Agnus Dei 2.0

Here my new version of this piece: Agnus Dei, Version 2

A completely new recording, although I kept most of the original tune. I had to do some tinkering to adjust to proper ecclesiastical Latin pronunciation, plus I added a short down-tempo section in English at the end. (Hey, I'm getting closer to prog - kept the 4/4, but the tempo change counts for something, doesn't it?)

As with my previous post regarding this piece (not really a song, but a movement in a larger project), I'm largely interested in hearing whether listeners think it "works." It's a bit unusual - a semi-Gregorian chant laid over rock music (with 245 bpm drums), and then changing gears (88 bpm) for a sort of eerie soft-rock ending. (I'm trying to capture the mood of how the disciples must have felt after Jesus died.)

Thanks for your thoughts, Charley. I pretty much agree with your assessment when it comes down to the actual instrumental arrangement. The piece cries out for a real bass, but I'm limited to my own tools at the moment (I don't want to rely on sequencing or loops if I can help it, but even if I do go that route eventually, no need to do so in the composition stage). Hopefully in the long run I can work up a decent guitar riff too. I'm certainly more of a singer/songwriter than a guitarist, but I'm trying to beef up my skills in that regard.

As for the Reformed types you've read - all the Reconstructionists. Actually, it was quite a bit through them that I became Reformed to begin with (back around 1990-2), but I'm quite a ways away from some of their peculiarities by now....

Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment.

The piece cries out for a real bass, but I'm limited to my own tools at the moment (I don't want to rely on sequencing or loops if I can help it, but even if I do go that route eventually, no need to do so in the composition stage). Hopefully in the long run I can work up a decent guitar riff too. I'm certainly more of a singer/songwriter than a guitarist, but I'm trying to beef up my skills in that regard.

I totally understand and can appreciate where you are coming from! My advice is to make friends, barter, collaborate, pay--whatever--so you can concentrate on doing what you do best. I've said many times, "I write, arrange, play sax--that's it!" Some guys can do it all. I can't. And I'm ok with that. But it does require that I depend on others for the things that I don't do (or don't do yet at the level necessary). Of course, it never hurts to keep working on skills I want to develop--it can only make me better as long as it doesn't distract me from my purpose.

See ya!