Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#579350 02/03/20 03:40 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
This song began with the phrase "dead reckoning"
Cambridge Dictionary:"a way of calculating the position of a ship or aircraft using only information about the direction and distance it has travelled from a known point"
Replace "ship or aircraft" with most of us and that seems a good description of how we travel through life.
The title line I stumbled on from a travel website... not original, but fair game for an alert songwriter!

The Million Star Hotel

Style is _APPLES.STY (Apples Even-16 Americana Ballad)

RealTracks in style: 2877:Bass, Acoustic, AmericanaSlow16thsByron Ev16 060
RealTracks in song: 2667:Pedal Steel, Background DreamySingleNote Ev 075
RealTracks in style: 3159:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm AmericanaSlow16thsBrentFX Ev16 060
RealTracks in song: 3058:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking SongwriterAlternating8thsQuinn Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 2542:Pedal Steel, Background ModernBalladAtmosphere Ev16 065
RT 1596 Acoustic guitar
RealDrums [in style:AmericanaRoots16th^01-a:Toms, b:Snare
RT 3156 Fiddle5string
RT3023 vocal oohs
*******************



The Million Star Hotel

danger don`t go there
on charts you can`t rely
stay home hang a picture
in your little box of sky

sit by the window
in the land of watch and wait
for a ship sails back roads
as your breath on the glass fades

there`s that loner
leaning into the wind
try to read on his face
the map of all he`s seen
by dead reckoning he travels
under heaven`s spell
tonight he`ll sleep
in the million star hotel

doubt gives a last shiver
compass reads magnetic south
city folds around you
hold course through crowds

in a prairie night ocean
lost in wonder sea grass
a coyote circles
wild eyes on your trespass

there`s that loner
leaning into the wind
try to read on his face
the map of all he`s seen
by dead reckoning he travels
under heaven`s spell
tonight he`ll sleep
in the million star hotel

feel the motion
moving at the speed of hope
destination hidden
eye on the sky hand on the rope
by dead reckoning we travel
under heaven`s spell
all we know is we sleep
in the million star hotel

© Robert Cordrey Jan. 2020

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,742
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,742
Super visual Robert. Cool vocal and harmonies. Loved the backtrack


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,122
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,122
Evocative lyrics - you're a very poetic writer. The pedal steel does a good job setting the tone, as does your voice.

A very enjoyable listen! laugh


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,376
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,376
Love the way you write! Man, just one great line after another.

Nice use of the pedal steel, it really sets the mood early on, and nice harmonies in the chorus.

Enjoyed this one.

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,087
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,087
Robert,

Cool.

Your unique, picturesque lyric style...your impassioned vocal...the steel...the harmonies - all high points in this one.

Neat title! (Dead Reckoning would make a good one, too!!)

Enjoyed.

fj

User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,175
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,175
coyote, wild eyes on your trespass. That was my favorite line. Also breath on the glass fades. Very Updike to me.

This felt a little more like a song rather than poetry set to music. Good production.

I'm a big fan, as I think you know.


Windows 10, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 6i6, Komplete keyboard, Sony Acid Music Studio 11, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,362
W
Expert
Offline
Expert
W
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,362
Wonderful song! Very good composition and mix... and I really, really like the lyrics. Passages like this:

"doubt gives a last shiver
compass reads magnetic south
city folds around you
hold course through crowds"

...is just so poetic. Love it!

Really well done job!

Edited because I need to ask: Is there really a hotel called that?

Thanks for sharing,
Will

Last edited by Will Josef; 02/04/20 12:50 PM.
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Originally Posted By: Scott C
Super visual Robert. Cool vocal and harmonies. Loved the backtrack


Thank you, Scott...backing has those sustained notes on pedal steel I mentioned to you.

Originally Posted By: dcuny
Evocative lyrics - you're a very poetic writer. The pedal steel does a good job setting the tone, as does your voice.

A very enjoyable listen! laugh


David,
I appreciate that!

Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Love the way you write! Man, just one great line after another.

Nice use of the pedal steel, it really sets the mood early on, and nice harmonies in the chorus.

Enjoyed this one.


Dave,
Thank you! I scribbled more and threw away more lines than usual for this one- its very encouraging to hear you liked what`s left.

Robert

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381
Wonderful lyric. The backing is very effective and well put together. Everything sounds good, and the whole package takes me on a mental and emotional journey that will likely be different next time I hear this. And I will.


BIAB 2021 Audiophile. Windows 10 64bit. Songwriter, lyricist, composer(?) loving all styles. Some pre-BIAB music from Farfetched Tangmo Band's first CD. https://alonetone.com/tangmo/playlists/close-to-the-ground
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,600
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,600
I can't decide if your songs are perfect for sipping whiskey, cannabis or a mountain retreat.
Lovely narrative and melody.
Mentioning dead reckoning in proximity to and million stars struck me as a little odd - but I think I already had a sextant in my mind.
Lovely stuff.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
User Showcase
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,824
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,824
Wonderful lyrics, and a enjoyable delivery, Robert. Perfect arrangement to bring out the mood.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub
Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 11
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,024
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,024
Robert,
There are tunes that plug you in like a appliance to outlet, there are tunes that are done well, but far from emotional state, there are some that are bursting with fine detail like insane kaleidoscope.
I do not worry about those things when listening to your songs. I just fall back and enjoy. Robert, beautiful tune. Everything shines, especially lyrics and vocals.This was a treat to my ears and mind. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,986
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,986
Love the lyrics! So poetic, they stand on their own.

Very nice!

Steve


Steve Young
Music
"In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of." - Robert Schumann
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,749
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,749
Conjures up all sorts of wonderful earth images.
Well done!

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,944
Jim Offline
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,944
Seems very lonely & desolate to me...
Good vocals, backing, lyrics, & delivery...
But if given a choice...
I rather not spend a night
in that "million star hotel" smile


Jim
†=☮&♥
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Robert,

Cool.

Your unique, picturesque lyric style...your impassioned vocal...the steel...the harmonies - all high points in this one.

Neat title! (Dead Reckoning would make a good one, too!!)

Enjoyed.

fj


Thanks for your comments,Floyd.
Until the day before I posted, the song was called "Dead Reckoning"... the last line just seemed more sparkly!
And now I can still use the original title for a gunslingers` shootout song or something.

Originally Posted By: TuneMonger
coyote, wild eyes on your trespass. That was my favorite line. Also breath on the glass fades. Very Updike to me.

This felt a little more like a song rather than poetry set to music. Good production.

I'm a big fan, as I think you know.




Thanks for those very kind comments.
On this song I wrote the melody before I had more than a few lines of lyrics... just saying; I`m wordy there`s no doubt, but hardly ever have lyrics done before I think of the music.


Originally Posted By: Will Josef
Wonderful song! Very good composition and mix... and I really, really like the lyrics. Passages like this:

"doubt gives a last shiver
compass reads magnetic south
city folds around you
hold course through crowds"

...is just so poetic. Love it!

Really well done job!

Edited because I need to ask: Is there really a hotel called that?

Thanks for sharing,
Will


Will,
I don`t know where that hotel is... I`ve stayed in a few the owners overrated that much though!
Thanks very much for saying the lyrics connected with you- its encouraging to hear that.

Robert

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,719
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,719
Back in the early 90's when we started listening to a lot
of Americana several of our favorite artists formed a
company called Dead Reckoning...

So nowadays we are listening to Americana style music on the
forum...cool.

The poetry is wonderful and the emotive vocal captures,
along with the band, the feeling of motion as the tune
progresses.

Janice's comment, "As always wonderful imagery!"

Indeed.

Topped off with a very nice mix also.

Nice!

J&B


You can listen to our catalog on Apple Music or Spotify by searching on Janice Merritt
Our Videos are here on our website
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21,863
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21,863
Robert, you are a poet turned lyricist, and you have mastered that!

Great backing tracks, excellent vocals, but man those outstanding lyrics did it for me.

Outstanding work Robert.


Have you ever noticed there are no lines to a bathroom at a water park?

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Originally Posted By: Tangmo
Wonderful lyric. The backing is very effective and well put together. Everything sounds good, and the whole package takes me on a mental and emotional journey that will likely be different next time I hear this. And I will.


I`m glad you enjoyed the journey!

Originally Posted By: rayc
I can't decide if your songs are perfect for sipping whiskey, cannabis or a mountain retreat.
Lovely narrative and melody.
Mentioning dead reckoning in proximity to and million stars struck me as a little odd - but I think I already had a sextant in my mind.
Lovely stuff.


I don`t know much about sipping whisky-those other things you mentioned quite a bit!
I was counting on some sailor to notice that, strictly speaking, stars aren`t involved in dead reckoning...and that most landlubbers like me think "winging it" when they hear the phrase.
Thanks for your always interesting comments.


Originally Posted By: BabuMusic
Wonderful lyrics, and a enjoyable delivery, Robert. Perfect arrangement to bring out the mood.

I appreciate your listen!

Originally Posted By: Rustyspoon#
Robert,
There are tunes that plug you in like a appliance to outlet, there are tunes that are done well, but far from emotional state, there are some that are bursting with fine detail like insane kaleidoscope.
I do not worry about those things when listening to your songs. I just fall back and enjoy. Robert, beautiful tune. Everything shines, especially lyrics and vocals.This was a treat to my ears and mind. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.


Misha,
Wow! If I every write album notes I`d like to use these great comments... and to think someone can actually relate to my "insane kaleidoscope" has made my day and then some.

Robert

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,604
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,604
Robert

Certainly musically one of your best - great sound, mix and melody with very nice harmonies.
Lyrics as always a stand out.

Excellent.

Peter

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Generate Lyrics for your Band-in-a-Box songs with LyricLab!

Need some lyrics to complete your Band-in-a-Box song? LyricLab is here to help!

LyricLab (by Joanne Cooper) is an AI-powered tool designed to quickly create lyrics and chords to fit your music. Just enter a rough idea of your lyrics, and let the AI bring them to life. Once you're happy with the results, simply import the LyricLab file into Band-in-a-Box® 2024 or newer. From there, you can pick your style and generate melodies to match your song’s chords!

Learn more about LyricLab here!

Watch the video.


Band-in-a-Box 2024 Italian for Mac is Here!

Ci siamo dati da fare e abbiamo aggiunto oltre 50 nuove funzionalità e una straordinaria raccolta di nuovi contenuti, tra cui 222 RealTracks, nuovi RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 3, Playable RealDrums Set 2, due nuovi set di "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 e altro ancora!

Tutti Pacchetti | Nuove Caratteristiche

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 German for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 für Mac Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK & 7, Xtra Styles PAK 17 & 18, und mehr!

Paket | Was ist Neu

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 French for Mac® is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 apporte plus de 50 fonctions nouvelles ainsi qu'une importante de contenus nouveaux à savoir : 222 RealTracks, des RealStyles nouveaux, des SuperTracks MIDI, des Etudes d'Instruments, des Prestations d'Artistes, des "Morceaux avec Choeurs", un Set 3 de Tracks Jouables, un Set 2 de RealDrums Jouables, deux nouveaux Sets de "RealDrums Stems", des Styles XPro PAK 6 & 7, des Xtra Styles PAK 17 & 18, et bien plus encore!

New! XPro Styles PAK 7 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Mac!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 7 with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 50 RealTracks and RealDrums that are sure to delight!

With XPro Styles PAK 7 you can expect 25 rock & pop, 25 jazz, and 25 country styles, as well as 25 of this year's wildcard genre: Celtic!

Here's a small sampling of what XPro Styles PAK 7 has to offer: energetic rock jigs, New Orleans funk, lilting jazz waltzes, fast Celtic punk, uptempo train beats, gritty grunge, intense jazz rock, groovy EDM, soulful R&B, soft singer-songwriter pop, country blues rock, and many more!

Special Pricing! Until September 30, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 7 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea)! Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box 2024® with XPro Styles PAK 7! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Watch the XPro Styles PAK 7 Overview & Styles Demos video.

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2024 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Mac!

Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box version 2024 is here with 200 brand new styles to take for a spin!

Along with 50 new styles each for the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, we’ve put together a collection of styles using sounds from the SynthMaster plugin!

In this PAK you'll find: dubby reggae grooves, rootsy Americana, LA jazz pop, driving pop rock, mellow electronica, modern jazz fusion, spacey country ballads, Motown shuffles, energetic EDM, and plenty of synth heavy grooves! Xtra Style PAK 18 features these styles and many, many more!

Special Pricing! Until September 30, 2024, all the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 18 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea)! Expand your Band-in-a-Box 2024® library with Xtra Styles PAK 18! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 18 here.

Watch the Xtra Styles PAK 18 Overview & Styles Demos video.

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 18 requires the 2024 UltraPAK/UltraPAK+/Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Windows!

Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box version 2024 is here with 200 brand new styles to take for a spin!

Along with 50 new styles each for the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, we’ve put together a collection of styles using sounds from the SynthMaster plugin!

In this PAK you'll find: dubby reggae grooves, rootsy Americana, LA jazz pop, driving pop rock, mellow electronica, modern jazz fusion, spacey country ballads, Motown shuffles, energetic EDM, and plenty of synth heavy grooves! Xtra Style PAK 18 features these styles and many, many more!

Special Pricing! Until September 30, 2024, all the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 18 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea)! Expand your Band-in-a-Box 2024® library with Xtra Styles PAK 18! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 18 here.

Watch the Xtra Styles PAK 18 Overview & Styles Demos video.

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 18 requires the 2024 UltraPAK/UltraPAK+/Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics82,926
Posts753,287
Members39,029
Most Online3,932
Nov 19th, 2024
Newest Members
FrankB, ikshitachoudhary, Jean-Laurent, dongordo, xaos
39,028 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 145
DC Ron 105
jpettit 100
DrDan 94
dcuny 82
rsdean 81
Today's Birthdays
Brookes, Herschel Dirtwater, steely
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5