MichaelJohn

o my gosh when the sax comes in! great vibe and mix- make more, will breeze along

I wrote this piano/guitar instrumental in 2009, one of my favorites works. Made with Sonar 8 and Sampletank 2.5. I still have the Dell GX620 Win XP but I haven't used it in many years. It was time to remake it so I tried to install Sampletank 2.5 on my current PC but it wouldn't run. So I decided to see if Sonar 8 and Sampletank were still installed on my old XP? Wasn't sure. Both still there! Sonar 8 was still working great on my old Dell but then on a reboot I got beep code 1-3-2.- memory fail. I only had a 504mb memory card available, installed it, and Win XP booted right up! Would Sonar and Sampletank even run on 504mb ram? They did! Very smoothly! I was able to finish this remake with 504mb ram on XP, in Sonar 8! It didn't even glitch. Until I started deleting tracks I didn't need- then it started glitching. But I had the work done. And here it is. This piece has two finger acoustics, two electrics, and piano, strings, bass, drums and of course, clarinet. All Sampletank 2. 5 in Sonar 8. This is a soundtrack type instrumental meant to evoke the dream she has... NEW MIX 11.19:

I listened to the whole track too. Something new every 8 bars and unexpected chord changes. I have the Arturia mini moog but it can't do this. Make more, will listen!

Much better to my ears! Now, it rocks! This is classic guitar rock genre and guitar rock needs rock drumming. That's all that was missing to me. The bass is great. Sorry I got nit-picky but you write great guitar rock. Your style is close to Stevie Ray Vaughn. Listen to any song by him and drums are always strong.

I think it's better! It might be my speakers but the bass is still the loudest part in the song- I would bring the drums up a small touch, and lower the bass, to make drums and bass equal. The drum kick is really nice with the bass. The panned guitars are on fire! Super nice whatever you did.

I like it! Kinda Beatle-ish to me. Middle 60's vibe. This tempo and song style is very shag dance style friendly. If you up the tempo I think the song would still work, and then it would start sounding bubblegumish I think. The wide spaced background vocals really sound amazing!

Sounds really good to me. Can't hear the drums, are there drums? I like the minor mode and those chords in the pre-chorus. Nice work

very nice, enjoyed it! great work on the vocal parts! Like the organ!

Nice track! Sounds futuristic in a way. Especially like the synth work and mix. Checking out your youtube next

Fat bass! Funk will never fade away and this is an example of why it should stay. Studio quality mix and everything else. Sounds like 4/4 to me.

You guys were right. I've remixed the song with the vocals more up front. And a few other improvements. Video in OP looks the same but has been replaced.

What you got here is that good dance vibe that fills the dance floor. Also has that Keith Urban feel good type vibe. The wide panned guitars, I think two, are perfectly mixed to my ears. Make more! Will listen!

I watched both. I liked both. I like watching video clips to music. With random clips you can make up your own story with the music. Your music is unique and creates laid back moods. That organ or keys lead part in Hey Dawg is captivating.

Ah yes a little doodle to test the amp sim. If I could play doodle guitar like that, well, I would. Smooth skillful playing and the tone is sweet. Does have a Santanish vibe. I don't think Santana ever uses a blues pattern. But Santanish over 12 bar blues sound very good!

yes! Uplifting instrumental, I could listen to more like this. Everyone at pro level here. The arrangement progresses steady and smooth, just right, up to that nice key change. Guitar, bass, and drums masters at work! What's great about the video is using several cameras to stay on the music focus.

I like the vibe and uptempo and energy of this piece- especially the extended soloing in the middle section. I hear a cool synth solo in there. The mud seems to sound like too much reverb on the instruments but if there is no reverb on those, and only the vocal, maybe there are too many instruments which are clashing. I hear something, a synth maybe, that is playing long whole notes. That can be completely removed. However, this sounds like a live recording made on a phone in the audience, even if you didn't intend it that way. The musicianship is great, and I've always said I'd rather hear good musicians on cheap instruments and so-so mix, over amateurish musicians on expensive instruments and pro mix anytime.

Your music is perfect for the video clips- hadn't seen those before! Space ambient synth work is superb, ready for PBS broadcast! Nice!

"SECRET PLACES" Children will find secret places to hide out, because they need refuge and to feel free from the outside world. But there are also 'secret places' we keep in our heart... I began working on this piece in 2009 when Barry sent me lyrics about his beloved cat that had passed away, and asked me to compose the music. We completed a song called "Nine Times". I then wanted to make a new song in a more general theme and asked Lisa if she would sing. I sent her a melody made with a flute sound. She returned the vocal you hear here. I've made dozens of revisions and remakes since 2009 but was never quite satisfied. I was attempting a complex arrangement and production. I decided to try again last week, and it finally came together after 6 more remakes. I believe I've worked on this piece of music more than any other I've made. I believe all the instruments are from one my workstations, the Roland or Yamaha, not sure which. Made in Cakewalk at that time. This was made in Cakewalk by Bandlab. Hope you enjoy. NEW MIX 11.7.22:

I enjoyed this, has a great classic rock sound. Guitar playing is pro level. Dig the backing vocals which take a lot of extra work, nice. Wish more people would post the lyrics, but it's not critical to do so.

Slick instrumental guitar rock piece! I like the inventive melodic passages on two guitars. The tones are freaking great.

Second listen but I did listen yesterday which was Sunday afternoon, and forgot to comment. Are you playing a real sax? My gosh it sounds so nice. When the sax solo comes in it's like butter on bread. Such a relaxed vibe that sounds calming, and nice jazz harmonies. great guitar too. Check out my new song/video later today called "Secret Places"

Wow the mood this creates is like an uplifting and mysterious journey! I especially like the chord progression. The effects and melodic bits are very nice! Watch for my new song/video later today- "Secret Places"

I get a sense of peace, but also a spooky mood as if something could be out there. Major mode harmony tries to break through the darkness but the minor mode comes back, sometime both at the same time. Great title! Coming up with good titles is not easy, and this is one of the best. Very well done! That pianobook has amazing sounds. Did you make this for H day? Will be posting my new song/video today

Well I'm a music lover of Scottish and Irish music and anyone dong Irish covers I want to hear it! Covers on guitar are rare so this is a real treat. Takes top skill to play these melodic tunes. Melody is the main driver no matter the instrument. The second tune is particularly busy and must be a challenge to anyone, whatever the instrument. There are probably 100's if not 1000's of obscure pup tunes that deserve to be played. Thx for adding the history notes.

Nice synth work like Blade Runner, but this is smoother. That bass captured my ears and wouldn't let go. Roland makes great plugins and if you said this was hardware I would believe it. Will be posting my new song/video today!