I Believe

It has been quite a while since I last posted a piece here. And I do so now with some trepidation! Yes, Miriam is back! OK, I know I need a real singer. One day! Until then, I wrote this piece as a New Age Folk Rock Anthem (what ever that means!). Hope you like it (but I am sure you will tell me otherwise!).
 
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11851519 
(Lyrics at the bottom of the Soundclick page)
Best Regards
Malcolm
 

Hi Vicente - Sincere thanks for listening and so pleased you like it. The odd thing about Vocaloid is that Miriam was one of the original Vocaloid 1 voices. They are now up to Vocaloid 3 with a wide range of male and female voices and extra facilities for enhancing the 'human' sound of the voices - they are not perfect yet, but they are moving in the right direction. But that said, none of them are (at least in my opinion) as good as Miriam. However, they are about to release a 'Celtic' male and female voice; the female will be called Avanna. Now that I have to buy! But like you, I would love to hear this sung by a real person - possibly with a lot of foot stomping / hands in the air / discordant shouting - at a Pop Festival. I live in hope!

Malcolmb, this is a terrific song, one to be proud of.  I'm not in the loop about Miriam, but real or not, she sounds like Dolores O'riordan which makes this sound like the Cranberries.  I think I've told you that before.  Regardless, this is an epic song.  I like this mix, and I'm going back to listen again.  

Ok, I just got back and I get it about Miriam now.  It's pretty amazing that you can even have a virtual singer.  As for the drums, I like them at this volume.  It's not uncommon for Celtic music to be percussion driven, and since the drums don't really cover up anything, I say let them ride.  Again, very well done, Malcolmb.

Sincere thanks everyone for listening and so very pleased you like it:

Hi Rik - With those lyrics, no doubt I will have men in dark suits knocking on my door (!) - oh well, just so long as the cell is warm and dry! Sorry about the drums - I usually turn them down but this time I thought "what the heck"! And as for the Celtic voice ....Shhhhh.....! I am going to tell Miriam she is her new backing singer - the things I do for a quiet life! (Glad you like the photos - it certainly was a memorable day - but I bet they air brush me out before it appears on the TV - if I was the Director, I would!).

Hi Lynn - having my music compared to even a faint resemblance of that of the Cranberries is huge praise - thank you so very much. And I do agree that it is amazing that modern software can create something even close to a human voice - mind you, Miriam says she is amazing so it comes naturally!

Hi Makke - this is not my usual style which tends to be soft, lyrical Celtic music (or at least that is what I try to do!) or light Jazz. But sometimes I just feel I have to let rip! So pleased you like it.

Best Wishes
Malcolm

Hi Herb - Sincere thanks for listening and so very pleased you like this piece. She really is an amazing Lady - and she agrees!

Hi Bapu - Sincere thanks for listening and so pleased you like it. Good advice on the drums and much appreciated. As for Miriam's singing, I feel the same way - Alley Cats throw old boots at me when I try!

Hi Mesh - Sincere thanks for listening and so very pleased you liked this piece. I do very much take your point about the Drums and I must admit I am with you on turning them down a bit. The odd thing is that my 'target audience' (long suffering local friends (Celtic fanatics) who receive a gift CD from me every year - they always say thank you and I am sure some mean it!) always demand more drums and louder! I suspect there is a happy medium - I just have to find it! As for the male vocals (EW Symphonic Choirs - Basses and Tenors) - what a great idea. I did push them far to the right but didn't think of doubling far to the left. I will definitely do that in the final mix before I master the CD. Very many thanks.

Hi Mesh - always very grateful for suggestions. After I had written the basic song, I felt it needed more depth and mulled over adding a keyboard or a second rhythm guitar. I also wondered if the lead might alternative between guitar and keyboard. At the time, I just went for the second rhythm guitar. But in retrospect, I am sure you are right. It needs both. The question then is whether to go for a piano or keyboard. I write all my music by notation with soft synths. My keyboard synths are not that great but I will give it a go in the areas you suggest with both and see what happens. I have until Christmas before I release the CD so that should give me plenty of time! Very many thanks.

Hi Daryl - Absolutely right. I am enjoying my second childhood and very much looking forward to my third - hopefully I will have learnt not to dribble by then! So pleased you like this piece. It is fun to experiment and sometimes after writing yet another soft ballad I feel the definite urge to let rip! But not too often, my neighbours could not cope! Sincere thanks for listening.

Hi Kenny - sincere thanks and so pleased you like this piece. I suppose I am slowly getting the hang of how to use my soft synths but I know they can never truly sound like a guitar in the hands of a maestro like you. And as for the thought of giving Miriam a squeeze, I could never be that lucky - but it's a wonderful thought! Malcolm.

Warren - Forsooth and Egad oh wondrous Maestro, your bounteous and felicitous missive does verily bring blushes of scarlet hue to my odious visage! And the fair and sweet Lady Miriam is quite overcome with the vapours at your knightly courtesy! Thankee! Your most humble and obedient Servant and Bard of the Magnificent and Illustrious Court of The Good Queen Bess, Malcolm! - And that is English too :-)

Hi Daren - Sincere thanks and so pleased you like this piece. I love your comparison to the "Energiser Bunny" - very much agree! When I wrote it, I knew it simply wasn't possible to have Miriam sing at any speed without sounding (even more!) weird. She therefore needed to sing comparatively slowly and to provide the driving force I needed something else - drums and bass where the obvious solution. And as I mentioned in an earlier comment, I know my local audience will just ask why the drums aren't louder! You have to pity their ears!

Enjoyed that very much Malcolm! Happened to have a guitar strapped on, so I had fun jamming along. Nice celtic tune, like a more driving Clannad.

Hey Malcolm
I loved everything about this piece.  The song structure and arrangement are very original.  Cool solo keytar sound and very well played.  What grabs me is your percussion beat. Song really chugs along and is very catchy.  GREAT JOB!

Kev

Pretty cool song.  Miriam's interesting.  :)