The Queen of Public Transportation

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milo
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The Queen of Public Transportation

Post by milo »

We released a new song today, a love song about riding the city bus. I actually spent a lot of time with my wife on public transportation when we were dating. I was listening to a lot of Aretha Franklin and Jim Croce when I wrote the song, and this was my attempt at merging their styles. Not sure how successful I was at that particular objective, but I like the song anyway.

I also tried my hand at the old Hendrix thumb trick on guitar for the first time ... with somewhat mixed results. Enjoy!

https://sanderson.band/2021/02/11/queen ... portation/

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Re: The Queen of Public Transportation

Post by Tenaba »

Nice! This sounds really professional to me, I love the balance (both the arrangement and mix). I do appreciate the notes you add to each song, I feel they add some more weight in addition to what can be conveyed only through lyrics; it's a great story by the way.

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Re: The Queen of Public Transportation

Post by jeanette_c »

Hey hey @milo , this is a lovely song, very uplifting and very well performed!
I was amazed by the sound and style of the short brass sections. How did you do that? Which instruments did you use?
All in all, a very warm mix!
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Re: The Queen of Public Transportation

Post by milo »

Thanks for the listens and comments. There is a tendency to think that your most recent recording is your best, but I am quite fond of this one.

I asked Tom about the horns, and this was his reply:
For the horns, not every roland fa06 voice sounds great - especially the pre-installed ones. But one voice called "little big hornz" (plus or minus the spaces) is an ensemble voice that i think blends their baritone sax, tenor sax and trumpet voices depending on where what note you play. I believe that the lower notes get baritone and tenor sax an octive apart and the upper notes get tenor sax and trumpet in the same octave (or some similar combo in 3 keyboard splits). Anyway, it amounts to you playing instruments sample combos in their own natural range. I also used this voice on "I'm getting better."
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Re: The Queen of Public Transportation

Post by spamatica »

Good song, good recording!
Haven't heard Jim Croce but I definitely can hear the Aretha Franklin 60s soul vibes. Got me thinking about early Stevie Wonder too. You got a great voice on top of that and the choirs sound delicate.

Though my one gripe is with the vocals. ;) Simply put, I think varying the melody more between lines would have been good. For instance the note that the first line ends on, many of the lines ends on that same note. Of course that could all have been intentional in which case I take it back :D

All in all very good song!
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Re: The Queen of Public Transportation

Post by milo »

My wife often has the same complaint about my songs, which motivates me to add more variety to my melodies. But for some reason she didn't complain about this one. :) It's good feedback, though. Thanks!
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Re: The Queen of Public Transportation

Post by Basslint »

I like this a lot, both music and lyrics! Great arrangement and old school Motown feel!

Wow the amps by @tramp sound really great!
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Re: The Queen of Public Transportation

Post by caprenter »

Another great sounding track - simply envious of how well recorded and mixed these are.
Great.
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Re: The Queen of Public Transportation

Post by GMaq »

Hi milo!

Yeah I agree with what everyone has said, this is a great mix!! Everything is well-defined and the bass particularly has a nice pocket. Great organ and guitar work too there shredder! I'm not really a Hendrix guy and I don't know what the thumb trick is but that solo had some nads on it!
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Re: The Queen of Public Transportation

Post by milo »

Thanks @caprenter and @GMaq. I'm glad you liked the track.

The "thumb trick" is actually on the rhythm guitar on this song. Instead of using your index finger to play a bar chord, you wrap your hand around the neck to play the bass note with your thumb on the low E string. You also have to mute the A string. This hand position frees up more fingers to play fills on the other strings.

It takes a while to get used to, but it's fun once you get the hang of it.
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Re: The Queen of Public Transportation

Post by carlv »

You two are continuing to deliver the goods. Each drop so far has been a pleasant surprise that leaves me looking forward to the next and this one didn't disappoint. Kudos to you both, keep having fun and shine on, y'all. :!:

PS
..and thanks :wink:
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Re: The Queen of Public Transportation

Post by milo »

Wow, thanks! I really appreciate that.
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Re: The Queen of Public Transportation

Post by folderol »

It is so rare to hear a song with a story, and clear understandable singing. You nailed it, and also fixed it firmly in a nostalgic pop style with the instrumentation.

There is a lot of good work in there, and I bet your wife loves it too - though she probably won't say so :lol:
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Re: The Queen of Public Transportation

Post by milo »

Actually, this is one of the few of my songs that she will show off to her friends. I need to write more love songs, obviously!

Thanks for the kind words.
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Re: The Queen of Public Transportation

Post by oscillator »

This song made me happy and inspired! Thank you very much, @milo! And I am a big fan of public transportation! :)

Loved the stuff happening at 1:15. And the mix is very "clear" and detailed. Thumbs up!

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