Musicians Collaboration Studio

Virtual Music Studio => Finished Works => Topic started by: bill on April 18, 2011, 10:17:48 PM

Title: Sleeping Giants
Post by: bill on April 18, 2011, 10:17:48 PM

Started with nothing more than a conceptual guitar track and a two word phrase - "Sleeping Giants".  John took that line and knocked it out of the park!  As did everyone who stepped up with parts - my thanks to all of ya's.  (http://cwsongs.com/img/hat.gif)

Credits:
Music - Bill
Lyrics - John

Bill - guitars
John - vocals
Mick - lead guitars
Bobby - bass
Jerry - drums

Sleeping Giants

My parents left when I was only three
That's when my mind found someone to help me
I need a giant, 'cuz my needs are big...

Sleeping Giants - to watch over me
Sleeping Giants - to help me be brave

I used to fear things that I couldn't see
I'm not afraid if my giant's near me

Sleeping Giants - why don't they wake?
Tried to shake them - what will it take?

All of the kids lying scared in their beds
The poorhouse is dark, all their thoughts full of dread
Then lightning strikes, out the window I see
There is my giant, disguised as a tree

Sleeping Giants - all that I see
Sleeping Giants - what do they dream?
Sleeping Giants - why don't they wake?
Tried to shake them - what will it take?

And in the morning I roll out of bed
Brush my teeth and go outside
As I look to the sky, that's when I see
Two clouds drift on by, then they join as one
Shining brightly in the sun
It's my giant, he's looking down over me

Sleeping Giants - all that I see
They always are sleeping right next to me...

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: Mr. Mom on April 18, 2011, 10:38:35 PM

Excellent Bill. 8) 8)
Now I can shut down my pc and head off on vacation - absolutely pleased with what we all did. :)
 
I remember early on that Mick mentioned how cool this was, and how it could go in many different directions... and that is truly what fascinates me about doing these collabs. If you keep an open mind and accept other ideas along the way, you never really know what the final product is going to be, until you actually hear it!

 

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: AndyG6508 on April 18, 2011, 10:51:14 PM

Hey Guys,

very cool song!!! i like the feel - kind of psychedelic 1967s feel to it!

Andy

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: mickbrit55 on April 19, 2011, 04:29:15 AM

It was an absolute pleasure working on this song. Bill's original guitar track was inspiring and utterly cool. I had fun playing on this, thank you for letting me play :)

Mick.

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: Tricia41 on April 19, 2011, 07:04:57 AM

This came out great, Guys!! Very cool!  8) 8) 8)

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: bill on April 19, 2011, 03:49:05 PM

Thanks Andy, and thanks Tricia!  (http://cwsongs.com/img/hat.gif)

And thanks John and Mick (and Jerry and Bobby) for bringing this'n home!  (http://cwsongs.com/img/thumbup.gif)

I for one had a ball doing it - and even better to have such great folks to work with.  I mentioned in the thread, and think it bears repeating - my aim from the get-go was/is to present a canvas, and let everyone else paint on it so to speak.  Meaning, here's the song - I'm not gonna tell you what to play, just play what you hear.  I won't say that "never fails", but by far more often than not it works out really well.  And it "never fails" to take the song places I'd have never dreamt of.  I define that as success - the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.  Imo, that's what this collab thing is all about!  8)

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: Mimmo on April 20, 2011, 03:20:35 PM

I like it...John you should get to sing more. 

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: Studioplayer on April 20, 2011, 03:32:37 PM

Wow guys!! This turned out pretty cool. John makes his debut of our new in house singer!!  8) Love the trippin guitars on this. Very cool tune!! Kudos guys!!  8)

Dave

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: bill on April 20, 2011, 07:28:01 PM

Thanks Dave, thanks Domenic, and I couldn't agree more with both of ya's!  We already knew that John writes a great lyric - now we know he's got a pretty durn good voice, too.  And I'm thinkin' that with some more experience, it's gonna become a great voice.  I'm looking forward to watching that happen, and hopefully to helping it happen, too!  8)

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: Mr. Mom on April 21, 2011, 05:10:03 PM

I couldn't think of a greater bunch of people to learn from. 8) 8)
It hasn't even been a year since I uttered a phrase that Dave so politely answered, when I asked "What the heck is a bridge?" ;D

I could easily be content with just what I've learned here about lyric writing, but what makes this site better than anything else out there in cyberspace is how helpful each of you are to those of us who knew nothing to start with, yet you all had the patience to show us how to be a part of what makes MCS great - the music!!  Thank you one and all, from me and countless other "newbies" for bringing out those talents that we weren't sure we had. :) :)

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: mickbrit55 on April 21, 2011, 07:24:47 PM

Well John, you did a great job on the lyrics and the vocals. I hope this experience spurs you on to sing more in the future. :)

Mick.

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: bill on April 21, 2011, 07:27:16 PM

Quote from: mickbrit55 on April 21, 2011, 07:24:47 PM

Well John, you did a great job on the lyrics and the vocals. I hope this experience spurs you on to sing more in the future. :)

Mick.

I'll second that!   8)

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: Johnny on April 21, 2011, 08:08:15 PM

Great Job fellers!!!

Bill i agree with you about collaboration. If you can let go of your"self" and accept the talent and vision of others; often, the results are more than you could have ever have imagined...It doesn't always work..,but when it does it's a "creative rush". 

Speaking of rushes...
John does this mean i can tap you for a vocal? ;D ::)

Seriously, this sounds terrific, Bar-maid! Drinks all around, on me. ;D Cheers! Johnny 

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: Mr. Mom on April 22, 2011, 11:56:05 AM

Hey Johnny, I'd trade you straight up any day... your lyrics for my vocals :)
I know I need plenty of work still, especially to expand that very narrow window where my vocals actually work with a song.
So be careful what you ask for. :o ;D

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: bill on April 22, 2011, 03:08:12 PM

ROFL John - your range is already wider than anything I can achieve!   ;D :D ;)

If there was anything I could offer, I'd say this - and it WILL come with experience - you've got a great sense of timing, trust it.  You've also got a good ear for pitch - learn to trust that, so you're not "sliding" into and out of notes.   ;)

It might be because your voice resembles mine in many respects, so I could use many of the same tricks I use on my own, but I found it very easy to process to bring out the best in it... (http://cwsongs.com/img/thumbup.gif)

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: Jman on April 22, 2011, 04:34:42 PM

Another collab that was a pleasure to work on... great workin with you again Bill. And the rest of the gang , glad I could be a part .... 8) J

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: bill on April 22, 2011, 06:54:33 PM

The pleasure's all mine, Jerry!  (http://cwsongs.com/img/hat.gif)

Workin' with guys like you (and Bobby, and Mick, and John) is what makes doin' this stuff fun!   8)

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: stoman on April 23, 2011, 06:16:21 AM

Very nice, old-school psychedelic sound! :)

The guitar solo sounds like Queen, and the clean guitar riff reminds me of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Definitely some good references IMO. :)

Regards,
  Steffen

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: bill on April 23, 2011, 09:16:05 PM

Thanks Steffen!   :)

Can't say I was really thinking of any of those references when putting it together - I can't speak for the rest of the cast...  ;)

But those are sure "high praise" comparisons in my book too!   8)

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: mickbrit55 on April 23, 2011, 09:22:35 PM

Quote from: stoman on April 23, 2011, 06:16:21 AM

Very nice, old-school psychedelic sound! :)

The guitar solo sounds like Queen, and the clean guitar riff reminds me of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Definitely some good references IMO. :)

Regards,
  Steffen

Well spotted, Steffen! I used a Brian May preset from Guitar Rig on this one and backed off some of the "squash" ... well caught that man! :)

Mick.

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: AndyG6508 on April 26, 2011, 01:51:44 PM

Hi Guys,

This came up on the i-pod...really enjoy this tune. A cool slice of psychedelic rock....SF late 60s...reminds me of Jefferson Airplane!!

Nice hypnotic arrangement...great playing, brilliant guitar tones and a cool vocal.

This song along with Holger's Whimsical are very welcome slices of music on here!

Andy

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: Errol on April 26, 2011, 03:01:58 PM

Well done to all. Very cool song!  :)

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: bill on April 26, 2011, 03:46:12 PM

Thanks Errol, and thanks Andy!   :)

Y'know, I hadn't even really thought about the SF angle.  For sure didn't set out to re-create that kind of sound, but ya've nailed it Andy - it could certainly come right out of that era!  ;) :D 8)

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: Stoney on May 05, 2011, 06:38:41 AM

Nice track guys very indie psychedelic ... cool

Ian

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: Billy on May 06, 2011, 02:32:23 PM

I was waiting for the song to hit a Doors-like "Break on through to the other side" moment.

Never mind. I still enjoyed it. Very groovy!

John - your voice really works well here. Bravo, guys.

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: Mr. Mom on May 06, 2011, 07:15:29 PM

Thanks for the listen and kind words Steffen, Andy, Errol, Ian, and Billy.

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: bill on May 06, 2011, 09:55:20 PM

Yupyup, I'll echo that.  Thanks Ian, thanks Billy!   8)

Quote from: Billy on May 06, 2011, 02:32:23 PM

I was waiting for the song to hit a Doors-like "Break on through to the other side" moment.

Jeez, I never even thought of an angle like that - hafta keep it in mind for the next one!  (http://cwsongs.com/img/hat.gif)

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: McLovin on May 06, 2011, 10:04:08 PM

Cool song.  Good listen.

I like your tone John.  Keep it up.

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: Mr. Mom on May 06, 2011, 10:18:43 PM

I would trade in my vocals, my wife, kids, and dog to sing like you Jay... but then I wouldn't have anyone to sing to. LOL

Thank you my friend, nice to see you around. :)

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: docmidnite on May 11, 2011, 03:23:08 AM

Hey, John! Another new singer in da house! Cool!

Mike: nice and crispy tone, bro!
Bill: Is that you on your new electric guitar? Cool!

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: mickbrit55 on May 11, 2011, 03:51:02 AM

Quote from: docmidnite on May 11, 2011, 03:23:08 AM

Hey, John! Another new singer in da house! Cool!

Mike: nice and crispy tone, bro!
Bill: Is that you on your new electric guitar? Cool!

Thanks Doc. Guitar Rig 4 has some nice new tones.

Mick.

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: CosmicDolphin on August 03, 2011, 04:17:46 PM

Nice Job everyone....John kudos on the vocals ....plus you'll only get better so you have a great starting point....I can't even listen to my first few songs I recorded back in the day  ;D

CD

Title: Re: Sleeping Giants
Post by: Mr. Mom on August 03, 2011, 11:37:53 PM

Thanks Mark,
It was nice to actually do the vocals on this, when I thought I'd only be giving a vocal guide for the lyrics I wrote.