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Description:
This is a departure from my usual singing style (classical), and my first attempt at creating a song in the rock genre. The vocals are somewhat unpolished, but I figure they fit the 'attitude' of the piece.
There were various challenges in bringing this song about—all sound production related. Another version had additional vocal tracks, but the limitations of equipment (and general knowledge of what I'm doing :) brought it back to the less dense version I’m posting here.
Lyrics:
What is the meaning of this convoluted dream?
I took for granted things were always what they seemed.
But your ‘creative machinations’ proved me wrong.
Should I be flattered that you played at them so long? ...Or something like that
Why bother with semantics; we’ll never agree.
Is it control or ‘individuality?’
I’ve tried to work it out a hundred times or so,
But all I get from you is, “Maybe, I don’t know”....Or something like that
Now it’s clear you did your best to see that
I was not inclined to doubt or disbelieve
What you said to me at any time, and…
I admit that I was taken in at first
By what you promised me that you would do,
But it’s through.
....Or something like that
What is the point of taking time to see this through?
When all is said and done it just comes back to you.
I give you reasons, but you won’t listen to me.
You get your kicks from harboring hypocrisies...Or something like that, etc.
Hardware:
G4 iBook, my voice, that pinhole mic.....
Software:
100% GarageBand
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Fantastic! &mdash 01/13/05 - 11:23:11 PM
I love your voice and this is a wonderful, complex bit of
singing here. I like this song a lot! The counterparts really
add a lot of interest and your use of loops was great.
Excellent work! [ Reply to This ]
Fantastic! &mdash 01/14/05 - 11:35:04 AM
I'm so glad you enjoyed this! I'm having fun venturing into new territory here--which is the beauty of programs like GB, and the support of MacJams. It's allowed me to experiment with different styles on my own and to get feedback.
Thank you for listening and commenting! [ Reply to This ]
cool &mdash 10/18/08 - 09:14:38 AM
interesting mix &mdash 01/13/05 - 11:53:47 PM
Your more classical clear style of singing mixed with this
style of music is a pleasantly different hybrid of, I guess,
jazz and pop. Nice arrangement too. [ Reply to This ]
interesting mix &mdash 01/14/05 - 11:48:20 AM
Hmm, yes... I wasn't sure what category to put this under: not quite Pop, not quite Rock. Maybe a new category called "Hybrid" is in order?
Thank you for listening and taking the time to leave a comment! :)
[ Reply to This ]
Something like this! &mdash 01/14/05 - 12:24:55 AM
First off, nice song! You've a very sweet voice and you managed to pull a pretty good recording out of the pinhole mic. I think you'll find the $50-80 you might spend on a really good mic will be one of the most satisfying purchases you'll make. Your voice is the most compelling component of your music and it deserves a rich reproduction! [ Reply to This ]
Something like this! &mdash 01/14/05 - 12:15:28 PM
Purchasing a mic is most definitely in my plans. Sooner than later, though I decided to go ahead and play around with loops and vocal recordings and learn how to use GB in the meantime. There's definitely a learning curve in all of this, and
I so appreciate your comments! Thank you for taking the time to listen and post :) [ Reply to This ]
beautifully done &mdash 01/14/05 - 01:22:45 AM
extra nice job on working your voice thru it's paces, you
sing wonderfully.. get that mic! the song itself is as light
as your vocals, very nicely put together [ Reply to This ]
beautifully done &mdash 01/14/05 - 02:24:24 PM
Thank you for your comments. When you hear your song a hundred times it
starts to sound all the same--even after that last tweak or change--and
never *quite* polished enough to post. That others like it and enjoy it makes
it well worth the while. [ Reply to This ]
Superb! &mdash 01/14/05 - 07:15:33 AM
This is so eloquent. Your vocal counterpoint and
harmonies are amazing. Almost a madrigal quality to
them.
I am a collabaholic... if you ever want to collaborate on a
song! [ Reply to This ]
Superb! &mdash 01/14/05 - 03:12:38 PM
Thank you so much for your kind comments!
The middle section sort of built itself as I played around with layers of harmonies, and while I was afraid it didn't quite 'fit' with the rest of the song, it's different.
(And as Mac users, aren't we supposed to 'think different'? ;)
Thanks again for posting--all of these comments are greatly appreciated. [ Reply to This ]
in high boots and hoop earings &mdash 01/14/05 - 03:17:38 PM
how delightyful. it reminds me of a tune from a stage musical in the early 70's. i really like vibrato and diction. i can see you mouth moving in my mind's eye as i listen, with psychedelic colors shifting around during the chorus. i imagine you weraing high leather boots while singing and hoop earings? great sound on the guitar, very vintage. what did you use? [ Reply to This ]
in high boots and hoop earings &mdash 01/14/05 - 04:12:28 PM
What a great visual, there! All I need now is a lava lamp...
Everything but my voice is GarageBand loops, with some pencilling of the bass to compensate for changing the key.
It was one of those moments where I stumbled upon a sound (in this case the guitar loop) and thought....ooh, I need to put that into a song.
Groovy that you enjoyed it! [ Reply to This ]
madonna &mdash 01/14/05 - 04:42:55 PM
i think ur voice is slightly similar to madonna, but still
very unique - more character to it. interesting
melodies...perhaps a bit too up and downish, but original
and brave. i like the backing vocals. [ Reply to This ]
madonna &mdash 01/15/05 - 12:14:20 AM
Thank you for your comment! It made me chuckle a little because....yes,
crossing over to singing something like this is indeed 'brave' for me. :)
Thanks again for listening :) [ Reply to This ]
heart. &mdash 01/14/05 - 08:26:26 PM
first off your vocal talent is ridiculously apparent,
and i think that might be my one issue.. your vocals
are so perfect that for me it overpowers the song
itself. i just kept wishing their was a guitar
part coming up, maybe its because you sortve
weirdly reminded me of nancy wilson of heart and i
wanted to hear you wail a little bit. [ Reply to This ]
heart. &mdash 01/15/05 - 01:26:15 AM
Wailing in a good way, I hope! :)
Thank you so much for taking the time to listen and for leaving comments :) [ Reply to This ]
heart. &mdash 01/15/05 - 01:54:52 AM
definately in a good way. i just wanted to hear your vocal power matched
with something bigger behind it i think, just seemed like a boxing
champ fighting a guy half his size kinda thing. [ Reply to This ]
heart. &mdash 01/15/05 - 11:15:43 AM
ahhhh....
that makes sense. Is it that the voice is too 'in front' and needs to blend more
with the instrumentals in the mix or that they're just not 'matched'?
I wondered if my vocal style is just 'off' for this kind of song, too.
Anyone?...
Thanks for the feedback! :) [ Reply to This ]
I think your vocals work on this, actually &mdash 01/15/05 - 01:05:12 PM
I really like your vocals on this, even though they're
somewhat unexpected given the nature of the song. I
love the jingle-jangle guitary bits (excellent use of
that loop). Nice! I look forward to hearing more. [ Reply to This ]
I think your vocals work on this, actually &mdash 01/17/05 - 10:28:12 PM
yes...that jingle-jangly loop was the first to catch my attention. Glad you liked
it too! Thanks so much for commenting. [ Reply to This ]
nice work &mdash 01/15/05 - 01:22:59 PM
Your vocals are very clear, but perhaps a little up front in
the mix. Nice work making a totally new and interesting
song out of the loops. My one criticism of your song is
that the lyrics don't always scan very well; a problem made
even more apparent by the clarity of your voice. Overall
nice work, though. You'll sound even better when you get
that mic! [ Reply to This ]
nice work &mdash 01/17/05 - 10:42:54 PM
Thank you!
All of this discussion of mics makes me consider writing a new song when I
finally *get* that microphone: "Ode to a Mic." [ Reply to This ]
Really lovely voice &mdash 01/15/05 - 03:12:27 PM
I see from your bio page that you're a classically
trained singer, and it certainly shows. Terrific power
and control. The harmonies fit in very nicely too. And
good use of loops. Keep "thinking different", it
obviously works a treat. [ Reply to This ]
Really lovely voice &mdash 01/17/05 - 10:57:56 PM
Thank you for those comments, Rebsie!
I'll admit it, getting the harmonies to come together and fit was the most fun I
had in working with this piece. I think other harmonic ventures are definitely
in my future... [ Reply to This ]
Terrific &mdash 01/16/05 - 10:56:01 PM
When you do your chorus you really, really remind me of
Karen Carpenter of the Carpenters and what a special
singer she is.
I really love that harmony, it almost reminds me of
Paperback Writer by the Beatles at the end.
This song was very enjoyable to listen to.
Thanks Karen, oops I mean Mystified!
Bill
"thetiler" [ Reply to This ]
Terrific &mdash 01/17/05 - 11:18:44 PM
Thank you for taking the time to listen to my song and post your comments :)
I appreciate the feedback as I approach new and continue with current
creative projects. [ Reply to This ]
Beautiful Voice &mdash 01/17/05 - 05:19:39 PM
And the production of the harmonies is excellent. I am
wondering though how your voice would sound like
tackling something more emotionally involving, or
something more musically challenging like Prince or Kate
Bush.
Looking forward to hearing more. [ Reply to This ]
Beautiful Voice &mdash 01/17/05 - 11:48:24 PM
Thanks, Mungo!
I'll be trying out some different things here and there, for sure. I hope you'll
continue to give me comments when I do :) [ Reply to This ]
lovely &mdash 01/20/05 - 09:03:55 PM
Great start here! Your voice is like a fresh breeze - and for
a pinhole mic, it's a very clear recording. I would love to
hear you do more backing vocals.
As to the instrumentation, what it really needs is some
heavier guitarwork - and maybe some soft strings to
accentuate the lyrics. [ Reply to This ]
lovely &mdash 01/22/05 - 07:47:42 PM
Hahaha....
That pinhole mic....will soon be a thing of the past!
Thank you for your comments, and for listening! :) [ Reply to This ]
Excellent &mdash 01/26/05 - 09:51:13 PM
This is a great start in the rock genre. Still a bit formal and
measured in the delivery. Sing phrases instead of words.
Once you loosen up just a bit more, you'll have a fan club.
Great lyrics and instrumental backing. [ Reply to This ]
Excellent &mdash 01/27/05 - 07:39:41 PM
You can take the girl out of the opera, but can you take the opera out of the
girl...?
Ha! I hear you on the 'sing phrases not words' It seems to be a requirement
to close every consonant and pro-nounce every word distinctly in formal
singing.
I might just have to do another rock-based song to work on that, lol...
Thanks for your comments! :) [ Reply to This ]
Wow..great voice &mdash 01/26/05 - 09:51:41 PM
Nice arrangement. Very cool. Love those harmonies. A
good creative song with very good use of balanced tracks.
Parts of this are stunning.....me likes it Mikey. [ Reply to This ]
Wow..great voice &mdash 01/28/05 - 11:15:31 AM
Awww. thanks for your comments.
I must admit to being something of a 'harmony hound' (arrrrooo!)
That so many have received this song so well has come as a bit of a surprise since it seemed to just grow up out from the roots of the loops into what it was--and half the time I didn't know where it was going, or if it was 'working'. [ Reply to This ]
Love your voice &mdash 01/27/05 - 04:49:05 PM
It goes well with the song. What I really like is how it sounds a little grittier when you sing the phrase "Something Like That" in the chorus. That sounds very hot- sexy hot- not peaking the EQ hot- would like to hear that a little more throughout the tune! [ Reply to This ]
Love your voice &mdash 01/28/05 - 11:28:29 AM
Hmmm.... Yes. 'Gritty' was *definitely* never allowed in any of the choruses I ever sang in! I'll take another look at my vocal textures and delivery for future songs in similar genres.
Thank you so much for your input! [ Reply to This ]
crystal beauty &mdash 01/28/05 - 12:19:24 PM
Wow! This was beautiful in many ways. First, the melody
and backing were simple. Your voice was extraordinarily
clear and well articulated, and the counterpoint harmonies
were enjoyable and pretty. And I liked the ambiguous
lyrics too. Overall it was light and ticklish, if music can do
such a thing to one's brain! Interestingly, this style
sounds a lot like a little-known group that my boss just
recently introduced me to, and old 70s group called
Renaissance, who did this style of music, usually with
orchestral instrument backing, sort of like ELO or ELP.
Wow, I'm hooked. 7-8-8-8
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
crystal beauty &mdash 02/06/05 - 12:58:11 AM
Thank you for your comments!
It's funny..since people have commented on my enunciation, I've tried to sing
more 'lazy' but somehow...I keep closing all those consonants! Whether it's a
distraction or a curiosity, it does seem to make my singing style 'different' in
the genre.
ELO..one of my favorites. So many great layers and harmonies in their music.
Yet another influence, I'm sure.
Thanks again for taking the time to listen and post! :) [ Reply to This ]
great bridge &mdash 01/30/05 - 08:15:07 PM
That bridge is amazing. I wasn't crazy about the song in
the first verse, but then it really builds into a great song.
look forward to hearing you create more rock music
7 9 7 8 [ Reply to This ]
I just got it! &mdash 01/31/05 - 03:48:29 PM
Midnight Movies! You sound like the woman from Minight Movies. This song
shares a lot of the qualities of "Strange Design" and "Persimmon Tree".
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?
playlistId=17736246&selectedItemId=17736221
Personally, I think your voice and lyrics are better.
One suggestion I might make, and this
probably breaks every rule of classical singing, is maybe not enunciate your
words as much at the ends of your sentences. But at the same time, it gives a
very unique effect...i guess I would just be interested to hear what the song
would sound like with some softer enunciation [ Reply to This ]
I just got it! &mdash 02/06/05 - 01:05:15 AM
Thank you for your comments here, and that link to the other artist...a group
I'd never heard of.
I think I might go back and rerecord the vocals with the new mic, eventually,
just to see how it changes the 'color' of the song. A lot of good suggestions
and comments have been made on this piece, and have given me lots to think
about in future songs and productions.
Thanks again! :) [ Reply to This ]
Another great MJ voice! &mdash 02/04/05 - 05:28:26 PM
Can't miss your classical training. Impeccable diction and
a beautifully refined voice. I really enjoyed the
multitracked section.
Most people that use the pinhole mic, it's fine, but your
voice deserves better.
I agree with Mungo that a richer instrumental pallet would
make this song much more intrigueing.
Nice song tho, lots of potential. [ Reply to This ]
Another great MJ voice! &mdash 02/06/05 - 01:53:14 AM
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
Happily, the pinhole mic has been retired and replaced by a condenser.
At some point, I will probably rerecord the vocals...just to see how different it
all sounds! [ Reply to This ]
Uncle Smaug &mdash 04/09/05 - 11:03:39 PM
Uncle Smaug &mdash 04/12/05 - 04:29:18 PM
Ha! Maybe I will!
I must admit, this song exists because of loops...and I really liked the loops
and well...that's why I made the song.
(I'll stop going in circles now... ;)
Thanks for listening and for your comments! :) [ Reply to This ]
this is like early &mdash 05/02/05 - 08:35:42 PM
Kate Bush! Voice, lyrics,style everything on this piece reminds me of some of her early tracks. Congrats! [ Reply to This ]
Excellent piece &mdash 05/23/05 - 03:37:14 AM
This is just very nice work. Again I am amazed at your
vocal abilities albeit, quite different than other tunes of
yours that I've heard. I really liked the vocal arrangements,
very smart and as well, it sounds as if a great deal of
effort went into it. The lyrics really resonated w/ me,
because it described to a T, the last relationship that I was
in. I like the simplicity and lightness of the
accompaniment and that it was a departue from the
normal heavy stuff - Everything is what it was meant to
be. Good work and Congrats! Cydniko [ Reply to This ]
nice ROCK! &mdash 06/21/05 - 08:48:16 PM
Cool rock/pop track &mdash 07/08/05 - 11:38:04 AM
I really like this one Mysti...your vocals sound a bit harder
edged than normal on this track. Like the guitar parts too!
Cool!
Steve [ Reply to This ]
cool &mdash 11/05/05 - 12:12:42 AM
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singing here. I like this song a lot! The counterparts really
add a lot of interest and your use of loops was great.
Excellent work!
[ Reply to This ]