KVR Audio

aaron aardvark · Post by **aaron aardvark** » Sat Jan 09, 2021 6:31 am

wagtunes,
Thank you for your reviews! Now 'Piece of the Action': are these Vocaloid vocals? They work well for this song, even if that is unconventional for theater music. Instrumentally, it sounds theatrical. I liked it, nice melodies.

aaron aardvark · Post by **aaron aardvark** » Sat Jan 09, 2021 6:39 am

wagtunes,
Now listening to "Whatever it Takes": I personally like the female Vocaloid (I assume) vocal better than the male Vocaloid vocal (I assume). But I realize having male & female vocals may have been important in part of the story? This was good also, though overall I likes "Piece of the Action" better (not just because of the male vocal). Still some nice melodies.

aaron aardvark · Post by **aaron aardvark** » Sat Jan 09, 2021 7:28 am

wagtunes,
Thank you for the reviews! Now listening to "He Doesn't Even Know": nice strings. I'm still good with the female Vocaloid (I assume) vocals. Nice melodies all around. Instrumentally & vocal melody theatrical. Very nice!

aaron aardvark · Post by **aaron aardvark** » Sat Jan 09, 2021 7:36 am

wagtunes,
I forgot to mention in the previous song I reviewed, it had funny lyrics at times. Now listening to Mr. Businessman: some of the melodies sound familiar somehow; the melodies are good. Some good vocal harmonies. Sounds like a Broadway show song. Sounds nice.

wagtunes · Post by **wagtunes** » Sat Jan 09, 2021 11:12 am

Aaron, thanks so much for the feedback. Really appreciate it. Yes, these are all showtunes. I know this isn't everybody's cup of tea. Eventually, we'll be through this CD and on to "normal" stuff.

wagtunes · Post by **wagtunes** » Sat Jan 09, 2021 2:49 pm

9th track from my upcoming CD "Jerry And Company"

This is the end of act 1. It's mostly an instrumental as most of this scene is them dancing around the car before they drive off to NY to make their fortune.

Lyrics:

On To New York

On to New York where they never sleep
On to New York where we'll take that leap
Dare to be diff rent
Dare to stand out
Dare to say to the world
There is no doubt
If we can make it there
We'll make it everywhere
Hear us New York as we shout

Instrumental

On to New York

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim/on-to-new-york

jcub · Post by **jcub** » Sat Jan 09, 2021 4:10 pm

Showtunes are not my usual cup of tea, but Mr. Businessman was very well done - the song is extremely convincing for this genre. The lyrics and execution are outstanding. While the arrangements are excellent the orchestral parts don't sound entirely realistic to me (with the caveat that I have little experience with orchestral arrangements - just giving my point of view as a listener). Congratulations!

wagtunes · Post by **wagtunes** » Sat Jan 09, 2021 4:14 pm

jcub wrote: Sat Jan 09, 2021 4:10 pm Showtunes are not my usual cup of tea, but Mr. Businessman was very well done - the song is extremely convincing for this genre. The lyrics and execution are outstanding. While the arrangements are excellent the orchestral parts don't sound entirely realistic to me (with the caveat that I have little experience with orchestral arrangements - just giving my point of view as a listener). Congratulations!

The problem with the orchestral arrangements is part my lack of skill and part the lack of these libraries to truly sound like a real orchestra. Thanks for the listen and the feedback.

Kongru · Post by **Kongru** » Sat Jan 09, 2021 7:37 pm

wagtunes wrote: Sat Jan 09, 2021 4:14 pm
jcub wrote: Sat Jan 09, 2021 4:10 pm Showtunes are not my usual cup of tea, but Mr. Businessman was very well done - the song is extremely convincing for this genre. The lyrics and execution are outstanding. While the arrangements are excellent the orchestral parts don't sound entirely realistic to me (with the caveat that I have little experience with orchestral arrangements - just giving my point of view as a listener). Congratulations!
The problem with the orchestral arrangements is part my lack of skill and part the lack of these libraries to truly sound like a real orchestra. Thanks for the listen and the feedback.

Which libraries are you using? Spitfire Audio BBC Discovery is a very good library that can be obtained for free. It can sound realistic with a little work.

thomekk · Post by **thomekk** » Sat Jan 09, 2021 11:14 pm

Enjoyed the music of "On to New York" - without knowing the framework of the whole epos, but I get the idea of the scene.

wagtunes · Post by **wagtunes** » Sat Jan 09, 2021 11:18 pm

thomekk wrote: Sat Jan 09, 2021 11:14 pm Enjoyed the music of "On to New York" - without knowing the framework of the whole epos, but I get the idea of the scene.

Thanks for the listen and the feedback Thom.

Bansaw · Post by **Bansaw** » Sat Jan 09, 2021 11:34 pm

Nice. I think you suit this genre. At first glance I thought it said,"Ode to New York!", like NY was finished or something.
Did you write a story already for this musical or just making it up as you go along?
0:37 Strings part coming in is very good. Interesting ending too.

wagtunes · Post by **wagtunes** » Sun Jan 10, 2021 1:17 am

Bansaw wrote: Sat Jan 09, 2021 11:34 pm Nice. I think you suit this genre. At first glance I thought it said,"Ode to New York!", like NY was finished or something.
Did you write a story already for this musical or just making it up as you go along?
0:37 Strings part coming in is very good. Interesting ending too.

The script was written first and then I wrote the music, inserting songs in the key parts of the script. I can upload it to Dropbox or Google docs if you want to read it.

wagtunes · Post by **wagtunes** » Sun Jan 10, 2021 2:54 pm

10th track from my upcoming CD "Jerry And Company"

As we start Act II, Jerry sings about how he has an honest face, helped by Chuckie and Avanna. This one has kind of an um-pa beat to it.

Lyrics:

An Honest Face

Have you ever seen a face like mine
One so innocent and divine

An honest face
As honest as the day is long
An honest face
One that wouldn't do a damn thing wrong
One that's kind and refined and amusing
One that's neat and so sweet not confusing
One that will be your choosing
An honest face

An honest face
As honest as apple pie
An honest face
One that always will look you in the eye
One that's proud not too loud or too boasting
One that's firm not too stern always hosting
One that won't be composting
An honest face

You just need to look into my eyes
You will see it's incapable of lies

Instrumental Break

Repeat B Section

An honest face
As honest as old honest Abe
An honest face
One that's honest as a new born babe
One that's right full of light always giving
One that's true never blue always living
One that's always forgiving
An honest face...that's me
An honest face

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim/an-honest-face

Morgaxx · Post by **Morgaxx** » Sun Jan 10, 2021 11:52 pm

I have listened to all but this last one. So far I am impressed with the amount of work. Musically you have me quite convinced that I am hearing show tunes. My only gripe is that I find the music not matching the lyrical themes at times. I am impressed as this is a lot of work and you did really well with what I heard so far.

I personally find this type of thing to be your strong suit, and better done than most of your other projects.

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