Musicians Collaboration Studio

Virtual Music Studio => Finished Works => Topic started by: Paulo on June 06, 2009, 11:37:09 AM

Title: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Paulo on June 06, 2009, 11:37:09 AM
This tune has become really nice and it's one of those that makes me celebrate. As far as I remember, it's the first tune started by me in this place that reached the end and, it has been in this computer for some years.
The saga continued as we've started this here at MC's in August 2008 and only now was finished.

Then came the mix... There was a lot going on at the same time, 21 tracks and I loved them all. It was not easy to choose what's in and what's out.

I truly and deeply from the heart, want to thank everybody who made it possible. Steve for the amazing vocals, lyrics, arrangement and guitars, John for the acurate and powerfull druming and Marc for the beautifull bass line. I gotta bow down before you guys who took a simple piano track and pushed it to the limits.

I also want to thanks Mike G for posting lyrics and jerm for his guitar takes, they were just fine but I knew from the begining the direction I wanted for this song.

To all the others who added some feedback, much thanks and specially to Cosmic Dolphin and his mixing input.

I'm truly honored to have you all aboard.

Credits:
Steve McAndrew (Pleuaserdome) - Vocals, Lyrics, Guitars, Arrangement.
John Wooten - Drums
Marc Traynor (Canuck62) - Bass
Paulo Gomes - Music originator, Piano and Keyboards, Guitar Power Chords, Vox harmonies arrangement, Mix.



Then and Now   
(Steve McAndrew)

Verse 1   
The cold grey morning greets the day
Reflecting feelings inside since you went away
My world has ended, seems no sooner had begun
Now no way left to say, still oh so much inside
Why do I feel the need to run and hide

Verse 2
I see your smiling face, safely locked in my memory
One laugh, one touch, one word would surely ease this misery
Transport me to that place where all the bad things can't get in
Now no way left to say, still oh so much inside
Why this burning need to run and hide

Chorus   
Lift me out of this darkness to the place I was before
Take my heart in your hands and lead me through the open door
Take me to some other place, that favourite distant shore
Help me break the chains and see
That was then and this is now

Verse 3
I remember rowing our boat across the pond
Midnight moonlit liaisons that lasted on through the dawn
Days of innocence, when we thought we knew it all
With independent thoughts, no backs against the wall
Full of confidence, we could not fall

Middle 8 (1)
But that was then and now we're all aboard this speeding train
With rails that lead and follow, push and pull us there and back again
Where hopes and dreams from childhood enter adulthood refrain
There's nothing can erase these memories that must remain
Of what was then and this is now

Chorus   
Lift me out of this darkness to the place I was before
Take my heart in your hands and lead me through that open door
Take me to some other place, that favourite distant shore
Help me break the chains and see
That was then and this is now

Gtr Solo

Middle 8 (2)
But that was then and now we must prepare to take the strain
To go in search of endless sunshine, escape the hard torrential rain
Lead our hopes and dreams from childhood into adulthood refrain
There's nothing can erase these memories, memories that must remain
Of what was then

Chorus
Lift me out of this darkness to the place I was before
Take my heart in your hands and lead me through that open door
Take me to some other place, that favourite distant shore
Help me break the chains and see
That was then and this is now
Title: Re: Then and Now
Post by: PVD on June 06, 2009, 12:05:58 PM
Everyone:

Very well done, love the feel.

Paul
Title: Re: Then and Now
Post by: Pleasuredome on June 06, 2009, 12:20:33 PM
Thanks Paulo, you know my feelings regarding your expertise on the keys bro :) :)

It turned out real nice 8) 8)

Thanks too Paul :)
Title: Re: Then and Now
Post by: Paulo on June 06, 2009, 01:07:32 PM
Thanks Paul and Steve, much appreciated  :)
Title: Re: Then and Now
Post by: canuk62 on June 06, 2009, 02:25:22 PM
Great job guys, lets do it again sometime! :) (last name is Traynor BTW! ::))
Marc
Title: Re: Then and Now
Post by: Stoney on June 06, 2009, 04:14:06 PM
Nice one guys ...a fine track and well played by all.

Cheers Ian  :)
Title: Re: Then and Now
Post by: Paulo on June 06, 2009, 06:07:29 PM
(last name is Traynor BTW! ::))

Sorry, I got it there now.
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Studioplayer on June 08, 2009, 01:54:15 PM
Nice guys!! Big production. Really dramatic from beginning to end and a good mix Paulo.  8) Sounds great on my speakers. Everythings nice and clear and sitting in it's own space. Vocals are a tad dry but that may be your intention. Good stuff guys!!  :)

Dave
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Pleasuredome on June 08, 2009, 04:21:42 PM
Thanks Marc, Ian and Dave 8)
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: srvfender on June 08, 2009, 06:30:50 PM
Very smooth and nice overall feel. :)

AJ
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Paulo on June 09, 2009, 03:02:19 AM
Thanks Dave and AJ.
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: j on June 09, 2009, 06:45:48 AM
nice song, and great lyrics and interpretation!  :)  :)
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Tricia41 on June 09, 2009, 07:09:08 AM
oh,what a nice song!!! :) :)  great emotions evoked here!
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Pleasuredome on June 09, 2009, 12:39:27 PM
Thanks AJ, J and Tricia :)

Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Paulo on June 09, 2009, 05:26:20 PM
Thanks Tricia and j.
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: AndyG6508 on June 10, 2009, 01:59:54 PM
Guys,

What a beautiful song!!

Looking at the credits, a super band out together and absolute top notch playing, vocals and production.

Lovely melody, strong hook, and the piano playing and the cool guitar effects really stand out (the bass and drums are perfect too, but then that doesnt surprise us does it :) )

Into the i-pod she goes!!

Cheers
Andy
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Paulo on June 10, 2009, 04:22:50 PM
Thanks Andy  :)
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Pleasuredome on June 11, 2009, 12:13:25 AM
Yo Andy, thanks for that 8)
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: CosmicDolphin on July 09, 2009, 03:23:40 AM
The melody , chords and lyrics are great on this - a fine piece of songwriting.

CD
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Paulo on March 11, 2010, 03:05:27 AM
When I posted the first piano raw track for this one, Marc imediatly PM'd me saying he'd like play the bass. Thank you very much my friend, rest in peace.
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: canuk62 on March 11, 2010, 04:05:58 AM
What a gorgeous song Paulo. I would be honoured to have the last version and play for Marc at his memorial. Now I know why half the time he wouldn't let me listen to some of the songs. Some of the ones he wrote were hard enough for me to handle.
God bless you.
Dany
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Torren61 on March 11, 2010, 04:45:21 PM
I like this one.  Especially the tight vocals.
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Paulo on January 16, 2011, 11:23:18 AM
I've been really busy in my work and I'm coming home very late everyday, not having time to make music... Today I sat down a while and reviewd this mix... I think it sounds much better than the previous mix.
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Pleasuredome on January 16, 2011, 11:35:31 AM
Just nudge the lead vox up a fraction Paulo and it is sounding the best. 8) 8)

Honestly bro, just a miniscule fraction and I am absolutely loving it (I am loving it anyway but it would be even better!). 8) 8)

Did I do the guitars? I recognise some of them but did I do them all? :D :D
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Paulo on January 16, 2011, 11:39:50 AM
You did all the guitars except the power chords in the chorus. You did great, my friend  ;D

You mean that I should raise a lill bit the bass and vocals?
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: CosmicDolphin on January 16, 2011, 11:41:35 AM
Just nudge the lead vox up a fraction Marc and it is sounding the best. 8) 8)


You mean Paulo !

CD
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Pleasuredome on January 16, 2011, 11:44:55 AM
Corrected Mark, thanks bro :D :D

Cool Paulo 8) 8)
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Paulo on January 16, 2011, 11:47:27 AM
Oh... Now I'm confused.
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: CosmicDolphin on January 16, 2011, 11:51:44 AM
Oh... Now I'm confused.

Steve has got so used to a Mark or Marc doing his mixes he automatically asks us for the tweaks...regardless of the name of the actual mixer  ;D

CD
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Paulo on January 16, 2011, 11:54:33 AM
I see...  ;D... OK, lemme review the vocals.
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: Paulo on January 16, 2011, 02:04:49 PM
A lill bit more Vocals here
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: CosmicDolphin on January 16, 2011, 02:23:08 PM
Still love this song.

Listening to it now the mix is a bit rough , the drums sound really thin but it doesn't matter the song still really shines through.

Steve...can you write another of these for the CBZ -II

CD
Title: Re: Then and Now - (Steve/John/Marc/Paulo)
Post by: r4m on January 18, 2011, 08:07:55 PM
Great stuff!! Love em Keys Paulo!!!! 8) 8) 8) Great job all!!!
Sounds a bit Queenish to me!!