Very, very well done &mdash 07/14/08 - 04:39:22 PM
Joe, I think you've got it here as far as the mix goes. Sounds complex but clear - I hear every instrument and all fx, placed expertly. I especially like the very effective clav part, by the way.
The urgency is in the listener's face, but is not overbearing. The message is obvious, but will always need continual restatement until it is thoroughly heard, understood at the deepest levels, and absorbed completely.
Excellent, Joe. Great delivery of old truth that has yet to manifest. Thanks for this. [ Reply to This ]
Re: Very well done... &mdash 07/15/08 - 02:12:50 AM
Thanks, Patrick... for your keen ears and especially for the props on the clav part. The tune started out purely as an acoustic guitar piece, but the more I listened to the guitar part, the more it reminded me of a clavinet. And so, the clav part was born.
As far as the message, I did the best I could to make it honest, simple and sensible. Hopefully, it will be received that way. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
OPEN SEASON &mdash 07/14/08 - 04:41:56 PM
great rockin protest song ...nice singing my friend
I would imagen this with wild guitars .good arrangment
powerful lyrics indeed ...Kudos ...Thnx for sharin !!! [ Reply to This ]
Re: OPEN SEASON... &mdash 07/15/08 - 02:49:12 AM
Wild guitars were considered, Feter, but I decided to keep it acoustic and kind of tribal. Thank you for listening and for your comments. Be well, my friend. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
I think this is &mdash 07/14/08 - 06:46:32 PM
outstanding!
The subject is killer to say the least and the mix is amazing! Superb in every aspect. This one will require many more listens!
Thanks so much for sharing the early one! [ Reply to This ]
I think this is... &mdash 07/15/08 - 10:45:48 AM
Thank YOU for listening and for your comments. I'm glad you like it. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Wonderful post!! &mdash 07/14/08 - 08:59:16 PM
Joe I love this song! I agreed with and enjoyed your lyrics very much. You sang well and just did a great job throughout. Very good song!! Thanks Joe. [ Reply to This ]
Re: Wonderful post... &mdash 07/15/08 - 10:50:09 AM
Thank you for the props, Gail. I sincerely appreciate your listening and commenting. Always a pleasure. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
love it &mdash 07/14/08 - 09:05:49 PM
Buckingham'ish. The mix is stellar. Very clear. The progression rocks, imho, and the sweet nuanced production nuggets, like the voices near the end. That seals it for me. I could hear a hornby's like piano somewhere :-0.... [ Reply to This ]
Re: love it... &mdash 07/15/08 - 11:17:55 AM
Hmmm... *Buckinham'ish*. The palace, the Chicago fountain, or the 60s rock group? ;) Funny, because when I think of the Buckinghams I always think of the 60s organ and the horn arrangements prevalent in their hits. As it happens, I toyed with the idea of horns in this tune, but this mix is a considerable challenge already.
Thanks for your feedback, ktb. I'm pleased you liked the song. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
ooops &mdash 07/16/08 - 08:17:52 AM
my bad, Lindsey Buckingham from Fleetwood mac. Phenomenal guitarist and writer/singer. :-) [ Reply to This ]
Re: Oops... &mdash 07/16/08 - 10:28:07 AM
Oh, THAT Buckingham. Yes, I do believe I've heard of him. LOL.
Thanks, ktb. I'm flattered by the suggestion. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Love the Lyrics Joe &mdash 07/14/08 - 10:22:33 PM
Says what I've been saying for years, and says it very well.
As for the music, it's powerful to be sure and since you said it's your first pass I offer these suggestions.
It almost sounds too busy, but I think that's because the levels needs adjusting. You vocal needs to come up a few db so the message takes a more prominent place in the mix. Not a lot mind you, just a notch or two.
Some harmony on the choruses might give them even more power for the message.
These are just my thoughts after listening to it a few times, so please don't take offense my friend. They are meant as observations from a deaf guy.
Other than that, this sound great Joe. It's a wonderful song with the right message and I love it. Can't wait to hear the final version.
Take care and thanks for sharing this one.
Ed [ Reply to This ]
Re: Love the Lyrics... &mdash 07/15/08 - 11:35:16 AM
Hey, Ed... you're about as deaf as you are slow, my friend. Your experienced ears are right on target.
When I was first ad-libbing to the music to get started on the lyrics, I recorded a vocal placemat track that sounded a lot like Jim Morrison and that *popped* right out in front. I'll be working to recreate that sound for the CD version because you're right --- the message must be more prominent.
Right again on the harmony parts. I muted them for this version. I got lazy and didn't want to spend any more time tweaking this mix. ;)
Thanks for lending your *deaf* ears and honest observations, my friend. You ain't fooling me with that *aw, shucks* routine. LOL
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
I think they call that &mdash 07/16/08 - 06:32:33 PM
tired ears, Joe. After a while, I find I have to do one of two things on a mix. Post it like it is and take my chances, or walk away and come back a day or two later. And sometimes I should really do that a few times because I start to lose perspective on the mix after too many tries.
But since patience was never one of my best virtues, often times I choose the wrong option there. And it seems there's alway someone who really listens and calls me on it. Thank God for that, or nothing I do would sound worth a darn.
I've got you fav'd so I'll know when you repost it. Can't wait to hear the final on this, it's a great song.
Be cool
Ed [ Reply to This ]
Excellent song &mdash 07/14/08 - 10:34:35 PM
The lyrics are smart, moving and thought-provoking. Your voice sounds terrific here, expressing the words with feeling. I love the guitars here, lovely sounds and nice playing, and the percussion is excellent. The only nit I'd pick with the mix is the bass, which sounds clear but seems (to my wooden ears, and in my headphones) to lack some presence. A very impressive song, and a wonderful sound. Very nicely done. Peace. [ Reply to This ]
Re: Excellent song... &mdash 07/15/08 - 11:47:17 AM
Thank you, David.
The bass used to be a *nit* concern for me, but no more. This mix has been an interesting adventure, for it seems every time I got an element to work the way I wanted it to in the mix, something else would fall out of place. The bass part has been one of those sonic *deserters*. But have no fear, I'm going to show this tune a lot of love before I'm done with it. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
excellent! &mdash 07/14/08 - 11:13:06 PM
What would Ik say? I think he would like this one... The one thing that I think that could be developed is a bit more of a dynamic arrangement. It gets going and it sort of stays on the same level throughout the whole song. All the same it's excellent, and obviously very professionally recorded and mixed. And it's a great set of lyrics putting across an important message. A bit dense, soundwise, and maybe dropping some things out would give it more air, but that's sort of a vague suggestion. The vocal could come up and it does sound like there's some chorus or perhaps that Ensemble effect of Logic being used a bit pervasively, but that's just a guess. The chorus-y sound makes it a bit fat sounding and though it smooths out some harshness, it sounds sandy to me. Now I'm just guessing and being vaguely poetic, but maybe in some roundabout way you might get some suggestion about how to handle the mix, since according to your description this is an early attempt. It's still quite good and could work very well as it is, but it's sounding like you are looking for suggestions, which I really appreciate. [ Reply to This ]
Re: excellent!... &mdash 07/15/08 - 12:22:59 PM
Ooo! Lots of bouncing boobies. NOW we're talking! LOL
Thanks, Jim. You are indeed right... on all counts. I AM really looking for helpful feedback and you have immediately focused on the aspects that concern me the most --- the lack of dynamics in the arrangement and the density of the mix. This is definitely one of those cases where the art of *subtraction* will play a large part in the final outcome of this production. You wouldn't believe how many tracks were already muted for THIS mix. ;)
As I've mentioned in earlier responses, yes, the vocal will be more prominent in the final. That *chorus-y* sound was just a temporary effort to beef up the vocal a bit. I doubled the vocal track and laid Logic's *Spreader* plug-in on the second track to create a bit of a difference in the doubling. I think it probably ended up detuning the second track at times, creating a bit of a phase shift. With some tweaking, that effect may still have some merit... if not in this song, perhaps in another. We'll see.
But thank you for your kind remarks and for your excellent observations on the arrangement and the mix, Jim They will certainly be in mind as I work on the final version. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
What a great song &mdash 07/15/08 - 03:52:07 AM
and answer to a certain post (maybe you could just send him the lyrics since he's not allowed to listen to music). Anyway, love this for the sound (love the way the percussion just rolled out of the opening explosions) Lyrics are spot on, along with all the FX and instruments etc. and the melody has that 'going forward', determined sound. Vocals as always spot on. I just love this Joe, great stuff and a great 'message'. Regards M [ Reply to This ]
Re: What a great... &mdash 07/15/08 - 07:38:54 PM
Yeh, a crack of thunder right out of the gate, Maurice. I wanted to set the tone early and get the gravity of the message in motion. Thank you kindly for your comments. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Great song! &mdash 07/15/08 - 06:56:13 AM
Liked everything of it. Right from the start! The message is also brilliant and well said. " As fodder for their selfish quest, to rouse some faithful souls. To do their shameful dirty work, to gain their earthly goals," Brilliant! Couldn't agree more. Well done! Great song! [ Reply to This ]
Re: Great song!... &mdash 07/15/08 - 07:54:01 PM
Thanks, Massa. I did spend a lot of time nit-picking the lyrics to make them simple and honest. I appreciate your comments and I'm glad you like the song. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Wow &mdash 07/15/08 - 08:29:30 AM
I love what I hear you sure Rock man:) what a great lyrics as music fits like you know...hehehe... Thanks for sharing download.
Take care
--
Kenta [ Reply to This ]
Re: Wow... &mdash 07/15/08 - 08:00:59 PM
Thanks for giving it a listen Kenta. I am pleased you liked it. Rock On! ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Good Grief Charlie Brown.. &mdash 07/15/08 - 11:43:05 AM
:- ] Joe this is really good. I envy the mix so. topical and smart lyrics .. and a driven tune. Man ..... [ Reply to This ]
Re: Good Grief... &mdash 07/15/08 - 08:07:33 PM
Thanks for your kind comments, da. I'm pleased you liked my song. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Dig it &mdash 07/15/08 - 05:59:02 PM
Great production musically. I think it would be cool with a female voice, too. Or strictly female. It would give it a special something. I like your delivery, btw.
Really cool song, my man.
Groovy and a bit preachy.
Dave [ Reply to This ]
Re: Dig it... &mdash 07/15/08 - 08:09:22 PM
Thanks, Dave. I'm glad you dug it. I'll give Tina Turner a call and see if she's available. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Still life &mdash 07/16/08 - 11:18:21 AM
Re: Still life... &mdash 07/16/08 - 01:01:31 PM
Shalom, Tobin.
For what it's worth... I did a lot of Stills and his buddies tunes back in my cover band days. Perhaps I absorbed some of that. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Holy! &mdash 07/16/08 - 12:03:13 PM
Very solid and complex. Great message of course but the song stands on it's own musical merits.
As I was listening to it, I didn't find the mix to heavy or dense at first. What I found myself wanting to hear was some lightening up after "...name" at the end of the second chorus. The first couple of bars maintain the same richness as the beginning but without the vocals seemed somewhat muddier. Almost like it needs the vocal "mustard" to cut through.
I'm no expert in that realm, so take my advice with a grain of salt. This is a great track!
[ Reply to This ]
Re: Holy!... &mdash 07/16/08 - 01:05:12 PM
Thank you, Pete... for listening and commenting. I won't take your observation lightly. As I work on the final version, I will give a listen with your comments in mind. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Open season.... &mdash 07/16/08 - 12:11:14 PM
Joe, in response to your "bombing run" post, I gave this song another listen. I heard it already over at MacIdol. This is a top-notch production, with a surprising and effective use of effects --- I especially like the (praying?) voices in the background in the intro. The guitar riff is cool and clear. Might like to hear some harmonized vocals on the last or last couple of choruses. The prominent high-hat that comes in at about 2:15 sounds great, but promises a dynamic build that doesn't come. How would it sound to let the high-hat run after it's introduced, then bring in a definite snare on the last verse? The song has a good groove, and it would really make the song swing if a snare was added near the end. The angry lyrics are perfect. On philosophical grounds, I couldn't agree more, although that's mostly irrelevant.
Really excellent. [ Reply to This ]
Re: Open season... &mdash 07/16/08 - 01:17:26 PM
The high-hat/snare point is a VERY good observation, R_A... and I appreciate it. There was a point in the evolution of this arrangement where I thought it was beginning to sound a bit like a *Doors* tune. I fiddled with some lead guitar and organ parts, but abandoned them in favor of a more acoustic sound. But what you have suggested may very well work quite nicely and I'll certainly give it a listen. THANKS! ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
good message &mdash 07/16/08 - 12:15:34 PM
Well put!
Super duper performance. You're pretty good at this stuff my friend:)
The powerful intro grabbed me and once the hook-line started I'm nodding to the groove.
The mood you've created suits the theme well. Very pro production.
Brilliant! [ Reply to This ]
Re: good message... &mdash 07/16/08 - 01:21:42 PM
Thank you, Thor.
I know from listening to your songs that you are pretty good at this stuff yourself, so I appreciate your lending your ears to this one. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Dig it &mdash 07/16/08 - 01:23:00 PM
I really like the funky melodic patterns and the way you used the sound effects. Overall, a really good sound and rhythm to it. Like others have mentioned I think it needs to be more dynamic between verse and chorus and from beginning to end. You could give it a brief suspenseful break just before the chorus which could come in with more intensity than the verse. Harmony during the chorus would probably sound good, maybe just octaves apart.
In later choruses I'd kick the vocals up an octave and belt it out with commitment, building the music as well, enough to go with the more intense vocals. Then on the verse right after strip it all down. Layer all those funky parts back in there as it goes.
I think that would enhance the power of the great message you have in there. Keep em' on their toes. [ Reply to This ]
Re: Dig it... &mdash 07/17/08 - 04:05:01 PM
Thanks, Peter... for your ears and your suggestions. I will certainly give them a try and see how they work for me. The harmony parts already exist, but were muted for this mix. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Almost there &mdash 07/16/08 - 04:17:22 PM
This is a pretty decent mix. There's a lot happening, and it's all more or less audible. The main thing I'm missing is the bass. It's there, but I can't really hear what it's doing. Partly that's because its part is not convincing: just a note here, and note there without much rhyme or reason. I think with a song this busy the bass part should be really simple. Just one loud *thunk* at the start of every other measure, or something like that. It doesn't need to cover all those rhythmical accents that the other instruments also cover. Maybe you can EQ away some lows from the other instruments to make more space for the bass?
Other than that I like this. It has drive and it sounds good.
Oh, after a while the verse gets a bit repetitive: 4 identical lines, and then every verse the same as the last, and the chorus is not a major departure from it. Find a way to have line 3 go up in melody a bit?
[ Reply to This ]
Re: Almost there... &mdash 07/17/08 - 04:12:35 PM
Yeah, you may be right about the bass part, Vic. It was just a jam job done early on and probably influenced by the rhythm section. I may have a real bass player lend his expertise and interpretation for the final.
As far as the repetitiveness of the verses is concerned, I don't want to mess with the message, but I will consider ways to musically vary them.
Thanks for your input. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Radio Ready &mdash 07/16/08 - 04:49:01 PM
Too bad they won't touch it with a 10 ft pole.....Excellent mixing and production with a searing message....kinda reminds me of the Bill Moyers piece on how the Christian Right put Bush into power.....Congratulations on taking on a hard topic with style and grace....Bravo! Peace, Norman [ Reply to This ]
Re: Radio Ready... &mdash 07/17/08 - 04:22:20 PM
Thanks, Norman. This tune is actually part of a suite of songs I wrote around 9/11 in 2001. Whereas the other parts deal more specifically with those events and the emotions I had in reaction to them, this one, I think, is the most important one.
There's plenty of blame to go around for the state of our world. No group has a patent on righteousness. We are all flawed and we do what we do because of that fact. All we CAN do is dedicate ourselves to being --- and then doing --- better. ;)
Peace, Joe [ Reply to This ]
Too many reasons... &mdash 07/17/08 - 10:13:21 AM
...to fight...
Propaganda to further the ends of the few...sets the wheels in motion time and time again...
Great tune, Joe. Tip o' the hat to ya, brotha... [ Reply to This ]
Re: Too many reasons... &mdash 07/17/08 - 04:37:14 PM
Thanks for the hat-tip, Bob.
Yes, stubborn devotion to dogmatism provides an all-too-convenient *Hot Button* for those seeking and/or wielding power. We make it all too easy for them. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Hey J.A. &mdash 07/17/08 - 11:18:41 AM
Except for a few minor tech glitches, such as those mentioned by the good Mr. Diesel, this song is a real gem.
It's message is vital, and if I voted I would give it mostly 9's.
I would remind everyone of two things though:
1) Anyone and everyone who commits murder does it in the name of what they believe in, be it "God," greed, "justice & equality," or what have you.
2) In the 20th century, proportionately more people were murdered world-wide in the name of SECULARIST (specifically LEFTIST) political ideals---and this in a span of 80 years---than in all the religious wars in recorded history. The RIGHT, both religious and secular, has it's evils, but just can't seem to keep up!
It's important to ever remind crusading bigots like Bill Moyers and those MJers who adore him of these simple facts.
As I have made clear over and over again, I am opposed to the Right. After all, it's only the Left in slo-mo.
It was the Left, however, that brought us the 5 greatest mass-murders in human history:
Mao
Pol Pot
Stalin
Hitler (National SOCIALIST)
Lenin
---all of them committed mass-murder in the name of purely SECULARIST/LEFTIST ideals.
J.A., sorry to use your wonderful tune as a springboard like this; but unbalanced, one-sided, fanatical comments like that left by digitalnirvana9 must be counterbalanced with fact...even if---as per usual---they fall, for the most part, on the stone-deal ears of the brainwashed.
Take care J.A....and keep em coming!
Be well!
PS: I hope the Admins get the anti-bomb code fixed soon. What kind of person bombs an anti-hate song? GEEZ!
[ Reply to This ]
Re: Hey... &mdash 07/17/08 - 04:42:49 PM
Hey, Micheal... I don't mind discussions. Discussions don't kill people... people kill people. ;)
Thanks for listening... and for the props.
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
I found it! (Heh-heh...) &mdash 07/20/08 - 11:23:32 PM
Yesterday in my daily reading I came across this great quote from Blaise Pascal re violence in the name of religion. It would make a good intro to your fine tune.
"Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction." (Pensee #895)
Rock on my friend! [ Reply to This ]
thunder &mdash 07/17/08 - 12:35:57 PM
that beginning really grabs you....
this is very well done.... awesome production and fantastic lyrics..... a topic everyone needs to consider.... you deliver these lyrics like a modern day prophet....excellent post bro....thanks so much for sharing this gem with all the other kids here at MJ....
peace....Ian [ Reply to This ]
Re: thunder... &mdash 07/17/08 - 04:45:43 PM
Thank you, Ian. As one who regularly does some fine production work yourself, I take your comments as a real compliment. Thanks for listening and for the props. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
well &mdash 07/18/08 - 02:51:35 PM
it's def one of the more moving and thought provoking pieces here at MJ [ Reply to This ]
wow... &mdash 07/18/08 - 05:31:43 PM
first off i'd like to say this song is truly phenomenal! i mean this in every way...the writing, the performance, and the production. you nailed it man! i absolutely love, and highly agree with your lyrics. it's sad...if only people would listen...
secondly, i don't understand why someone would give you bad ratings on this tune. even if they didn't agree with your lyrics, this song is superbly executed and produced. i say you did some majorly fine work here, and i for one am loving it. thank you for sharing your song!
sincerely,
age [ Reply to This ]
Re: wow... &mdash 07/19/08 - 02:36:42 AM
Thanks for all the superlatives, age, but the performance and production still have a ways to go before I'll be satisfied with it.
Why the bombs? Blind faith and... deaf ears... seem to share a common link. But some may listen --- and hear --- and think. That is the best we can hope for. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
We need... &mdash 07/18/08 - 05:38:21 PM
...more songs like this, Joe, with powerful messages that espouse peace rather than killing. I am so glad you posted this... You have such a complex rhythm going on here and it is so very compelling. I do like your vocals very much, esp. the harmony sections. My one suggestion would be to BRING UP the vocal a tad so that it is a little easier to hear and understand. I enjoyed this very much.
Peace.
Paul [ Reply to This ]
Re: We Need... &mdash 07/19/08 - 02:45:29 AM
Thank you, Paul. I tend to view most things with a light-hearted sense of humor and irony. But unpleasant and irrational aspects of our existence bring out the more serious side of my nature.
Thank you for noting the complexity of the rhythm. I put a considerable amount of time into my selections to give it the *feel* I imagined.
And yes, the vocal will be given a more prominent placement in the mix in the final. This particular take proved to be somewhat of a problem in that respect. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Hey Joe.. &mdash 07/18/08 - 08:58:45 PM
This is my first comment since "the thread" and I would love to suggest something to make this song stronger, but I am nowhere nearly qualified to do so. If I could have my songs sound as good as this "jam", as you put it, I would be ecstatic to say the least. I am very glad I found you through the MJ GOOC. Just listening to how you create these wonderful pieces improves my ability to mix and record. Artists like you are invaluable to this site. Ok enough with the sunshine ha ha. I really do think this is one of the finest songs I have heard in a long time. I agree with the message whole heartedly and thought the vocal had a Robbie Robertson quality to it. The melody was beautiful and I especially liked the acoustic guitar. I think when it's finished and fully produced I would most certainly buy the album it was on. The download will be what I use to tide me over. I want you to know I am one of those who rarely buys other artists music. I would buy this though. It is a terrific song and production as it sits now. [ Reply to This ]
Re: Hey Joe... &mdash 07/19/08 - 11:13:49 AM
I'm very flattered by your remarks, Guy. Thank you. You ARE qualified to suggest anything you think might improve the song... you have a set of ears, don't you? ;)
As I mentioned in chikoppi's "Critique of critiques" forum post, I believe developing critical listening skills begins with listening to the work of others and will eventually make it much easier to apply to your own work. From the sound of it, you've already begun to realize that fact. Subjectivity is the hurdle we all face when attempting to produce our own work. The pure joy of creation can often blind us to our creation's flaws. Critical listening is a discipline that helps one focus on the musical --- rather than the emotional --- connection we have with our work.
This song WILL be on my "CRAZY WORLD" CD. I'll put you down for 10,000 copies, okay? ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Ha ha ha &mdash 07/19/08 - 01:00:09 PM
10,000???? uhhhhh uhhhhhhh Can I pay you Tuesday the first week in 2058? Thanks for the encouragement Joe, your a class act. [ Reply to This ]
J.A..... &mdash 07/18/08 - 09:13:46 PM
Great (sunshine?) intro, Hollywood! Grabs me immediately.... vocal of yours is deep and wide... your best? I am really engrossed in this track as I listen... Gosh.... sooo good (sunshine?). I love the end of the chorus that goes into the major 7th(?)... that is fine... so fine (Chiffons)... ;)
A totally understandable, and maybe even needed, lament and desire for an end to all the crap of religiosity... which might sound strange coming from an orthodox christian. But, man fails not only in the secular, but in the religious (sometimes royally). God help us!!
You got my deep bows on this one, dude.
Jack [ Reply to This ]
Re: J.A.... &mdash 07/19/08 - 11:30:47 AM
Haha... thanks, Jack. Given the winters we have here, I enjoy whatever sunshine I can get. Major 7th? Hmm, don't really know. At this point in my playing, I don't even think about it... I play by sense of smell. The guitar was played with the 1st and 6th strings tuned to D.
What you say doesn't sound strange coming from you. Faith... is a good thing, a powerful thing. Blind faith, on the other hand, is a poor... and perverted alternative.
Thanks again, Jack.
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
i listened to this when you first posted and... &mdash 07/19/08 - 07:46:28 AM
now i got back to comment :) - ouch - but i mean that in a good way - i sooo admire how you put all these sounds together - i listened with headphones this time - and it kept my ears occupied throughout - thank you for sharing xoxox [ Reply to This ]
Re: I listened... &mdash 07/19/08 - 11:35:15 AM
Well, Dear Caroline... the fact that you FINALLY got back to me makes me feel better and all ... pink and fluffy now. ;)
I'm glad I could tickle your ears a little. Now, if I could only figure out how to tickle your fancy a bit... ;)
Thank you, my dear.
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Well done &mdash 07/21/08 - 01:42:31 PM
I think I fall into the Caroline group. I listen earlier but failed to comment, lately I've been trying to do to many things at one time. Good writing the clav sounds familiar to me, it seems as you have a lot going on here :) maybe staggering some of the instruments will clear more space for the vocals. That's if you're looking to clear some.
Moses [ Reply to This ]
Re: Well done... &mdash 07/22/08 - 07:29:33 PM
Thanks, Moses. Yes, I'll be auditioning various arrangements to bring more order and more dynamics to this song. It grew... and grew... and grew... out of a simple acoustic guitar piece into something a bit more complicated. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
open season &mdash 07/23/08 - 11:08:03 AM
wow this is excellent in every way. heavy subject matter and you handled it perfectly. you really got my attention with those drums at the beginning and held it all the way through. Great vocal delivery. Outstanding! [ Reply to This ]
Re: open season... &mdash 07/23/08 - 02:43:12 PM
Thanks for the props, Ridd. You do some great work, yourself. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
hey &mdash 07/26/08 - 10:00:15 PM
RE: hey... &mdash 07/27/08 - 02:41:50 PM
Being &mdash 07/29/08 - 11:06:48 PM
not a very religious person I identified with the lyrics right away.I never could figure out why God needs US to spread his message if he is all powerful. And why does he allow millions to grow up learning the "wrong" religion so they can forever burn in hell? I could go on... Anyway, I really enjoyed this song excellent all around. [ Reply to This ]
Re: Being... &mdash 07/30/08 - 07:46:08 PM
Thanks, Mark. I'm glad you enjoyed the song.
The problem we ALL have is that we are so egocentric that we taint our beliefs based on our experiences within our own corporeal existences --- bringing with them all our flaws and failings. The result is the mythology of Angry gods... Jealous gods... Bellicose gods... etc.
The biggest question would be... Why would ANY god PUT UP with us? ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
I like this song &mdash 08/09/08 - 12:12:15 PM
I listened to it a while back. Probably noticed when it was high up on the MJ "charts" . I really like the intro. Its very dramatic with the lightning. The main riff on the Clav sounds like a guitar. Thats a great riff. The release is nice and has a nice progression. Great song here. Really nice work with the percussion in the background. [ Reply to This ]
Re: I like this song... &mdash 08/09/08 - 01:33:04 PM
Thank you, E. I'm glad you enjoyed it. As I listened to the acoustic guitar riff, it reminded me of a Clavinet, so I created a complementary part for the clav. They blended very well. The percussion you hear represents about half of what I started with. It got out of hand and decisions had to be made. What survived seems to work pretty well for the song. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
"Vengeance is Mine, sayeth..." &mdash 08/15/08 - 11:07:36 AM
it says somewhere in The Book..., albeit some of the characters in it even did take vengeance in His name - seems a bit of a conflict....
Cool song
. - Harold [ Reply to This ]
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The urgency is in the listener's face, but is not overbearing. The message is obvious, but will always need continual restatement until it is thoroughly heard, understood at the deepest levels, and absorbed completely.
Excellent, Joe. Great delivery of old truth that has yet to manifest. Thanks for this.
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