Hi, all:

Some weeks back Dave Rice and I got to thinking it might be worth working on a second tune together . . . and this is the one we chose, a song Dave had written and recorded some years ago. I really liked Dave's original version . . . so I wanted to try taking this cover in a little different direction. For better or worse, that road led us to this version of the song. We hope you enjoy the listen (and I hope I did Dave's lovely song some degree of justice). Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Here's the song:

JUST A DREAM

Here are the lyrics:

I close my eyes, then they appear,
and I still feel it can’t be true . . .
those peaceful times I hold so dear
return again . . . and I’m with you . . .
I’m with you.

Then night descends and it begins;
the visions fade and I’m afraid
you won’t return, I’ll never learn . . .
It’s just a dream… I’ll never learn….
It’s just a dream.

To my surprise the dreams return.
It’s so surreal; I’m still with you.
Your visions rise and teardrops burn.
The way I feel . . . it can’t be true . . .
It can’t be true.

Then night descends and it begins;
it starts to fade and I’m afraid
you won’t return, I’ll never learn . . .
It’s just a dream… I’ll never learn….
It’s just a dream.

Words and Music by Dave Rice
Vocals and Arrangement by DJ Lekich

Hi Deej and Dave,

The lyrics, music and production are fantastic. And your voice Deej is spot on and blends so well with the guitar.

I am listening on my studio monitors and the sound is wonderful. I have got my work cut out for me to get as good as you guys!

I love this line:

Your visions rise and teardrops burn.

Keep at it!

Jane

Hi Dave and Deej,

Beautiful lyric and excellent arrangement and vocals.

I love the sense of space in this and the deliberate feel the tempo gives it--it fits with the lyric.

Deej, I love the unusual echoed, filtered vocal in the right channel late. Very creative..

I enjoyed this very much!


Mike

Hi Deej and Dave,

Absolutely stunning in every direction....

Dave, no matter how good the original, you must be overjoyed with this.

God Bless to all

Roy

Morning, Deej:

I can't thank you enough for turning an ordinary "country" song into what I consider to be pretty darn close to a "masterpiece!" You worked so long and diligently whipping this thing into shape... and I appreciate it so much. I've listened multiple times and notice the subtle nuances you added that make it so special.

As I told you on the "first take" you shared with me... this thing has that quality when your vocal bears down on the words... then that guitar work grabs the listener's ears... and the song just soars.

I'm astounded and so appreciative of what you did with my song.

Regards and Bravo... ----Dave

Well done as usual Deej.
Great sounding song guys...lyrically and musical arrangement .

Regards
Mimmo

Thanks for giving "Just a Dream" a spin, Jane:

Always enjoy your comments and positive vibe. It looks like our long, hot and dry extended summer down here is coming to an end. We even have the possibility of some badly needed rain. Thanks for sending that cold front our way.

All the best, ----Dave

Really like this one, guys. Is that you playing that lead guitar, Deej?


Regards,

Bob

Thanks for taking time to listen, Mike:

Enjoyed your comments very much. Your opinion means a great deal to me.

All the best, ----Dave

Hey Dave/Deej,

What a great vibe and sound--loved it! Reminded me of perhaps how John Lennon would have produced this song. I would like to hear your lead vox up 3 db or the rhythm bed down 3 db. Don't remember the original, but from what Dave said, sounds like you gave the song some new clothes! Great job guys!

steady-eddie

Hi Roy:

"Overjoyed" is an under-statement, my old friend. Deej took this thing into uncharted territory. I hope all is well with you over there. Thanks for listening and commenting.

Regards, ----Dave

Hi Mimmo, Bob and Eddie:

Time is tight so I must lump the three of you together in one "Thank's for Listening and Commenting Post." I don't want to appear to be "touting" this song. I'd prefer for it to "stand on it's own two legs" without any assistance from me. Hopefully, Deej will respond to some of the comments as well. He is a pleasure to work with and his "cover" of "Just a Dream" was a really nice production.

I know he spends time at other music oriented websites and has shared his version with several JPF members who we don't get to see or hear often enough. Deej says the comments he's received are really encouraging.

Thanks for understanding. I have another "song-in-the-oven" and must get back to work.

All my best to all of you... and thanks again.

----Dave

Good stuff.
I especially liked the vocals and the guitar solos - no-one does them anymore!
Production is also good - song just washes over your ears

Paul

Jane, Mike, Roy, Mimmo, Bob, Eddie and Paul:

Thanks for stopping in and taking the time to listen and comment. One always worries when covering someone else's tune--that you fall short of doing the original justice. Dave is such a great guy, and terrific to work with . . . and so it made it that more important for me to do something good with it. I'm happy it seems to have come off well. Again, thanks for the kind words and support.

Bob: I can only wish that was me playing the lead guitar. Sadly, that's far beyond my skills. It's BIAB. I find the solos in the software to be hit and miss for the most part (at least for my skill level). But every once in a will it just clicks, as I think it did here. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect solo. It was just the sound I was looking for.

Eddie (and all): You are right on the lead vocal. I've posted a remix that ups the lead vocal. And, based on some additional feedback, I've also upped the volume a bit on drums and added some delay to the guitar solo. Mostly minor adjustments, but hopefully for the better.

Thanks one and all for giving this a spin.

Regards,

Deej

Loved this. It somehow manages to be huge and intimate at the same time. Great song. Great arrangement. Listening again and enjoying it even more.

Wow! That's a BIAB solo? Amazing.

Always good DJ.

Martin

Thanks, Martin:

I enjoyed DJ's "take" on that song I recorded a few years back. Appreciate you taking time to listen, especially knowing you are handling a medical problem, doing your best to provide aid and comfort to your wife after yet another surgery. She's been added to my prayer list, my friend.

All the best, ----Dave

"you won’t return, I’ll never learn" . . .

That is one ice cold line...........

Gavin:

Didn't mean to leave you hanging. As you know, my friend... your opinion means a great deal to me (and Deej, as well)... and your comment about the production being "huge and intimate" at the same time... is really meaningful to both of us. Thanks for that observation. I think it is "spot on."

Today, to prove to myself that a song can be done in several genres... if all the parts fit, I began working on a version so far removed from my normal attempts... so far, I've been happy with what I am hearing after I listen to each "take." If I ever get it finished, I'll share it with you for your advice and opinion. I won't be able to post it on the board because all the sites where I used to post are either no longer in existence or do not meet my personal needs for sharing my work.

Thanks for taking time to listen and comment. It matters, my friend. ----Dave

Thanks Dave

Hi Deej & Dave,

I like the dramatic presentation. And I like how the lyric circles the moments when he is falling asleep and then his emotions as he experiences the dreams again, then hoping to be able to fall back to that “place/person” again.

Repeating “I’ll never learn” keeps it going and sadly reveals his state of mind....life as it is now.

I enjoyed the guitar, solo, and vocals.....all deliver that dramatic flair! Well done!

Kristi

Hi Kristi:

Lazy me... I was hoping Deej would send you a "Thank You Card" for your kind words... but I know he's probably got "irons in three or four fires" these days... so you are stuck with me! LOL! I really enjoyed your meaningful comments and perspective on the way he arranged and performed the song. He bowled me over with that guitar outro... among other things, like his always spectacular vocals!

Thanks ever so much for taking time to listen and share your thoughts.

All the best, ----Dave

Thanks, Gavin, Martin, Steve and Kristi for the listen and kind comments. They are all so much appreciated.

Deej

Morning, PaulCanuck:

I didn't mean to ignore your kind words. Deej is understandably busy these days and I took a brief "sabbatical" to do some re-recording of some of my earlier "songs" before they crash and burn. LOL!

Welcome to our shrinking community. Maybe now that Brian appears to be in control of his condition after recent surgery, we will begin to recover, too! One thing is for sure, JPF is a great place to learn, tell tall tales and just get to hear people's creations in musical form.

All my best to you... and thanks for listening.

----Dave

Has a sort of country/Floyd feel to it. Nice job, enjoyed it!

Thanks, J:

Deej did a great job. Much better than the original in my opinion.
Appreciate the listen and comments.

----Dave

Deej and Dave I enjoyed this immensely.

For me it has a Space Oddity, Major Tom type vibe.

The performances and the production is over the top, impressive.
LOved the solo guitar sprinkled though out.

Excellent collab

JAPOV and Nelson,

Thanks so much for the listen and comments. So very much appreciated!

My regards to you both,

Deej

Nelson:

I'm so sorry I missed your post, listen and comment. I had not thought of Space Odessy or Major Tom but you have good ears. This song Deej covered in his own style, had slipped so far down the page I stopped following.
Thanks for taking time to listen and share your thoughts.

----Dave

Two great guys, two great talents and one heck of a good song
All the best folks
John