Journey To The Centre Of The Loop

alfalpha

Get Flash to see this player.

Description

This is my contribution to the 2nd 'Loop it or Lose It' challenge, as organised by Chikoppi.

The original loop is the GB '70's Ballad Piano'.

OK, I admit it, in my younger days, I was a major fan of progressive rock...I guess that's how its defined these days.
Thanks to Elfdaughter for the use (or abuse) of her vocals.
Apologies to ELP, King Crimson, Rick Wakeman, Yes, etc, etc...!
Everything here, (except 'Elfdaughter's' vocals) has been pencilled...

Leave a Comment

You must be registered and logged-in to comment.

Lyrics

Lah Dee Dah Dah,
Lah Dee Dah, Dah
Lah Dee Daa Daa
Dee Dah, Dah
Lah, Lah, Lah
LahdeeDah...
(repeat)

Song Stats

Hits: 1986
Comments: 47
Fans: 16
Plays: 217
Downloads: 67
Votes: 10
Uploaded: Dec 09, 2006 - 10:59:11 PM
Last Updated: Feb 21, 2007 - 06:07:11 AM Last Played: Sep 28, 2009 - 12:10:35 AM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Keywords:

prog rock (7), elfdaugher (2), alfalpha (24)

Hardware:

iBook G4
Elfdaughter

Software:

GB2
daHornet

Comments

peacepiano	peacepiano said 1083 days ago (December 9th, 2006)
	70's style Smartly done. I don't think any of those guys would be offended. Elfdaughter sounds nice here and the arrangement around the loop is pure 70's. Thanks for sharing. Check out my latest song called I Should Have Known

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1082 days ago (December 10th, 2006)
	very kind of you.. ...thanks Peacepiano, I hope they wouldn't be offended! Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

Alannah	Alannah said 1083 days ago (December 9th, 2006)
	I like the fact ... .. that you added some vocals to the loop thingy .... they sound nice and make this one stand out against a sea of similar sounding tunes ... due to the whole use the same loop thing .... funnily tho .. this almost had a harpsichord sound to it .... Check out my latest song called I'm Drownin' - Smokey VW (feat Alannah) + Outtaorbit

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1082 days ago (December 10th, 2006)
	a harpsichord you say...? ...he, he, he you guessed correctly! Thanks for the comments Allanah! Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

Magritte	Magritte said 1083 days ago (December 10th, 2006)
	I'm so embarrassed. I can't comment on this song without admitting my secret fondness for prog-rock. Because I really dig what you did with this. It's totally a prog-rock loop, how did I not notice! The synth trills really make it. Also, the vocals are lovely. Check out my latest song called Tango Macabre

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1082 days ago (December 10th, 2006)
	ssshhhhh! ...don't tell anyone else about our secret fondness for this stuff! They might find out! LOL! Thanks Margritte! Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

elfdaughter	elfdaughter said 1058 days ago (January 3rd, 2007)
	Thanks Thanks for the nice comment on the vocals, magritte! OK, now I REALLY need to get back into the singing aspect of things.... --- Quack, Quack, for the love of God, QUACK! Check out my latest song called Carol of the Bells 2009

Myshkin	Myshkin said 1083 days ago (December 10th, 2006)
	Rock out with your irony out It's like Mike Batt, Rick Wakeman, Nick Mason and John Welton got together to form a supergroup. Great take on the loop - love the keyboards! Check out my latest song called Iceland

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1082 days ago (December 10th, 2006)
	...I'm really, really sorry... ....Ross I just couldn't help it...! I just HAD to face my prog rock demons! Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

bud	bud said 1082 days ago (December 10th, 2006)
	Prog rock - no shame love what you've done here - ELP I need somebody. the vintage synth lead tone from Lucky Man made a brief appearance showing great restarint on your part. Fun and creative entry. Thanks man! Check out my latest song called try not to think

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1082 days ago (December 10th, 2006)
	restraint...? ...Bud, I don't know about 'restraint'...indulgence is probably more to the point...LOL! I'm glad you picked out the 'Lucky Man' KB sound...it seems I am not alone! Thanks Man! Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

announcer	announcer said 1082 days ago (December 10th, 2006)
	Nice Playing and some really nice percussion on this too. It all really fits with the 70s feel. BTW I did not like a lot of the overly produced stuff of the 70s but for this piece I will make an exception :-) Good stuff Check out my latest song called It Was a Dark and Stormy Night

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1082 days ago (December 10th, 2006)
	...regarding the percussion... ....I guess I should also make an apology to Carl Palmer...! Many Thanks for your comments! Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

DeputyDoofy	DeputyDoofy said 1082 days ago (December 10th, 2006)
	I don't care... ...what you call the style, because I liked it just the same. Very nice, and the vocals are a nice touc. Too bad I just got done watching the Grinch and the vocals here sound exactly like the song they sing at the end. :P Check out my latest song called DW — Don't F with Time

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1082 days ago (December 10th, 2006)
	what do you think... ...the Whos call this style in Whoville? Thanks so much Doofy! Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

	said 1082 days ago (December 10th, 2006)
	:) This brings back memories. I'm more of a King Crimson fan than ELP or Yes, but this was enjoyable.

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1082 days ago (December 10th, 2006)
	well, ...I guess I won't have to apologise to King Crimson then! ;) Many Thanks DN! Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

Youra	Youra said 1082 days ago (December 10th, 2006)
	alfapha time machine works quite well. Great organ and voice. One the songs that made this contest an enlighment. Thanks for sharing. Check out my latest song called Funkaboka

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1082 days ago (December 10th, 2006)
	perhaps... ...I'm digging up the past? I'm not sure how this could be 'enlightening'...LOL! Cheers & Thanks Youra! Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

	said 1082 days ago (December 11th, 2006)
	Years ago... this would be a "cool" song. But today, hmmmm? Really neat? heheh. Great tune here alf, really enjoyed it. Jack

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1082 days ago (December 11th, 2006)
	'cool' eh? ...I'm not too sure about that! LOL! ...thanks for listening Dadai! Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

jiguma	jiguma said 1081 days ago (December 11th, 2006)
	Bottom Pub! I am a prog rock fan from way back Alf - amazing work here - good thing you have so much spare time : ) So we can expect to hear this live at the next Bottom Pub "singer/songwriter" afternoon I guess. Love the drums. Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1081 days ago (December 11th, 2006)
	hmmm...the Bottom Pub, eh? ...I just have to get my head around an acoustic version! (Are you up for the vocals?) LOL! Thanks Neil! Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

SmokeyVW	SmokeyVW said 1081 days ago (December 11th, 2006)
	those were the days nice selection of instruments - the keys sound stellar - nice drum break in there (at just the right moment) - a bit more keys, and that smooth finish with those voices from on high was perfect. aaah! this gives me a nice mid-70's kinda feeling - they just don't make songs like this any more Check out my latest song called One For Me

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1081 days ago (December 11th, 2006)
	this is probably the reason... ...why they don't make songs like this anymore ;) Many Thanks Smokey, you're way, way too kind! Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

elfdaughter	elfdaughter said 1080 days ago (December 12th, 2006)
	I'm hardware?? chuckles Hehehe - glad we finally got that sodding vocal to work! Ooh, I like what you did with it!!!! Actually, scrap that - I LOVE what you've done with it! Check out my latest song called Carol of the Bells 2009

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1080 days ago (December 12th, 2006)
	...or maybe software... ...hey I don't discriminate! Thanks again for all your hard work Averil! We'll have to do some more! Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

j2morrow	j2morrow said 1078 days ago (December 14th, 2006)
	Progressive Some of those musicians back in the 70s may have had elitist attitudes about their music but that doesn't take away from the fact that they did make some great music. This is very creative. You've got that 70s organ sound down, for sure. And the inventive vocal track is clever and fresh. Nice work. Check out my latest song called CAPTURE THE RAPTURE

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1078 days ago (December 14th, 2006)
	...elitist, (moi?) I wouldn't know what the word means! heh, heh, heh, Thanks J2, you're very kind! Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

Macaudion	Macaudion said 1072 days ago (December 20th, 2006)
	Wow! Impressive!!! Crazy amounts of focus and effort went into to this. Inventive and beautifully performed. Very nice work. Thanks! D Check out my latest song called 123 iGetU

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1071 days ago (December 21st, 2006)
	I guess I AM... ...a little crazy ;) Many Thanks Dion, your comments mean a lot to me! Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 1059 days ago (January 2nd, 2007)

Refreshing
I really enjoyed the passing back and forth of phrases among your keyboard instruments. Your titled threw me off, since I thought the song would sound pre-made loop-based, but it was compositionally driven, with enjoyable classical touches. As a piece, I thought it might have benefited from lyrics, or, if you were making it more of a "vocalese" style song, of more vocal variations; altho the main theme was fun, reminding me of late 60s sounds, Gene Puerling, Singers Unlimited among others. A refreshing, clean composition that uplifts.

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

alfalpha

alfalpha said 1059 days ago (January 2nd, 2007)

...loop based!
LOL! Tobin, you know, I SHOULD get into the habit of fully explaining my pieces in the song description in more detail ;)

This piece was one of the submissions in response to Chikoppi's 2nd 'Loop it or Lose it' challenge last month, the criteria being that the GB loop '70's Ballad Piano' had to be utilised in one way or another.

I had originally intended to combine Averil's (elfdaughter) vocals with a 'mash up' of the loop to create a sort of 'Francoise Hardy meets the Swingle Singers' type of sound, which, due to some mic level probs, tyranny of distance (& a deadline), never came to fruition. After some serious automation of the levels on the vocal track, I decided to take the 'Prog Rock' route!
Many Thanks for stopping by to listen & comment!

Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

haribo	haribo said 1059 days ago (January 3rd, 2007)
	exciting blend of styles phrasings are really cheery and uplifting! vocal is eerie, was it recorded?? however it was done sounds really great. with the beat, wholesome sounds provide a very positive energy. thanks for sharing ! Check out my latest song called Fragment

elfdaughter	elfdaughter said 1058 days ago (January 3rd, 2007)
	*chuckles* Vocal is me! :D Actually, we had a lot of problems with my vocal track - I've recently moved houses, and have yet to find somewhere um....quiet to record! lol! Alfy did an excellent job with a not-exactly-perfect recording of my vocals. --- Quack, Quack, for the love of God, QUACK! Check out my latest song called Carol of the Bells 2009

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1054 days ago (January 8th, 2007)
	yes... ...the vocals were recorded, in a manner of speaking LOL! Just ask poo Averil (Elfdaughter). Many Thanks Hun, for popping by...I'm really glad to have you visit...I'll be around soon too! Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

elfdaughter

elfdaughter said 1032 days ago (January 29th, 2007)

Pardon??
'Poo' Averil?? You'll pay for that, Alfy!! Lol!!

By thew way, how DID you make my voice sound 'choiristic'? ;)

---
When the last eagle flies over the last crumbling mountain, And the last lion roars at the last dusty fountain, In the shadow of the forest though she may be old and worn, They will stare unbelieving at the last unicorn!

Check out my latest song called Carol of the Bells 2009

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1032 days ago (January 29th, 2007)
	Elf Poo... ...the 'r' went missing during a battle with my typing skills... many apologies... ....'choiristic' effects include reverb, equalisation & much, much auto-leveling! --- Variety is the spice of life...(we're only scratching the surface...) Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

elfdaughter	elfdaughter said 1031 days ago (January 30th, 2007)
	Hehehehe! Aye, I figured it was a mistype. Hmmm....shall have to play around...;) Thanks! --- When the last eagle flies over the last crumbling mountain, And the last lion roars at the last dusty fountain, In the shadow of the forest though she may be old and worn, They will stare unbelieving at the last unicorn! Check out my latest song called Carol of the Bells 2009

Leon

Leon said 1059 days ago (January 3rd, 2007)

Unique
Alfa, you have a unique sound... a melding of both classical and pop. The juxtapositions of these styles sound bold and amusing. Part of it wants to rock yet there is a sense of world music serenity and finesse! Really enjoyed this... I admire the unconventional approach... ranks high in originality and creativity for sure. Elfie's voice adds a layer of calm and soothing quality to an otherwise dynamic and energetic arrangement!

Check out my latest song called The Nightingale (music and lyrics by Oceans)

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1054 days ago (January 8th, 2007)
	Unique...?! ...heh, heh...uniquely plagiarist more like! I simply could not have done it without the help of the ghosts of 'prog-rock past'.... Thanks for the comments Leon! Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

Macaudion

Macaudion said 1054 days ago (January 7th, 2007)

Wow
At present, I'm in a hotel and listening to this on some fairly craptackular speakers, and still, I'm blown away by what I think I'm hearing... This is probably a good time to go and read your bio, huh...

Sec... ... ...

Oh geez!... Christ, dude! Boy do you have it in your blood...

Aww god... I just thought of something... Do I recall seeing your name in the 2007 'Drumoff'??? LOL...

I'm so stupid... - Well, I can't wait - LOLOL That's maniacal laughter you're seeing - Now, I can't wait to be able to hear this on a nice system. I can't wait to hear it on a less than average system...

K, outta here -- Thanks! Macca

Check out my latest song called 123 iGetU

alfalpha

alfalpha said 1054 days ago (January 8th, 2007)

...what's a 'drum-off'...?
LOL!
Dear Macca(dion...!), I had to 'immerse' myself into the heart & soul of Carl Palmer's drumming style...& with a LOT of pencilling, semi-lateral thinking, 'air-drumming', coffee in the morning, a glass of wine at night, (although this proved somewhat unhelpful for the drum track, except for 'medicinal reviewing' purposes), and a deep, deep breath...erm...the exercise left me somewhat breathless!

Cheers D!

'...alf goes off to find the meaning of a 'drum-off...' ;-}

Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

paxeden	paxeden said 1030 days ago (January 31st, 2007)
	this is AWESOME it's like... if 70's rock had a love child with the band Air. Check out my latest song called mister

alfalpha	alfalpha said 1030 days ago (January 31st, 2007)
	thank You! I'm not sure if Air would really like to have a love child like this! (Heh!) Thanks for popping on by Paxeden,...! --- Variety is the spice of life...(we're only scratching the surface...) Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

PentaRay	PentaRay said 73 days ago (September 14th, 2009)
	it's a bit over the top and yet it isn't... like many prog things music. I stumbled across this one because most of my own music is labeled prog rock as well, just checking out the other likewise minded. I see you didn't upload anything recently. Can we expect anything new from you in the near future? Check out my latest song called Just You Wait 'till I Am Sober (LIOLI#09)

alfalpha

alfalpha said 73 days ago (September 14th, 2009)

heh...
Prog Rock isn't the only genre I like to tinker with!

In this case the loop provided somehow reminded me of the category, I'm not sure why...

As far as 'new stuff' is concerned, I've been very busy over the last year, as my wife & I run our own business, however, there are a few things in the pipeline. I'll be posting once I get an opportunity.

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Check out my latest song called Mania- w/DavisAmerica-The 'Sprout' Remix

Fan List

Artist Info

Name: alfahlfah

I began piano lessons at the age of 7 & brass at 12. Studied music through school, then continued with music studies at university. I have played semi-professionally on-and-off over the last 2 decades in various bands/groups in many genres. Having... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

Progressive rock (shortened to prog, or prog rock when differentiating from other "progressive" genres) is an ambitious, eclectic, and often grandiose style of rock music which arose in the late 1960s, reached the peak of its popularity in the early

More songs in Progressive Rock:

Chat

drakonis	62
Feter	41
Henke	39
jiguma	55
MarkHolbrook	21
maxruehl	66
PsalmsProgressions	3
scaustrita	12
tonestones	4
VicDiesel	45