Song (for America)

[This Is A Turing Test]

I kind of hesitate to post this, because the thing isn't actually completely finished yet, but...
This has nothing to do with any of Mr King's works, but I read recently some opinions of his that I happen to agree with very strongly, namely on the cretin we've elected President. So I thought it wouldn't be too out of line to post a song I'm in the process of developing that is at least far enough along to share. It's called "Presque Vu," the title derived from (per Wikipedia) "French, meaning 'almost seen'... the intense feeling of being on the very brink of a powerful epiphany, insight, or revelation, without actually achieving the revelation. The feeling is often therefore associated with a frustrating, tantalizing sense of incompleteness or near-completeness"- which is a good description of the way I feel about this man as President- we were so close, then we did this to ourselves.
Anyway, it's a collaboration I started on the Kompoz website; my title/concept, guitar composition, and mix, with vocals, vocal melody, and lyrics by "Wire-and-Wood." As I said, not finished- I'll update (if anyone's interested) as I add parts. Hopefully I can get some keyboards in there, and I have a lead guitar line for it I'm working on (though I'm not much of a lead guitarist). So...enjoy, and any feedback would be welcome. (And, of course, feel free to browse around that site- lots of good stuff there)

 

[Moderator]

Welcome to the Board!

Although Steve is very vocal on his Twitter account about politics, we decided to do away with those sorts of discussions here on the Board--mostly due to moderator burnout. I've allowed the link to your song but will ask that any future remarks be kept more generic about your songwriting process itself rather than the politics behind it.

 

[This Is A Turing Test]

Ok, that's fair. Thanks.

 

[GNTLGNT]

 

[This Is A Turing Test]

Not to run this into the ground, but in before the weekend...I've uploaded a new version with an added bass line that, IMO, really gives the tune a little extra kick; I also adjusted the vocals level (had it buried under some reverb mud before), and mixed in a great lead guitar bit from a guitarist in Portugal.* Here, if anyone's interested. There's a piano bit to be added, hopefully within the next few days- then the thing will be done, and I'll update for a final time then.

*The great thing about being a musician in the 21st century is the way you can so easily hook up with other ones from all over the world. To form the Beatles, it was necessary for John to physically meet Paul and George (sorry, Ringo fans- that could've been just about anyone); Pink Floyd would never have happened without Roger literally bumping into Syd, Dave, Rick, and Nick. These days, you can write and record a song without ever coming face to face with your co-writers or performers. The vocals are from a guy in Portland, OR; the bassist is in Houston, TX; keyboards are coming from somewhere in Virginia; and, as noted, the lead guitarist lives in Lisbon, Portugal. This song will never be anyone's "Hey Jude" or "Comfortably Numb," but it's decent enough, I think.

And thanks for listening.

 

[This Is A Turing Test]

Ok, last one, I promise- this is the song on my SoundCloud page (a little less cluttered, I think; also, if possible, it should be heard through headphones for the best sound). Over the weekend, a keyboard player in Virginia contributed a piano part which, for me, changed the whole complexion of the song. I had been using my guitar as the main instrument carrying the progression, but, with Labodaz's performance, I decided to move the guitars (except for the lead) to the background- in fact, I cut them out entirely from the first 35 seconds. Except for some mixing and mastering, which I won't bore anyone with, this is the final version.

So, anyway...for anyone interested, that's the evolution of the song. It's a six-minute piece; the challenge in producing a song that long is keeping the listener's interest through to the end- which I imagine is a little like writing a 600-page book which the reader will want to see all the way through. It goes without saying that Mr King can do that, and longer (there, that's my shameless buttkiss for the day), where someone like Clive Cussler (ugh) can't do it for half the length.

Thanks again for listening.

 

[mal]

Can I listen if I'm Canadian?

 

[This Is A Turing Test]

Can I listen if I'm Canadian?

Oh, absolutely, eh? (jk) From everything I know about Canadians, I'm one, at least in spirit- and I live in Mississippi.

 

[Neesy]

Oh, absolutely, eh? (jk) From everything I know about Canadians, I'm one, at least in spirit- and I live in Mississippi.

 

[This Is A Turing Test]

Ok, I know I promised that the last one was gonna be the last one, but, this one really, really will be, promise. For realz. Anyway...this is pretty much going to be the final version, I think. Another Kompoz artist, "pseudoambient," mastered the thing, which really helped bring out the best in the song (especially the bass line, which I had kind of buried in my mix). Also, the pianist for the song, "Labodaz," came up with a great intro for it, which I think really adds to the feel and the meaning.
Thanks for bearing with me, and I promise, last one.