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Okay...

After way too much time (like every other song I do) I finally have "Leaves" ready for you all to shred apart. Gawd, I'm mean to me! (lol) http://www.supload.com/listen?s=bxeIcy

Brief history: I wrote this song in 1979 and it was the first song I officially had copyrighted (actually registered with the U.S. Library of Congress). I was in 9th grade and had been playing piano for 2 years. Needless to say, "Leaves" has had a facelift since then. Regardless, the piano is nearly exactly as I had played it all those years ago. This particular orchestrated version is an improvement of the version I did on my Ensoniq VFX-SD in 1989. There is a copy of the original hand written (on staff music paper) song with lyrics and four part harmony that was done for use in a choir hanging on a wall in my studio. Late in 1979 when my mom was having copies made of the score there was a lady who worked at the store who also sang on the Seattle Symphony Orchestra Choir. She asked my mom what that music was and when she found out that is was written for four-part harmony she offered to take it to the orchestra and have them do a "quick recording" of it. I still possess that old cassette tape and at some point I will archive it on the Oasys hard drive just for fun. Oh, I need to explain that this was an assignment that was given to me by my 9th grade choir teacher because I wasn't able to participate in some of the class assignments at the end of that year. So in order to get a passing grade I had to write a song for the class to perform. I barely even read music then.... just like now! Hah. And credit goes to my mom for (who could read music back then) for getting the song to paper for me.

Anyone wanna venture a quess as to where that piano came from? If you need to ask then you need a slapping! (hehe) The thunder and wind came from my Ensoniq TS-12 (samples, duh!) and thd the bamboo wind chimes were a free sample I got off the internet. Male Vocals: Mr. "O" coughed those beauties out! The girls were done on the M3. The big drums, again the "O." The flute was done on the M3 and the sax was done on a Yamaha VL70M. I just picked up a VL1 V2 in positively mint condition and...oh WOW! The sax on that thing about made me pee myself! LOL. I wanted to go back and redo the sax but I simply do not have the time. If I don't move on I will never get "You Can Dream" the CD finished. Last note...some of the strings that stand out were played from a PC3.

Hope you all enjoy the tune. It will be on my CD.


Cheers.
UCanDream

p.s. As an insignificant side note, (and I didn't really appreciate this when I was 14 years old) the lyrics (and hence, the song title) are a comparison to our brief life here on earth to that of the life cycle of the "Leaves" on a tree. The question at the end of the song that is raised is, why must we wither and die?...as if our lives were not of more value than a mere plant. Interesting take on life that my sister (who wrote the lyrics) had back then. My mom also helped with the lyrics. Even though I am not providing a vocal version of the song I thought I had better give credit where it is due. Okay, that's all.

Beautiful work. Excellence is its own reward.

Hi David,

I am listening to your "new" track while I am writing this.

Enjoyed reading the story behind your composition. I like to know the motivation and learn more about the process and development. Thanks for giving me insight.

Agree to what jgsidak already posted - beautiful work !!!

Your song makes me understand much better what Charlie is recommending me, constantly. Love the feeling of the track, the melody but would like to hear it either with a better or a real acoustic Piano. My only real point of criticism is the sound you are using around 3mins (2'75''). To me it is destroying the feeling and mood your track has. And it definitely has both. I am listening to it now the fourth time in a row... no I am not so d**n slow in writing, but my two boys are asking for some attention, as they are making their calculation exercises. ... I understand the intention of the "solo line" but as mentioned, the sound is not the one I would like to hear. Again, great piece of music, but would like to hear it if you had access to the equipment and sounds Hans Zimmer has.

Peter

Hi Greg and Peter.

First, thank you both for your feedback. I very much appreciate any insight and critique I can get my hands on. Your kind remarks are appreciated as well. I have found myself relying rather heavily on the input of other musicians right here in KF (perhaps because I don't know many in person). Often times, that input doesn't readily avail itself here-- and I'm not really sure why. Maybe people are too busy, maybe they don't like what they here, maybe it's something else (but I'm guilty, too). But when I hear some comment about a 'weak spot' in a song I'm about to release I eat it up like a hungry little animal!! LOL... I am quite serious. Several members have made suggestions to me (either vague or specific) and I have always tried their suggestion(s). I know that music is custom and personal and an interpretation of some thing by its writer but I personally want to know if my music is "reaching" my listener. In my opinion, it needs to do so without saying, "Hey, I'm kind of a cool song but with a really bad flute part." Heh! In other words, I don't want some undesireable component wrecking a song. So even though the writer really is the guy/gal making the compositional decisions, it's my thinking that if he/she wants others to hear/appreciate the music then the opinion and input of others IS important. At least BEFORE a thousand CD's are pressed. I guess that is my way of expressing specific appreciation for your "take" on my music.

Peter, specifically, were you referring to the flute (M3, by the way)? I know you know the difference between a flute and a sax....I just wanted to be sure I knew what you were talking about. Since I just picked up a VL1 this might be a great opportunity for me to fix this before I move on to the next song. I have a BC3 so it is within the realm of possibility that I could replace the M3 flute (assuming that was your point of contention-- no, I know you are not being contentious! lol) with something far superior sounding. Actually, now that I think about it...I will have to go listen to some of Zimmer's stuff. Although, it was my original intention that "Leaves" would be primarily an orchestrated piece. As for the piano, I used the best of what I think the Oasys has to offer. Unfortunately, I don't own an acoustic. Many times I wish I did...this song is a good example of one of thise times.

I had a funny thought. When I was fourteen years old it never occured to me that as the year 2011 approached I would still be working on this blasted song! It's no wonder that my CD isn't out yet! Heh.

I can say this of each of you: You guys are both incredibly gifted composers. Your music is provocative and immersive and man, I wish I have that kind of talent!

Last thought: Spontaneity is getting the best of me at this moment so I'm gonna post the very first song I wrote on the Oasys. I didn't even really know my way around the sequencer too well yet...it's amazing that I was able to get it to a .WAV file. Anyway, the song is called "Facets" (yeah, I know it's been used before...) and it's a tune I threw together just to test out the sequencer on the "O" back in early 2007. Believe it or not this goofy little tune (in its refined and finished condition) is going to be on my CD.

Thanks again guys.


Sincere regards.
David aka UCanDream

Hi David,

UCanDream wrote:So even though the writer really is the guy/gal making the compositional decisions, it's my thinking that if he/she wants others to hear/appreciate the music then the opinion and input of others IS important.

Exactly.

Even if it is sometimes the opposite of what I want to hear

But seriously, it is this kind of feedback that brings me the most. On the other it does not necessarily mean that I do what others suggest. But like you David, I am listening, carefully, as I have asked for feedback, suggestions, ideas and criticism.

I meant the "saxophon" or whatever it is. Do not get me wrong I love the VL1 and I am looking for one as this is what I miss. A dedicated solo synth with different models and the ability to combine parts... but I am getting off topic.

It is important to me that the main point for me is that you have composed - and I mean compose - a very nice piece of music. I like its melody but would prefer a real Piano. Furthermore somehow I am getting the feeling that there they are a lot of instruments quantized, something I do not like.

It took me a moment to understand what Fletcher @ gearslutz meant with "there is no space for emotions within a grid" .... I am probably not precise in quoting him and I hope he regrets an Austrian in quoting him wrong - but this is my interpretation of what he meant and I completely agree. Therefore I very rarely use the quantise function. But ok, that's my way of seeing things and therefore in a way personal. Furthermore it is for sure not right for all musical styles but I guess in your case it would work fine. ... sorry David and thanks for reminding me, I am getting off topic again.

Concerning Hans Zimmer, I loved his score for "Batman - The dark Knight" but meant his recent score to "Inception" in which he used sounds of his orchestral library. Ok, it is Hans Zimmer and he is not by accident meanwhile Hollywood's most succesful composer... he is extremely skilled in sound programming and orchestration - which is very rare in my opinion. I would like to hear "Leaves" with the sounds he has access to.

The flute to me sounds a bit like it is played by a Piano Player. Do not get me wrong, I am not capable of playing it at all... guess why I love to use bells ... seriously, I meant the Saxophon which in my opinion does not fit. But again this is personal taste and there are probably a lot of others who do not agree at all.

.. I am sorry... interruptus ... to be continued.

Peter

UCanDream wrote: On another note, I will work on "Leaves" and see what I can come up with. Your suggestions are gold nuggets to me! Thank you, Peter. This is really valuable stuff. I agreed with your "flute" idea but found myself resisting the idea that the Sax does not belong in there. Though, from an orchestral point of view you may have a strong point and a good sense of "right." I'm going to explore this. (This belongs in my other thread but I will leave it here without repeating it over there.)

I brought it home

David,

that is exactly what I meant with suggestions. My "problem" with it has more to do with the sound itself, not the idea of using a Saxophone as solo instrument.

Neither it is the VL1. I am not sure if I posted that already or was interrupted... I am looking for a VL1 in mint condition as well. BTW - does anyone know whether the Synsax Sound in Program Bank A, somewhere between #20 and #30 comes from a VL? The sound I am talking about can be heard between 50'' and 1'25'': http://blog.petermmahr.com/2008/02/24/selve-amiche/ ... do not get me wrong, this one is not the one I would like to hear in "Leaves" it was just out of curiousity as you mentioned the VL.

If you would live somewhere around the corner I would have recommended you one or two Sax players as they seem to come back from where they were hiding the last years.

Hope to hear some more tracks of you soon,

Cheers
Peter

It seems every post that UCanDream aka David makes, is always starting long-winded about something like "...I was just 3 months old, made this song from 1912 pre world war....blah blah blah"

But then you get to click on a link and then you get to hear the songs that David has made and then you get to the notion that this "blabber mouth" (kindly meant - not in a cruel way:) ) has some great talent and the melodies are so nicely supported by all the other underlying bass and chord structures are really pleasing on the ears.

Its as if Davids melodies and notes are as good as Peter's way of making interesting sounds out of MOD-7.

Very good stuff David, keep it up

PS - Good thing theres no lyrics to your songs, because you'd be singing forever and each song would be a few light-years long

Thank you Hedegaard, in the case you meant me. But with the exception of two or three sounds - which I probably did not use in tracks posted here - I used mostly factory or KARO MOD-7 sounds. But beside that I agree with you - I like David's music.

Peter

i almost skipped over this. That would have been a grave mistake! Great great work. Probably the best piece of music i have heard produced on the Oasys by a clear mile.

Very well done !

Great piece, David! Thoroughly enjoyed listening to it and thought the overall shape and sound use was spot on

Good job - and great advert for the O!

Did you use a Kronos for anything?