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Hi AM friends,
This is my first post for a few months – I’ve been a tad preoccupied & not playing much due to a prostate cancer diagnosis. It’s early stage, there’s no spread & the treatment is aiming at a cure. I’m grateful for the fabulous NHS here and have a renewed appreciation for life 🙂
Focusing on this months challenge has been a wonderful distraction.
However, it’s also been a struggle because I don’t really feel I have breakthrough’s! My learning journey with music seems to be a loooonnnnng linear struggle! Maybe yours does too?
So for the purpose of this challenge, I chose to say that my main ‘breakthrough’ has been to do with production: recording/mixing & mastering.
Production, for me, feels like a kind of alchemy. I record ordinary, simple playing … then do this multiple times and gradually build up layers in the DAW until the sound I’m hearing is more than the sum of it’s parts. I tweak endlessly. I think I’m getting better at this, but I’d say it’s a breakthrough that’s taken a few years and I’ve a very long way still to go.
So for my submission, I wanted to share something that (hopefully) illustrates where I’m up to with this breakthrough at this point in that long struggle.
It seemed apt for me to create song from scratch that relates somehow to my cancer journey. So, I wrote a song that seems to pair nicely with a point-of-view video I’d recorded while having radiotherapy. My lovely grandson Tom (15) contributed to the lyric writing too.
The song is called Drift Through Me, and pertains, to some extent, to the radiation in the treatment.
Thank you for listening & apologies for the long preamble.
This recording’s elements:
Acoustic rhythm – doubled L/R
Vocal
Lead guitar
Slide guitar
Piano
Bass (via synth keys)
Harmonica
TambourineGary
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A soulful song Gary, given your recent diagnosis this creation seemed so apt. Certainly a song to relax and perhaps reflect on life.
Richard
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Hi Gary , every part of this is beautifully executed, so very well put together.
Which absolutely showcases your breakthrough .
Love the guitar solo ,full of soul .
All the best with your treatment.Martin
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No apologies, Gary, thanks for sharing and I wish you all the best in your treatment. These things seem to be touching more and more of us at Active Melody.
My wife says your song should be on the radio and I have to agree. Beautiful composing, playing, singing and production. I’ve always felt you’re one of the most creative people on Active Melody.
John -
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A beautiful and sweetly haunting tune Gary. And really a nice production from the layered recording to the visuals.
Yes, I think we are all on a long uphill journey with music, but there are definitely vista points we can look back at the trail and see how far we’ve come.
Glad that the treatments are going well, hang in there! 👊
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Yea a very emotional and heartfelt submission! 😭 I think the trouble with that linear progression (“struggle”) is the gradual progress is hard to see. You’re hardly a beginner, I could see this in any singer/songwriter showcase with great acclaim. Very well done. Production is excellent.
Best of luck on recovery and treatment ❤️
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Gary my friend I hope treatment goes well. Too many men struck by this cancer.
I do have a little bump on my prostate but was not named cancer up to now.
I am with you on this bro.
Your challenge is a beautiful composition, very soulful, you moved me.
Awesome video.
I didn’t know you could sing, very warm voice.
You did that with your Spark 40?AndréM
AndréM
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Hi Andre, first – do please keep tabs on that lump.
Thank you for your very kuind comments which are very much appreciated. I couldnt get on with the Spark – I’m sure it was my failing as so many people get great results – including yourself of course. For a little while now I’ve had the Katana 3 Artist Combo (100W) which I like very much – that’s what I used for this piece. Best wishes.
Gary
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That’s a powerful song, Gary. Love your sound and video production. Professional all around. Gods speed with your healing. ❤️🩹
James
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Gary, this song is so heart-felt and well done. A true joy to hear, and with the backstory it makes so much sense. Wishing you the very best with your treatment and healing.
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Beautiful, beautiful song, obviously born from strong feeling that you were able to give voice to. It’s music’s highest calling, and you delivered what you lived. Best of luck on your treatment,.
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After my accident last September in which I nearly didn’t survive I understand about your new appreciation for life. I wish you the best for your healing journey.
This song was wonderful and the mixing/mastering was superb. It was a pleasure listening, thank you.
Joe
The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge -
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That’s a total masterpiece, Gary! The melody, the arrangement and mixing, the lyrics – all were pro quality. I’ve got two kinds of cancers trying to get me, but so far a combination of surgery and immunotherapy have kept them at bay. One thing that should concern those of us who have to get regular CT scans (hi-def x-rays) is that 5% of all new cancers are believed to be due to DNA damage caused by CT scans. Meanwhile, we should just keep on playing our guitars and hope for the best!
Sunjamr Steve
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Oh, I’m sorry to hear about the diagnosis, I can tell you poured so much emotion into this song and it is felt. Really touching and incredibly well done, your voice is powerful – a true gift. The poetic lyrics add another layer to this beautiful composition, it sounds just perfect and yes, it should be played on the radio! I agree that music production can be so complex and there is so much to learn, even if it’s in our own home studio. Well, both you and Tom did a fantastic job here, and – best wishes for a full recovery, Gary!
🎸JoLa
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Gary, this is masterpiece and a collective of everything that is you. Your submissions have always shown a high quality in mixing, videography and arrangements, with this one it is heartfelt and a personal expression of what you are going through vocally and helped by your grandson Tom . Feel for you, don’t define yourself by this diagnosis, instead take this diagnosis and put it in your back pocket. Look ahead and see yourself free from it. 🙏 (I know, easy said then done).
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Gary that was so beautiful and heartfelt,what great talent and courage you possess,I wish you well and look forward to your future videos!🙏
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What a beautiful and true song, Gary. It’s so nice to see and hear that you find fulfillment in music in such difficult moments and can even share this with other members of your family. That is simply beautiful! I wish you the very best for your further treatment and a total recovery!
Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will probably take place in July/August 2025There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum in good time.
I look forward to meet you.
Manfred -
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Hey Gary, that song struck a chord…and was emotionally moving. I love it and I like the layering ….its genius. I have several members of my family afflicted with cancer. The good news is that there is pretty effective treatments available for even some of the worse type of cancers. Keep kicking cancers ass and playing music. I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Pap.
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First off, Gary, really sorry to hear of your diagnosis – as a fellow sufferer, I can echo my heartfelt praise for the care and treatment I’ve received from the NHS! I wish you well and hope you and your family are able to stay strong and positive through such difficult times ♥️♥️
And your song 😲😲 WOW, what a beautiful composition, playing, singing, recording and mixing 👏👏👏 It really is first-class, in all aspects – please do keep them coming, because you have a gift that needs to be shared!
Very best wishes to you, Gary – Mark 👍🎶😎
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Beautiful composition! I love everything, your vocals, guitar parts, lyrics! Love the solo. The recording quality is amazing.
I didn’t know that my two monitor speakers can output such a sound quality haha. Crystal clear.I can feel a bit with you about the diagnosis and therapy. I had diagnosed an arteriovenous fistula in 2023 and had to go through surgery and radiotherapy. It needs much patience and confidence. I am glad that your NHS has improved and that you got the right treatment.
And it’s wonderful how music has helped you out, it was the same to me.
Best wishes….and I hope to hear some more great compositions from you in the future.
DeniseMore Blues!
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Wish you all the best for your treatment Gary! this is such a beautiful submission, I’m really impressed, congrats!
If I wasn't making mistakes I wouldn't be the kind of player I want to be. Perfection is dangerous.
It's all about taking risks, sometimes you get to some place, sometimes you get to a different place. (Brian May) -
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Gary
Wishing you a speedy recovery. You have my prayers.
This is lovely. Pro level… I love your voice so powerful and resonate yet earthy. Man you pull this all together so nicely. The lead guitar just grabs at my soul. Thanks for sharing
Curious as to know how you recorded yourself? When you get a chance dop me a PM. I’d like to know your set up.John
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