Dad3353

My life-time ambition has finally been achieved..! Soundcloud inform me that I'm being 'followed' by none other than Zombie Gwala..! Who'd 'ave thought it, eh..? Proud..? You betcha..! Another Earl Grey, methinks, in guise of celebration. Zombie Gwala..! Well I never..! ...

Thanks for the info ^; it helps in putting things into perspective.

[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1488669804' post='3250995'] Surprised nobody's mentioned the business rate rises. Small businesses are facing a massive business rate rise any minute now, so expect shops to put prices up accordingly. Some businesses are facing an increase of 50%, another nail in the UK's coffin. Cue endless Poundland stores on all high streets, and no independent stores anywhere. [/quote] How much, as a proportion of overall overheads, is business rates..? 50% rise sounds a lot (and indeed it is...!), but what impact does that have on the 'bottom line'..? It could well be negligible. Just curious.

OK, folks, this is what I've prepared... [url="https://soundcloud.com/dad3353/leaving-it-all-behind"]Leaving It All Behind ...[/url] Enjoy

+1 ^

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1488511842' post='3249599']...Reaper, free to try and only $60 [b]for a 2-3 year licence[/b]. [/quote] ??? Licence is not time-limited, methinks..?

Cheers; it was fun producing it. It's not a 'dance-floor killer', though, I fear.

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1488400083' post='3248697'] That looks like an EDM dancefloor-killer bit of inspiration in that pic. Whatcha reckon Dad? [/quote] I take it you've not listened to the track I posted above, then..?

No, not an entry already (give me time..! ), just a previous compo for a picture of similar ilk; a sort of 'blast from the past' which didn't get used... [url="https://soundcloud.com/dad3353/grace-falling-from-grace"]Grace Falling From Grace ...[/url]

... and with a decent picture for inspiration..! No excuses now; let's get to it..!

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1488395719' post='3248632']...get your photos to the Skolmeister so we can start Marches [/quote] Yes indeed, but let's have something decent that we can compose to. I'm especially wary of Lenny's 'tastes'. ... ... Just joshin' of course (but only slightly... ) (... and [i]must [/i]we compose marches [i]only [/i]for March's Challenge..? Or have I misread something again..? )

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1488390568' post='3248572'] Thank you This is the direction I want to take right now, some scoring, a tune that goes somewhere, a bit of orchestration (which is hard to do - I spent two weeks tweaking all those strings) with some light undertones of electronic sounds. I would like to do a sequel of sorts that takes it from where it left off (the repeating bass drum) and moves it elsewhere, with another chord progression that could in time come back to the original. [/quote] ([i]Sounds of foot tapping and fingers drumming[/i]...) Well..? Have you finished it yet..? ... ...

[quote name='AdamWoodBass' timestamp='1488383330' post='3248472']... I'm sure Tesco's take payments in "exposure" when I need to eat!... [/quote] They (and others...) do, when engaging in sponsorship, or charity ventures such as donating to food kitchens and the like. Rarely for the individual, but, next time you're starving, it may inspire your local groceries manager to offer help. It's not a 'given' that it could never work; some people are very kind.

[quote name='RalphDWilson' timestamp='1488050934' post='3245466'] I'm way too late to enter this month... [/quote] A darned shame; it's as worthy as (very...) many entries for this Challenge. We all have, I suppose, differing criteria when listening to/rating these pieces; for my part, the 'quality' of the production is not at the top of my list. To me, composition implies a unique, personal use of harmony, rhythm, structure which can take many forms, but contains a 'statement', an exposure, a taking of risks, albeit on a modest scale. I'm not overwhelmed by a re-hash of a 12-bar blues (although one can be occasionally surprised...), nor a constant, monolithic form (although there can be merit in that, too...). Lyrics, when used, have to be intelligible (or used sparingly purely for effect...). Orchestration can be sparse or complex, but should be (in my view...) coherent and compatible with the style or genre presented. It's not an 'Abbey Road' polish that grabs me most; in fact, over-production can hinder the appreciation (I'm as guilty as others in this respect; when to stop adding stuff or tweaking..?). I hope to have the opportunity of hearing further entries, so get started earlier, or subject your best effort before the closing date, whatever its state. It's all good..!

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1488324808' post='3248022']..this one of mine I did in November may be more your cuppa tea Dad: [url="https://soundcloud.com/mornats/puzzlewood"]https://soundcloud.c...nats/puzzlewood[/url] ... [/quote] Quite. music that starts, then takes one somewhere. Would merit extension, so as to complete the journey, maybe returning to the point of departure (or not..?)..? Good stuff; thanks for partially quenching my thirst. It's not quite, perhaps, up to the giddy heights of Earl Grey, but definitely preferable to PG Tips with milk and sugar ([i]Shudders[/i]...).

[left][size=4][color="#222222"][font="Arial, sans-serif"][size=4]And the winners are... Leonard Smalls and Fingers211..! [sharedmedia=core:attachments:167486] Here, then, are your Winner's Certificates (download and save as pdf file, then proudly print and frame...) ...[/size][/font][/color] [attachment=239342:BC_Chal_Cert_2017_02.pdf] [color="#222222"][font="Arial, sans-serif"][size=4]... which look like this (but bigger, of course..!)...[/size][/font][/color][/size] [/left] [left][size=4][color="#222222"][font="Arial, sans-serif"][size=4][/size][/font][/color][/size][/left]

... and I've a kind Nigerian prince willing to send me a smallish fortune; I could then contribute. Anyone else..?

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1488303315' post='3247734'] Guilty as charged ... [/quote] Would that you were the only culprit..! No, I was addressing no-one in particular, and it's not simply this month's crop. I just can't help using Schubert's 9th as my yardstick, that's all. (No, my own attempts are no higher up on the FS scale; in fact they don't even register..! )

Voted, but it was a tough choice, as usual. Not all were styles I'd have normally wanted to listen to, but that's one of the benefits of giving 'em all a shot; one gets to hear new sounds. On the other hand, there's a couple in there (no names...) that are impressive (to me...) in their 'left field' approach. Echoes of Beefheart, Zappa, Grateful Dead and more; faint, but echoes none the less. I'm still not enamoured of the 'big beat', disco, edm movement, though, and so retain my grumpy, curmudgeon, old duffer status. Not that that shows, of course.

Indeed, 'twill need more listening to try to prise a chink between all of these excellent productions. Can't I just vote for my 8 favourites..? Back later...

For those desperately wondering from where to order a copy ... [url="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weekend-Rockstars-Dave-Holwill-ebook/dp/B01JWTBJ2W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1470905341&sr=8-2&keywords=dave+holwill"]You can get it here on kindle[/url] [url="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weekend-Rockstars-Dave-Holwill/dp/1534785973/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470905341&sr=8-1&keywords=dave+holwill"]Or you can get a paperback from here[/url] [quote name='blue' timestamp='1480387109' post='3183980'] No, I haven't read the book. I'm not much of a reader. However, this book has got my curiosity going and I plan on reading it. [/quote] Maybe Blue could give a review, as seen from a US perspective..? It could boost international sales, I'm sure. @Blue: If you've not yet ordered a copy, it's still highly recommended reading. You'll love it, I'm certain. I'd send you my copy, but I'm now reading it again for the fourth time; it just keeps on giving...)

[quote name='phil.c60' timestamp='1487261529' post='3238469']....but it's still white... [/quote] Under red stage lights it's red. Under blue stage lights it's blue. Under orange stage lights ...etc. Cool, huh..?

Is this the best topic for promoting our very own monthly Basschat Composition Challenge (note 'Challenge', not 'Competition'...)..? [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/299683-february-composition-challenge/"]February's Basschat Compostion Challenge ... [/url] Purely for fun, of course, and the world-wide renown that collecting the most votes brings (and a free, printable Winner's Certificate...). Lots of fun for young and old. Go on, have a go; you know it makes sense..!

Here we go again... [url="https://soundcloud.com/dad3353/swot-happens-when-one-listens-to-jazz"]Swot Happens When One Listens To Jazz ...[/url] Once again, modest, but I'm quite pleased with it (fool that I am..! )

[left][size=4][color="#222222"][font="Arial, sans-serif"][size=4]And the winners are... Bleat and Lurksalot..! [sharedmedia=core:attachments:167486] Here, then, are your Winner's Certificates (download and save as pdf file, then proudly print and frame...) ...[/size][/font][/color] [attachment=237055:BC_Chal_Cert_2017_01.pdf] [color="#222222"][font="Arial, sans-serif"][size=4]... which look like this (but bigger, of course..!)...[/size][/font][/color] [font=Arial, sans-serif][/font][/size][/left]