"Earth Without The Moon"

[Wojtek]

And one more thing. Maybe not official [proposition yet but thing to consider. How about our own track "Earth Without The Moon"? Call this part two of Moonies band or kind of common AM effort but I could compose and prepare all for recording, then give directly parts that must be recorded via Internet. Moses is being working with be in such way, he can confirm it cna be done. I'd need someone to help me with the poetic lyrics and of course mixing/realisation. And of course players (who wnats to sing? ). What do you think?

I say that is thing to consider. Haven't called it official proposition yet because of very difficult academic year I am starting in a few days. But I'll try to find my feet in the whole situation and find a time to make a new track. We shall see if this will be possible.

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Originally posted by Wojtek
Maybe not official proposition yet but thing to consider. How about our own track "Earth Without The Moon"? Call this part two of Moonies band or kind of common AM effort but I could compose and prepare all for recording, then give directly parts that must be recorded via Internet. Moses is being working with be in such way, he can confirm it cna be done. I'd need someone to help me with the poetic lyrics

I've worked up a first verse:
Gazing at the stars leads to galactic aspirations
Howling at the moon became our lunar inspiration
But all within the solar system's slightly out of tune
When we consider Earth without the Moon

and I'm toying with a second verse. Let me know if you have feedback based on melodies you've already written - I could alter length or timing if needed.

and of course mixing/realisation. And of course players (who wnats to sing? ). What do you think?

I say that is thing to consider. Haven't called it official proposition yet because of very difficult academic year I am starting in a few days. But I'll try to find my feet in the whole situation and find a time to make a new track. We shall see if this will be possible.

[Wojtek]

I really like these lyrics very much, Jim . So I will look at things and wait if any Moon-musicians want to be part of it. Without them that idea doesn't exist.

[progdirjim(Admin)]

I should be clear for my "vision" in regards to up to 3 separate projects we're talking about.

1, Kirk is taking the lead on the artist tribute disc. This will consist of tunes from established artists.

2, separate from that, we have perhaps two separate Moonie collaboration efforts being discussed - the "basics" theme that Elric and Kirk and many other have contributed ideas towards, and Woj's "Earth Without The Moon" idea. I think both of these can be fun, but I also think we need to keep these separate from the tribute disc. There are several reasons for this, including legal, artistic, financial and social ones, so that's the direction we're taking. This may also relieve some schedule pressure from the Moonie project, making it (perhaps) more fun and more successful.

Thanks!

[roger]

Originally posted by progdirjim
2, separate from that, we have perhaps two separate Moonie collaboration efforts being discussed - the "basics" theme that Elric and Kirk and many other have contributed ideas towards, and Woj's "Earth Without The Moon" idea.

can someone provide clarification on these two projects? I have expressed interest in the Elric/Kirk tune, but I don't know anything about Woj's project. I really like the lyrics you wrote, Jim, and would like to do some singing...

[progdirjim(Admin)]

OK, I separated the posts relating to Woj's idea into their own thread, hopefully it makes sense now. I also bumped Elric's thread back to the top - it's titled "A Moonies Band"

and I've added another verse:

"Gazing at the stars leads to galactic aspirations
Howling at the moon became our lunar inspiration
But all within the solar system's slightly out of tune
When we consider Earth without the Moon"

"Geopolitical altercations are a hyperactive display
Pessimists always predicting radioactive decay
Looking back I'll have to say it ended all too soon
If we end up on Earth without the Moon"

the cadence on that 2nd verse is a good bit different, but I think that can be supported in a prog song

[roger]

thanks, Jim.

I can sing, or whatever.

[Wojtek]

Originally posted by progdirjim
I think both of these can be fun, but I also think we need to keep these separate from the tribute disc. There are several reasons for this, including legal, artistic, financial and social ones, so that's the direction we're taking.

Hmm... if the main reason of that separation is concern of possible amateurism of "Earth Without..." then don't worry. We can achieve good level.

I respect that decision, and considering Jim as a wise man, I won't argue.

However, it doesn't change the fact that I hardly see point of doing this unless it's not for the contribution disc. I don't want to make alternative Moonies project, I already have one and you have A Moonies Band. Do we need third? What would be status of that song? If "just for fun" then OK... if ideas are coming I am in. But let's say what we all want.

New lyrics very fine, Jim. Could you try add to this something what would fit to complicated passages etc. (for example for verses with two different rhytmics "a, b, a, b" etc.)? Thank you.

[kirk]

i'm not sure if i posted this, but i meant to.

re:BASIC~
i just threw something out there to get the ball rolling.
whatever evolves is perfectly coo' with me....

jim- good lyrics!
for communication sake, what singer influences you
as you're writing ?
the more all involved can get a picture of your thought
processes, the easier it is.

from experience, it's very difficult to start w/ a lyric,
unless it's an accapela section that establishes
the melody.
otherwise, you're going to need a click track, or a basic
beat w/o fills and cyms to establish tempo.
after finding the tempo, maybe roger can do a
single note piano line to establish placement & melody
of the lyric as he hears it....?
the tune builds around it, then it's replaced at the end
w/ the vocal.




k

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Originally posted by kirk
i'm not sure if i posted this, but i meant to.
jim- good lyrics!
for communication sake, what singer influences you
as you're writing ?
the more all involved can get a picture of your thought
processes, the easier it is.

thanks. I don't think of one specific singer, usually. It depends on the lyric. I often start with one key line that usually just pops into my head. I use that as a starting rhythmic/cadence point. Sometimes, the cadence reminds me of a specific song, when that happens, I'll basically write the lyrics to fit that melody. (Happened once with Gabriel's "Come Talk to Me")

Lyric writing for me runs hot and cold - when it flows, I can crank out a fair amount of decent lyric pretty fast. When it's off, it's hard to force it.

from experience, it's very difficult to start w/ a lyric,
unless it's an accapela section that establishes
the melody.
otherwise, you're going to need a click track, or a basic
beat w/o fills and cyms to establish tempo.
after finding the tempo, maybe roger can do a
single note piano line to establish placement & melody
of the lyric as he hears it....?
the tune builds around it, then it's replaced at the end
w/ the vocal.

k

I agree that it's hard to start with lyrics, though that's how Rush does it! It's actually easier to write lyrics if I have a melody or basic rhythm, as it constrains the "space" I have to write in. But sometimes, the words seem to flow of their own accord (those Earth w/o Moon verses were like that) before the music is there - and I enjoy the process too much to turn it off and wait for the music right now, I'm not hanging out with a lot of musicians, so most of my writing takes place in a vacuum...

click tracks or piano lines welcome for either project...

[kirk]

I agree that it's hard to start with lyrics, though that's how Rush does it!

that's true. i've heard neil express that he views lyrics much
the same as percussion.
he likely has a drum part to fit when presenting lyrics to the
band, since generally in the process those 2 things come 1st.

I'm not hanging out with a lot of musicians, so most of my writing takes place in a vacuum...

i understand that all too well.

one thing that may help...
if your soundcard's up to it (and i assume that it is,
since you listen to music on your computer)~

at www.acidplanet.com , there's a free 8 track version
of the program, sans efx.
several genre-specific entry level versions (rock, techno)
w/ built-in libraries are also available from around $49.00.
acid's a .wav file manipulation program, very user friendly,
no instruments required.
conceivably, a tune could be knocked out w/o ever
touching an instrument, depending on the user's knowledge
of structure, ect.
also, full acid song files can be sent, the tracks
appear in place, the same as the sender's screen.

in the libraries section, there's hundreds of
free sample files, many of them drums, by mick fleetwood,
siggie baldurson(bjork), several other pro drummers.
it's as simple as a R click "save target as", save to acid.
bring up the explorer, navigate to the stored file,
click on it, it appears as a track.
it loops automatically, and here's the miracle-
you line up the tabs, and everything's in perfect sync!

acid has the ability to change tempo w/ a slider.
especially w/ your drumming background, you could match
a file to what you're thinking tempo wise, make a .wav,
post it to rifftrader.
there's a free "8 pack" each month to d.l., it's a good way
to become fimiliar w/ the process.

k

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Originally posted by kirk
one thing that may help...
if your soundcard's up to it (and i assume that it is,
since you listen to music on your computer)~

at www.acidplanet.com , there's a free 8 track version
of the program, sans efx.

in the libraries section, there's hundreds of
free sample files,
<snip>
acid has the ability to change tempo w/ a slider.
especially w/ your drumming background, you could match
a file to what you're thinking tempo wise, make a .wav,
post it to rifftrader.
there's a free "8 pack" each month to d.l., it's a good way
to become fimiliar w/ the process.

k

I've downloaded the free version, and will start playing with it once I get a minute. Between work, jury duty, and trying to remodel a house we just bought so we can sell it, I'm a bit short of spare time at the moment. (Again.)

[kirk]

hey all- i haven't forgot about the tribute disk. i've been waiting to
hear from da vax whether marillion's on board or not.
i'm finding it amazing the bands that have such a thick "star/smokescreen",
and who doesn't.
any help on contacting mostly autumn, IQ is greatly appreciated.

also, i've been kicking around the titles "full moon" (which kind of describes
the situation), or "NEW MOON"...which i might suggest to davin as an
alternative to "Aural moon 2". opinions?

jim (or anyone else interested)when you take the plunge w/ the acid program,
i'm available for consultation.
i beta tested acid before it was released years ago. the door's always open for the moon folk.

k

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Earth Without The Moon

OK, I think I finished these lyrics.

I have a pretty good concept of the musical progression of this song, but I am not talented enough to score it. I’m considering a Seattle trip anyway; maybe I can meet Kirk and the two of us can at least get a click track down for others to work from. I’ve started using the AcidPlanet software but am not proficient enough yet for this song – there’s 5’s and 7’s in there, somewhere

Third verse picks up the tempo; "interconnected orbits" is staccato and bridges into the instrumental section; "goodbye satellite" begins the resolution completed with the last half verse...

"Gazing at the stars leads to galactic aspirations
Howling at the moon became our lunar inspiration
But all within the solar system’s slightly out of tune
When we consider earth without the moon

Ancient lore and relics buried deep within the ground
Illuminate and demonstrate the wisdom we have found
A message from the ancients carved in stone in mystic runes
Never live on earth without the moon

Geopolitical altercations are a hyperactive display
Pessimists always predicting radioactive decay
Looking back I’ll have to say it ended all too soon
If we end up on earth without the moon

Interconnected orbits
Tides of history
Growing concentric circles
Escape velocity

Good bye Satellite
We will miss your light
Sanctify the night
God, it felt so right

Someday in the future we’ll emerge from our cocoon
And recreate our earth within the moon"

France always inspires me lyrically…

[roger]

cool.