Hi John
I can just imagine how much work was involved,but to create a compendium of music like that had to be rewarding.

I,like you,am acutely aware of the seriousness of all of this,but so lucky I have my music to immerse myself into. Sometimes, good things come out of the worst situations,and plan on turning my self containment to my best advantage through music.

Bernie

John, your music and your post are precious – a man expressing his love through music. True, there should many more responses to the songs that are posted, but there is more. Knowing, and believing that what you are doing IS helping other people here in SZ. --- although they have not responded to your work.

I have dozens of cassette types, yes cassette tapes, I recorded when I was younger. They are recordings of me singing and playing guitar. Recordings of my first band, of my beginning as a OMB, and more. The cassettes have been in my garage about 12 years. I thought they might have dried up. Two of my cassette players no longer work.
Your post gave me enough incentive to buy a new player, sit in my porch and relive a precious part of my life.

Thank you John, John C.

John maybe you can re-record some of those good times songs on cassette with your new arranger kbs.....
that would be an interesting fun project to undertake...

John C.

Extremely pleased and humbled at the same time that my new efforts have brought you pleasure and the desire to listen back to stuff that you recorded many moons ago.
Music is that what unites us here in the first place no matter how many instruments we may have or review.

Donny my friend, give me a break, although it took me about five weeks to record this CD , it took me I guess about five months to familiarize myself with the songs that I recorded.
Tried things out with different instruments and this is the ultimate result.
Too often and too much I have got stuck in the music of the sixties, why even on this CD I guess the bulk of songs goes back to that area, priceless and unique as it may be !!!
There are only four songs on it that relate to the last five years. So if you don't mind I am going to lean back and wait for you to show your magic with the Tyros 4 and your vocal qualities !!!!

regards,
John


P.S. thank you Bernie......

John Smies, I don't usually talk for someone else, but perhaps Donny was talking to John C about recording his cassettes using his keyboard ... just a thought ...

John sorry, and without argument,...
I am afraid you will be waiting forever
as I will never post another song I record
on SZ after what went down with certain people
on here and the reason I stepped away for a while.
You asked my opinion on your new CD, ...I gave it to you in private. I also said IMO your more suited for classic 60's
judging by your past recordings. That said have a nice day.

Tony,

Well observed, my mistake, apologies.

regards
John

John S ... I've started to listen ...
First let me say that having put together a couple of CDs myself, I certainly appreciate what a daunting task it is, and you should be commended first for your labors ...
Now, in listening to any CD by any artist, the first thing that has to 'grab' me is the song itself - not the performer or the performance ... this can be difficult, especially if it is a song I've never heard before as is the case with a few here ... they will have to get a 're-listen' ...
For the 5 or 6 that I've listened to, I will repeat what some others have said about the good use of vocals, VH, instrumentation etc.

keep at it ...

Thank you John for sharing.
Looks like a mammoth task to put all those songs together.
We currently need stuff to help lift our spirits.
So thank you, truly appreciated.

Tony,
I see entirely eye to eye with you on the aspect of whether a song "grabs you or not ". And also the fact that you stated that if you are unfailiar with the song you have to give it a few hearings to actually decide whether it is your cup of tea or not. ( So keep listening :))

Over the last twenty years I have made more than 12 CDs which were heavily dominated by music from the sixties. After all, being 68 of age, my teens were in the sixties and I am forever grateful that they were.
Contrary to Donny's opinion on this ( and he knows I value his input) I do not want to stay locked up in the sixties. This new CD of mine not only harbours only six or seven songs that originated in the sixties, it also has three songs in my mother tongue (Dutch) which might need some clarification.

"Verdronken Vlinder " (literally: drowned butterfly) was a very famous protest song in the sixties here in Holland by Boudewijn de Groot. ( check it out on youtube). From the same performer was "Testament ". At the time he was the Dutch contemporary of Bob Dylan.... If you check out his original on youtube you will also notice the extreme difference in arrangement as far as my own recording of Verdronken Vlinder.

Three of the songs which will be unfamiliar to many in the USA but very well-known to all folks here in Europe and in the UK are by contemporary artist George Ezra. (check out his original version and video of Listen to the Man , which is hilarious !!!)

I am also happy and proud having arisen to the occasion of not focusing on the arranger keyboard but diversifying. And as stated on earlier occasions, though only a beginner, the amount of satisfaction that I derive from trying to play the piano ( and to a lesser degree) the acoustic guitar, is immense.
Thank all of you for your continued responses and comments,

regards,
John