JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback MP3 Feedback Forum What's Next (collab with Kristi Mckeever)

Hi y'all,

This is thee most fun collab I've ever been part of; a big part of that is due to my collaborator's big heart and infinite patience...

Still getting the mix right...Please critique freely...

I'd also like to thank...

Ian Cameron -- Violin
Corbin Keep -- Cello

They are amazing talents, inexpensive, and offer their services over the 'net, in all styles of music. (efiddlerDOTcom,wildcellistDOTcom,internetquartetDOTcom)

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hi quality download (right click, save as):

http://www.garageband.com/mp3/closemike-What_s_Next__V2_.mp3?|pe1|S8LTM0LdsaSgZVOzZm8

stream (Ieft click):

http://www.garageband.com/mp3player?|pe1|S8LTM0LdsaSgZVOzZm8

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What's Next


I hide behind
The naked truth
When we are together
I live in fear
But dare to dream
This can last forever

Hold me above
The shaky ground
When the storm attacks
Then bury your heart
In my open arms
If we...fall thru the cracks

What's next
My lost and lonely lover
What's next
Will there be another
Day or night of discovery
As the sun shines and settles down
Can we
Can we
What's next

We catch our breath
And whisper secrets
Already spoken
We hold on for love
In a ring of fire
Echoes...can’t be broken

What's next
My lost and lonely lover
What's next
Will there be another
Day or night of discovery
As the sun shines and settles down
Can we
Can we
What's next

If we follow the trail of our fleeting light
We can catch it before it disappears in the night

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(C)2008 & 2009 Kristi Mckeever & Michael Zaneski

Hi Mike,

This is very nice. I would like to listen a few more times and then update this reply. There's so much going on and I want to hear all of it...again and again!

My initial assessment of the mix is that it's quite good.

Hey Kristi and Mike,

Oh my gosh, you two! This came out so great!!

Kristi, you know I'm always wanting to hear your fantabulous lyrics brought to life, and Michael, what a magical and beautifully-layered production!

I can totally hear it being played on the radio right now -- though I'm not sure how you'd classify it. Is there some sort of new age accoustic romantic folk genre???

So Kristi, I have to commend you for the extra-special connection you always display with the English language. It is both understated and powerful, and that's why Mike, your vocal and instrumentation are so well-suited for it. You literally make the lyrics sing. You use all the tools of musical expression at your disposal, yet do so with a keen flair for nuance.

The song itself engages us on many levels and steadfastly carries us on this lover's road, with its whispers of hopes and fears. Ultimately, it's a never-ending romantic story.

If I had to pick one favorite section it would likely be this whole verse. The imagery is very moving:

Hold me above
The shaky ground
When the storm attacks
Then bury your heart
In my open arms
If we...fall thru the cracks

Mike, you said this was the most fun collab you've ever done -- and it shows. The attention to detail clearly shows it was a labor of love. In fact, this is a co-writing team I would like to hear more from -- really. You share a sensitivity to the process and production.... and that can only result in a very special song.

BRAVO to you both.

Feeling an odd vicarious sense of pride,
Beth

Wow -- Guy and Gal --- this just is Something amazing.... I too need to listen a few more times....

but that's a compliment !! jm

fantastic you two

Love the multi layer vocal. Great production


Definately a keeper on my playlist

Andy

Hey Mike and Kristi:

Real nice. Very atmospheric. Great soundscape - love the panning and the musical arrangement.

Only one small nit - the line "then bury your heart" seemed to get buried.

Beautiful song - nicely done!

Scott

It is just beautiful folks
what a great job

very good work wow

Hi Steve,

I took out the bass elements in the instrumental, because they were clashing, and replaced them with more bowed strings.

I appreciate your perceptions because you also seem to view "the studio" like a film director.

best wishes,

Mike

Hi Beth,

Wow, thanks!

new age acoustic romantic folk genre???

as long as that doesn't put me in the same category as Yanni then I'm okay with that, haha; actually there's a "branch" of pop music known as "baroque pop" that this falls nicely into.

The lyric itself brought out my love of French and Spanish pop; for some reason, in my mind I associate openly romantic lyrics with French pop, though I'm sure they have no stronghold on this sub genre, lol; it's the directness of Kristi's lyric, and the vulnerability there on the page that conjours up "France" for me, and this is all purely subjective stuff I'm talking here, the stuff that gets ones creative juices working towards a "piece".

Yeah fun for lots of reasons; one reason...the challenge of working, once again, in a way I was totally unfamiliar with, going in; that being, I took a pre-existing piece of music I had written and pretty much "grafted" the lyric to the music.

When I came upon "What's Next" a couple months ago, I heard my pre-existing music as I read through it, this was a first.

Once again, strongly metered lyrics make a composers job sooo easy, I mean, the music pretty much writes itself (with clear meters and good prosody), and in this case, "What's Next" wrote music I had already written!! ...so it seemed like fate, setting "What's Next"...and now it's over and there's a little depression that follows...to not have "working on it" to look forward to, I'm like, oh! okay...television exists, what a concept

Thanks Beth, your generous comments have made my day

Mike

Hi Kristi and Mike

Well this is a 'breathtaking" kind of listen... It's hard to really describe - maybe Epic as in a film like Dr Zhivago -- where the scenery captivates the heart as a story unfolds -- I know the lyric is so hopeful and yet Michael your music has somehow accented and activated the 'fearful' passing moment of a love story -- ah Love Story another film -- or Romeo and Juliet -- how irony might mess with the beautiful passion.... you really have that here,.... and Mike - my first impression of your vocals as you may remember was wow - sexy ! - well here it is again.... real quality ! There are many little points in the arrangement that I would have to carefully track that I find moving,, but for instance.... your high vocal range ... down to those bass beats... yow ..... just hit the first chakra.... love that !..... okay well -- I'm gonna continue to enjoy this... And Well Kristi - I just want to say that Your writing does this to musicians !!! Great Hook and execution! jm

Back again to say I have been listening to this over and over it is absolutely STRIKING the vocal arrangement blows me away every time.

Andy

Hi Mike & Kristi,

I'm a little slow at getting around to this one, been busy, but I knew I was going to be in for a treat.
This is such a work of art on all levels.

What can I say
I'm blown away....

Mike, your vocals and musical creativity is beautiful.
Kristi, I think your writing gets better and better.
I enjoyed it all, but I love this....

What's next
Will there be another
Day or night of discovery

and this....

We catch our breath
And whisper secrets
Already spoken
We hold on for love
In a ring of fire
Echoes...can’t be broken
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Very good writing !

Thank you both for adding so much to this cool place.

Calvin


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

What a lovely and quite moving production! Excellent lyric, Kristi, and gorgeous vocals and arrangement, Mike.
A wonderful collaboration, you two.

Donna

Hi Mike & Kristi,

And another dynamic duo is born at JPF!!! This is so awesome, from the "dare to dream" love story and vulnerable yet powerful vocals set to a magical musical backdrop. Just a stunning production all the way around.

Ricki

Hey, just want to chime in and say thanks for taking a moment to let us know how the song resonated with ya’ll…..!

Joice…I know what you mean….what you’re describing there about Mike’s music and voice...it’s hard to put into words really…but that’s what a song is supposed to do, right? And that’s what touches us emotionally. What he has done moves me as well….and I, too, am enjoying it…Thanks for your nice words.

And Calvin…thank you for showing what moved you most….

Kristi

Hi, Michael and Kristi.

I won't be original. This is very good.

Yann.

Hi Joice Marie,

Actually, that's probably the nicest compliment one can get. Not the "amazing" part so much, though that's nice, but..."can't talk...need to listen more.. ...so thanks!

Talk again soon,

Mike

Hi Andy,

Thanks for multi-layered "thumbs up"!

This was a case of hearing a pre-existing instrumental recording of mine as a template for Kristi's lyric. The only parts that didn't "fit" are the parts that end up multi-layered, those B sections. It was quite a nice stroke of luck that "overlapping" them like that not only works, but somehow feels like it was "meant to be".

Thanks again,

Mike

Hi Scott,

Thanks for the nice comments, and your observation about "then bury your heart" is correct, and will definitely get fixed in future versions!

Thanks,

Mike

Hi Mike and Kristi,

This was a a real treat to my ears. Artistic collab.

bailey

Kristi your lyrics always interest me and Mike your voice is a magical treat.

Your jewel here is that melodic instrumental hook from 1:31 to 1:52 and was wondering if you could use it for an intro also just so we can hear more of it, where you have it at 1:31 and perhaps a 3rd and final time (maybe as an outro) It's really good and too good not to showcase/repeat.

You might want to have the vocals more upfront in the two Chorus/refrains since I found it hard to make out the lyrics there and you don't want to bury them. Didn't know if you thought about the two Chorus'/refrains going alittle higher in spots especially in the opening line (just a thought).

Never heard the term "baroque pop" for a genre but it seems like a fit. Very interesting listen.

Best to both of you,
Lynn

Hi Dan,

Thanks a bunch!

Mike

Hi Joice Marie,

The low notes, combined with "close mic-ing" and the right angle, like, I aim at my nose pretty much about 4-6 inches from my mouth, the Shure 57 mic really kicks in the low mids. Yhis is that "lower chakras" sound you are referring to, I think, the mic goes a little crazy and gives out real warmth, with that combo as described...Know your microphone, each has quirks, each is more than a tool, they really are instruments, too, in that how you use them does "color" the audio to a high degree.

Interesting you bring up movies, because I feel like a filmmaker, when I work "the studio"...I do a lot of "takes" and composite them, not unlike Kubrick's technique in the editing room...I can see the Dr. Zhivago...thanks

best wishes,

Mike

Thanks again Andy. The harmonies near the end were an afterthought.

I had literally "run out of song" and still needed Kristi's tag, so I copied and pasted the exact last 16 bats (I think) of music, and it all kind of drones on in a tonic minor chord; I wanted to throw in Al David's and my favorite chord, which is the added 9 minor chord that you hear sing "what's" ...near the end...and THAT sounded so "Crosby, Stills, and Nash" that I decided to get all "Deja Vu" with the end, since Kristi's tag is "if we follow the trail of our fleeting light..." I figured musically that translated to a kind of "canon" counterpoint, where each voice came in an eight note later then the last, like they're all following the trail of the lead vocal, lol...ALWAYS look for musical idea in the lyrics, they're IN THERE, just have to pay close attention!

best wishes,

Mike

Just wanted to let you know, Mike and Kristi, timing is everything. I just read this morning that Maurice Jarre, the composer of the "Dr. Zhivago" score, died at age 84!!

I don't mean to make light of his passing -- it was just so ironic, having read JM's remarks about it here!

No surprise, YOUR epic song keeps getting better after several listens.....

Later,
Beth

a ripple in the cosmic curtain.......

Now THAT is a great line.....

Hi Kristi and Mike;

Very very nice, I've listened several times today and I agree it sounds better each time.
I'm convinced that this should in a musical. All I can think of is Miss Saigon or something along those lines this would be a very powerful song live.

Steve

Holy Cow! Just popped this on in the restaurant while no one was here...blew me away! Great collab!

I'll definitely listen again more closely at home, but this sounded just great. Nice job, you two!

-Mark

Hi Calvin,

Thanks for your continuous support, and thank you for the nice comments here!

Yes, I love the writing too, and to echo Joice, it did indeed get this musicator hearing some nice music!

best wishes,

Mike

Hi Donna,

Thanks

Your appreciation means a lot to me, I really love and respect your work!

best wishes,

Mike

Hi Ricki,

Wow, that description of yours is too kind!

Kristi writes personal lyrics like yourself...makes craft serve her art...I find myself more and more drawn into very personal lyrics, lyrics with feeling...You write them, she writes them...you gals take risks in your lyrics, you challenge yourselves, your writing is you, you live it, breathe it...and I for one am reading, listening, enjoying

Mike

Hi Michael and Kristi,

What an amazing song and production. It takes my breath away.


Letha

Michael, Kristi,
I listened to this about an hour ago, but wanted to go and listen to it on my AKG K240's to really hear all of the intricate details. This is a beautiful song and production. I love all of the Air I'm hearing in the production. Great job!!!

Charles

Hi Yann,

Thanks Yann! That is, actually, original...ha!

Mike

Hi Bailey,

Thanks for the kind words!

Mike

Hi Lynn,

I think "Eleanor Rigby" by the Beatles is the very first Baroque Pop piece, now there are several dozen bands.

Yeah, it's a hard piece to mix, there's definitely remixing in it's future.

I don't know about changing the structure of the piece to work the instrumental in the intro, but it certainly is worth thinking about!

Thanks for the nice comments and observations,

Mike

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the thumbs up; I heard Miss Saigon a while back now, but I know what you mean, thanks!

Mike

HI Mark,

Thanks!

I sang this one like "myself", which was weird, since I don't do that to often, lol...In retrospect, I'm thinking I shoulda gone Donald Fagen

Mike

Hi Letha,

Thanks!

That makes my day

Mike

Hi Charles,

Thanks!

I've been paying more attention to "space" in my productions, and like to generally record at lower levels, because there was a while there where, by the end of a production, there was crosstalk, competing EQ frequencies, and mixes were generally a pain to "fix"...

I think the main key to "air" is have some stuff "in your face", other stuff "far away", then the listener can hear the depth.

I hardly use a master limiter anymore, cuz I'm liking the looks of the wave file generally increasing in volume 'til it peaks around two thirds the way through the piece, but I can imagine for much popular music today, this would be a not be a tolerated practice at all

thanks for the nice comments and best wishes,

Mike

Ah Mike,

Would that your words, describing this musical process, were written in English ...

Still coming back to listen to this one.... so great. You and Kristi rock....

Later,
Beth

It’s so cool to hear all these reactions …thank you ALL very much! Mike has whipped up a really cool concoction to make this real special….

Lynn…. I wasn’t familiar with the term “baroque pop” either, but it does seem like a good fit!

Charles….hey, I wish I had a pair of those AKG K240’s…wow….can’t even imagine what I’d hear then!

Beth….always enjoy your continued support!

Kristi

Mike and Kristi:

This is one of the most wildly creative songs I've heard on the boards. Great atmosphere and movement here...the song creates a sense of drama and mystery. I love the orchestration. I just listened to this song three times in a row and I enjoyed it more each time...I think that speaks to the richness of the melodies and music.

Kristi, I have been a fan of your lyrics for a long time (and I hope to write music to some of them one of these days!) Here's a couple of reasons why:

1. You strike a great balance between conversational and poetic. I know, everyone says lyrics should be conversational, but I can't help thinking that great lyrics say things BETTER than the average person would say them. Too poetic and it sounds like a greeting card. Too ordinary and it loses my interest. You seem to consistently find that sweet spot.
2. You create a sense of drama in your lyrics that makes it seem like the story the listener is hearing is only the tip of the iceberg.
3. You write fairly short lines, which makes it easier to come up with a catchy melody.
4. Mike had mentioned this above:

...strongly metered lyrics make a composers job sooo easy, I mean, the music pretty much writes itself (with clear meters and good prosody)

For me, this is really big. I always write my music first, lyrics second, so I'm used to having every syllable and accent of the lyrics fit the melody. This is the biggest problem I have trying to write music to someone's lyrics: it's often hard to come up with a melody that really fits the lyrics. I'll use an example from this song:

What's next
My lost and lonely lover
What's next
Will there be another

This is EASY to put to music. All the accents are in the right places. The number of syllables is consistent (an initial, non-accented syllable like "My" is never a problem.) And the words sing perfectly - they feel good in your mouth as your singing them. Nice use of alliteration, too.

Guys, nice work.

Mark

Hi Mark S. ,

Thanks for articulating what makes Kristi's lyrics special.

Joni Mitchell is the only other writer that comes to mind that could strike a perfect balance between conversational and the "lyrically poetic", and it's pretty safe to say that Kristi's lines, on the whole are easier to sing; Joni's move towards long-lined "prosaic" prosody (lol) made for lines meant for only Joni.

Thanks for putting so eloquently what I could only dance around!

best wishes,

Mike

Hi Mark S,

Hey, thank you for your very nice words! As you explain what you think makes lyrics work, I have to say, it’s very helpful to hear your thoughts coming from the musical side of things! I know it’s useful to point out what doesn’t work, and why, when critiquing songs. But at the same time, it extremely helpful to know what does work because I, for one, am never completely sure something is working until it connects (or doesn’t) with someone else. And knowing the musical considerations above and beyond what the written word is trying to do, is a valuable tool to have as a writer.

Getting inside people’s heads after they hear a song and knowing their gut reactions is great stuff to be privy to! Ha ha Thanks for sharing your thoughts….oh, and if you read a lyric of mine and it strikes a chord (lol), I’d be happy to hear the music in your head!

Thanks again!

Kristi

Michael and Kristi,

For some reason, I never could get this to work in the player on the web, so I downloaded it. Wow! This is wonderful. I love the melody and the vocal arrangement. Really beautiful. I'm so glad I downloaded it.

Hi Wendy,

Thanks for the kind words, it was fun making, and I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Mike

I am. I've listened several more times.

I'm liking everything about this. Someone earlier mentioned it sounded much like an epic. I agree because of the variation of the music. You so smoothly go from one intonation to another.

The vocal layering is also intriguing. A complete story/film/movie could be written around this piece alone. Musically, it goes flawlessly in so many directions, but each is tied inextricably to the rest. So yes, it is indeed a music story of its own. Nice going, you two!

Alan