Thanks to all who took the time to comment - much appreciated.
There is a great deal of emotion and strength in this song @montydog . I can feel your sadness at this loss while at the same time I'm feeling some of the positive feelings that linger on from your time together.
Really powerful production.
@Unclenny Thank you for the kind words. This song came from a deep emotional place.
Well everything been said that I would say about this song, so I'll just say that I really like this new sound Alan, even though I love what you normally do it's good to break away sometimes and this sentimental song somehow suits the upbeat vibe Good luck with your new album. I'll check it out
@crystalsuzy Thank you. It's good to try a new approach which I think worked here.
I was surprised by the song, the intro
and then your voice has put everything in her place.
Good song, as always, good mix and new style. I love the arrangement and how you have handled the melodies with your voice.
Once again I am your fan fan fan.
The casual contrast of the instrumental base with the depth of your voice and the story give it a very particular style that accentuates the depth of the lyrics.
Very good idea of the sax, I love it @montydog
Stay safe
Mora
@moraamarolaloba Kind words - thanks and for taking the trouble to listen.
Beautifully written lyrics Alan. There's is much to reflect on here: the passing of youth, a feeling that perhaps our best days are behind us and the awareness that the end of our lives is imminent. I live the verse that centres upon 'the ancient words I wrote for you'.
Musically, this one is wearing a very different suit of clothes to your usual style. The saxophone at the nd is delightful. Lovely clearly vocals and full production but for me, the highlight is the considered lyrics, poignant to any sentient being who reflects upon lifes rich and sometimes rock your road.
Paul
@Wicked Deeds Many thanks, Paul. Your insight is spot on as usual.
Beautiful lyrics and a lovely tribute to your friend. It's more upbeat from a musical perspective than I expected but I think that works really well. As always, that lovely rich vocal.. beautiful delivery.. great sax vocals and I love they organ under it - works really well!
Great stuff altogether...
Good luck with the album @montydog !! I'll go check it out!
K
@MonnoDB Thanks for the great comments - it means a lot coming from you.
A heartfelt and sincere tribute so not something that should be analysed like a normal song. I'm very impressed that you don't stand still, and this is unexpectedly dancy and really works well with your vocal.
@adamfarr Just wanted to try something different which is always a challenge. Thanks for commenting.
@montydog
I too can hear a bit of Roy Orbison about this. A great vocal throughout. I Drove All Night springs to mind, though obviously a totally different song. A very full production which really does the song justice. I like the sax and I'm always a sucker for Hammond organ sounds. Nothing I can criticise here. This is great.
@ChrisPrice Thank you - I'll take the Roy Orbision comparison with no hesitation. Pleased that you liked the song and the performance.
@montydog
Hi Alan, good luck with the album. Vocal apart, his is such a different sound to what I expected. The contrast between the lyric and the upbeat arrangement is striking. Your smooth vocal holds it together. Some nice sounds and the sax solo was really good.
Nice one!
Cheers
Jamie
@Jamie Thank you. Your approval is good to have especially when I'm out on a limb with this one.
Love the contrast of quite a timeless and slightly melancholy melody that would sound equally well placed over a slow acoustic strumming track, but put against this more upbeat and lively backing. I like the sax solo too - didn’t see that bit coming and it fits really well. I also hear a touch of Roy Orbison in the vocals
@The Holographic Rodeo Thank you. I do like a sax solo every now and then.
A universally identifiable theme. Great lyrics. Great vocals. Couldn't help thinking about Marty Robbins when I heard our vocals. This was (in my opinion) a really high level accomplishment.
@hardtwistmusic Hi, good to hear from you again and so pleased you liked the track.
Hi Alan
Great track - a bit different from you but your smooth vocals and poignant lyrics sell it well.
The contrast between upbeat music and sad lyrics works in this one.
Just a tad long for me but you knew I was going to say that..
Good work - and best of luck with the new album
Paul
@Paulski Too long??!! Twas over in a thrice!
@montydog
Alan, good luck with the record.
And you're right, its a bit different with the synths and the reverbed vocals, but you soon get past them and concentrate on the lyrics and vocals. and then it transitions intro the chorus with the organ.
So when you come back to verse 2 you're treading familiar territory and then you get the fab solo.
It ends up sounding like a updated classic
Thanks for sharing
:-)
neil
@Neil C Updated classic eh? Definitely take that as a compliment. Thanks for listening.
Hi Alan, congrats on getting the album out. The artwork is a good sell for it, for a start.
I read this before listening and thought the lyrics very touching. You’ve used that bitter/sweet contrast to describe life, as I’ve just done independently in my latest song on here. So on the basis of great minds thinking alike, I’ve got to admire these sensitive yet somehow heartwarming lyrics very much.
The backing track was more upbeat than I was expecting, but I realised it was more about a celebration of life, not just bitterness of the loss. So it was easy to go along with that mellifluous pathway.
The vocal was very soothing and reassuring really, making the listener feel some comfort in the face of the harshness of loss. A very touching recollection of your friend and the life you had together, with a melody that made me, as a listener, sail effortlessly away into private contemplation.
Great opener for the album. I hope it does well for you.
@MichaelA Many thanks for the detailed, thoughtful review.
Vocals sounding a little like Roy Orbison crossed with Chris Isaak!
Lovely tribute to your friend, sadly many of us are at the stage of life when we are looking back at those we lost.
Both the arrangement and the lyrics are nicely uncluttered and I like the change-up in the chorus: brings an emotional directness that really hits home.
Nice work and best of luck with the album,
Kevin
@kevysc Many thanks for the kind words. Chris Isaak? He's a great singer and I don't think I'm anywhere near but I'll take it anyway!