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!

Wonderful song Malcolm. I listened to it a few times and enjoyed the melodic writing and playing....very pleasing to my ears. The mix is very good as well (at least on my headphones) and I do agree about the drums being a tad bit louder than the rest, but then again, I'm not familiar with the Celtic genre.
 
A personal suggestion (in my amateur opinion) I wanted to hear or like to hear was the male vocal parts (I think they're saying "Freedom"?) to be panned far left and far right and have it in stereo. I think it would emphasize those parts with a fuller sound of the "Freedom" message. This is of course just my personal preference.

You've got a goodun here Malcolm!! Well done.
 

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.

I gave it another few listens and another idea struck me (I hope you don't mind my 2 cents.....).

Around the 1:06 and 2:00 minute mark (mini break parts), if the guitar melody parts could be done with a grand piano (or similar) instead, it may enhance it (my ears were calling for it ). Maybe have a seperate mix with the piano and see what comes out of it? (Worst case scenario, it won't work....).

Sorry, I'm not trying to change your song or anything of that nature, but I'm very impressed with your creation and just excited to share my personal view.
I'd like to hear the final mix once you're done with it.

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.

Interesting.  I've always longed for those EAST WEST choir voices.  This pretty cool, and it's always fun exploring new concepts.  You're just a kid at heart (like me.)

Daryl

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 Malcolmb ,great song topic , very original , you certainly squeeze the most amazing sounds out of what you are using to compose music and record with . Kenny

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.

Vocaloid Miriam sounds like a gal with autotune.  Not bad, really.  Interesting tune, Malcomb.  The more I listened the more I liked it.  I agree with Kenny.  You are squeezing out some amazing sounds.  Miriam must enjoy it.  LOL.  Unique tune, old boy.  That's English, you know.  :-)