Johnbee58 Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 (edited) It's been a while since I wrote something in a 3 or 6 bar, but here finally is one. I tentatively called it "Court Jester's Waltz" thinking it would be like a "working title" till I found something better, but I decided to keep it and develop the concept of a guy being kicked around by a lover, bad friend or just a rotten person with the attitude like "OK, if it makes you feel good to make me feel like a clown I'll play along. What have I got to lose"? And the "waltz" bit? Well, I just get a kick out of a jester waltzing around by himself. Piano & drums by Toontrack. Bass by Trilian Bass Module. Soprano sax solo by Garritan Jazz & Big Band. String Ensemble by NI Session Strings Pro. Occasional laugh track by YouTube. https://johnbowen.bandcamp.com/track/court-jesters-waltz ?John B Edited March 12, 2019 by Johnbee58 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPAK Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 It's really sad .... but musically the song works for the whole concept. The mix felt right as well ( to me ) and I do like it, 'cause it's lyrically great ... just thought it had a sad vibe ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InstrEd Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 I like the arrangement and the lyrics too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daryl1968 Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 Great vocal on this one John - sounds like you are really in your element. Also the vocal treatment fits the song perfectly - love the dry, upfront verse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookiee Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 One of your better vocals John, though all your vocals are far better than mine mix comes across well here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnbee58 Posted March 16, 2019 Author Share Posted March 16, 2019 (edited) Thanks SPAK, InstrED, Daryl and Wookiee. It took a lot of effort to get those vocals as good as they are. Let's just say that Melodyne has earned it's place in my equipment cache. ? ?John B Edited March 16, 2019 by Johnbee58 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhonoBrainer Posted March 16, 2019 Share Posted March 16, 2019 Those are some chords. Very nice jazz structures. I liked the vocals, and especially in the chorus where it was effected. For some reason, when I listen your melody choices, I end up picturing your sung lines as if played by a really good trumpet player. I think as an instrumental, with soloing trumpet, it would be great as well. Then I realized your singing style invites this comparison, as you choose a lot of "falls" at the end of your lines. It's a very cool style, but my only qualm is that you might be using those falls just a bit too often in your vocals? That's such a personal thing, a style thing, but for a comment, maybe worth considering. Your melody lines work, and especially, kudos for fitting the melodies to those very solid jazz chords. Impressive. cheers, -Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnbee58 Posted March 16, 2019 Author Share Posted March 16, 2019 1 hour ago, emeraldsoul said: Those are some chords. Very nice jazz structures. I liked the vocals, and especially in the chorus where it was effected. For some reason, when I listen your melody choices, I end up picturing your sung lines as if played by a really good trumpet player. I think as an instrumental, with soloing trumpet, it would be great as well. Then I realized your singing style invites this comparison, as you choose a lot of "falls" at the end of your lines. It's a very cool style, but my only qualm is that you might be using those falls just a bit too often in your vocals? That's such a personal thing, a style thing, but for a comment, maybe worth considering. Your melody lines work, and especially, kudos for fitting the melodies to those very solid jazz chords. Impressive. cheers, -Tom Thanks Tom. I sang the song as I felt it. It's kinda like I created a character and was delivering a dramatic performance. The song is from the viewpoint of a person with a broken spirit and giving up on trying to look like anything other than an idiot that the person he's addressing seems to want to treat him as. That would, as I see it, be the cause of the vocal "falls". When a person is depressed and has given up his/her voice is subject to that kind of inflection. ?John B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABull Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 I particularly like the music and arrangement in this ambitious piece, John. Very creative. -- Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynn Wilson Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 John, you often take the road less traveled, and that's exactly why I like this tune. I like nearly always being surprised by you, and I share your taste in music. I've noticed that most people who've been coming to this site and the old one for any length of time just keep getting better. I look forward to your next song! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy j Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 I echo the comments above. This is indeed an interesting composition --- complex, interesting arrangement, good lyrics, and your vocal presentation complements all of this. Nice one!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnbee58 Posted March 21, 2019 Author Share Posted March 21, 2019 ABull, Lynn and Freddy-Thanks so much. I appreciate you taking the time to listen and comment. And thanks for liking the tune. ?JB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmd Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 Very cool song, arrangement and performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnbee58 Posted March 24, 2019 Author Share Posted March 24, 2019 On 3/21/2019 at 8:49 PM, mcmd said: Very cool song, arrangement and performance. Thank you, mcmd. ?JB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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