[Neil C]

Hi
Here's a tune that's Alan has kindly added his slightly careworn vocals, thanks a lot.
And thanks as well to the feedback for lyrics and WIP as well - I think it was Paulski who suggested the mouse towards the end.
All feedback gratefully received
 
Neil

https://soundcloud.com/neilconnor-2/empty-little-house-master-demo-31-oct-2016

The postman posts another letter through the door
Where it falls silently and lands upon the floor
Lying there with all the others
Gathering only dust
Special offers not today in this empty little house

If you listen carefully to the winters’ wind
You can hear children playing, who is going to win?
Vying with each other
Gathering sticks and stones
The place was full of life and laughter a proper family home

They upped and left the house became retirement home for two
A little slower, not much noise but always chores to do
Food on the stove from the vegetable plot
Neat and tidy in their own private spot

The seasons past, it couldn't last she slowly slipped away
He tried his best to carry on, living day to day
But his heart wasn't in it
Although his heart was strong
He fell and had to go into a home where nobody belongs

The postman puts another letter through the door
Where it drops down silently and lands upon the floor
Stacking up with all the others
Sniffed at by a mouse
No correspondence needed anymore in this empty little house

[Viscount Cramer & His Orchestra]

This was already very nicely done Neil when I heard it in the WIP.
 
Guitar sounds great as ever. Strings sound OK to me. You've tackled them well. I can only manage the simplest sustained chord thing myself. Bloody tricky things.

The melody is one of your best I reckon and I've already said that I like the flow of the lyric in this one. Monty does a great job with it as we would expect (Well sung Alan!) but I won't make any risky comparisons with your version. As I said before I think you did a good job vocally with this in your turn.

Nicely done gentle song.

[pompeyjazz]

Sound great now Neil. I really liked this in wip bur you've made some lovely little subtle adjustments that just moves the song up to the next level. Great job on vocals Alan. This is one of those songs that gets stuck in your head. Great stuff.

Cheers

John

[shadowfax]

well done guys..lovely song.nice vox Alan

best, Kevin

[Skub]

It all works for me. The song poignantly reflects on the passing of life and the story behind the uncollected mail is a great observation.

Alan's Sepia toned vocals suit the piece perfectly.

[crystalsuzy]

What a lovely song Neil, with the perfect amount of sentiment Made me feel a little sad, but at the same time happy, because the house is full of good memories...a loving family had once lived there
Alan's vocals are perfect for this song I didn't hear it with yours
I too, think this is one of your sweetest melodies and the spare production works very well
Kudos guys

[adamfarr]

Yes, a really good teamup on this one I think. I actually liked both versions. Intro made me think of "Back for Good" for a couple of seconds!

The synth strings are a perfect choice for this one.

[seriousfun]

Never heard this in the wip section, I don't tend to go into that arena.

Loved this. Lovely melody chosen, often going where not initially predicted which adds a lot more interest. Alan, your vox is really nice on this and the arrangement is bang on for this song. Lovely lyrics and a great feeling from this song.

Kudos to you both, I am envious of the talent on show here, a winning combo.

Allan.

[IronKnee]

Nice song, guys!
Collabs are difficult, especially, when trying to iron out the seams that are created when meshing together all those different parts.......you all did a very good job.
Nice song!!
                                  -Tom

[Jamie]

Hi guys, nice collaboration! Some nice chord changes esp the major to minors.The guitars and strings sound together nicely. Well sung Alan!
Cheers
Jamie

[Paulski]

Hi Neil

Lovely poignant song and lyrics. Good job on the vocal Alan and I liked the understated approach to the instruments. Thankfully no drums! I would have waited for the second verse for the strings entry but that's just too nit-picky to dignify a mention

Great collab guys
Paul

[Neil C]

Thanks all for listening and feedback seems to have gone down well and cheer Alan for your vocals, top job.
 
Neil

Dear Count, great feedback thanks a lot. Re strings I felt they were ok although I'm sure with more attention and they could be quiet a lot better, but sometimes I juts get used to and like the demo versions

John, I hope the heads got sorted now, cant remember what i did to the demo i think its just a better mix with Alan in there

Kev thanks

lovely song.nice vox Alan Smiley Smiley

Skub, cheers, yes that first line was just real life observation that the postman kept on delivering mail and it went from there. Sepia toned vocals 

CS, thanks for your lovely comments, pleased it wasn't too sentimental all know him it was rather sad but i hope a fitting tribute

Adam, Gary B? taught him everything he knows....  , I thought my demo was ok but felt a more mature vocal would top it off nicely. Alan seemed to really like the song, so I asked him if he wouldn't mind..

Allan, great feedback, Alan so easy to work with too

IronKnee, thanks glad the collab worked and you liked it.

Jamie, cheers I like the transition between minor and major, especially on the middle eight

Paul, thanks re understated instrument, just tried to keep it simple and hardly any drums..

[digger72]

Hi Neil/Alan,


Not sure how I missed this.
Very good song. Adam saved me a day's brain racking when he mentioned Back For Good - I was thinking where have I head something like that? But it's a moment's thing in a quality piece.
Alan's vocal suits the mood perfectly. Very gentle, in that soothing tone.

"Sniffed at by a mouse" - I like that.

Digger

[tboswell]

This is great, starts off and your are thinking it is charming and it ends up cutting and heartbreaking.

Nice storytelling throughout the lyric that takes you through the journey. The music is a little old fashioned and sentimental (as much of my stuff!) but that seems to fit the character of the song, feeling out of step with time.

String arrangement is pretty nice, though it does sound a bit synthy in places. I play in orchestras all the time and have a low tolerance for fake sounding strings.

There is one particular chord you use in the verses that is lovely unexpected turn that ratchets up the tension, very cool.

Can't believe I nearly missed out on this one. Phew 

Tom.

[CaliaMoko]

This song is great for evoking a nostalgic feeling (not that I need any help feeling nostalgic). I find it very effective. It makes me think about my past, my grandparents--I see the house as a house from my past. I see it as empty now and at the same time I recognize the ghosts of the past...kids playing and laughing in the yard, in the house.

Very good, in my opinion.