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Hi All well I'm QUITE out of practice at recording and mixing -- so forgive me for the mix etc. I've been working my cover set and trying to hone the performance aspect a bit -- that focus has definitely taken me away from doing this stuff -- but I'm trying to do some work -- just takes so long : ) As always this is open for feedback -- on any aspect however -- I'm a singer songwriter so will work this for live performance - playing and singing at the same time --- here I TRIED to do the separate tracks needed to edit -- but I feel it loses something when I split those apart to record. Anyway your thoughts are most welcome for arrangement etc, Thanks in advance if you listen ! http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=542528&songID=11881482I Will Always Be Your Friend Joice Marie © 2012
There are so many things I'd like to say to you My friend All the roles I would play for you, but in the end
chorus There's no way to stand in your shoes There's no way to know how to be you All that I can do , to be there for you is say I'll always be your friend
There are so many changes I could make for you my friend Doesn't matter to me where I lay each night, or where I land
chorus There's no way to stand in my shoes There's no way to know how not to be blue All that I can do , is be there for you and say I'll always be your friend
Bridge I'll go on and try to do what's right Leave the door open let in some light
chorus There's no way to stand in your shoes All that I can do , is be there for you and say I'll always be your friend All that I can do , is be there for you and say I'll always be your friend
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I can tell you've been playing live -- your playing and singing is very good and confident. I am always nervous about slower songs live, though. It is always a good chance to lose your audience's attention. As long as it is a mixed in with faster, more lively ones, then it might be just fine. At 4 minutes, it might be a trifle long for a slow one. Maybe after verse two, just sing the hook and go into the bridge and then final chorus?
Give it a thought. In any case, good singing and playing.
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i'm really likin' this!Nice song Joice! Mike
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Has a nice vibe to it Joice.
Love the title and the sentiment of the lyric. I can imagine you'll be singing it a lot, getting it ready to perform live so more and more story ideas will reveal themselves to you, as you work on it.
As it is though, it has a great Joan Baez feel to it. No doubt, the audience will be glued to the stage.
Good Luck with it.
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[color:#33FF33]This is a beautiful song and a [color:#006600]LOVELY performance[/color]. Very emotional. Calvin[/color] http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart
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I can tell you've been playing live -- your playing and singing is very good and confident. I am always nervous about slower songs live, though. It is always a good chance to lose your audience's attention. As long as it is a mixed in with faster, more lively ones, then it might be just fine. At 4 minutes, it might be a trifle long for a slow one. Maybe after verse two, just sing the hook and go into the bridge and then final chorus?
Give it a thought. In any case, good singing and playing. Hi Kevin ! Thanks for the listen and nice comments. I certainly will take your arrangement proposal -- it's a good option. I agree -- I don't want to bore them before it is done ; ) Originally I was playing slower -- so I've actually cut the time down == ha ha It's hard -- to try to keep quality up while picking - slower is better -- then the song gets long. This may work as an end of night piece as is ??? maybe --- trying to fill a 3 hour gig as a solo act --- is Not easy --- so longer songs are somewhat attractive : ) to the PLAYER !! Thanks for good feedback ! jm
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i'm really likin' this!Nice song Joice! Mike Thank YOU and a Big bunch for listening Mike jm
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Has a nice vibe to it Joice.
Love the title and the sentiment of the lyric. I can imagine you'll be singing it a lot, getting it ready to perform live so more and more story ideas will reveal themselves to you, as you work on it.
As it is though, it has a great Joan Baez feel to it. No doubt, the audience will be glued to the stage.
Good Luck with it. Hi Nelson Thanks for your kind comments -- I don't think that I have EVER been compared to Joan - so that's an honor. As for the 'story' the hope is to not be too specific in hopes that a listener can stand in those shoes -- it remains to be seen though -- I'll try to keep my eye on the audience. Doing covers then once in a while an original seems to allow an artist to see when people are listening ; ) jm
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Good Morning Calvin ! THANK YOU for the kind words jm
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Very nice job on this. Interesting chord structure and melody. Heartfelt lyrics too.
I don't think this is too slow or mellow for a live performance in a listening room environment (maybe in a sports bar!). Good performance.
Colin
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JOICE --
I'M THINKING JUST LIKE COLIN--
I THINK THE BRIDGE COULD ADD A LITTLE TWIST I'M THINKIN': CAPS AN OPTION SIMILAR TO THIS--
Bridge IF I COULD RE-LIVE ALL THOSE NIGHTS NEXT TIME AROUND I'D DO IT RIGHT
NICE WORK!
Mackie
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... --- trying to fill a 3 hour gig as a solo act --- is Not easy --- so longer songs are somewhat attractive : ) to the PLAYER !!... That sounds hard. I am a three song (maybe up to a half an hour) type of guy! With that long of a set, variety has to be the main goal. Have fun -- you are doing great.
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Nice lyric, Joice - yes that is what true friends do. Love the chord change going into the chorus... I think it would work just fine in a live performance - maybe sandwiched between two songs that are a little more uptempo. Scott
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Joice,
I LOVED THAT and I am so happy to see you here and to hear you again!!
This song would appeal to anyone and you are singing it with such a beautiful tone...I really like this.
If you come down this-a-way, please let me know, I would love to meet you someday!!! (I would even try Tilton/Concord area..like an in-between destination...LOL!!)
Keep me in mind please and don't go away for so long.
Tammy
Tammy
Last edited by TamsNumber4; 09/11/12 10:13 PM.
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Loved the vocal. The emotional pitch was just perfect for the song and your voice is really lovely. I personally saw no problem at all with the pace of the song, especially given the fact that it is designed for a live performance. It has a very universal message that people should respond to instantly and your lyric keeps the message fresh. I love the way you changed the second line of the chorus to "there's no way to know how not to be blue." That line really stayed with me for it's simple wisdom. Very nice. If you ever put this performance on YouTube I would love to watch you sing it.
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Very nice job on this. Interesting chord structure and melody. Heartfelt lyrics too.
I don't think this is too slow or mellow for a live performance in a listening room environment (maybe in a sports bar!). Good performance.
Colin Hi Colin Thank You ! -- well I appreciate your feedback - I think you are right about the sports bar.... It is necessary - imho - to have some alternate material for different venues --- which means the set list needs to be bigger than one might estimate --- because I do not have long guitar breaks 30 songs are not enough to fill a gig --- this was the original number that was suggested to me --- but I've tested it -- and it wasn't quite there --- I'm not a Big talker between songs ha ha.... jm
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JOICE --
I'M THINKING JUST LIKE COLIN--
I THINK THE BRIDGE COULD ADD A LITTLE TWIST I'M THINKIN': CAPS AN OPTION SIMILAR TO THIS--
Bridge IF I COULD RE-LIVE ALL THOSE NIGHTS NEXT TIME AROUND I'D DO IT RIGHT
NICE WORK!
Mackie Hi Mackie Thanks for your thoughts and offering. I appreciate the listen jm
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... --- trying to fill a 3 hour gig as a solo act --- is Not easy --- so longer songs are somewhat attractive : ) to the PLAYER !!... That sounds hard. I am a three song (maybe up to a half an hour) type of guy! With that long of a set, variety has to be the main goal. Have fun -- you are doing great. Thanks Kevin ! -- I appreciate the return visit and thoughts -- YES -- it's Much harder than it looks - I am NOWHERE NEAR my hopes of level --- and I have been working hard --- but frankly -- I still need to step it up and am willing. : ) jm
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Nice lyric, Joice - yes that is what true friends do. Love the chord change going into the chorus... I think it would work just fine in a live performance - maybe sandwiched between two songs that are a little more uptempo. Scott Hi Scott Nice to see you ! -- I'll be paying a visit to your work -- I know I have missed a Lot. Thank you for the thoughts -- yes sandwiching is a good way to think about it. Glad you noticed the chord change -- you are one who I admire for your changes too. Not a natural thing for me -- but this time it's where the melody wanted to go ; ) I followed my gut . jm
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Joice,
I LOVED THAT and I am so happy to see you here and to hear you again!!
This song would appeal to anyone and you are singing it with such a beautiful tone...I really like this.
If you come down this-a-way, please let me know, I would love to meet you someday!!! (I would even try Tilton/Concord area..like an in-between destination...LOL!!)
Keep me in mind please and don't go away for so long.
Tammy
Tammy Ahh Tammy -- thank you thank you -- you are very kind >>No Doubt ~I will try very hard to locate you when I go your way --- Still love Bruce Marshall and I don't get to hear him --- so I will sometime -- my current travel radius is about 20 miles LOL -- unless it's Far away for a long vacation... but it will happen ; ) Keep working on your music ! You are worth it jm
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Loved the vocal. The emotional pitch was just perfect for the song and your voice is really lovely. I personally saw no problem at all with the pace of the song, especially given the fact that it is designed for a live performance. It has a very universal message that people should respond to instantly and your lyric keeps the message fresh. I love the way you changed the second line of the chorus to "there's no way to know how not to be blue." That line really stayed with me for it's simple wisdom. Very nice. If you ever put this performance on YouTube I would love to watch you sing it. Hi Bobby Your comments are Quite flattering ! THANK YOU ! yes - if I do a You Tube of it I'll send a link --- There're are a couple of covers I've been wanting to do -- but time is commanded by gotta dos - life ! I really appreciate the support. ! jm
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Your voice and the performance here are maybe the best I've ever heard from you Joice. You're really improving.
Song wise, what I'm hearing is an AABA:
A) There are so many things I'd like to say to you My friend A) All the roles I would play for you, but in the end B) There's no way to stand in your shoes, There's no way to know how to be you A) All that I can do , to be there for you, is say I'll always be your friend
I'm not sure you're hearing this?
What I'd suggest is trying to tweak the last A section, melodically, to sound a bit more like the 1st two A sections. I'm pretty sure your tune will be more memorable if you do this. And I wouldn't artificially divide your stanza into verse and chorus. Personally, I just wouldn't label the stanzas at all.
Also, in this context, the bridge doesn't work so well because it's pretty much a variation on the B section. I'd really suggest trying to get a bridge that stands more on it's own.
I'm not really critiquing much. It's a really nice performance.
Peace,
Ian
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Your voice and the performance here are maybe the best I've ever heard from you Joice. You're really improving.
Song wise, what I'm hearing is an AABA:
A) There are so many things I'd like to say to you My friend A) All the roles I would play for you, but in the end B) There's no way to stand in your shoes, There's no way to know how to be you A) All that I can do , to be there for you, is say I'll always be your friend
I'm not sure you're hearing this?
What I'd suggest is trying to tweak the last A section, melodically, to sound a bit more like the 1st two A sections. I'm pretty sure your tune will be more memorable if you do this. And I wouldn't artificially divide your stanza into verse and chorus. Personally, I just wouldn't label the stanzas at all.
Also, in this context, the bridge doesn't work so well because it's pretty much a variation on the B section. I'd really suggest trying to get a bridge that stands more on it's own.
I'm not really critiquing much. It's a really nice performance.
Peace,
Ian
Hi Ian Thank you for the listen and Kind thoughtful feedback... I was not thinking of it as AABA -- but I will give that idea some more thought. On the bridge -- I like my content -- but my take on what you are saying is in regard to the musical aspect -- and again -- in relation to the aaba -- I see your point : ) It's far from feeling like I know it well enough to go to a studio session with it --- so I will play around -- thank you again jm
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Pretty song Joice. Good coffee house type song where people are there to listen to music and not sit around talking so they can appreciate the lyric and music.
Stevie
I'm the only person here who is not unique.
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Thank you for the listen and Kind thoughtful feedback... I was not thinking of it as AABA -- but I will give that idea some more thought.
Hi Joice, The melody to the last 'a' section is different, but your similar chord change is, I think, what made me think of it as a 3rd 'a' section. I listened again, and this time I was thinking you might strengthen the 'b' section by phrasing the 'no way' and 'stand' bits as the focal bits rather than 'there's', which is a pretty weak word. Anyway, I've sent you an mp3 of what I'm hearing. Feel free (IE gratis) to use my idea if you like it. No credit necessary. Peace, Ian
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Hi Friend Pretty song, little adjustments could help it's overall effectiveness. One thing is don't re-intro for the second verse on this one jump right in sooner... One of the chorus lines was close to the verse which sometimes works when intentional or arranged a certain way. In this case it sounded like you were going back to a verse.... Also overall play around with some rhythm in the vocal. Pretty changes as well, great vibe. When you play live you should consider busting out a 12 string acoustic on something like this..Slow tempo songs fill out nicely with something like that. All the best Mike
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Thank you for the listen and Kind thoughtful feedback... I was not thinking of it as AABA -- but I will give that idea some more thought.
Hi Joice, The melody to the last 'a' section is different, but your similar chord change is, I think, what made me think of it as a 3rd 'a' section. I listened again, and this time I was thinking you might strengthen the 'b' section by phrasing the 'no way' and 'stand' bits as the focal bits rather than 'there's', which is a pretty weak word. Anyway, I've sent you an mp3 of what I'm hearing. Feel free (IE gratis) to use my idea if you like it. No credit necessary. Peace, Ian Hi Ian Thanks again for the explanation and demo -- I will play and consider - much appreciated thoughts. jm
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Hi Friend Pretty song, little adjustments could help it's overall effectiveness. One thing is don't re-intro for the second verse on this one jump right in sooner... One of the chorus lines was close to the verse which sometimes works when intentional or arranged a certain way. In this case it sounded like you were going back to a verse.... Also overall play around with some rhythm in the vocal. Pretty changes as well, great vibe. When you play live you should consider busting out a 12 string acoustic on something like this..Slow tempo songs fill out nicely with something like that. All the best Mike Hi Friend ! And thank you for your thoughts ! -- I was considering dropping that chord run -- to be honest --when performing, all my songs go by fast ( maybe I speed up live ) --- so the set list is not long enough-- then I think well I could add more breaks and intros,,,, so this layout came from that thinking HOWEVER -- it practice -- it's a slow song and pace --- so cutting it back is probably the right way to go. As for the 12 string ---- ha ha --- Great idea ! -- I had loaned mine away -- and it just was returned -- I will give that a chance to develop Thank you very much Mike Cheers jm
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