My first song, and probably the last

[GregB]

A song that bookends my 20-year journey in songwriting

 

"Fields and Sunny Skies" was my first-ever song back in 2001 at age 50.  A simple acoustic version was the first track on the ensuing studio-recorded album "Not All It Seems" (2002).   I revisited that album for a more polished home-produced REDUX version which was released at the start of 2021.  It was my 4th album and no doubt my last.  

Feeling my creative urges drying up, and before turning 70 at the end of 2021, I decided to finally PAY professionals to record ONE of my songs to see what could be achieved by people more expert than me.  I'd have liked to do more, but I simply can't afford it. Rather than struggle deciding which of my 50+ songs was 'the best', a simple and logical solution was to get them to cover my very first song ... their recording would thus close the whole musical journey.   The couple own their own commercial studio: Jennifer is a vocalist/producer, Paul is a multi-instrumentalist, arranger and audio  engineer. 

 

Saying that I was hugely pleased with the result is an understatement!

 

 

I re-edited the existing video to accommodate the new audio track:

 

 

All the very best with your own journeys!  

 

Greg (Australia)

 

[MikeRobinson]

"Masterfully mastered."  (Can you post a link to the original?)

 

However, Greg, please do not call this a "bookend" in the sense that – at the mere age of 70 – you are anywhere near finished! 😃

 

After all, one of my memorable quotes from my late great-grandmother, who one day "just didn't wake up that morning" at the age of 97-or-so, is this:  "Oh, to be 70 again!"  Given that she was up on her roof fixing a shingle at the frisky old age of 94 or was it 95, much to the consternation of my grandfather who had gone to "check on her," I think she meant it.

 

(I hope that I have inherited some of her genes ...)

Edited November 29, 2021 by MikeRobinson

[GregB]

On 11/29/2021 at 10:29 AM, MikeRobinson said:

Hi Mike

 

" ... – at the mere age of 70 – you are anywhere near finished! 😃 "

 

 Appreciate the comments, but it is what it is.  No doubt, "70" is just a number, but if there's no music bubbling up...?  I'm happy to forego the constant grind of keeping hardware/software up to date and running smoothly, and there are many other creative challenges to be explored. I'll always play guitar and piano.

 

Re: the original track from 2002.  My co-writer Mike sang most of it while I chipped in with the bridge and harmonies. As studio newbies, we never got comfortable playing to a click track, so this was a one-take guitar recording (sitting opposite each other so I could read his body language).  Each of us overdubbed our vocal separately.  I still like the purity/charm of the 2 guitars+2 voices which the engineer captured well. 

The YouTube clip was from before I got consumed by video editing, and was just a vehicle for the music:

 

Edited December 29, 2021 by GregB
put my comments inside the quote

[haim shim]

Such a full sound. I really like the gentleness and fullness of the guitar, the shaker, the preciseness of the vocals, the strings.. Everything has it's place, great mix and recordings. I like the transition with adding the drums in the bridge.. and that strings down spiral, the trumpet... The song is relaxing and it's very nice to hear what you call your only song.. Thanks for sharing, -Haim.

[Mora Amaro La Loba]

Hola @GregB

 

I enjoyed ths song a lot! So moving! Love the general sound, the mix is wonderful.  I think the voices are in place, very sharp but they are velvet
Stay well

Mora

[Pantonal]

Hi Greg,

 

This song is simply delightful and to think that was your first effort! Where are the rest? The remake really brings out the emotional impact of your song. The original has a quaint quality, but it doesn't hit "between the eyes." As a young pup who'll be 68 in May I appreciate that my creative juices haven't dried up in fact I'm writing more now than ever. That may be because I've been taking a producing course (Producer Accelerator) or it may be that the craziness of our current world gives me lots to talk about. I wish you well with your future endeavors but would like to encourage you to keep writing.

 

Steve Chandler

[Stuart Scholes]

Wow, really great. I like the remake, but I really like the original too. They both have completely different feels, so I couldn't choose between them. The original is gentle, and slightly melancholy, and with a folky quality which lends itself to the song IMO. The arrangement on the the remake really accentuates the feel of the lyrics. Please don't stop writing though.

 

So good. Thank you for sharing.

[MikeRobinson]

I agree – both are very enjoyable and in a different way.  I sincerely hope that this isn't your one-and-only song!

[Mora Amaro La Loba]

Hola @GregB

 

It's a great song, it's the first one I listen to in the morning and it has left a beautiful feeling in my heart.

You say that maybe it will be the last... I don't know what to tell you, I would try to continue with your own means, a microphone, a guitar or keyboard, a sound card, a computer, a sound editor? And if your means are not enough, you could write songs for others, it is a job that can be successful....

I repeat that it is a great song and an excellent production.

Hoping to listen to your next one...

 

Staywell

 

Mora

[Stuart Scholes]

Get yourself an old boss br800 or something. You'll still have load of functionality without the constant software messing around. Maybe something like this:

 

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/boss-br-800-digital-recorder

 

Just a thought, might be easier for the music-making process.

[Armano Mariano]

Enjoyed that quite a bit!

[GregB]

13 hours ago, Mora Amaro La Loba said:

try to continue with your own means, a microphone, a guitar or keyboard, a sound card, a computer, a sound editor?

 

Hi Mora. 

 

I deliberately titled my post to be both truthful yet intriguing.     

 

I'll get back on the songwriting horse if inspiration ever fires up again, but it has been dormant for almost two years now.  I'm neither frustrated or unhappy with this as I have four albums to look back on.  Pottering about on Songstuff is enjoyable for the moment.

 

As you are that rarity of songwriter, producer, audio engineer and video whiz, you might care to dip into 'The Flat White Album' (2020) where I too tried to be a jack of all trades.  No Grammy contender, the project was hugely challenging but very satisfying!   https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvCWgm9uEHNvpDJAnGUDPxH7bDl1FVn9g 

 

Salud,

Greg
(Australia)

 

Edited February 22, 2022 by GregB
Re-word

[GregB]

12 hours ago, Stuart Scholes said:

old boss br800 or something. You'll still have load of functionality without the constant software messing around

 

Thanks for the encouragement man, but my race feels done (for now).

 

I'm happiest with an acoustic guitar or upright piano ... immediate music with no carbon footprint, e.g. the video I uploaded a few days ago ... the kitchen even provides natural reverb!  

Cheers,

Greg

 

[Everett colbert]

Beautiful track!

[GregB]

On 2/21/2022 at 10:39 PM, Stuart Scholes said:

Get yourself an old boss br800 or something

 

I've got an old Boss ... my wife!