Tag Archives: Song

Updated Song – I’m Still Here

About three weeks ago I posted a new video. I hated my voice on it, so I decided to do an all instrumental version. Well, I’ve been thinking about it and decided to rerecord the vocals. The results are more in tune (good!), but I am not sure if my voice is better…. Of course, being in tune helps a lot ;)

Before we go on, here is the new version:

(Click here if you don’t see the video below)

Lyrics are on video and also original post. Tech details on original post except the added organ is the Rev 2.

OK, a little info about the changes.

I practiced it a little, which I didn’t do before. Part of it is memorizing the words. I still held the lyrics in my hand (you can hear them rustling in a few places…), but I didn’t have to concentrate on the words as much. I also practiced hitting the right notes. Sounds obvious, but if it is brand new, you are reading the words, etc., well… I played around with interpretation, but when I recorded I found that if I didn’t put 100% into singing in tune, I was just as bad as the original version.

I also added a vocal harmony line on the chorus. It isn’t perfect, but I like it :)

I also added an organ part to the chorus the second and third time through, and another organ part just the third time – that makes the chorus grow each time. To me it makes the entire song less static.

One problem is that I didn’t spend a lot of time on the levels and mix, so there are a few mix issues with that fuller third chorus :( (Technical part – to avoid bad distortion, compressor and limiter change volume, which causes “pumping” in the volume.) But I noticed after I posted the video, so… There are a few places where the vocal was over-recorded, so a little distortion there. Overall, though, I think it is much better. (Singing in tune helps 😉 )

Anyway, I do hope this is better than the original vocal version and even better than the instrumental version.

New Song – I’m Still Here

I mentioned in my coffee share that I wrote and recorded a new song last week. So, here it is!

Well, in just a minute. First, I did a vocal version and hate my voice so I did an instrumental version as well. I left the lyrics up in the instrumental version, so you can see what should have been said. So I will post both before going and farther:

Version with my voice (note – this is a newer version, slightly better, but…):

(Click here if you don’t see the video below)

And here is the Instrumental Version:

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Covering The Sparks – Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth (Video)

In early December I watched a documentary on the band The Sparks. Don’t know them? They have been around for about 50 years and have helped change music several times. The band is really two brothers, Ron and Russell Mael. They have a distinctive look (Paul McCartney did an impression of Ron on his Coming Up video. Russell sported a new hair cut in the late 70s that was copied by everyone, from Duran Duran to Depeche Mode) and a distinct sound (usually odd!). All of their songs have a twist or a joke to them. I would say that they are much easier to enjoy if you get the joke…

I have always known about the band but rarely heard them. In fact, I think I heard their Propaganda album twice when I was a teen and based most of my knowledge of the band on that, even though they are the truest musical chameleons of all time.

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Briseis: That was Yesterday – Video

Achellis-n-Briseis

Last year I posted a song, “Briseis: That was yesterday”, which is based loosely on The Iliad.  I had at one time written a poem/song cycle based on Homer’s great work but seen from the eyes of Achilleus, or, using the better known Roman version, Achilles.  The song cycle would have been called, and may still  be if I finish it, “Songs of Achilleus”*. Continue reading

Bresis – That Was Yesterday (Repost)

Achellis-n-BriseisSeveral years back, during the darkest hours of the US’s involvement in two wars, I revisited an ancient war. I reread The Iliad. I don’t know if it was because of the political atmosphere or a more mature outlook, but my interpretation of the poem was completely different from any I had had or seen before.

I can’t go into all of the details, but I bring up a few points about my different interpretation of this old classic. Continue reading

Briseis (That Was Yesterday)

Achellis-n-BriseisSeveral years back, during the darkest hours of the US’s involvement in two wars, I revisited an ancient war. I reread The Iliad. I don’t know if it was because of the political atmosphere or a more mature outlook, but my interpretation of the poem was completely different from any I had had or seen before. Continue reading

A Cup of You – Blues

A Cup of You

It’s been a while
Since I’ve seen your face
You’ve disappeared
Without a trace
Has somebody come
To take my place?
I just hope
That aint the case

I need a cup of you darling
I need you real bad
I need a cup of you baby
You’re making me sad
I wish I knew
All the things you do
All I know is….
I need a cup of you

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