Musicians Collaboration Studio

Hanging On (A Ballad)

 

Offline Casia - lyricist

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Okay, this is done but I'm not convinced of the vocals.  What do you guys "honestly" think please (4 minutes, 44 seconds)

HANGING ON (A ballad)
Lyrics - Casia
Composition - Andy Orriell
Acoustic/Electric Guitar - Andy Orriell
Keyboard/Synth - Andy Orriell
Vocals - Jonathan Wilson
Drums - Mike Marnul
Bass - Dan Walker
Mix engineers - Donald Alan / Ken Bybee (All Access Studio, Niles, Michigan)
Song Cover Image - Jonathan Wilson

(V1)
At the top of the tower
Is a bird's eye view
The sentinel watches
Me watching for you

You're the end of my rainbow
You're my fire
The heart of a dragon
You're my desire
No poison arrow
Can seal our fate
The sword by my side
Will cut through the pain

(Chorus)
I'm hanging on
Though things look dim
Over the edge
By a broken limb
Hanging on
Full of doubt
Hanging by love
When there's no way out
I'm hanging on...
Oooo, I'm hanging o-o-o-n

(V2)
Remember last summer
The rose lost its red
But the thorn in my hand
Will never forget

I climb these stairs
On a winding path
Of concrete slabs
To reach for the past
My tower of hope
Never crumbles and falls
Like true love
Written on every wall

I run my hand
Across every crack
I'll throw you a rope
So you can climb back

(Chorus) 

Take to my arms
Before the walls fall
In my castle dreams
The dragon will call
I run my hand
Across every crack
I'll throw you a rope
So you can climb back

Your coat of arms
They keep me warm
Cold as metal
Safe from harm
My arms outstretched
To hear your every word
From the top of the tower
A maiden who's cursed

(Chorus)
 
(Outro)
Silver eyes
An eagle in flight
Rescue comes
From this last lullabye

(Outro)
I'm hanging on
When things look dim
Over the edge
By a broken limb
I'm hanging on
I'm hanging on
I'm hanging on
I'm hanging on
I'm hanging o-o-on

« Last Edit: December 28, 2010, 03:14:14 PM by Casia - lyricist »
Casia Productions:
ALBUM:A NOT Ordinary Christmas-2010
ALBUM:idream -2011
ALBUM:Trevor&Roger's 13 Stygian Tales - 2011

World Festival Universong showcase July 2012, Canary Islands, Spain - Victoria Linskaya 
http://www.reverbnation.com/casia


Offline stoman

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Well ... I can see what you mean, Casia. The singer has a good voice, but does not seem to know how to use it optimally. It sounds a bit at pains, unreal ... not bad, but it just does not feel right to me.

The mix is a problem too. Maybe it's a combination of both. The voice stands out as a part that does not really belong to the song. If it sat better in the mix, it probably would sound quite well.

But all that is just nagging on a high level (can you say this in English?), i.e. both the song AND the vocals are good. It's just not perfect.

Regards,
  Steffen
Always looking for opportunities to mix your songs. Feel free to ask!
My Introductory Post


Offline Casia - lyricist

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Thanks Steffan.  I would like to revisit it but it's not going to happen anytime soon.  The vocalist did about 15 takes and the mixer mixed a dozen times and it's still not working for me.  I think I need another singer?????  He whispers where it should be powerful.  I think too many people were giving him advise rather than letting him take it the way he felt it and now it's ended up all over the place  :(.  This had so much potential in the beginning.
Casia Productions:
ALBUM:A NOT Ordinary Christmas-2010
ALBUM:idream -2011
ALBUM:Trevor&Roger's 13 Stygian Tales - 2011

World Festival Universong showcase July 2012, Canary Islands, Spain - Victoria Linskaya 
http://www.reverbnation.com/casia


Offline soulfrontier

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 yes I second that, I would re do the vocals or try another singer. His voice is good but he doesn't seem to feel the music.

Oh my gosh we Germans are so unkind!  ;D
That's what my daughter always tells me. "You are so unkind daddy, you are a real German!"
(She lives in the UK)



Offline stoman

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You are a very nice guy, Holger.

... for a German. :P :D

Regards,
  Steffen
Always looking for opportunities to mix your songs. Feel free to ask!
My Introductory Post


Offline Casia - lyricist

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I'm part German...my dad is German.

Sometimes you gotta be cruel to be kind  ;D
Casia Productions:
ALBUM:A NOT Ordinary Christmas-2010
ALBUM:idream -2011
ALBUM:Trevor&Roger's 13 Stygian Tales - 2011

World Festival Universong showcase July 2012, Canary Islands, Spain - Victoria Linskaya 
http://www.reverbnation.com/casia


Offline stoman

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I'm part German...my dad is German.
Really? Wong does not sound exactly German to me ... more Asian ... Complicated family relations? ;)

Regards,
  Steffen
Always looking for opportunities to mix your songs. Feel free to ask!
My Introductory Post


Offline Benny

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Casia, the singer is not too good. :P  Plus his pronuciation is too exaggerated. Yep, get a new singer. I guess us Texans are brutal too!

The melody in the verse good. But the chorus doesn't stand out from the verses.


Offline Casia - lyricist

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Excellent feedback all you cruel people  ;D. Hmmmm, what to do.  I know, put this lyric back in the grab jar.

@stoman ... complicated relationships indeed...hubby is Chinese but not me.  I'm German/French.  It's fun though when people meet me and are looking for a Chinese person and tons of Chinese sales people call the house and I don't understand them  :D :D  I no speaky Chinese.  I tell them they got the wrong "wong" number hahaha.
Casia Productions:
ALBUM:A NOT Ordinary Christmas-2010
ALBUM:idream -2011
ALBUM:Trevor&Roger's 13 Stygian Tales - 2011

World Festival Universong showcase July 2012, Canary Islands, Spain - Victoria Linskaya 
http://www.reverbnation.com/casia


Offline mickbrit55

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For my part. I kinda like the singers style on this track. I agree he may need some coaching to get it right in some places but I like the overall effect, very ethereal. I agree with Steffen and Holger (the evil Germans :) ) that it is probably the mix that is more at fault. The vocals seem dislocated from the rest of the song.

BTW, I listened to this 3 times in a row because I really like it. Excellent work on the lyrics, Casia, and the musicianship is top notch.

Mick.
Very funny Spok ... now beam down my trousers.
SoundClick : http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=816080


Offline soulfrontier

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BTW, I listened to this 3 times in a row because I really like it. Excellent work on the lyrics, Casia, and the musicianship is top notch.
Mick.

yes I second that, excellent lyrics Casia and the music is also great.


Offline Mandolin

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Hi Casia...Is this you singing? If this is a song or album that is self-written and self-performed, and is intended to sell promoting you, doing you, then I would be remiss to suggest that you hire a better singer (which I would do in a heartbeat under diffferent circumstances). If this is you, then I would suggest that you keep practicing and doing it over and over until you get it the way you want it.

However, based upon the premise that are are merely wanting to know what we think about the vocals, regardless, then I will tell you that I find them quite distracting to listen to. At times, it seems that there are two different voices performing. The register is a little low for the singer's voice in places. However, the song and melody are very nice, and so could the vocals be except that the singer seems to be trying too hard to "act out" the story.

I truly like the feel of the song. It seems to pull the listener in, and your lyrics are great! I must compliment you on your musicianship, as well! Overall, it's a nice package with more going for it than not..


Offline Casia - lyricist

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Thanks Mandolin.  I am just a writer.  If I were to sing it would be in a much higher register  :).

I'm going to pass these comments along to the team and see what they want to do.  It does have potential and yes, he was definitely trying too hard to act out the story rather than be a part of the story.
Casia Productions:
ALBUM:A NOT Ordinary Christmas-2010
ALBUM:idream -2011
ALBUM:Trevor&Roger's 13 Stygian Tales - 2011

World Festival Universong showcase July 2012, Canary Islands, Spain - Victoria Linskaya 
http://www.reverbnation.com/casia


Offline mickbrit55

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I'm going to pass these comments along to the team and see what they want to do.  It does have potential and yes, he was definitely trying too hard to act out the story rather than be a part of the story.

Good luck, Cas ... let us know how it turns out :)

Mick.
Very funny Spok ... now beam down my trousers.
SoundClick : http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=816080


Offline Casia - lyricist

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Thanks Mick.  Sorry, I didn't comment on your earlier comment....I meant too  :D.  I'm glad you like, in general  :).  It's sometimes hard to take a step back when one has listened to a song so many times and has high expectations.  I don't want to just leave it when we've come so far.  I hope they feel the same.

Casia
Casia Productions:
ALBUM:A NOT Ordinary Christmas-2010
ALBUM:idream -2011
ALBUM:Trevor&Roger's 13 Stygian Tales - 2011

World Festival Universong showcase July 2012, Canary Islands, Spain - Victoria Linskaya 
http://www.reverbnation.com/casia


 

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