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After All


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Description
This is my third song and the first in which I didn't try to pile as many effects as humanly possible onto my voice. It's about a couple deciding what to do after an affair.

I had a lot of trouble with hiss because I'm using the built-in mic and it's sensitive enough to pick up the sound of the computer's fan. I've put as much gate on the tracks as they will bear and used the AULowPass filter, but hiss is still an issue. I should have just let the hiss run throughout the song, rather than having it cut in and out, but by the time I figured this out, it was too late.

I hope you guys enjoy it and I reallly appreciate any input I get, both positive and critical.

Jim Bouchard posted a cover of this song, over here. I love it, so please check it out if you enjoyed this one. ;-)

After All, by Jim Bouchard

I'm lucky enough that Joe Gurner covered it too, with a very different arrangment than Jim's; Joe's is equally wonderful, though.

After All, by Joe Gurner
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Lyrics
After All

Newspapers piled by the front door,
this house isn't mine, not anymore.
I pick up your suitcase,
I put away my shoes.
After all, what is love for?

After all what is love for?

I'm not who you want me to,
but then again, neither is she.
If there's one thing
that I'm asking from you --
it's to be careful if you go.

I walk to the room where you're asleep.
Hearing you breathe
feels like something to keep.
I lift up the blankets
and lie down next to you.
After all what is love for?

After all what is love for?

I'm not who you want me to be,
but then again, neither is she.
If there's one thing
that I'm begging from you --
please don't go.

Please don't go.



Song Stats
Hits: 4787
Comments: 104
Fans: 38
Plays: 960
Downloads: 235
Votes: 45
Uploaded: Jun 09, 2005 - 02:23:32 PM
Last Updated: Oct 23, 2006 - 01:58:45 AM Last Played: Oct 14, 2009 - 12:42:28 PM
Song License
Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Creative Commons

Song Actions
share on facebook share on twitter download song
Keywords:
love (1151), marriage (19), infidelity (3), forgiveness (12), accoustic (104), folk (423), domestic (2)
Hardware:
eMac G4 700 mHZ, 640 RAM, internal mic
Software:
GarageBand
Comments
alley-oop said 1631 days ago (June 9th, 2005)
Your song is wonderful
First off, I'm glad you don't have a lot of effects on your voice. You have a very pleasant voice. It's very pretty. The story you tell so good! The lyrics are very engaging. A story of a relationship that's a little sketchy on the edges. The 'she,' a third character in the realtionship. Is the owner of the suitcase cheating with her? The first person character is also 'not' who the suitcase person thinks she is. Everyone seems to be running a little scam. But the human 'don't go' line keeps the listener sympathising with the first person character. Very well done. The listener is left to ponder the out come. But fragile message: we all compromise, so not to be left alone. The house not hers anymore, another mystery.
If you did this with loops, it's a great job. I would have never known. Very nice ledebutant.

Check out my latest song called anymore
ledebutant said 1631 days ago (June 9th, 2005)
Your song is wonderful
Thanks alley-oop, you're right about the song lyrics being sketchy, but I'm glad you like them that way. I had the impulse to write a narrative that explained every last detail of the story, but then thought it was better to leave it open (plus waaaaaay easier for me, Ms. Lazypants).

I see the song as being about a moment of choice. The husband is in bed, the wife is still awake and by picking up his suitcase and putting away her shoes, makes her decision that she will stay to try to work things out. She doesn't know what he will want to do, hence all the "please don't go," stuff. The reference to "this house isn't mine," is meant to refer to the disruption an affair causes in a household, that it changes the home and relationship.

I'm really impressed how well you got to the heart of what I was trying to do with the song when you said, "we all compromise, so not to be left alone."

I don't play any instruments, except the trombone, which is soooo not useful, so this is an all-loops song (heavily manipulated, of course). I wish I could play the guitar, but I'm not having much luck learning on my own.
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
alley-oop said 1631 days ago (June 9th, 2005)
Your song is wonderful
I think you misunderstood what I meant by sketchy. I think your lyrics are
excellent, seriously. The details, the stacked papers, putting things away,
lifting the blanket. As I listened, the house appeared, the rooms, the woman,
the sleeping man. The lyrics made the story come alive
I used the word sketchy in a slang context. Instead of saying a relationship
that's a little sketchy on the edges, I should say a relationship that's a little
frayed on the edges. My mistake, sorry.
Also, it was good song writing that led me to the heart of the song. Really
nice, Lisa, I'll be looking foward to hearing your next song!
Check out my latest song called anymore
ledebutant said 1631 days ago (June 9th, 2005)
Your song is wonderful
Oh gosh, alley-oop (and does that ever sound like cartoon dialogue..)

I did get what you meant, absolutely. I'm sorry if my response seemed defensive at all: I was indulging in my urge to explain everything rather than just letting it lie. I was actually really glad that you understood the song so well with just a little detail to go on. You really got it and that thrilled me.


Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
said 1631 days ago (June 9th, 2005)
Oblique is Good / Slow is Bad
I think the vocal on this is nice and suits this kind of song -- melancholy lost-love song #7

This isn't a folk song, though. However I suppose if someone files Suzanne Vega under folk, then I could see that. I'm not sure what I mean by my having trouble with the genre. The lyrics work very well with the tone of the song (or the other way around) because they are both oblique and work so close to the trope of melancholy lost-love song, but the song, to my ears, just isn't specific enough in how it introduces elements and then takes possession of them. The generality of the detail, the tune, makes for a very accessible song and nice song. Folk in the way I think about folk doesn't really have these qualities except perhaps in the manufactured folk quality of someone like Nancy Griffith. Give me Geeshie Wallace or the Carter Family if you are going to go and call it folk.

The sound of the instrument stuck me as very natural if this was done with loops. There seemed a kind of texture/looseness that sounded like actual playing.

For my taste the song was way too slow even for melancholy lost-love song #7.
ledebutant said 1631 days ago (June 9th, 2005)
Oblique is Good / Slow is Bad
I absolutely agree with you that this song isn't Folk, but I couldn't handle the thought of putting it in "Soft Rock." I suppose I probably should have put it in"Pop" but I figured the same as you that if Suzanne Vega is "Folk," them maybe I could be, too. Don't say Nancy Griffith *lalalalalala I am not listening ****

It's weird about the song being slow, because I do know what you mean, but it's 120 bpm. I would usually have had three verses, but could tell that the song was getting long and when I finally did the mixdown, I was shocked to see that a two verse song was 3:48. I wish I could figure out how that happened, especially since I was using loops.

Thanks for the vote and the comments. They really help.






I think the vocal on this is nice and suits this kind of song -- melancholy lost-love song #7

This isn't a folk song, though. However I suppose if someone files Suzanne Vega under folk, then I could see that. I'm not sure what I mean by my having trouble with the genre. The lyrics work very well with the tone of the song (or the other way around) because they are both oblique and work so close to the trope of melancholy lost-love song, but the song, to my ears, just isn't specific enough in how it introduces elements and then takes possession of them. The generality of the detail, the tune, makes for a very accessible song and nice song. Folk in the way I think about folk doesn't really have these qualities except perhaps in the manufactured folk quality of someone like Nancy Griffith. Give me Geeshie Wallace or the Carter Family if you are going to go and call it folk.

The sound of the instrument stuck me as very natural if this was done with loops. There seemed a kind of texture/looseness that sounded like actual playing.

For my taste the song was way too slow even for melancholy lost-love song #7.

[ Reply to This
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
Peter Greenstone said 1631 days ago (June 9th, 2005)
lovely
Lovely song. You sing this wonderfully. Sincere lyrics,
flows nicely, warm, intimate sound. I totally agree about
just letting the unfortunate hiss sound stay constant
rather than hear it cutting in and out. On soft songs like
this it's very hard to cover up line/room noise. Actually,
other than the additional hiss the built in mic captured
your voice pretty well. As I think you figured out
afterwards, cutting noise in and out actually draws more
attention to it than just leaving it does.

Really a nice song and performance. I hope you can get a
good mic for future recordings.
Check out my latest song called From Nothing
ledebutant said 1631 days ago (June 9th, 2005)
lovely
Thanks Pgree. I do have an external mic (a Sony F-V-100) and need to get a pre-amp, but I have no idea what to buy. As with all of this, I'll figure it out as I go along.

You're right about the mic picking up everything. Right before I posted today, I realized you can hear my dog's tags jingling in the background.
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
Jim Bouchard said 1631 days ago (June 9th, 2005)
This is very good
...and if you ever want to collaborate with a guitar player,
give me a shout. This reminded me of Hem a little bit.
Very well done!
I use a Tascam US-122 as my interface. It has midi as well
as mic inputs, very good mic preamps and is a fairly good
value in terms of quality for the money as these things go.
When you are trying to do things as delicate as this, it is
noticible when you have some line noise, so it might be
worth it for you. Your songs certainly are good enough to
warrant it if this one is any indication!

I like the dog tags! I kept hoping for a trombone solo!
Check out my latest song called Weather or Not w/awigze
ledebutant said 1631 days ago (June 9th, 2005)
This is very good
You keep hoping for a trombone solo? So does my mother. She never let me get over quitting trombone in the eighth grade because it and my book bag were too freaking heavy to carry two miles to school and two miles back every day. I only took it up to be cussed because everyone said I looked like a flute player. I knew I couldn't heft a tuba, so I took the next best thing.

I would LOVE to try to collaborate with you, but admit that I might suffer performance anxiety. When I say that "After All" is my third song, that's really what I mean. This is the third song I have ever written, and only the second with words, so I'm worried that I won't be able to perform consistently at this point, but I hope you'd be willing to try, given all those caveats. I think your songs are really cool and I know I could learn a lot from you.

I don't know Hem, I'll have to do a google.

Strangely, enough, I was posting over on your Dwell page, as you were over here. I really meant what I said about your brothers.

Thanks for the tips on the Tascam US-122. I thought your production was wonderful on Dwell, so I believe you that it's a great piece of gear and I'll try to track one down.

Thanks, Jim!
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
zendog said 1631 days ago (June 10th, 2005)
Nice cut
This is the kind of song I always liked to hear on a good
rock album, at the very end. Something that really takes
an overall body of work to another, much cooler place.
And really have the listener going, whoa, nice stuff, why
don't they do more of that.

This is really good, even with line hiss. I think if you follow
Mr. Bouchard's suggestions, it'll take you to a pretty darn
good place. You've got a good voice ?До read that as apply
few effects if any because it's really nice ?До and I liked the
harmony parts a lot. Also, maybe just me, the line hiss
seemed to fade when you brought in the strings.

Really liked the lyrics. Been in that personal place, and the
words captured very well that spirit of committing to
something totally uncommitted and on the verges tearing
apart. The questions are as much directed at the singer as
the person she's singing about. I liked that.

For loops, amazing. You worked them very well.

Folk rock? I'll leave that up to others to decide. What it
reminded me of was a group called The Samples in
structure, words and your type of singing. Of course, they
have a male lead, so that's totally irrelevant. I couldn't
begin to tell you what genre they're in, but I know I like
them.

Keep up with this. Third song ever? Freakin' awesome.
Check out my latest song called Sold Out
ledebutant said 1630 days ago (June 10th, 2005)
Nice cut
Thanks, Zendog,

I'm really excited that you liked the song and thought it was cool. I checked out The Samples and liked them very much. I'm a sucker for a guitar. You're right about the hiss fading out when the string come in. I think they just drown out the frequency a bit.
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
said 1631 days ago (June 10th, 2005)
Very Good Song
Also good arrangement. Your singing is very good.
I agree with advice about mic and noise and I look forward
to hearing more. It'd be cool to hear you and Jim Bouchard
collaborate.
ledebutant said 1630 days ago (June 10th, 2005)
Very Good Song
Thanks so much, Mungo. I really want to add that I'm grateful that you have taken the time to comment on one of my songs again. You're an astute listener and it's very generous of you to take the time to write down your thoughts.
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
Kevensor said 1631 days ago (June 10th, 2005)
wow!
I suspected you had some talent when I heard your first post, but nothing as wonderful as this.

wow is all I can say. I don't mind the hiss, the singing distracts me.

Beautifully sung and produced!

BRAVO!!

DL/8s!
Check out my latest song called Smoove
ledebutant said 1630 days ago (June 10th, 2005)
wow!
Hey, it's Kev. So nice to see you again, you're so supportive and I appreciate it. Thank you very much for the compliment; I think there's an element of beginner's luck with this song, but I feel so grateful that people here are responding well to my song. Thank you for the download and the 8's!


Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
said 1630 days ago (June 10th, 2005)
One of those recordings....
where lyrics, music, and vocals all blend to create
the mood and feel that matches the content theme of
the song. Just want to say what a fine piece of
song writing this is and I really enjoyed listening to
you sing and perform it.

Jack
ledebutant said 1630 days ago (June 10th, 2005)
One of those recordings....
Thanks, Jack. This song came together really quickly and the loops dictated the subject matter. It just sounded like a sad song. I'm not sophisticated enough at this point to think, "I'd like to write a song about X." and then be able to put that together.

I'm glad you liked it.
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
thetiler said 1630 days ago (June 10th, 2005)
gad, wow what words
This is a real heart grabber of a tune.

And you do double duty very well with the nice backup
music!

Just terrific

Sorry, I have not heard much of your music, but I will be on
the lookout for them to to reach the higher echelons of the
weekly picks.
Check out my latest song called Little Drummer Boy Variations
ledebutant said 1630 days ago (June 10th, 2005)
gad, wow what words
thetiler, I'm really glad the words grabbed your heart. Don't be sorry you haven't heard much of my music, there isn't much yet. :-)
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
johnfloy said 1630 days ago (June 10th, 2005)
great voice
very soft voice, me like it!!

Check out my latest song called Get It Back
ledebutant said 1629 days ago (June 11th, 2005)
great voice
johnfloy, thanks so much for the compliment on my voice. I especially like it that you used "caveman talk" to express yourself. Me like your comment.
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
stevel said 1630 days ago (June 10th, 2005)
A really lovely track
This is very nice..great vocals, instrumentation,
production. The subtle background orchestration is really
effective. Thanks for sharing this
S
Check out my latest song called Electricity
stevel said 1630 days ago (June 10th, 2005)
A really lovely track
This is very nice..great vocals, instrumentation,
production. The subtle background orchestration is really
effective. Thanks for sharing this
S
Check out my latest song called Electricity
ledebutant said 1629 days ago (June 11th, 2005)
A really lovely track
Thanks, stevel. I like the orchestration, too, enough that I want to get my hands on JamPack 4 as quickly as I can.
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
eltopo said 1629 days ago (June 11th, 2005)
striking voice
As someone who's like 'folk' since I learned Mary Hamilton
from off my mother, this is folk if it wants to be.

I think folk is any music of and by the people, often
speaking of their concerns, or topical issues of the times.

I suppose folk has also been played on particular
instruments that were to hand. Well, what was a lute a few
hundred years ago could be an ibook today.

Maybe the genre on macjams should be renamed 'roots
music' if people want only dustbowl/celtic/medieval/
'world music' sounds.
Check out my latest song called Gentrification (live)
Ed Hannifin said 1629 days ago (June 11th, 2005)
Aw heck...
...I was retail manager of an acoustic music shop for years
during the 80's, and played in an acoustic band for, what,
fourteen years or something, and I have to say that it
causes me to marvel that people spend such time when a
song comes around on WHAT TO CALL IT...

Because, really, this COULD be in the realm of rock a la
Suzanne Vega, or folk a la some of The Roches, or it could
be rock a la Mo Tucker of the Velvets doing "After Hours",
with that unexpectedly fragile, yearning, optimistic voice...

...or it could be...anything...

I could go on. I won't.

This is a lovely, yearning tune. The vocal suits it to a T. I
like it very much. It's got some "good ambiguity" to it.

Off to download. Many thanks.
Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)
ledebutant said 1629 days ago (June 11th, 2005)
Aw heck...
eltopo and ejh, thanks for defending the idea that this could be folk. I'm really glad they added the "Folk Rock" category after I posted this so I could switch it over, but you're right that folk is of the people, made with whatever's at hand and labeling something folk doesn't change the song itself. I could have called this Cowboy Techno and it would still be the same song.

I'm trying to get around and listen to everyone's songs and return the favor of commenting and voting, it will just take me a little while, but I want everyone to know how grateful I am for your support and input.
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
snowdragon said 1629 days ago (June 11th, 2005)
I just
loved it.
Check out my latest song called The Wolf 7
ledebutant said 1628 days ago (June 12th, 2005)
I just
Fanks, SD.
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
TennesseeVic said 1628 days ago (June 12th, 2005)
Very sweet
You have a lovely voice, and it works great with these
lyrics.

Some nits about the arrangement. (After remarking that
the guitar part and the strings sound just fine.)

You have a high percussion instrument (a triangle or
finger cymbal) that comes in with the bass. It's too soft.
That sort of touches can really make a song. Make a
conscious decision where to use it, where not, and the
play it loud and clear. Well, clear.

When the bass comes in, it feels like the overall level goes
down a bit. An overenthousiastic compressor?

But that's just nitpicking.
Check out my latest song called Tecmo Superbowl 2009 w/ Dead End (MJRF 2004)
ledebutant said 1628 days ago (June 12th, 2005)
Very sweet
Thanks, TenneseeVic, I appreciate you taking the time to comment on one of my songs again. It's really nice of you.

Thanks for the nitpicking, I'm such a novice, that no nit is too small to pick, as I can really benefit from the more experienced musicians here. I had played with the volume on the triangle, which later turns into cymbal, but was afraid of overdoing it, so I backed off. When I get a decent pre-amp and re-record the vocals, I will post a new version with a jacked up triangle (ooh, hard-core).

I've tried to hear what you said about the overall level going down when the bass comes in, but I can't hear it. The bass track doesn't have any compression on it and the master track is about 30-35% compressed. I'm wondering if the bass helps drown out the hiss even more and that's what makes it sound different. I welcome any more feedback on this, but I'm not sure how to proceed at this point.

Thanks again!
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
TennesseeVic said 1621 days ago (June 19th, 2005)
Very sweet
Hm. I thought I just posted a comment.....

Anyway, the volume going down is an aural illusion. When the bass comes in,
you switch to a different guitar riff, one that is in a lower register.

So it's no problem.

---
Victor -- I review yours, you review mine, 'kay?
Check out my latest song called Tecmo Superbowl 2009 w/ Dead End (MJRF 2004)
mandolinquent said 1627 days ago (June 14th, 2005)
What a brilliantly constructed song...
... about splitting up with someone you are still in love
with. Myself I wouldn't mess with it much more.
Beautiful, sad-subdued singing; excellent arrangements.
It could be better recorded, sure, but what's so perfect
about this is the way it's so self-contained. It sounds like
an internal world being described - the voices inside a sad
head. It's like you're carefully holding things together in
case they all fall apart. Beautiful.
Check out my latest song called Had We But World Enough
ledebutant said 1626 days ago (June 14th, 2005)
What a brilliantly constructed song...
Thank you so much, mandolinquent for stopping by. It gave me a little thrill because I'm a big, gigantoid fan of your work, especially the colloborations with Rebsie. I don't think I will mess around with this song too much more, except for increasing the volume on the triangle/cymbal and re-recording the vocal when I get a pre-amp, but I'm afraid to do anything else because there was a lot of luck involved in this song.
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
said 1626 days ago (June 15th, 2005)
Vaguely Vega?
Just curious? If you don't get it don't sweat it.

Nice tune!
ledebutant said 1625 days ago (June 15th, 2005)
Vaguely Vega?
I'm a big fan of Suzanne Vega's first album, so I suppose the influence may have crept in. Of course, she's so much better than me, so I won't delude myself, but I guess this might be reminiscent in sound of "Small Blue Thing".

So yes, vaguely Vega, unless you meant the car, in which case, no. :-)
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
said 1625 days ago (June 15th, 2005)
Wow...
Incredible lyrics, great song structure. This is a great piece of music and I could see it selling well...

Fantastic singer, by the way. Really wonderful! This was recorded using the internal microphone? I'm blown away!
ledebutant said 1625 days ago (June 15th, 2005)
Wow...
Thanks so much for the compliments. I know what you mean about the internal mic, I still can't get over how well it works. Those Apple people make amazing products.
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
Myshkin said 1625 days ago (June 16th, 2005)
Lovely
This is great. I love the harmonies you've done. I am totally blown away that you did this without a keyboard or a dedicated mic. Brilliant.
Check out my latest song called Iceland
ledebutant said 1617 days ago (June 23rd, 2005)
Lovely
Thanks myshkin. I didn't know what on earth I was doing with the harmonies and just completely faked it. It could easily have gone very, very wrong.
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
said 1625 days ago (June 16th, 2005)
GREAT SONG
I love this song! Your voice sounds really cute! I would lie in the bed so you could lift the blankets and write another song with the flashlight and some smores! I'll meet you at the fire pit tonight! beneath the old oak tree! Jargubbily slanikan!
ledebutant said 1617 days ago (June 23rd, 2005)
GREAT SONG
How do we know if my voice is cute or if it just sounds cute? This is the question that keeps me awake at night.

Kumbayah, bizzare, kumbayah.
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
said 1614 days ago (June 26th, 2005)
CUTE VOICE!
It is cute! When the sound waves come out they paint a pictur of a
Brazilian poooky puppy! Very nice picture your are painting with the
voice! Twinkie anyone? Stop tickling me!
Cameron said 1624 days ago (June 16th, 2005)
very pleasant
I enjoyed listening to this song very much. Your voice has
a nice silvery, light quality which is very pleasing to the
ear.

Your string accompaniment is well done. What sounds did
you use? (since you mentioned NOT having JP4 yet....do
get it soon, it's great!) The cello sound was just slightly
muddy through my headphones, but overall, it was very
good.

Nice pacing of vocal interweaving with instrumental
layers, varied well.

Good lyrics, simple and heartfelt.
Check out my latest song called EPONYM
ledebutant said 1617 days ago (June 23rd, 2005)
very pleasant
Thanks for the nice comments and the recommendation of JP4. Having heard your fanfare, I really, really want it now.

I used a portion of a 70's Ballad Piano Loop with many of the notes removed and plopped it into Orchestral Strings. Removing a few more notes, might help clean up the muddiness. I think you're right about it.


Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
Shimky said 1621 days ago (June 19th, 2005)
Yum!
Please, please, please change your bio picture - my heart
pangs every time I look at it!

Very nice song. But the picture, the picture. You're going
to have to shave your hair off, like Sinead did, so that we
can all concentrate on the music!!

;O)
Check out my latest song called Funeral
ledebutant said 1613 days ago (June 27th, 2005)
Yum!
Hmm. I was worried that the current photo already made me look bald, possibly because I have lots and lots of hair, so I'm used to seeing that. I promise to dress as The Unknown Comic next time I take a picture; I'd hate to throw anyone off the music. :)
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
illuminati said 1620 days ago (June 20th, 2005)
This song shows you off as a composer and singer
with a lot of upside. Really enjoyed the song.
Check out my latest song called Vainglorious
Tom Atwood said 1617 days ago (June 23rd, 2005)
This is what happens
when you go on vacation: you miss a fine song like this
one.

Just now getting around to this. I was gone when you
posted it. Very powerful piece. Actually made me ache.

Excellent. I look forward to more.

9-7-8-8

Check out my latest song called Keep Looking for Jesus (MJRF)
Rebsie said 1616 days ago (June 24th, 2005)
I really like this
You've got a lovely voice and have put together an
excellent song here. Very enjoyable indeed.

Line hiss used to be the bane of my life, so I sympathise.
But in all honesty, with a song as good as this the
technical faults don't matter much.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
ledebutant said 1613 days ago (June 27th, 2005)
Thanks, guys
Thanks illuminati, Rebsie and Tom, as you know I enjoy all of your music and it's so nice that you liked my song. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment.
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
ka-klick said 1615 days ago (June 25th, 2005)
Wow, you've made rapid progress
Listening through the 3 tunes you've posted so far, I've heard
a world of progress. I'm really glad you're loosening up and
getting comfortable with vocals, this is much stronger than
"In the Garden" vocally (though I love that one lyrically, I'd
like to hear you take another stab at it performance-wise
after hearing this. Very nice, good use of the loops - it might
be nice to open this up to a collab and have some folks put
in some "real" parts here and there (I would love to hear
some gentle 12 string rhythm guitar strumming behind the
builds). Please keep developing, I think you're on a really
good path.
Check out my latest song called Big Bad World - Live 1-16-2009 plus - MJRF
ledebutant said 1613 days ago (June 27th, 2005)
Wow, you've made rapid progress
Thanks so much, ka-klick, for saying you hear progress. I certainly hope I can improve with time, but I am truly a beginner, so the going may be slow. There's definitely going to be some going backwards and then forwards. With each song, I learn a little something new. The next song I plan to post is just a silly thing, but it was a try at having an electric guitar in a song.

The vocals are always the hardest part for me. My best friend growing up had a five and a half octave range and, of course, was lauded for her absolutely gorgeous voice. I didn't dare open my mouth. I do plan to take another stab at In the Garden, but I'm waiting to get a better mic set-up before I re-record anything. I think I was oversinging during In the Garden and learned from After All that I'll probably do better to just relax when I sing and try not to worry about sounding perfect.

I am ALWAYS open to collaboration and if anyone ever wanted to add "real" or otherwise parts to any of my songs, I would kiss the ground he or she walked on. If anyone is interested, just email me and I'll send you whatever you need.

Thanks again, ka-klick.
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
Suzanne said 1609 days ago (July 1st, 2005)
good song!
wonderful song. i hope you can work out the hiss issues and everything. i am now going to check out your other stuff!
Check out my latest song called Rock The Baby With Voodoo (w/Tobin)
The Dancing Wolf said 1609 days ago (July 2nd, 2005)
I really
liked this
Check out my latest song called The Pack Assembles
breezer said 1607 days ago (July 3rd, 2005)
Fantastic Voice!
Nice use of the loops! :) Enjoyed this song.
Check out my latest song called Leapfrog
Lugosi said 1603 days ago (July 7th, 2005)
Wow
Absolutely lovely. I think there is exactly enough on this
song - in terms of instrumentation. And again lovely voice.
Check out my latest song called Not So Far Away
said 1598 days ago (July 12th, 2005)
Very nice
I like the overall song structure. Great piece of writing.
The fullness of the instrumentation supports your
delicate, expressive voice.
cutundertherest said 1570 days ago (August 10th, 2005)
poignant
so glad to have found this one. after hearing a few of yours my vote goes to fewer effects on your voice if possible. being a die-hard fan of stripped back vocals with accompanying acoustic instruments i relished this one. you also might be glad to know that on my cheap speakers i hear no hiss at all!
lyrics can't be improved upon either: they're - wow - amazing.
any song that brings a tear to my eye is a success.. thanks. *sniff*
perceptualvortex said 1561 days ago (August 18th, 2005)
Heartfelt
More excellent songwriting and singing, Lisa. Captures that relationship strife very elegantly. I agree with your Suzanne Vega "Small Blue Thing" reference; your singing reminds me of that album, which I used to absolutely love (had it on vinyl, not anymore). I think it's clear you're a natural at this music makin' thing!
Check out my latest song called Machine Man (w Beastie Boys)
CIPHER said 1557 days ago (August 22nd, 2005)
Nice mellow listen
Had it on repeat while I worked - very calming. Beautiful song
by a beautiful woman.

I think if I listened to more music like this I might get a little
closer to fine.
Check out my latest song called Is this anything
hamboy22 said 1442 days ago (December 15th, 2005)
I'm sure
I'm sure you've received several compliments on your vocal work. Let me
add to the list! Wow. Great performance. Excellent song. Wonderful
production. Good stuff all around. Keep up the good work!
Check out my latest song called O Come O Come Emmanuel
ledebutant said 1442 days ago (December 15th, 2005)
I'm sure
Thanks so much, hamboy. It's so nice to know that people still take the time
to listen to my older songs. This one especially means a lot to me. If you like
this one, my newest song, bleed is in a similar style.
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
stratcat51 said 1438 days ago (December 20th, 2005)
Pretty Tune
I've listened to several of your songs. It doesn't matter that you don't play guitar. You have to be musically inclined to come up with the melodys you do. I don't have garage band yet, but I've played around with loops in Sony Acid and the stuff I've made sounds lame compared to yours. I guess I'm old school in that I line up the instruments bass, drums guitar and vocals and reord them in a linear way. When the whoe loops based music thing came out ( I guess with hip hop ) I always thought it was was mechanized music making. I have changed my mind completly though. The way you arrange the loops and and layer them and then put your lovely voice on top of it Is majic. You create a musical collage. Vocally you arent't from the belt it out scholol. You voice has a winsome, melancholy character to it. I love the way you use space in your compositions. Your IMac and voice are your musical instruments and you play them well.
Check out my latest song called Hope
ledebutant said 1437 days ago (December 20th, 2005)
Pretty Tune
Thank you so much, stratcat, for such a generous comment. Thanks
especially for listening to several of my songs, since it proves that it's
possible to do without dying of auditory poisoning. I'd tested it on mice
before, but had ethical issues with trying it on humans. :-)

As far as being old school with the bass and drums and guitar, I'll bet the
reason you do that is that you actually know what you're doing. I've been
faking it the whole time, but that may be a benefit, since I sometimes have
happy accidents like this one.

Your comment is really astoundingly generous and I'm so glad to know that I
may have helped change your opinion of loop-based music. Many of the
"loopers" around here have learned to mutate the loops well enough that they
don't sound the way they originally did. The guitar and strings in this song
came from a few midi piano loops and then I removed and added notes,
changed the instruments until I had what I wanted. Of course, I do have songs
with unmutated loops in them, too, and I always feel a little guilty about
those.

Thanks you again; what you said means so much.
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
stratcat51 said 1437 days ago (December 21st, 2005)
Pretty Tune
Yer more then welcome, but yer not faking anything. Music is music weather you use loops. guitar, voice pennywhistle ect ect. Duke Ellington once said " theres only two types of music good and bad " of course thats a subjective thing. After listening to yours and many others on this website it's inspired me to really dive back into recording. After the first of the year my present to myself will be a new Mac ibook or powerbook and some more recording gear. I've already got a few books ordered about garage band from Amazon. After hearing what youve done I know it's possible. I was playing one of yer tunes this morning and my wife walked bye and asked if I bought a new cd. When I showed her this site she was really knocked out. She really liked your stuff also. Keep up the good work.
Check out my latest song called Hope
Drew Kopr said 1392 days ago (February 3rd, 2006)
I think
this is your best tune, and I just finished listening to all your tunes!
Beautiful writing, both lyrically and melodically.
Check out my latest song called WinterSong
ledebutant said 1392 days ago (February 4th, 2006)
I think
Thank you Drew and bless you for undertaking the insane task of listening to
all of my songs. Hopefully, you heard some growth, although you feel this is
my best song. It's probably my next project, actually to redo this song
properly with a real guitar player (all lined up) and my brand spanking new
Rode microphone. I've always been partial to this one and can't wait to offer a
better recording of it.

Thanks for the listens and I think you may be clinical. :-)
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
Drew Kopr said 1391 days ago (February 4th, 2006)
I think
I am 100% certain I am both clinical and cynical. But this tune is just beautiful.
Check out my latest song called WinterSong
Monkaton said 1345 days ago (March 23rd, 2006)
I wouldn't change a thing
Who cares whether there is hiss or not? You got it right and I wouldn't want to lose the performance.

The orchestration is very well done. George Martin would be proud. I really liked the way you changed the melody on the last "After all what is love for." Changed the dynamic of the song and lyrically set up the last line.
Check out my latest song called Darkness of the Night
Scott Carmichael said 1326 days ago (April 10th, 2006)
way to write the emotion
this song is all about the turmoil the person is going through and her
decision to surrender to it & see it through... all elements that you
employ to put the song across work toward that goal... i love the
simplicity of the performance, vunerable & slightly resigned.. slightly
blue piano trying to be cheerful... great stuff.... great writing
Check out my latest song called Good Morning
Scott Carmichael said 1326 days ago (April 10th, 2006)
way to write the emotion
as if you need another comment here
Check out my latest song called Good Morning
joel c. said 1281 days ago (May 25th, 2006)
Your Best Song
I might be abit late here but as Drew Kopr said , this IS your best song.
No doubt.
Check out my latest song called Intergalactic Love Affair
ledebutant said 1281 days ago (May 25th, 2006)
Your Best Song
Thanks so much J. I really got lucky with this one and have plans rolling at the
moment to re-record it with alley-oop on guitar. I'm looking forward to
posting a version with better production values.

This is probably my favorite one of mine, too. I wish I had more time to write
my own stuff. I've been having lots of fun collaborating, but I sometimes
wonder what I might come up with on my own.

Thanks for the comment. I really do appreciate it!
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
composerclark said 1260 days ago (June 15th, 2006)
Lucky????
Well, I came for a listen because you referred people here in the "sound
quality of the voicee" forum thread to check out the recording quality of
three of your songs, but I'M BLOWN AWAY BY THE SONG! You mentioned
getting 'lucky' with this one a few times in your comments above, and,
while I can relate to that feeling -- every now and then in the creative
process, things just click and I don't know why or how it happened -- this
is a shining testament to the fact that you are very, very, talented. And
smart, wise, etc. And you sing beautifully. I'm jealous!
Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall
ledebutant said 1256 days ago (June 19th, 2006)
Lucky????
Thank you so much, Clark. A compliment from a serious musician like you,
means a great deal to me. The ball's rolling on do-over of this, so I'll be
reposting a better recording soon, I hope.

Again, thanks for taking the time to comment.

Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
DOCTORBIZARRE said 1226 days ago (July 19th, 2006)
NEW?
When is the new version going to be ready princess?
Check out my latest song called STORM
ledebutant said 1226 days ago (July 19th, 2006)
NEW?
Just harrass Mr. Oop every day until his part is done. He told me today that
he's starting to learn it, so it should be soon. :-)
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
slumbering said 1174 days ago (September 9th, 2006)
This is so touching
I just heard James Bouchard's cover of this on MacIDOL, so i had to
hear your original version.

It's beautiful. I can't believe you used loops, it just goes to show that
one can be as creative, perhaps must be even more so, with loops.

So, which loops did you use? I just read about the 70's ballad piano
and using the orchestral strings effect on it, cool. What else, what
else?! (I'm never happy with the sound of my strings, which i play
through my keyboard using some software effect or other.)

I love the sweet sound of this song, and the very touching lyrics.

Check out my latest song called Over the Sea
Boris the Bull said 1173 days ago (September 10th, 2006)
thoughts from the bull...
such a lovely piece. not much more can be said that hasn't been
covered here. just wanted to put in my word as well. great, great job.
Check out my latest song called What You'd Be Like
onesweetworld said 1161 days ago (September 23rd, 2006)
great job
from your lyrics to the artwork to your beautiful voice....everything falls
into place. You know it's good when listeners can EMPATHIZE (not
sympathize) with the song...and that's what you did. Glad this song is so
successful (114 d/ls wow!!!)....it deserves to be.
Check out my latest song called Hopes and Dreams
said 1151 days ago (October 2nd, 2006)
wow so beautiful
and sad and forgivefull, i love the lyrics and the way you sing it is very
appealing to the ear. The guitar playing is right on, and I dont hear a hiss
at all could be my end but agian a beautifull song.
wade baird said 1134 days ago (October 19th, 2006)
like your voice...
good chord progression, fits well with the melody line, kind of beatle-esque at points, i can hear the suzanne vega influence. nice work.
Check out my latest song called No More Dogs
blaky smith said 1119 days ago (November 4th, 2006)
Bravo
Very well done, really a good singing and a great voice with a nice job with loops ...
Check out my latest song called Sur le sable (w Jiguma)
Youra said 1093 days ago (November 30th, 2006)
Bravo madame
Just discovered this old post when reading the thread "Loop it or loose it #2". Gee ! Your third song ! So beautiful. I understand better why you liked "Place Blanche" now, I'm so far having your skills. I'm bracing myself for the contest, just hoping not being ridiculous, and will carefully listen your new song, if any.
Check out my latest song called Funkaboka
Macaudion said 1092 days ago (November 30th, 2006)
Well this was a nice little suprise...
That was just beautiful, Lisa - I just know that you and I will make a cool tune, one day - This one made me cloud up and rain a little - Very dellicate and special little piece. Thanks for sharing. D
Check out my latest song called 123 iGetU
ledebutant said 1086 days ago (December 6th, 2006)
Weepy
I always have an umbrella for you, mister. ;-)
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
Agent Stewie said 1087 days ago (December 5th, 2006)
Love the lyrics.
You have a nice voice! I like the sound. Good stuff!
Mute Albino said 1054 days ago (January 7th, 2007)
Natural beauty
Your voice says it all: A natural beauty. The chord progression is interesting, even if it's classic, it's very inspiring. Reminds me of a Beatles tune, the typical progression of 'Dear Prudence'. Altough I find you should break it somewhere. It was always interesting to know that Lennon & McCartney were alter egos. That's what made those compositions interesting: The harmonic side of Paul against the darker input of John. In that sense the harmonic parts will satisfy more because of the middle-8 part which is another view added to the song. Eventually, you will have even more fun out of composing, because of the tension created!
Check out my latest song called Flies On Oranges
Mute Albino said 1054 days ago (January 7th, 2007)
and
"We can work it out" is a perfect example!
Check out my latest song called Flies On Oranges
MJG said 1044 days ago (January 17th, 2007)
Touchy subject, pardon the pun...
Yeah,I think a lot of us deal with this little ghost. Unfortunatly, reality is most couples deal with each other's unfaithfullness, you did a nice job of expressing your feelings, comes through well in your voice/song, thanks for sharin'-MJG
Check out my latest song called Fox River Spirits(Acoustic)
ledebutant said 1044 days ago (January 17th, 2007)
Thanks
Thanks, MJG. I'm really glad that you enjoyed the song and that the emotions seemed very real to you. The emotions expressed are, but the situation is completely fictional. To the best of my knowledge, my husband has been completely faithful, so this song isn't about him. For a long time, I really had no clue where on earth these lyrics came from and I'm still not exactly sure what I was tapping into. I struggled with a long illness for a time and the best I can figure out is that the song is about my attempts to understand that it's okay to let go of the past and believe that I can move forward now without being sick anymore. So, in a sense, it's about me accepting myself, my past and my future and forgiving my body for failing me for a time and forgiving myself for not accomplishing the things I had wanted to in life. In a sense, the song is about intergrating the two parts of my life and moving on.

Of course, this may be way off, but that's the best I can come up with. ;-)
Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)
MJG said 1044 days ago (January 17th, 2007)
Thanks for sharin again,
Wow, that gives me a little insight. I'm happy to hear that you have made a full recovery. Sometimes they say when your really sick it gives you the ability to travel outside your own body and take a look at the big picture. I'm probably blabbing on so, keep making those beautiful songs and I'll chat with soon-MJG
Check out my latest song called Fox River Spirits(Acoustic)
annalia said 1009 days ago (February 21st, 2007)
Great Voice
You have a very sweetly-innocent voice.
You do have too many things on top of the second chorus, and yes, I could hear some minor glitches in it. Beautiful, sad lyrics and sweet voice. I think this would do well with a remix by you as well.
Thank you for sharing and I admire your courage! :)

Check out my latest song called freakshow
lavalamp said 912 days ago (May 30th, 2007)
Another great job
Listening to some of your past works and I must say I'm enchanted by your voice. You write some very nice songs. You have that something special in your voice.
I wonder if you have any success with your music?
Because you should!
LL
Check out my latest song called Googolplex Times Zero
Magritte said 871 days ago (July 9th, 2007)
I love the back catalog
This is really funny because I just reread your comment on "Tiny Tin Penguin Parade," which was part of the LIOLI that used...the very loop you feature here.

I like the lack of effects on your vocals because it makes the plea that much more naked, and affecting. I really feel for her, maybe especially so because the song is not downbeat as you might expect with this subject matter. The sunniness of your voice and the tune just makes it all the more heartbreaking.
Check out my latest song called Tango Macabre
arachnidzone said 722 days ago (December 5th, 2007)
MY EARS!!!!!
My ears, MY EARS!!!

They feel wonderfull after listening to this smooth, cler voice and calming music.

Thanks
Check out my latest song called Storm of War - RPG version
droop said 655 days ago (February 11th, 2008)
Well I guess
this is sort of after the fact.......but I love this song and your vocal. I really like it when you modulate the one time on "After all". I'm kinda new here
so this is new to me. Mighty fine!

thanks
Check out my latest song called Last Teardrop
said 631 days ago (March 5th, 2008)
Great
I really like the song... Melody and lyrics.... And your voice/vocals are beautiful... A really peaceful song.... I like it a lot.... Glad that i've heard it....
stacey said 600 days ago (April 5th, 2008)
Better Late Than Never?
Hey Lisa,

Can't believe I hadn't heard this one yet! It is gorgeous! I would not have been able to tell that this was loops. You nailed this, Chickie!

It's now on my iPod and by the look of things in your stats for this song, you have 177 downloads, and 100 comments. Isn't that cool?

This song breaks my heart, 'cause you know how partial I am to heartbreak songs...

Just stunning. Thank you.

Stacey K. Black
Check out my latest song called tick tock
lavalamp said 230 days ago (April 10th, 2009)
Pleases
Come back to this tune. I hear the hiss, yeah. But, this is such a good song. Lisa.

Brilliant, to say the least. Your voice sounds so emotional, sweet and hurt at the same time. You always remind me of Dido.

Dave
Check out my latest song called Googolplex Times Zero
Outtaorbit said 230 days ago (April 10th, 2009)
What is love for?
more than affairs I'm sure... nicely done
Check out my latest song called Sea Shell Blues and Alannah
ktb said 143 days ago (July 6th, 2009)
a delight
my good day to start clicking on Nyakki's song randomizer. Too long since getting a Ledeb fix. There's a real elemental beauty to this. Your voice fer sure, but also the skillfull arrangement of the strings. Vulnerable but sung from an inner strength. You were the secret love child of either McCartney or Lennon I can't decide which :-)
Check out my latest song called Texas stump
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Name: Lisa
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I've been writing songs for the last few years, which I tried initially because GarageBand made it possible for me to play with music for the first time in 15 years, and I found very quickly that I really loved songwriting and in my time here at Macj... [see more]

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