Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#296092 05/20/15 02:52 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,987
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,987
Well, I am back! I have been working a crazy schedule the past few months (pretty much 7 days a week), as well as dealing with some health issues. So I haven't had much energy to devote to a lot of writing/producing.

I had a day off this week, and I was thinking about the value of a handful of very close friends I have been blessed to have in my life, and those thoughts turned into this song. In addition to the RealTracks and Realdrums, I added some orchestration (strings, brass, and oboe) and organ. I hope you enjoy it!

Friend Of Mine

Here are the RealTracks/RealDrums used...

RealTracks in song: 2478:Bass, Acoustic, Held Ev 110
RealTracks in song: 1601:Mandolin, Rhythm Pop16Melodic Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 1677:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking CountryBrent Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 1277:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopUpliftA-B Ev16 120
RealTracks in song: 2508:String Quartet, Rhythm PopEvenHall Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 2040:Guitar, Resonator, Soloist CountryRob Ev 120
RealDrums in Song: NashvilleBrushesCountryPopEv16: a: Sidestick, Brushes b: Brushes

*******************

Friend Of Mine
Copyright Stephen W. Young

Hello friend of mine
I have some things I'd like to say
I hope you don't mind
I just want to take the time
To say how much you mean to me
But words are hard to find

You've always been right there for me
Faithful as a friend can be

Hello friend of mine
You always have the words to say
To keep me in line
You know when to laugh and cry
You help me to find the reason why
At the right time

You've always been right there for me
Faithful as a friend can be

So when the winds of life blow strong against your face
And the sounds of trouble rage against your mind
I will pray God gives you overwhelming grace
And when you look for me I won't be hard to find

Hello friend of mine
I have some things I'd like to say
I hope you don't mind


Steve Young
Music
"In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of." - Robert Schumann
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,315
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,315
Always pleased to see you come around again, Steve...
Especially because it means we are in store for a treat..another beautiful song.

Lovely vocals, as always. Terrific arrangement, as always.
You always open my eyes to new instrument choices...the NashvilleBrushesCountryPopEv16 drum kit, for instance - nice. The resonator is used inventively. Your oboe always works so beautifully - the way the cello RT does... we could use an oboe RT like that!!

Your strings are always top shelf.

I listened 4 times while I typed this. A delight!

floyd

User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,620
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,620
Hi Steve,

The first word that sprang to mind when I started listening was "Beautiful". Then came, "Steve's orchestrations are incredible. It's so good to have him post a new song."

Right at this moment, I'm sitting here thinking, "What do I say to describe just how magnificent the arrangement and the sound of 'Friend of Mine' were to my ears?" Words that are coming to my mind don't seem to adequately describe the aural richness that enveloped me during your song's journey. Your sense of melody, your sense of arrangement and your sense of orchestration are those of a master craftsman. I absolutely enjoyed sitting back and letting your song carry me along.

The lyrics are sensational. You have used the sonic relationship between vowels and diphthongs incredibly well. I've never seen such handling of this before and I'm coming back to this post to modify it after I've thought my way through how best to explain what I mean.

Back soon!
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2024
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 971
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 971
Beautiful song, touching lyrics, lovely production. Your vocals are just right, they sit perfectly within the music and are very smooth and genuine. Your RT selections are spot-on for the song.

Everything fits together perfectly.

Well done.

User Showcase
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,267
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,267
Steve, This is how it's done. The real tracks, your spot on vocals and your playing of the strings make for a seamless production. Beautifully written, recorded, arranged and performed. It doesn't get any better than this. Spectacular! Tom

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,571
C
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
C
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,571
I always look forward to seeing one of your posts and it's never disappointing.

You are such an excellent vocalist, writer, arranger and producer. Your songs are always consistently good and a benchmark for others like me here on the forum to strive to achieve the quality of your work.

Love the song and glad you are feeling better.


Charlie


BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,031
G
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,031
Really pretty song Steve!! Arrangement and vocals are beautiful. The resonator worked flawlessly, and the orchestration was lovely. What software do you use for orchestration? Really enjoyed everything about this one!! Take care. Greg

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888
Hi Steve,

touching lyrics, beautiful vocals and orchestration. I like the harmonies.
Just what I expected when I read your name.

Guenter

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Steve -

Only one word would suffice......exquisite.


Regards,

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,187
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,187
Hi Steve, +++10 to all said before. I'm glad you're back. Magnificent production, and yes, an oboe rt would be great.

Mike B.


Music should be part of your life
http://www.soundclick.com/blackcatjazzcafeband
User Showcase
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,052
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,052
Hi Steve,

Like Floyd said: when you're posting a new song, we know we're into something good!
This sounds very good. Beautiful, beautiful voice. Crystal clear recording too. Haven't heard that Fingerpicking CountryBrent Ev 120 sounding this bright before. String Quartet also works nicely.

Rob & Anne-Marie


We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1gsdNLE7_Gy8qavoOplQow/videos
http://rnam.net/


User Showcase
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,719
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,719
Hi Steve. I got a lot of pleasure out of listening to this song.
Nice sentiments beautifully presented. Cheers.

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,035
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,035
"So when the winds of life blow strong against your face
And the sounds of trouble rage against your mind
I will pray God gives you overwhelming grace
And when you look for me I won't be hard to find"

This is an obviously heartfelt write and to us it is outstanding. Your vocal is perfect for the feel and the production ices the cake.
The build through the song, the choice of RT's and your playing are a showcase for what can be done with BiaB in the hands
of a creative and talented user.

And best of all? You are on Soundcloud and we were able to add this fine production to our playlist!

J&B


Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more.
If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks!
Our Videos are here on our website.
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 824
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 824
+1 to all that has been said Steve, your lyrics and melodies are always spot on. smile


Chris
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 277
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 277
Great sentiment delivered with you usual excellent production skills.

User Showcase
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 87
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 87
Hello Steve,

The orchestration and the crescendo could not be better to evoke your feelings. In particular theRealTracks : 2508:String Quartet, which is one of the best I think that BIAB made those last years.
Bravo

Regards


BIAB USER SINCE 2010
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,615
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,615
Hey Steve. Nice to see you back.
Always love your music, heaps of passion and mood.
Can I have your autograph smile
Rob.

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079
Steve,

Good to hear you are back.

Your vocal are always spot on, as is the mix and instrumentation.
The lyrics are evocative, it would be good to have you as a friend in real life.

Alyn

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,987
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,987
Floyd,

Thanks so much! Your comments are always very welcome!

Noel,

Always so good to hear from you, my friend! So glad you enjoyed this one! (In Texas, pretty much every syllable of every word is a dipthong, though, so that comes pretty natural for me.) smile

Olemon,

Thank you for taking the time to listen and comment. Very much appreciated.

Tom,

Thank you very much! Always good to hear from you, and glad you like this one!

Charlie,

Glad you look forward to hearing my songs, and glad you like this one! Thanks so much for the kind words.

Greg,

Thanks! Glad you like it! The strings are a combinaion/blend of RealTracks and I have Garriton Orchestra, as well as the Cakewalk Strings that come with Sonar Platinum. (When I'm working on my Mac, I use the Logic softsynth strings along with Garritan, whichever fits the mood/sound I am going for.) I am a violinist, so I try to find things that give a "real" feel to them as much as possible. Occasionally I play my own parts as well, but usually I'm too lazy, and go with one of the softsynths. smile

Guenter,

Thanks so much for your very kind words! Glad you enjoyed it.

===

Steve


Steve Young
Music
"In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of." - Robert Schumann
User Showcase
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,083
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,083
Steve, dag nab it you made me cry - in a good way. What a beautiful moving song. Love everything about it - melody, lyrics, vocals, arrangement, mix....what else can I say...

This song makes me want to share it with the friends I love.

Home run.

Josie

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Video: Summary of the New Band-in-a-Box® App for iOS®

Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new Band-in-a-Box® app for iOS®! Designed for musicians, singer-songwriters, and educators, this powerful tool lets you create, play, and transfer songs effortlessly on your iPhone® or iPad®—anytime, anywhere.

Band-in-a-Box® for iOS® :Summary video.

Check out the forum post for more information.

Introducing the New Band-in-a-Box iOS App!

We’re excited to introduce the new Band-in-a-Box iOS app, designed to enhance your music creation. The Band-in-a-Box iOS app is the perfect companion to your desktop version, giving you the freedom to sketch out ideas wherever you are and develop them further when you're back at your workstation. Now, you can create, play, generate, and transfer songs seamlessly between your iOS device, and desktop.

Key Features:

- Easily Create and Play Songs – Build and play songs effortlessly on your device.
- MIDI and RealTracks/RealStyles Support – Generate MIDI tracks and RealTracks/RealStyles right on your iPhone or iPad (RealTracks/RealStyles require an internet connection).
- Notation Support – View chord sheets, professional notation, tab, and drum notation for all tracks.
...and more!

Watch the Band-in-a-Box iOS Overview Video.

Visit the Band-in-a-Box for iOS support page for more information and to listen to demos of our RealStyles catalogue.

Download the Band-in-a-Box iOS App from the Apple App Store today!

Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows® Today!

If you’ve already purchased Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®, great news—a new update is now available! This update introduces a handy new feature: a vertical cursor in the Tracks window that shows the current location across all tracks, and more.

Discover everything included in this free update and download it now at https://www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1124

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Boot Camp: The AI Lyrics Generator

With Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®, we've introduced an exciting new feature: the AI Lyrics Generator! In this video, Tobin guides you step-by-step on how to make the most of this new tool.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Boot Camp: The AI Lyrics Generator video.

Check out the forum post for more information.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins

Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows® now includes support for VST3 plugins, bringing even more creative possibilities to your music production. Join Simon as he guides you through the process in this easy-to-follow demonstration!

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Video: Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows: Using The BB Stem Splitter!

In this video, Tobin provides a crash course on using the new BB Stem Splitter feature included in Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®. During this process he also uses the Audio Chord Wizard (ACW) and the new Equalize Tempo feature.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using the BB Stem Splitter

Check out the forum post for some optional Tips & Tricks!

Congrats to Misha (Rustyspoon)…downloaded/installed a full Audiophile 2025!

Breaking News!

We’re thrilled to announce that Rustyspoon has made PG history as the very first person to successfully complete the download and install of the full Band-in-a-Box 2025 Windows Audiophile Edition (with FLAC files)—a whopping 610GB of data!

A big shoutout to Rustyspoon for stepping up to be our test "elf!"

Thank you for your support, Rustyspoon!

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics83,555
Posts767,029
Members39,353
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Adrichmen, Migrena, resco, ruppert, MrBarrysMinistry
39,353 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 217
DC Ron 139
rsdean 95
WaoBand 82
Today's Birthdays
4mrwrkr, Alan59, HELIXT
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5