

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Believe me Vic &mdash 07/11/08 - 12:45:38 PM
I tried all sorts over the week, but each time I took treble off, the voice merged too much with the backing and lost clarity. I did adjust/test it through speakers, then the computer itself and headphones and tell the truth I thought I'd got it right, but on the site it sounds far more trebbley and the backing lower, than it sounded here at home. Maybe it's in the MP3. anyway, thanks for the listen and comment; nice that you liked it, cheers M

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: -] Maurice.. &mdash 07/11/08 - 12:37:03 PM
The vocal hiss to me is a plus ... it makes this sound so timeless. I love the contrast between the vox and instruments. Very moving lyrics ... and a wonderful delivery ... Hats of to them ... and you my friend :- ] ...Do Not Remix please .. is a keeper imho.

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Thanks for &mdash 07/11/08 - 12:51:27 PM
That nice comment Rabtitwhole... I must say that it does sound like one of those ancient voices from WW2 making speeches LOL (a voice from another era). So pleased you enjoyed it though, cheers M

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A Soldiers Dream &mdash 07/11/08 - 04:21:18 PM
this is all so thoughtful and perfectly served your
idea ..what a great arrangment to the strings set..
a marvelous piece definetly so passionate and elegant
with honory feelings ..your reading so awesome thank
you for the gem !!!

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Thank you Feter &mdash 07/11/08 - 06:59:12 PM
I'm pleased that you think it fits in with the evenings musical celebrations, cheers M

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Very well done Maurice &mdash 07/11/08 - 04:22:49 PM
Lovely sentiments spoken to lovely music. truly a tribute to all those who protect our shores and allows us to enjoy the peace we know though the battle rages on "over there".

Thank you Maurice, it is a beautiful piece to be sure.

Ed

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Ed &mdash 07/11/08 - 07:01:23 PM
I'm pleased that you liked the sentiments behind this, thanks for the listen, cheers M

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Amen! &mdash 07/11/08 - 05:24:28 PM
Soldiers dream of home, while at home maniacs dream of war. Sadly, tunes like this are always timely.

Excellent job here Maurice. Very reminiscent of the poetic parts in those old Moody Blues recordings. You even sound a little like Graham Edge here!

A paean to hope! KUDOS my friend!

Be well!

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Nice &mdash 07/11/08 - 07:03:37 PM
comments Michael I appreciate them. Glad you liked this, regards M

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Maurice the poet extraordinaire &mdash 07/11/08 - 06:54:34 PM
and you speak it so well... the music backing is perfect for this piece, too. You really make me think of what it must be like for a soldier on duty. The music at the end gave space to reflect on the words. This touched my heart deeply.

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I'm pleased... &mdash 07/11/08 - 07:06:52 PM
that you got those feelings Roxie and that was my idea in the musical arrangement. I tried to convey the same feelings into it, as in the words, Thanks again, regards M

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A Soldiers Dream &mdash 07/12/08 - 06:55:38 AM
Wow!!
This sounds amazing Maurice it is truly Magnificant Outstanding.
What more can I say. Epic!! I Looove it. Deep Bow my friend.

Peace Dee



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Glad you &mdash 07/12/08 - 08:18:48 AM
enjoyed this Dee, thanks for your great comment, regards M

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Lovely &mdash 07/12/08 - 08:17:52 AM
piece Maurice, excellent arrangement and orchestration.
Love the music, fantastic and a wonderful poem, your vocal reading was superb!

Excellent performance and very much enjoyed!



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Thanks Bob, &mdash 07/12/08 - 08:48:18 AM
Nice to see you again, and pleased that you liked this, regards M

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This is... &mdash 07/12/08 - 01:06:30 PM
...very, very moving, Maurice...

It could even be, symbolically, about those who have never seen the battlefield, yet are still so far, far from home...

The horror of war makes it even so much more powerful...

A beauty, Maurice. Tip my hat to you, sir...

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Thanks Bob, &mdash 07/12/08 - 01:17:51 PM
You're correct of course, it could..... and it's relevant to all those in the past as well as the present who have had to serve abroad. I'm pleased that you liked this Bob and I appreciate very much your comments, regards M

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This is &mdash 07/12/08 - 01:40:02 PM
amazing.You could make a fortune doing voice overs.The poem is just a masterpiece of writing.The background music is perfect.Wonderful!

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Mark, &mdash 07/12/08 - 01:51:26 PM
Just point me in the right direction LOL I need the cash. Thanks my friend for the kind words and for listening, cheers M

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Huzzah &mdash 07/12/08 - 02:54:45 PM
Well said good sir!

May they all come home and live out their dreams.

Thanks
Bill

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Here, Here! &mdash 07/12/08 - 04:07:55 PM
God Bless them every one. I thank thee good Sir. It pleases me enormously that my words were appreciated by thee. My eyes perceive also, that thou art now in possession of a new Pianoforte' of the antique variety, regards M

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soldier dream &mdash 07/13/08 - 02:41:06 PM
its a really good song.

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Thanks Leanne &mdash 07/13/08 - 03:05:26 PM
Glad you enjoyed it and welcome to MJ, cheers M

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Well Maurice! &mdash 07/13/08 - 08:26:44 PM
You really outdid yourself with this one...What a breakthrough....This is a work that deserves wider distribution, Maybe though something like the USO. You ought to email them a copy...I think they would love it and it would be a very moving experience for them to hear it....Now if we could transfer these peaceful dreams to the outer world....What a better world this would be....Peace to you,
Norman

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I will Norman &mdash 07/14/08 - 11:31:51 AM
as soon as I find out what organisation they are (PM). Thank you for the comment and for taking time out to listen, cheers M

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Epic indeed &mdash 07/13/08 - 09:12:10 PM
Maurice, I like the backing a lot, and the lyrics are really well done. Vocally, it sounds like something coming down a WWII radio by Winston C.

After all the trouble you went to to get a better vocal sound, it seems like (and I'm assuming you didn't mean the vocals to sound that way) there's still a problem. Maybe it's the audio interface you're using - there's definitely still an issue with the hiss. My suggestion would be that there are probably better ways to process your vocals than via Audacity. GB has some good filters and things, although it sounds like the hiss might be a little more than just in need of correction.

This is a really good post Maurice despite the hiss - here's one useful site that might help: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/find/newsLetter/Recording-Vocals.jsp

Cheers from Oz,
Neil

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Thanks Neil... &mdash 07/14/08 - 11:36:09 AM
I can tell you like old documentaries LOL; you're correct too with that description. As I told you, I've improved it now, but too late for here. Glad you enjoyed this though and thanks again for the help, cheers M

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Very Touching &mdash 07/13/08 - 10:03:04 PM
Wonderful piece, Maurice. Well-written, with a heart-felt delivery. Ever do any voice-over work? Sounds like you might have.

Many people confuse war with the soldiers who fight in them. They don't make war, politicians do. These kids are our sons and daughters, or those of our relatives, friends, or neighbors. Just pawns in a deadly game conceived by madmen.

You've created a gentle, stirring orchestral backdrop for this tribute and it serves your presentation very well. I hope this lovely message finds its way to those young men and women in service.

Maurice, sir, you are, indeed, a... good self. ;)


--- Joe

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You're &mdash 07/14/08 - 11:41:54 AM
very kind Joe with those generous comments. No I haven't ever done voice overs, but wish I knew how to get into it LOL. Too right also about those who start wars; they never seem to send their own kids out there do they?
It would be nice to think that some of the many men and women who are serving could hear it and know that we have them in our thought;, regards, M

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Getting Into It... &mdash 07/14/08 - 11:59:16 AM
Send a copy of this to ad agencies, production houses, etc. ;)


--- Joe

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A Soldier's Dream &mdash 07/14/08 - 08:28:14 AM
Maurice, this is INCREDIBLE! I knew from the first measure this was going to be something special. Love your spoken poem, and the way the music pulls it along in the back is just sublime. Congrats on this!

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Hi Karen &mdash 07/14/08 - 11:44:41 AM
Nice to see you back and hope you had a nice trip. I really appreciate that you listened this and I thank you also for the welcome comments, cheers M

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Maurice &mdash 07/14/08 - 05:56:58 PM
this is a very impressive piece of work. I'm only listening through the iMac speakers so the hiss isn't a problem. Amazing orchestration - your words are always excellent! Sorry for being late getting to this - time has been running away lately...

All the best
Peter

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Hi Peter, &mdash 07/14/08 - 06:12:06 PM
Thanks for calling in and for your comment. I don't hear a hiss as such through any of my speakers, but the tone on the vocal on this version isn't as good as I would have liked, cheers M

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Well Maurice &mdash 07/15/08 - 11:49:51 AM
This is really beautiful. Tragic. Bittersweet.

The music is like a jewel accentuating the words...

Thanks.

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Thanks &mdash 07/15/08 - 05:02:58 PM
very much Doug for those really nice words, I'm so pleased you thought so, regards M

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Your voice &mdash 07/16/08 - 08:10:42 AM
People have remarked on your unique voice before. I think it would be very suitable for this sort of spoken piece, but your recording does not do it justice.

First of all: great piece. It accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do.

But there is some weird phasing and distortion in the high frequencies on the vocals. Is that post-processing or should you get a better mike?



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Hi Vic &mdash 07/16/08 - 10:54:56 AM
It's a result of having taken it to Audacity and got rid of the general hiss, but left that strange hollow sound. I have now managed to eliminate it in the main, but too late to post here now. Mic's is a ' Sure' and is fine. Thanks for the listen though and for kindly commenting; appreciated regards M

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beautiful... &mdash 07/16/08 - 02:55:18 PM
Music and poetry.
Sensitive, epic, compassionate.
We all can relate to a sense of "Home," and so that speaks powerfully, even if gently spoken.

Thank you for sharing this.

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So Pleased &mdash 07/16/08 - 06:49:22 PM
that you listened to this Cat and I'm very appreciative of your lovely comments, Thank you, regards M

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Comforting words &mdash 07/16/08 - 05:48:19 PM
You sure have a gift with words Maurice.

And the music you have made for your words enhances the feelings you touch.

Beautiful.

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Thank you Thor &mdash 07/16/08 - 06:51:35 PM
for your words; I'm very pleased that you liked this, regards M

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GREAT &mdash 07/16/08 - 06:37:07 PM
TEAR'S GREAT ARTISTIC WORK!!

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Hi Tommy m &mdash 07/16/08 - 07:04:27 PM
So pleased that you came by to listen. Thanks so much for those kind words and pleased that you found them so moving, regards M

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Still wars &mdash 07/17/08 - 12:59:16 PM

This is truth for ever ... ?
Very well done .

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Well &mdash 07/17/08 - 03:03:20 PM
It does seem that way Henri R, It's been that way up to now and with the greedy maniacs in the world today, it seems sure to continue..... but we can pray and hope for peace and good will. Thanks for listening and for your comment; much appreciated, regards M

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Enjoyed Moviz &mdash 07/20/08 - 10:10:26 AM
Thanks for sharing, I know when i was in Viet Nam, thinking back of home sure helped. But of course I still had two more years to go. I know when I got out of the service and was lifted out of an air craft carrier via helicopter and going back to Treasure Island near San Francisco was the happiest day of my life I think.

Thanks for bringing back memories. Enjoyed the music as well !

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Thanks Bill... &mdash 07/20/08 - 06:33:22 PM
just hope I didn't reap up any bad memories with this then. Thanks for giving it a listen though and for the favourable comment, regards M

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wow &mdash 07/22/08 - 04:06:47 PM
very inspirational. really felt this one. you have a great voice for storytelling. thanks

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Thanks &mdash 07/22/08 - 04:12:56 PM
so much R, for calling in on this one and for the nice comment; it's very much appreciated, regards M

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:) &mdash 07/25/08 - 08:08:47 PM
reducing the hiss , but not eliminating it , i think is a good idea. The hiss sounds add the "documentary-type-of-feeling" in the recording, it brings the listener back in time where the poem points to. Nice job.

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Hi Asconejar &mdash 07/26/08 - 06:01:25 PM
I understand what you mean and I thank you for those thoughts and your nice comment. I have re-recorded the vocal now and it does sound much better, though I won't post it again as the 'moment' has now gone. Again many thanks for listening Regards M

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