I have just uploaded to my site another song: "I left my heart in San Francisco". To record this song I have used a 9000 pro style called Lounge Piano, but all the instruments come from the SD1. They are: Night Sax, Golden Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Slow Strings and Violas.
The most complex part was to arrange the strings and the horns; to achieve a decent result I had to listen carefully to the version by Tony Bennett and had also to analize track by track a midifile found on the styles-music.de site. To record this song I have spent more than three weeks; for comparison sake, a song like "Toussaint l'overture" (which I am still very proud of) took me just one day of work.
I have already dedicated songs to all the Synthzone members I have met in California in June, but this one is dedicated to all the friends met in the Bay Area who are not members of this Forum. They are (in strict alphabetical order): Bill, Debbie, Don, Rick and Ross. I really hope to meet them again soon.
http://andrearotolo.tripod.com/dreamer/id1.html

[This message has been edited by Dreamer (edited 12-08-2002).]

Andrea,
Very nice. I especially liked the trumpet sound. I also like the way you switched the instrument for the lead half way....I thought the mix was perfect and all in the right place in the mix....bravo.
jam on,
Terry

Dear Andrea,

I just notified Debbie, Ross, Rick, and Don and they are all DEEPLY TOUCHED by your dedication . Your heartfelt performance and melodic phrasing is great and the SD1 sax/trumpet sound sounds OUTSTANDING.

The only flaw that bothers me a bit, especially because it's the important 'hook line' to the tune is the note you played for the word 'YOU' in the last 8 bar vocal line: "When I come home to 'YOU' San Francisco", the note played should be a Db, not a D. I hope you don't mind that I pointed this out, afterall you already know what perfectionist I am, right

Did you guys know that Tony Bennett originally thought " I Left My Heart in SF" was going to be the B side of the record? The other side was 'Once Upon a Time' from a show called 'All-American' starring Ray Bolger, also a great tune. Finally the record executives came running to him and said, 'No, no, the people want the other side -- stop working on 'Once Upon a Time.'

As you all probably can guess, this is the MOST REQUESTED song I get on my gigs here in the SF Bay area.

Andrea: On behalf of all your friends here in the Bay Area, THANK YOU. We ALL love ya man. Come back and visit us soon.

Scott

Great Job Andrea.
DonM

Hey Andrea (Dreamer),
I just finished listening to your latest release about Babylon, the city by the sea.
That is about as good as it can get on an arranger. It is supurb. You did super well. We love it, and say thank you.
I wish I could get it into my 9000, it would become a theme song for every time I play out. People here in the bay area still claim this song as their own and Tony Bennet too.
I wouldn't be suprised to hear that Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been knocking on your door to do the arrangements and music for his lyrics on his new CD. I think he would be making an excellent choice. You have done everything else, you might as well try politics too while you are still young enough to run
Best to you my friend and thanks from Bill and Jann. She loves it too, and wants to know why I don't play like that anymore? DUH!
Bebop

Andrea,
What more can I say, this is good work. I enjoyed it, D and all.
Scott keeps us on our toes... but this is good! Thats why the music keeps getting better.
Regards,
Lou

Dear friends,
thank you all for your words which repay me for my efforts. As I have already said, you are the best and most competent audience one can hope for. Scott is right, it is indeed a Db and not a D, but what should I do now? Yes, I could try to record again the lead tracks but maybe won't get the same feeling anymore.... that's one of those moments when I really regret for not having done a midifile; changing a note on a midifile is so simple!
Terry, Scott, Don, Bill, Lou: thank you again; before Christmas I hope to make you another couple of surprises, not to mention that during the holidays I should have more time to dedicate to music.
Andrea

Following Scott's suggestion I have recorded again the lead tracks; I hope that this time everything is right and the original feeling is not lost.

Andrea, Very Good indeed it is , as are all your MP3's (still got mother listening to blue moon - when you can see it amidst these clouds that is ) Very well done.


Tony

Andrea. Lei la canzone sembra perfetto adesso. Grazie. - Scott

Your right scott, the song does seem perfect now


Tony

Tony,
thank you! Maybe it's time that I record a new version of Blue Moon for your mother...

Scott,
did you follow an accellerated course of Italian?
I am glad that you like the new version, even if to me it sounds a bit too polished now... (you know, a mistake here and there adds some interest...)

I agree Andrea, after a 3rd listening, your version was better than scott's

What's more impressive to me Andrea, that whilst they are all good, Your songs sound better all the time (The Arrangement/Sound Quality/Improvisation etc) Good stuff keep em' coming

Tony

Thank you again, Tony. Can you ask your mother if there is another song she would like to hear?

Yes Andrea, You know I like it as well of course

Absolutley anything by Nat-king-cole...she loves. Her Favourite is "When I fall in love", plenty of others too. Also, Nat's Daughter, Natalie cole (currently in UK) made a song I liked as well, "Feels Like Crazy". Nice song, but a few key changes in there Also, "Unforgettable", in which she sang along with her father in a remake (and some good camera tricks


Tony

……….Incidentally Andrea, I have a CD recording of "Kees Ploeger" who plays and arranges that particular number (feels like Crazy), amongst many others (All by myself, Glory of love, "anything for you" and more.

He plays the songs on a "General music" piano (GRP3), and a RP2. and also uses a S3 music processor, and the WX2 Multimedia workstation. Its a White piano although the actual piano sound itself is a bit lackluster by today’s standards. However, in a mix, all the sounds seem good to me. You don't necessarily need a superb grand piano to make great arrangements, but a combination of good gear that blend in with each other. The CD is about 7 + years old, so digital piano's and workstation wasn't what they are today....but still sounds good from this end

Although it was recorded at Stateline Studios, Woerden in Netherlands, thats not to say it's any better than the great stuff you are pouring out Andrea!. And With Technology constantly surpassing itself, what he did 8 years ago with his equipment "could" be possible to do on a Top arranger alone and perhaps a module....maybe

Tony

Tony,
please tell your mother that I have got Nat King Cole on my recording list (but "which" song, that will be a surprise...)

Andrea,
Excellent, as usual. When I listen with my eyes closed, it sounds like a real sax and trumpet player, not a keyboard player. I particular liked the accompaniment. It is worth all the effort you put into this performance. THe SD1 has some nice horns.
Starkeeper

Starkeeper,
thank you a lot; the approval of nice friends like you is the best rewards for my efforts and encourages me to give my best in my next songs.
Andrea

Dreamer,
You are getting way to good! Desist immediately. ....I mean one duff note? If I took the duff notes out of my performances there would only be the drums left

Seriously though I loved it. Superbly performed and orchestrated. Now we both have a pro you have to stop over in England next time you are on a world tour and teach me a few things. I am a slow learner so you may never actually get to leave but we will worry about that when you arrive
Very best to you
Tony W

Hello Amigo.

Perdoname for the delayed reply.
I am very busy with my CD delivery and my profi song book production.
Your song?
What can I say more?
Chico

Tony,
thank you a lot for your kind words and...
what's the best time of the year to visit Lancashire?

Chico,
...hmmm...does that mean that you liked my song? Right now I am working on another Jobim tune; hope you'll like it.

Andrea, that was so very,very nice! Your "horn" playing is outstanding. Great job!
Bill

Thank you Bill; maybe I am ready for another "hot" number after Xmas, who knows...

I have a "hot number" coming over Christmas night ! oooooh baby!!

Thank you Dave, I am glad that you liked my song.

Hi Andrea.

Next May , your Jobim tunes may be 200% performed. E mail me about news.

Chico