Musicians Collaboration Studio

Virtual Music Studio => Finished Works => Topic started by: AndyG6508 on January 16, 2014, 12:58:57 PM

Title: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: AndyG6508 on January 16, 2014, 12:58:57 PM
First one done for 2014, thiis one was carried by the excellence of my fellow collaborators.

Paul - A very well written lyric indeed. I liked the social commentary.

Frank - Special thanks for doing all the heavy yards, putting the arrangement together, playing the fab guitar parts, and finally bringing it home with excellent mixes.

Steve - You were your usual excellent self, great vocals interpreting the lyric perfectly.

Mark - Great to have you on board, for a new guy you've fitted right in from the start. A fantastic drums track, played with super feel, sound, meter and skill. I believe this could be your first completed collab on MCS, congratulations!!

Thanks again, guys.

PS - Frank produced a couple of great mixes, we couldn't decide which one to choose as the final, so we posted both!

Crystal Skies (Paul Dempsey/Andy Gupta/Frank Zax) (c)2012,2014

bpm=90

Intro riff: Am figure (over Am C G Am G Am chords)
(v1)
   Am
Beneath the warm feeling
   G                    Dm         Am
A prism of colors begins to rise
   C                 G
A heightened awareness
Dm          G             C  G/B Am
Sheltered under the Crystal Skies

(v2)
But no one is crying
Even though there may be pain
As long as they can stay
Covered under the Crystal Skies

Riff2 : Am (notes: A C D D# E)/G (notes:G B C C# D) Am C Am G x2

(chorus)
       Am   G             C               Am
Yes, all is well, for a moment or two
Am        G        C            G     Am
Powerful colors changing their hue
Am               G                        C            Am
Although it is well known and it would be wise
Am          G                            Dm  G  Am
Few ever touchdown from The Crystal Skies

(v3)
And fear comes and goes
Feeling it crawl under the skin
They hide in the corner
And wait to start all over again

(v4)
There are illusions of life
Where no one ever dies
As long as they stay
Under the cloak of the Crystal Skies

(bridge)
Hope lies,
Em                         Bm
That one day they'll long for something new
       A                 F#m
And find a way to change their view
Em                      Bm
For this prism can be like a prison
                A                      D
Can they open their eyes
     F#m         E
To see all the lies

Riff3: Bm (notes:B D E F# B(oct))/A (notes: A C# E F# A) Bm D Bm A x2 then G
Solo over intro and 2 verses
Chorus
Outro over Riff3 (2 semitones down on Am)

Personnel:

Paul Dempsey (PVD) : Lyrics
Frank Zax (Zax): Arrangement, guitars including solo, Mix
Steve McAndrew (Pleasuredome): Lead and backing vocals, harmony guitar
Mark R Cole (Drumguy): Drums
Andy Gupta (AndyG6508) : Music, arrangement, Bass
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: rightonthemark on January 16, 2014, 01:51:18 PM
two thumbs up.
mix1 is great - even sounds good on the crappy little speaker on my phone.
and congrats to Mark (drumguy) on completing his first collab here at mcs.
great sound, great performances, great tune.

Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Zax on January 16, 2014, 06:22:08 PM
Love this song!!  :)

Great lyrics and a catchy tune!!

Steve, Andy, and Mark... You guys are GREAT musicians!!  And Mark... with drumming like this, I got a feeling you'll be pretty popular on this site.   8)

Thanks for letting me be part of this,

Frank
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Zax on January 16, 2014, 06:24:07 PM
two thumbs up.
mix1 is great - even sounds good on the crappy little speaker on my phone.
and congrats to Mark (drumguy) on completing his first collab here at mcs.
great sound, great performances, great tune.



Thank you, Mark!!  Very much appreciated!   :)

Frank
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: PVD on January 16, 2014, 06:42:46 PM
Everyone:

Great work all around.  Andy, I looked back and I wrote this in June of 2012, that's when you first started this.  Great to see it in the finished area.

Always a pleasure.

Paul
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: AndyG6508 on January 16, 2014, 08:08:48 PM
Hey Marks,

Thanks for the kind comment, much appreciated!

Andy
two thumbs up.
mix1 is great - even sounds good on the crappy little speaker on my phone.
and congrats to Mark (drumguy) on completing his first collab here at mcs.
great sound, great performances, great tune.


Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: AndyG6508 on January 16, 2014, 08:09:21 PM
Thanks Frank, as I said earlier, you pulled this one together! Love the solo!

Andy

Love this song!!  :)

Great lyrics and a catchy tune!!

Steve, Andy, and Mark... You guys are GREAT musicians!!  And Mark... with drumming like this, I got a feeling you'll be pretty popular on this site.   8)

Thanks for letting me be part of this,

Frank
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: AndyG6508 on January 16, 2014, 08:10:54 PM
Hi Paul,

Glad you like. Yes, it's been a long and winding road hasn't it. Always good to work on your lyrics we have done a few over the years :)
Andy

Everyone:

Great work all around.  Andy, I looked back and I wrote this in June of 2012, that's when you first started this.  Great to see it in the finished area.

Always a pleasure.

Paul
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: DrumGuy on January 16, 2014, 10:50:25 PM
Thanks to everyone for all the great comments. And thanks to all the members of this collaboration for letting me be a part of it!  :)

You guys are all great musicians and so easy to work with, but let's face it, I just hit stuff with a couple of sticks.  ::)

Looking forward to more great collaborations in the future!

Mark R Cole (Drumguy)
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: McLovin on January 19, 2014, 01:29:14 PM
Very nice work guys!  Really lifts nicely in the Chorus's with those classic McAndrew wall of pristine vocals. Very interesting solo. Great song.. Great listen.
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: AndyG6508 on January 19, 2014, 02:17:31 PM
Hey Jay,
Thanks for the listen and kind comment, yes, Zax and the Dome were special on this song, as was Mark the new drummer!

Andy

Very nice work guys!  Really lifts nicely in the Chorus's with those classic McAndrew wall of pristine vocals. Very interesting great solo. Great song.. Great listen.
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Zax on January 20, 2014, 04:45:42 PM
Very nice work guys!  Really lifts nicely in the Chorus's with those classic McAndrew wall of pristine vocals. Very interesting solo. Great song.. Great listen.

Hey, HDA... Thanks very much for listening and posting!!

Frank
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: CosmicDolphin on February 02, 2014, 12:48:53 PM
Nicely done. I didn't even realise it was Steve singing until all the harmonies came in on the chorus.

Good stuff.  :) :)

CD
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: AndyG6508 on February 03, 2014, 09:57:58 AM
Thanks Mark, yes a great vocal from Steve indeed, nicely laid back at places.

Andy
Nicely done. I didn't even realise it was Steve singing until all the harmonies came in on the chorus.

Good stuff.  :) :)

CD
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Tricia41 on February 04, 2014, 06:12:29 AM
Love it. Great songwriting and great playing/singing!  Love the way the music started out....reminded me of Tom Petty.

Great work everyone!
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Paulo on February 04, 2014, 06:25:41 AM
Very nice song... Mix sounds beautiful
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: AndyG6508 on February 04, 2014, 09:58:02 AM
Thanks Tricia, much appreciated!!
Andy
Love it. Great songwriting and great playing/singing!  Love the way the music started out....reminded me of Tom Petty.

Great work everyone!

Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: AndyG6508 on February 04, 2014, 09:58:50 AM
Thank you Paulo, and yes, Frank did have a fantastic job on the mix.

Andy

Very nice song... Mix sounds beautiful
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Zax on February 04, 2014, 10:03:58 PM
Thanks for listening CD, Tricia, and Paulo!   :)

Frank
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: docmidnite on February 16, 2014, 12:04:02 PM
Nice listen, cool song, great production!
Super solo, Frank!!!!!!!! Also a great mix you did!
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Zax on February 16, 2014, 12:23:38 PM
Nice listen, cool song, great production!
Super solo, Frank!!!!!!!! Also a great mix you did!

Thanks again, Doc!!  I really appreciate it!   :)

Frank
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: AndyG6508 on February 17, 2014, 11:56:03 AM
Thanks Henry, and yes, super guitars and mix from Frank!

Andy
Nice listen, cool song, great production!
Super solo, Frank!!!!!!!! Also a great mix you did!
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Pleasuredome on February 24, 2014, 10:55:00 AM
As always a pleasure to be around guys 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: AndyG6508 on February 24, 2014, 11:05:41 AM
Thanks Steve, and it's always a pleasure to have your vocal and guitar talents on board :)

Andy

As always a pleasure to be around guys 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Studioplayer on March 09, 2014, 12:23:29 AM
What a great tune guys. The guitar playing is fantastic. Very nice. Really, really good song.  8)
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Zax on March 10, 2014, 01:10:03 AM
What a great tune guys. The guitar playing is fantastic. Very nice. Really, really good song.  8)

Thanks very much for the nice comments, Studioplayer!!  :)

Frank
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: NickT on March 27, 2014, 05:14:15 PM
Wow!

Loved it! That chorus is HUGE! Or as I always tell Steve "Fucking Brilliant!"!

Well written and produced. Loved the guitar work and nice touch with the harmony guitars to put it over the top.

What a great listen!

NickT
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Zax on March 27, 2014, 08:47:57 PM
Wow!

Loved it! That chorus is HUGE! Or as I always tell Steve "Fucking Brilliant!"!

Well written and produced. Loved the guitar work and nice touch with the harmony guitars to put it over the top.

What a great listen!

NickT

Thanks very much, Nick!!

Frank
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Donna on March 28, 2014, 04:10:55 AM
Stunning song! Excellent lyric, Paul. I love the imagery. Rivetting vocals, Steve, and all-in-all fabulous performances from everyone. :) A song to be proud of, for sure. :)

Donna
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Pleasuredome on March 28, 2014, 04:14:48 AM
Thanks all, glad you like and another excellent collab that it was great to be a part of 8) 8)
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: AndyG6508 on June 18, 2014, 10:10:27 AM
Thanks. Steve,another fantastic performance on vocals and the added guitar!

Andy

Thanks all, glad you like and another excellent collab that it was great to be a part of 8) 8)
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Errol on July 25, 2014, 02:10:39 PM
Excellent all round. Love the guitars. Terrific song.  :)
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Zax on July 25, 2014, 05:44:32 PM
Excellent all round. Love the guitars. Terrific song.  :)

Thanks very much, Errol!   :)

Frank
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: stoman on July 29, 2014, 12:56:24 PM
I could repeat myself again and again. Andy, your songs are always so well crafted, and you always find the best musicians to bring them to life.

I'm a little bit envious, but I also love listening to your creations.

Rock on!

Regards,
  Steffen
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: stoman on July 29, 2014, 12:57:14 PM
Love the guitars. :)

+1
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Zax on July 30, 2014, 08:48:41 PM
Love the guitars. :)

+1

Thanks a bunch, Steffen!!   :)

Agreed... Andy's songs are great!

Frank
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: AndyG6508 on August 02, 2014, 12:40:32 PM
Hi Steffen,

Thank you, kind words indeed.

Yes, I do get by with a lot of help from my friends :)

Andy

I could repeat myself again and again. Andy, your songs are always so well crafted, and you always find the best musicians to bring them to life.

I'm a little bit envious, but I also love listening to your creations.

Rock on!

Regards,
  Steffen
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: AndyG6508 on August 02, 2014, 12:41:09 PM
Thank you Frank. Fantastic praise coming from you.


Agreed... Andy's songs are great!

Frank
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Albino on August 29, 2014, 01:13:47 PM
Great song guys. All round performance and mix is top notch.  8)

Steve.

Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: Zax on September 08, 2014, 06:41:08 PM
Great song guys. All round performance and mix is top notch.  8)

Steve.



Hey, Steve... Thanks for listening, and your kind words!   :)

Frank
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: SmithC on July 23, 2015, 02:04:55 PM
Great song...wonderful work from everyone in the collaboration :)

Smithie
Title: Re: Crystal Skies (PVD/AndyG/Pleasuredome/Zax/Drumguy)
Post by: AndyG6508 on July 27, 2015, 03:00:18 PM
Thanks Smithie, very kind of you to say :)
Andy
Great song...wonderful work from everyone in the collaboration :)

Smithie