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Hi Gang

This is the title track and final on my new CD which is now completed finally after nearly three years. It is the only song with vocals on the CD. Almost didn't make it on there.
The musical idea started so long ago I can't even remember perhaps 15 years or so. But I never set words to it. In recent years the absolute draining experiences with the music BUSINESS had set the tone for the lyrics of the song. But still I could not clamp it down. Then the other impossible task of finding a diagnosis and or help for my health issues was even more frustrating and unbelievable then anything musical I'd ever encountered.

Once combining the two, the message started coming through much clearer.

I asked two young singer/songwriters who we mentor and produce
here two sing on this with me, for one I couldn't see having a CD without them on it. And two - I wanted too pass the torch on too them. They have what it takes in all regards, I could sense that from the day I met them. While they said to me "Are you really retiring like we heard, not making music anymore"?
I told them I'll always make music I HAVE too. But as far as the game and what it takes to get back to where I was and beyond is too much now. It's a young and healthy persons game, and these kids can do it.

They as writers even as young as they are 15 & 13 new upon hearing the line "I can't find the words" that double meaning was there and all over this song. Yes I am tired of trying to come up with lyrics... I have nothing to say anymore. I think 61 doctors can do that too you

TAKING ON FOREVER PART B (Mike Caro �2011)
http://soundcloud.com/substudio/taking-on-forever

Taking On Forever

Give me a rope I'm sinking
End of the road I'm thinking
I know it sounds absurd
But I can't find the words

I close my eyes
One more day maybe tomorrow
Can't wait until tomorrow it's time

There's the road
But it's so hard
I've lost the will to go
And that road won't come to me
There's the road
But it's so long
If you got the wheels to go
Then maybe you'll chauffeur me

There's a place I've never been
It's outside the rules that keep me in
Never knowing all it's worth
It's the wanting that hurts

What lies ahead
Moves in a way that I can't follow
No shame or blame to borrow it's mine

There's the road
But it's so hard
I've lost the way to go
And that road wont come to me
There's a road but it's so long
And the winding way it goes
To some day the'll know

It's the road that brings you down
Breaks your heart, and leaves you wondering

Solo

There's the road
But it's so hard
I've lost the way to go
And that road wont come to me
There's a road but it's so long
And the winding way it goes
Too some day the'll know ooh oooooooh

There's the road

Mi Na Shin - Violins
Jimmy Alvera - Drums
Kacey 15 - Backing Vocal & end solo vocal
Julia 13 - Backing Vocal & bridge vocal
Mike Caro - All instruments & vocal

Produced By Mike Caro

So it's a personal song but put some headphones on and listen as I put everything in the house in the song. Put my heart & soul into my Les Paul during the solo. And 15 year old Kacey takes an epic ending and vocally OWNS it.. with passion and heart.

Awesome! And I heard on it Sub's speakers this past week! WOW! Even at lower volume, it was incredible. The file on that site is only a hint of what it actually sounds like. You guys MUST get his CD when out.

An incredible writer/composer/arranger/studio engineer-producer/musician of all main instruments/vocalist/ and mastering tech. Probably more things I'm leaving out!

GREAT Freaking Job Mike! And one that most on this world could not do with being healthy. Incredible!

You are ONE true inspiring person. JPFolks NEED to get out to Staten Island and visit you, so you can further help people in many ways, despite the medical field making you wait for their help.

Oooh... I love this!! Love the lyrics, and the sound is fantastic!! And those young ladies sure can sing!! That is awesome that you included them in this... I'll bet they were extremely honored!

--Jen

Mike,

Truly enjoyed listening to this.

Take care!

Peace!

The vocal and guitar harmonies are great. Your students should be proud. Wish I had a mentor like you back in the day.

Your vocal has a believable earthy tone, and with the help of the sound from a Les Paul, as only you can bring out in your own composition, it's a great ending (only my guess) to a hard nights work (the album).

Thanks buddy, I appreciate it. Who knows what we are actually waiting for. But I am proud that I pulled this off under the circumstances.

The line - "moves in a way that I can't follow"

That's the "Vertigo"

Thanks Jen

They were, and I was honored to have them. I play all over there songs so.... I wanted to pass the torch right in and on a song. And I did!

Hey Thanks!

Thanks Ben,

I could of used me back then as well LOL lessen the burden.
Even though the vocal wasn't my strongest or best, it is all heart and you can feel that from the first line on..

The solo and end leads I was going to have somebody else do, but I just felt it and I knew it's where I wanted it to be by the way it raises the hair on my arms when I hear it.

Massive recording, must be 38 tracks in there... lots of stereo keys, the voice pads & choir.

Mike

I'd revisit the drums. In such a beautiful, lush mix they stick out early on like a sore thumb. The snare is obnoxiously high in the mix, only sitting well in the mix at points later in the song (and the snare just doesn't sound good) and the fills sometimes lose the groove going around the toms.

Everything else is spot on. Nice work.

Thanks Mark,

I appreciate your time checking it out. Also reminded me to fix my credits. I played most of the drums on my album but was not the drummer on this one. I wasn't able to play that night so my friend did.

When I play them I use a click track and never miss a beat, I mean like never! lol Money betting never lol Three hours a day with a metronome and the pad and recording drums every other night of the week will do that But when someone can't it's way worse trying to make them play to one, so this one song was done live no click.
Countless songs and recordings have been done without them, so I was cool with that on this..

And especially since it's a Rock song it really didn't hurt it too much. Also snare drums in many rock songs are pretty loud.
It's a vintage deep Slingerland chrome snare
With the extra wide springs installed underneath. Miked top & bottom... Ah unless he switched out snares that night, hard for me to remember He uses a thinner one very very tight. more knock in it.

A bit hot or loud? yeah! especially during the ending fade, obnoxiously high or loud? I don't think so. Way too many others in the control room would have pointed that out.
If I was even to re-visit it I'd maybe just squash it some more to keep it more consistent.

I like your material too by the way, it's funny that you play drums but all the songs have no drums. Don't let the songwriter you take that away

Thanks

Ok, let me set the scene for you...i'm sitting here in my recliner with my lap top on my lap,,,, I click on this song, lay my head back, close my eyes...and man....what a journey you sir, just took me on...the music flowing all through me, the vocals i'm falling in love with this singer...and wish I could go to the place I was just sent to...so wonderful, so peaceful...so much talent...WOW, Mike , you Never disappoint me, this is just super WOW...wow isn't a strong enough word to describe this piece of art I'm listening to and have been for about an hour now...Mike, you're the greatest.......nothing else to say...

You're the greatest and sir, I stand and applaud you.....with tears in my eyes......

glyn

Holy moly , Mike .

This is fab !!! I really enjoyed the song and performance :-)

Keep up the good work !!!

When do you release the cd ?

All the best
Jan

Yes I'd like to have this one too, and just tell me how and where I can buy it or whatever way to get one, and i'd like mine autographed by.........THE MAN


lol glyn

I really like the way the chorus just 'takes off'. Those young singers are really adding a lot and, yea. the ending vox is super cool. All the instrumentation sounds great (super lead break) and I like the texture that the violin add. Great chorus.

If I did 38 tracks, it would be an ugly, muddy affair -- this all sounds so clean.

It's got that 70's feel but with a modern twist. Love the use of minor chording and the unpredictability of where they fit in the song.

Spot on mix. Spot on vocal and harmonies. Hook crazy. Great panning. Chorus does what it's supposed to do==SOAR! JPF--take note!

Would have liked to see the lyrics but that's ok.

Are we a Boston fan? Little Tom Sholz in that solo but still you. Nicely thought out. My 1975 Les Paul Custom has given you a bow.

You're a talent.

Zeek

You know, Sub - every time I see a new song of yours come up, I have the same feeling as when I was a kid and would hear a DJ say, "here's a new one from the Beatles".

Same anticipation and excitement - and the same payoff.

This one just blew me away - to the point where I'm practically speechless. I think it could be the best thing you've done, even as good as, dare I say it, "Brooklyn"

It has everything it needs, man. Congrats!

Scott

Where are the lyrics!!!!!! Please pretty please post when you can. Mike I'm so sorry these words were written out of a hard place in your life and not just made up to match a melody. I do see how they can have two meanings though to a listener who might not know your background. Love this whole thing, and your Chorus is powerful. Might have to listen later with headphones because the only thing I wish were different is if the vocals were alittle more upfront since the vocals are soooo good and important to the totality of the song. I'm sure your young friends are learning so much from you and are grateful for the chance to work with you. Really liked that instrumental build thing around 3:45 to 3:50. This is a fine piece of work and a word that comes to mind is "Epic"!!! Take care my friend.

Best of everything,
Lynn

Glynda

Cathy W is here with me right now eating meatball hero's and she agrees with everything you say LOL.. Who am I too argue withe her or you

Thanks you SOOOO Much, your to kind.

Mike I'm the blush face and Cathy is

Hey Mike...

This is simply stellar...you owned it lock, stock & barrel right outta the gate brother.
Truly some amazing work.

Larry

Just a fabulous song and great work.

Rob

Very nice work Mike.

You gotta very catchy groove here and I think the strength of the song is the way it builds and then rebuiilds.

The vocals are a good match for the music.

They say if your song can be a great musical even without the vocals, you probably have a good one. This one could go either way.

Doug

Thanks Jan old buddy...

Think I'll be taking a BREAK now as far as my own stuff.. If i can get back to normal bad health wise, that means being able to sit up without spinning/tipping and falling off my chair

It was my intention top really start learning music and my instruments, start to get really good. Go back and do what i skipped over in pursuit of music business commercial success, being a songwriter.... You CANT be taught how to make "catchy songs" so now I wanted to go back and get what you can be taught,
Starting with learning to read music I guess....

The only thing holding up the CD is the artwork and pressing the disc. Still figuring all that out... Should be very soon.
Maybe I'll start with the down load way as well...

Thanks
Mike

Soon Glyn!

Thanks Kev

It's an old school song and chorus... Very tried and true changes.. I always figure it's just my turn to use them

Yeah this one is packed, I should do an inside track on this one and share what's going on in there here. But who'd be interested in that?

The kids were terrific I love them...

Mike

Hey Zeek - Boy it's nice to be "gotten" musically Thanks!

Yes Boston and also Queen ah... A little Brian May at the end of the solo, Then the ending twin solos are very "Outlaws" like.

HOOKS! No matter what, yes... Vocal, instrumental, rhythm, sounds.
What is a song without them? Easily forgotten! Not all choruses have to sore but they do need to be effective.

Lyrics are up now, but remember they are extremely personal so that makes them extremely hard to critique or get an angle on.
Meaning If they made no sense at all to any human being in the world it still wouldn't matter LOL
Yet still they fit the feel and the melody and music like a glove and still pull off double meanings all over the place in regards to what I'm saying... Also the play in them

Tribute to the "The Long And Winding Road"

There's a road but it's so long
And the winding way it goes
Till someday they'll know

This music business and this health issue is just too much, too long and too hard. And I'm very tired and worn put from them both. Couldn't write about anything else, couldn't even contrive songs like have in the past.. Writing "I'm Like Brooklyn" like I was born and raised there but wasn't Hardly even been there.

But either way try to move yourself best you can, and you will move a listener at least a few lol

Thanks Man
Mike

Wow! Scott that's way too kind and nice. And more than "Brooklyn"maybe? lol

Thanks Bro!

MIKE--

HEY, HEY���.YOU ARE JERKING AT OUR HEART STRINGS WITH THIS PERFORMANCE --IF YOU LISTEN IN MY ROOM--THE WALLS ARE STILL ECHOING ENCORE�..ENCORE��.. " I'M A BELIEVER" and "EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL"--COUPLE OF TITLES THAT DESCRIBE MY FEELINGS--

Mackie

Hi Lynn

Thankyou! The words are up now..

Yeah well over the last few years as the problem increases the productivity has dropped. Fortunately I was able to counter it with the instrumentals, some were sitting around for ages and there was less thinking involved in terms of "lyrics" and "Pitching purposes" Sometimes pitching purposes just means "who would even want this song for any reason"

I thought the vocal was pretty upfront, I'm not pushing too much but somehow I caught a nice big warm low end to it, you feel it it a soon as the first word.

I could of sang a little better or even found a better voice for it. Not all of it but perhaps the chorus... That's another reason the girls are in there with me. But you can read the sincerity in my voice on it. It's so personal I had to sing it.
And I was very emotional when I did, sometimes I lose power when I'm like that.

Thanks
Mike

Hey Mike,

I really like this. Some parts of it sort of remind me of Heaven Tonight era Cheap Trick, which is awesome. As I think others have already mentioned, the way the song builds (especially in the lead up to that second chorus) and then dies back down towards the end adds a really nice emotional punch to it. The different details in the arrangement (particularly the violins) greatly enhance the song as well. I had a lot of fun listening.

Here working & listening to 'Taking on Forever' - my new favorite CD. Mike - it's quite simply brilliant!!! So beautifully composed and richly constructed. Keeping it in heavy rotation for a very, very long time!!!

Thanks Larry

Thanks for stopping by, hope you are well & happy and that means music too lol

Mike

Thanks Rob

It was a TON of work and a load of fun (in a way)

Mike

Thanks Doug

The music was old as well, but it never left my heart I had to get it out sooner or later... The lyric well it's my way of saying
Game over! Thanks but that's all this body and soul have left to give...

Heart, that's another story all together

Wow thanks Mackie

Neil Diamond and who wrote the second one?

Mike

Thanks alot Rob

It is epic for sure.. I like when the violin riff gets joined by the crunch guitar and they go into double time.. That really sends it off into those end choruses... Then the girl sings the daylights out of it

You! Your biased now lol like Johnny Daubert I can do that too people who actually hang out with me LOL


Thanks so much Cathy for everything...

PS - like editing that section of the Glenn Benn Boogie for me.
It was four too long and I missed it... your idea was PERFECT!!


Mike

Mike OH MAN Mike. Wow.

First thing I thought was I didn't love the guitar sound at the start. It felt a bit dated but the kinda sound after hearing a few times (My third time now, and it isn't so bad). BUT, BOOM your warm awesome vocal came in! I though Oooh Foo Fighters. Totally sounded like their kinda vocal and verse melody. Then as the song progresses the musical production just comes alive. It's bloody fantastic. It flows and moves so well. The girls give it a great extra boost at the end. You did so well on this Mike. CONGRATU-F-ING-LATIONS.

Such a shame you are retiring from your own work. I don't think you'll ever truly retire though cos one day you'll have a little jam and then you'll think Oooh a new song. Maybe there's a new road......

On a side, are you still taking on work? Tim & I very much want to record one of our songs with you.

Speak soon

James

Thanks James
Cool.... I'm glad you dug so much.
On the guitars, I wrestled with that plenty of course. I have done songs the modern way plenty of times as well. That usually means nothing on the guitar, acoustic, or electric with no effects.

On the guitar, the part is so nice but when I went the modern way it got a bit boring. It was intentional for the guitar to be retro as the entire song has retro all over it
Any song that has a guitar solo is dated for starters. Then girls singing backups behind a man? How old is that? Then a Melotron too boot. Organs? Strings? The straight drum fills, the power chords the progression. And A three part song? This is Part B, Part A is all acoustic guitars Part C is only piano.

As for what I do or can do in the future, it's all up in the air.
Ive lost the physical ability to play drums. Cant sit at the piano. On a decent day I can sit lean back and play guitar...
I'm still taking stuff on but limiting certain things. And getting help to do certain stuff.

The writing? well again I need to play to write that's how dynamic songs like this one come to be. The idea of getting something cut,published,or whatever is what I'm retiring from.
If I do it will be for myself only just like this entire new CD is... Straight from my heart & soul with no lyrics so NOBODY would want it or try to market it. So then it can stay pure..

Thanks
Mike

Mike,

Man I didn't realise you were so ill. I'm so sorry to hear that. Its not my business to know what illness you have but I hope you're not in too much pain.
I will be thinking of you now everytime I work on a song because you have inspired me this year to do great things. Those girls are lucky to have had such a good mentor. They may well be tomorrows big news.

I will be buying your CD because I love your productions.
As for the guitar part I feel on reading back that I came across a little too negative. What I didn't say was it works so brilliantly through the rest of the song. I do however disagree that you think the song is dated. I actually feel that you pulled of the production so well that it isn't dated at all. I was imaging the Foo Fighters at points because the vocal is so now.

I'm really gutted for you that you can't play the drums or piano at the moment. I would have loved your silky skills on one if not several of our for our album. I will contact you anyway at some point soon and you can judge it from there.

Take care Mike. You ROCK.

Jim

That's my favourite part too! Nice move. This is retro in the coolest of cool ways. It has class written all over it. It's a treat to hear all of you guys wonderful musicianship!

I couldn't believe it was your vocal Mike. You sound so different from say, the Brooklyn song! Loving every minute of this. You make beer guys like me love big apples!

The mix sounded a little rough, but it's going to work surely. Sounded like there was some funny effect on the lead vox, was it a flanger? Could be cool if that was toned down for the choruses maybe?

But MAN, why don't you write a 100 of these, Mike! Shoot them out on the charts, hoping for a shotgun effect. Some of them are bound to stick!

As if he hasn't tried!!!

Yeah Mike,,,,how come you don't try?!!! LOL

In the American Music Business, no one can just shoot anything anywhere.

This song is fantastic!! I need to own this cd for sure!!

I'd praise it more, ubt how much more praise do you need?? LOL!! Be well my friend!!

Tammy

Well, I didn't mean it like that, Jhonny. I understand Mike has been at it for long, and can't do more now. You can never blame a man for trying. It was just another way to show appreciation of his great music.

That's cool!

Just was vamping some comedic thoughts from the "shoot them out to the charts" statement.

Nobody can do that here in the US, not even a healthy Mike Caro!

Would be nice though!

So easy to be biased knowing you....I'm in good company with Mr. Daubert!!! Thank you, Mike Caro, for everything!!! It's a privlege to know that you would use my input on such an epic song!!!

Hi Jim

Thanks, no no it's fine everyone here knows my troubles lol I vent and they help that's another thing family is for
Three very basic problems Jim,
1- I cant hold up my own body weight for very long, I'm weak my legs don't have much juice
and the ground feels like it's sinking in. I sometimes fall down.
2- I tip over, get a swirl sensation and fall, when I sit it's like sitting in a row boat. Both 1 & 2 greatly effect my ability to walk,stand or sit up straight they are also every waking hour....
3- I'm in pain during all waking hours as well.. From the neck to the lower back burning, stiffness, dull & sharp.

The vertigo like problem is the main one I can not Rocky through lol
That is my expression for (Having a problem but getting so motivated in your mind & heart that the theme from Rocky starts playing and you take supplements and you OVERCOME the odds)

When your dizzy you are USELESS no matter how big you are or what you are...
Anyway that's all, people have it far far worse and I know that.
When the problem started 15 years ago I never thought it would elevate to this and cost me so much in every regard.

When I say dated I don't mean I make all my songs show my age, or they all sound and feel like they come out of one era.. It's cool too because it's intentionally RETRO! ah that's the word.
On the guitar I auditioned a few sounds, I liked the Chorus GT effect but that one wears thinner on me and messes with tuning too much. And regular was a tad boring... I used the leslie cabinet on one side and then a vibrato/tremolo on the other...

I have used these in the past but only once on this album.
I didn't take your comment as negative, I try not too come off as being defensive but that's hard to do when typing and not talking and seeing somebody...
Everyone hears things a little different and has different tastes
One person did not like the snare drum in this song at all, another told me they loved it. What gets a tiny bit frustrating for me is having to even think about it again at all lol.
I have thought about tracks in this song more than some people thought about there ENTIRE song maybe a few songs even...

It is nice when someone thinks of something I haven't thought about or missed but it's rare. This is because I'm nuts!! But I do appreciative the time invested in checking it out and the enthusiasm shared. In the past some have tried to give a little bit more to help me take it further others just say something to
have to have something to say or fault. I am extremely humbled in life and especially musically but I even know when i nailed something.. They'll hear a solo like this one and say, I think the guitar is too distorted and perhaps over the top etc...
I'll think whoa I thought I finally nailed that especially after three days and twenty seven attempts. But doubt will re-enter my mind. SO I figure let me go check out what they do and see if that can help and give me a clearer path? I go and listen and guess what? But still someone can be on about something anything even if they don't it themselves... This could be anyone but you can listen to everyone, sop you have to trust yourself and those few around you more.

I'm very happy that you want a copy of my CD I hope you'll enjoy it even further than the production aspects. The songs, the parts,the hooks & catchiness all over it, arrangements,the playing etc...
The genuineness of it....

Let me know when your ready to try something and I'll see what I can do. I thank God everyday for my the use of my mind and heart and FINGERS and HANDS... For beginners!

Mike

Hi Mags

Thanks man... yes Retro is the word
Like I was telling someones else it's not my strongest vocal put it's so heartfelt. The Brooklyn song while fun was contrived this was not.

I was pretty happy with the mix, Mix # 14 actually. It's SO hard to get 38 tracks to sit together and all be heard and felt. The bass line is pretty killer in this and it has to has to take a back seat as does the piano and other things.. It could have been a little better in a few places the guitars were tricky all
11 or so guitar tracks.

Finding that spot for the twin leads too solo while Kacey was soloing vocally and the two violins are up in that register as well...
Something, somebody has to sit in the back seat,trying to not lose there effectiveness or seem like they are is the hardest part.

I understand your "shoot em out there" it's pure enthusiasm and I appreciate that.
Like I said the vocal has warmth and sincerity to it because it is so genuine. It's me saying goodbye to my music. Or at least for now, till I can 1- Get myself straightened out health wise. 2- Figure out what to do with the damage it's caused and causing to the other things in my life and will cause the rest of my life. 3- Also the world or at least anyone who cuts a paycheck is not interested in my type of abilities, or depth. They want surface talent, the kind they can see, drool over,that sings and dances. The balance scale is way way to off now, opposite of, not like the 70's.

Write a 100 of these? I couldn't even if I physically and mentally could. That would not be me and it would make all of them very un-special.

Change is here and more is coming, time to adapt or fade away.

Thanks
Mike

John I always write so little to you to make up for talking you to death when i see you.
Mags - John and Cathy both are "Colonel Troutmans"!! See Rambo!

Hey Nice Pic

No thankyou!