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Thanks for listening. This originally started out as a "dropped D" guitar/country song and ended up as a nonstandard driving piano song. http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=954381&content=musicEach Step I take By Michael Downing (c) 2008 by Michael Downing (v1) My ride is heading out of town I can hear that train moving, the rumbling sound Horn is blaring mercy, steel racing down those tracks If I'm gonna catch this train I had better run fast For far too long I've been working far from home In this dusty little town here on the edge of the unknown But its time to go back to where the old is new If I can only catch this ride, I'll be coming home soon (Chorus) Each step I take my faith grows and now I know It's time to run, not look back, I'm headed home Cool breeze is blowing on my face so full of hope Lord I believe you'll take me in on this journey of my soul (v2) I'll catch an empty boxcar at the bend in the tracks I can run these three blocks in nothing flat With a prayer in my heart and not a moment to spare Oh finally Lord I'm almost there (Chorus) Each step I take my faith grows and now I know It's time to run, not look back, I'm headed home Cool breeze is blowing on my face so full of hope Lord I believe you'll take me in on this journey of my soul (Bridge) Since I missed that train, well two weeks have come and gone But I still dream about home most every night And this dusty road it is so very long As my blistering feet will surely testify (Chorus) Each step I take my faith grows and now I know It's time to run, not look back, I'm headed home Cool breeze is blowing on my face so full of hope Lord I believe you'll take me in on this journey of my soul
Last edited by Michael Downing; 05/30/09 02:13 AM.
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I've heard at least two of your songs and find it amazing you are able to do these from your post there in Afghanistan. I can't sound this good in my house at midnight when the kids are in bed. You are very talented. I hope you get to reunite with your family soon. We appreciate your service and I personally appreciate your family's service as well. I can only imagine how difficult it must be..being a mom myself. Heck, I used to get downright nuts when my husband used to take a four week trip to Wyoming every summer.
I like this tune, but there's something missing in the words for me. Guess I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe because it doesn't seem to move (i.e. he's trying to get home, but not quite there). Seems like to make that work, you need to develop your images more. You have the train, the boxcar, and the road but aren't really using these images much. Maybe you could have him get on the train in the wrong direction, hop a boxcar back to where he started, and have him walking on the road back towards home.
Anyway, just some thoughts. Dismiss them if they don't resonate.
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Wendy, thanks for the input.
First, I'm only uploading these from my post here. My friends and I bought a satellite internet system so we could stay connected with our family and friends. I have a limited supply of songs that I recorded at my house just prior to leaving. Its these that I'm uploading. Shortly, I'll just be enjoying everyone else's music, while I wait to get home and start recording again.
This is one of those songs that I've struggled with on the lyrics and music. So, your feedback is valued. I agree that it still may not be where it needs to be.
Oh, and by the way, my wife is amazing and I do not know how she does it.
Thanks, Mike
Last edited by Michael Downing; 05/30/09 02:35 AM.
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Hi Michael: Really like this! Piano and vocal are excellent! My only quibble there is that I thought the vocal could come up some in the mix. I say that often enough though that I'm starting to believe that it's just a personal preference of mine. I love the rapid delivery of the lyric in the verses and then the slow up at the start of the chorus. The song has plenty of movement - kudos to you for pulling that off with a piano-vocal. Lyrically, I think its very well-crafted. I do agree with Wendy though that it could be made stronger. In my opinion, the verse starting with "I'll catch an empty boxcar" is the place to focus. I think of this verse as act 2 in a three act play - seems like the place to introduce a back-step, obstacle, or some other difficulty. You have a big talent and it's nice to have you posting songs here. I listened to the song you wrote for your family and was both moved and impressed. Best of luck over there and I hope you can come home soon! Scott
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Hi Mike
I like this one too -- what you do musically really Moves me -- I'm a Billy Joel fan and he comes to mind on this one. I can get on board with this as you have it, but I also think that Wendy gave you a good thought... Well my best to you and we're All now - here-- looking forward to what you do musically When you get back Home. : ) jm
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Thanks Scott. Seems to be the consensus that verse 2 needs more story. I'll work on this.
Mike
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Joice, thanks. I will be looking at verse 2.
Mike
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Mike,
Just listened to this twice. Twice because I really enjoyed it. I am more a musician/composer than a lyricst, so I'll keep most of my comments on the music side of it. Although, you can add me to the list of those thinking you might want to make v2 more transitional...introduce the obstacle of getting back home and then set it up for v3. Still, it's pretty darned good as is.
I was very stricken by the music. I really loved the way you alternated betweem the full arrangement and the solo piano as your background. That's a great way to bring focus to any part of the song. You did it very nicely.
You might think I'm a little crazy (you'll have to get in line) with this next comment, but it is the imnpression I was left with after listening twice. This sounds as though it could have been a great collab between Elton John and Harry Chapin. It just has that aura about it. The arrangement is very Chapin-like, with touches of Elton John; while the vocal delivery was all Elton John.
I really do like this one a lot. It's one of my favorite listens over the past few days.
Since you're an Appache pilot, I assume you are probably a W-2 or W-3. I retired as an E-7. But one of my very best friends in the Army was a W-2 from San German, Puerto Rico. I have the ultimate respect for chopper pilots. They saved my butt twice in Vietnam...once when they evacuated me after I'd been wounded and once when they picked me up under a lot of hostile fire. The LRRP patrol I was on got caught in a two-way ambush. You guys came in and pulled all of us out. One door gunner was wounded and two of my buddies on the ground were wounded. Everyone survived. I probably wouldn't be here to talk about it if wasn't for guys like you. I extend a personal and professional salute to each and every one of you. It's a very tough, dangerous job. Most folks have no idea how dangerous. We were taken out on UH-1B Hueys. Thet're pretty slow and clumsy, but they saved my butt and the butts of a lot of other guys. Thanks to all of you. Be safe.
Alan
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Al, thank you for the compliments. But, thank you more for your service and for sharing. I don't know fully what to say. I have the utmost respect for the guys on the ground who bear the true burden of this conflict. I am glad you made it out of there. Thanks again. Incidentally, I fly black hawks and am a W3.
Mike
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First, my best wishes and hopes for you over there. We appreciate what you are doing for us.
I like the music - it has a good groove to it. It drives nicely and fits with the lyrics. The vocals are effective with good phrasing. The balance of sound and the mixing is good. The synth sound is up front and clear, like I think you intended.
Tom
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The vocal matches the piano. The piano is good. The song is sung with feeling and sounds similar to a Keith Green song. Great job. The mix on the piano is good.
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Hiya Michael, Well, now you're three for three! Another rousing rendition reminiscent of all the artists already mentioned...Billy Joel, Elton John and yes, Harry Chapin. In every sense, you capture and convey all the drama of the singer's circumstancs. For me, it also works as your personal musical response to the Oleta Adams song "Get Here (If You Can)". Here's the video...I suspect it will resonate with you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBSodK6WO_ktiComparisons aside, you definitely have your own THANG goin' on. Lots of cool images....with these lines striking me as especially poignant: For far too long I've been working far from home In this dusty little town here on the edge of the unknown As some others have said, it's incredible you can do all this from where you're situated. But as much as I'm enjoying your music and getting to know a bit about your "story"....I'd surely trade those in to get you home for good, safe and sound. Until then, keep up the good work!! Beth
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Hi Michael, Wow! Another great tune you have hear.The piano is absolutely beautiful and the vocals are great as usual.I also wish you safety,and a speedy return to your loved ones. Very Sincerely, Michelle
*****You know I'm a dreamer,but my heart's of gold*****Motley Crue
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Hey Michael,
Great tune , and well expressed for a piano/vocal work tape.
It's all there. It can go a number of ways, so I guess it's now up to the arrangement. It's a dramatic song, but I'd also like to see it broken down ( which you do anyway ) with maybe an acoustic guitar, strings more so than now ? I have a feeling it should come out of the minor progressions near the end and into almost a perfect relative major harmonic. "Desperation" giving way to "hope" in an uplifting end. Kind of classic, but perhaps it would give the listener a positive finality, rather than expressing, musically "what if ", the way it does now. I think it needs conclusion, rather than suspension.
Anyways, it was an enjoyable listen.
cheers, niteshift
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Nice song! Really enjoyed this. I don't understand the significance of the line, "I can run these three blocks in nothing flat."
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Tom, thanks. That was my first time experimenting with string sounds on a track.
IJenNeh, Interesting comment about Keith Green. I listened to him a lot as a kid.
Beth, the phrase you quoted is probably my favorite line of the song. Elton John and Billy Joel are influences definitely. "Cats in the cradle" is the only Harry Chapin song that I am familar with, so I will be checking him out. I listened to the Oleta Adams link... some good lyrics in that song.
Mike
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Michelle, thank you. The piano worked out well.
Niteshift, when I get home I can experiment with some of your ideas. Interesting thought about the end. The song does leave you hanging in an unresolved way, but I kind of like that. But I will give it a try and see what happens.
Bob, verse 2 editing in progress.
Mike
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Hi Mike,
Great piano playing, that went very well with the lyric. Some good ideas for putting a little more life into it have already been given, but it was an enjoyable listen as is. Hopefully, you are still writing. I'm sure there are a lot of good stories over there to tell.
Ricki
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Wow! Great job. Have to say its my favorite from the last little whilethat Ive been back on here. Definitely something I would listen to.
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Hi Mike,
Well, we (norwegians) are with you over there in Afganistan, so you'll be safe :-) Hope the conflict ends soon, personally I like dialogue much better, but I support conflicts when there's no other way.
I really like this song. It somehow seems it could describe your situation while over there, too. For that reason it gets a very authentic expression, for me.
I like the rapid verse lines, and the slower but powerful chorus too. It seems to me you could clean the verses up a little, though, so the 'rapids' flow a little smoother at places. But that is a minor thing.
Lyrics, music and performance was really top notch!
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Ricki, thanks. Yes, lots of good stories over here.
Bater, thanks.
Songcabinet, thanks. I hope the conflict ends soon too! War is unsustainable and costly, both in lives and resources. But, we make the best of it and enjoy ourselves as best we can. It is a beautiful country too.
Mike
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This is one good song dude, the vocal delivery is stunning and no hessitation in the style, you just hammer it through, it suits your voice to a tee. Nice playing, well done.
Dude
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Hi Michael, Love the vocal phrasing. I really can't think of any nits with this song. I enjoyed it very much. I know that's not very constructive, haha. Brian
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Thanks for listening. This originally started out as a "dropped D" guitar/country song and ended up as a nonstandard driving piano song. http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=954381&content=musicEach Step I take By Michael Downing (c) 2008 by Michael Downing (v1) My ride is heading out of town I can hear that train moving, the rumbling sound Horn is blaring mercy, steel racing down those tracks If I'm gonna catch this train I had better run fast For far too long I've been working far from home In this dusty little town here on the edge of the unknown But its time to go back to where the old is new If I can only catch this ride, I'll be coming home soon (Chorus) Each step I take my faith grows and now I know It's time to run, not look back, I'm headed home Cool breeze is blowing on my face so full of hope Lord I believe you'll take me in on this journey.... of my soul (v2) I'll catch an empty boxcar at the bend in the tracks I can run these three blocks in nothing flat With a prayer in my heart and not a moment to spare Oh finally Lord I'm almost there (Chorus) Each step I take my faith grows and now I know It's time to run, not look back, I'm headed home Cool breeze is blowing on my face so full of hope Lord I believe you'll take me in on this journey of my soul (Bridge) Since I missed that train, well two weeks have come and gone But I still dream about home most every night And this dusty road it is so very long As my blistering feet will surely testify (Chorus) Each step I take my faith grows and now I know It's time to run, not look back, I'm headed home Cool breeze is blowing on my face so full of hope Lord I believe you'll take me in on this journey of my soul Your really good...great singing...you do it with passion...your post said you were struggling with the music and lyrics...this is just my opinion so if it works for ya great if not ...no big deal... I felt the chorus needed to be shorter and more snappy and the last line seprated out ... of my soul... Anyway maybe that makes sense to you...it is good but IMO this would make it better ...See inside the quote to see the hi-lighted area of suggs...Just drop those added words...they don't add anything and they are similar in length as the verses so this might help make it sound diff
Last edited by tbryson; 06/03/09 08:21 PM.
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Michael.....I have 3 things to say to you......
1. Every time I listen to anything that you have done...you just blow me away. You are so gifted and talented. Great piano playing and superb lyrics...I love your voice...It sort of reminds me of Leon Russell, with a hint of Elton. You are a fabulous addition to the JPF family.
2. My heart and thanks go out to you...{and to your family} for your service and your sacrifice. I know this has to be hard, being away from each other. My prayers will include you and your family.
3. Every time I listen to anything that you have done...you just blow me away!
Best wishes to you, Gail
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Brian, thanks.
tbryson, thanks for the input. Interesting idea with the lyrics... especially the separating out of "of my soul" line on the end of the chorus. I will experiment with that.
Gail, thanks for the compliments and the prayers.
Mike
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Micheal, 1st I must admit I cheated and I salute you for "Fly Low Fly Fast".
I'm not a music guy so I'll only comment on the lyric. Mostly I love it. The bridge however provides opportunity to dissapoint the listener which isn't necessary (I know it builds again).
If you used the boxcar verse for #2 and the idea of the far from home verse for a bridge the listener could remain in that moment of determination.
"I can run these three blocks in nothing flat" is perfectly understandable to me - pure determination.
Thanks for doing what you do (it's the right thing), John
Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword never had an editor.
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Hi Michael, Your vocals are fantastic once again. What virtual piano is that? If it's real, your pianist has extremely accurate time keeping, lol! You are one of only a few people here who actually use chordal inversions, as in, your piano part has the third in the bass, in the second chord of each line of the chorus. This is so much more refreshing than roots down there all the time. Pizzicato strings usually sound authentic or at least nice. You made some nice choices musically, once again. I love the Steve Earle in your vocal delivery. ..a little Mellencamp too. When the music grabs me, I see no reason to "analyze" a lyric, since I wouldn't do it "in real life", LOL...the lyric sounds fine to me. best wishes, Mike
Fate doesn't hang on a wrong or right choice Fortune depends on the tone of your voice
-The Divine Comedy (Neil Hannon) from the song "Songs of Love" from the album "Casanova" (1996)
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John, thanks for the Fly Low Fly Fast compliment.
On Each Step... I'm not 100% sure what you mean about the boxcar verse and the bridge idea. The determination (no matter how futile it may be) is the central element here. Thanks for listening and feel free to expound a little more for my simple mind!
Mike
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Michael,
I'm playing a yamaha S90 ES to a click track - no sequencing (as I don't have the skills). It is truly a great instrument, that coupled with a decent set of monitors/headphones, makes you feel like you are playing a real piano. It's grand piano is perfect (to my ears). By the end of the song I'm barely hanging in there with the descending chromatic base line.
Its good to hear all the lyrical viewpoints here, as I too, am a music guy. For me, the raw emotional quality of a song takes precedence over the lyric. But, not everyone listens that way. So its good to get advice from the 'word' people. This forum is like a massive virtual classroom!
Thanks for listening,
Mike
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"If one man can do it, any man can do it. It is true. But the real question is, if one man did it, are you willing to do what it takes to do it as well?" –Brian Austin Whitney
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