I arranged this in late 2003 after hearing Guy Sebastian perform the cover for his Australian Idol audition. Recorded in 2007 by Carlo Santos. The bass track was added later on by RJ Woessner at the request of my portfolio advisor at Berklee.

What A Wonderful World - Carlo Santos & RJ Woessner

Words & Music by Fr. Jboy Gonzales, SJ
Originally performed by Margie Templo and @hangad
Featuring @nargalzius

Another "quickie" recording.

This song has probably been covered to death. So I had to find a way to make my version unique to the rest. I decided to do disregard the "meter" and used inflections that are similar to when the words are spoken instead of sung.

It'll definitely sound weird if you're used to hearing the original version, and I apologize if some would think that I massacred the song in the process.

The real challange here was figuring out the lyrics. While the verses made sense holistically, its impossible to translate them to proper sentences.

This was a big deal because my intended approach of singing it needed to know exactly what each line wanted to say, so I could place the proper inflections... which is basically the "punctuation" of spoken words. It was a futile exercise; and I ended up just trying my best to make it sound "sensible" and "spoken."

Music track (piano, guitar, and violin) is taken from a Hangad Minus-one.

4 vocal tracks; main, and 3 auxiliary for any other "voicing." The voicing was done on the fly since I didn't have time to sit down and write a vocal arrangement for it; so as it is, they're very simple harmonies.

Panunumpa

Words & Music: Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and Gary Chapman
Arrangement: Norman Agatep
Artist: Bukas Palad Music Ministry, featuring Pia Santos
From the album LET YOUR PRAISES BE HEARD (2003)

Arms of Love

Words & Music: @nargalzius

A song about negativity. In the Filipino context, I guess it would be a variation of a "sawi-song" taken to the extreme.

TECH NOTES:

Guitar tracks via Taylor T5 and Guitar Rig 2
Vocals ran through an AKG C1000S then processed via Antares Microphone Modeler, Waves RVox
Drums via [Propellerhead] Reason and BFD
Bass via Reason (Bass Legends refill)
Other sounds (Pad, Keys, strings) also through Reason

The thing to take note of here is the Bass Legends refill I used. I put in a few nuances (like the slide bass), since the samples for that are included in the refill

The drums I guess was the hardest part to do here, practically because I'm not used to this type of tempo/beat/rhythm/whatever-the-hell-you-call-it. Also, It was a hodge-podge of Reason and BFD. I used Reason for The kick drums, the shakers and the brush snares, BFD for the chinas, toms and the other snare type.

I also got to play with Reason's combinator - a godsend if you use multiple device instances intended to represent a single instrument.

And let's not forget the whole "count" at the beginning hehehe. I just threw it in there just to add a "live" feel - even if it's all fake.

Oh, I almost forgot! A funny piece of trivia here. The song is actually about 20cents up - I recorded the guitar in tune, with a metronome, then put in the vocals right after. Apparently the guitar on the whole was sharp. So I had to adjust all the instruments in Reason accordingly. Luckily there was such a setting on most of the devices there so I was able to continue on without having to re-record the guitar and vocals.

//

I
You hear the whispers people say out loud -
like some dark and stormy cloud has fogged your mind.
They’re saying that the beauty is in the rain…
but it ain’t easy to explain your sacrifice.

Tell me, what’s wrong with me?
I’ve seen the dangers. And so many times I’ve lost the fights…
and now I find it’s the same as before.

CHORUS
Why am I back? Already been through this door.
I try to squint, but just can’t see anymore.
When faced with pain, no matter what’s wrong or right:
never let your guard down – ‘cuz it just ain’t worth the fight.

II
Even when the world came crashing down,
I never fell flat on the ground, nor dropped the ball.
But then I trip on something so profound;
gives my emotions the runaround… I start to fall.

Tell me, what’s wrong with me?
I’ve seen the future through these jaded eyes.
Still, I try to jump and fly… then come crashing down.

CHORUS
Why am I thinking – that this madness sounds so “sane?”
Why am I always sinking, when trying to play their game?
I should’ve realized I’m all alone.
Think I’ll keep my guard up – cuz I’m so damn far from home.

INSTRUMENTAL

III
Tell me, what’s there for me?
Cuz I’ve struggled with the constant pain and fights – all my life,
I’m so goddamned tired!
…so damn tired.

OUTRO
Why can’t I just run away from it all.
I try to get back what I’ve lost; the trust in life before my fall,
All is said and done; there ain’t nowhere else to run.
Can’t help but see the world through the setting of her sun.

When faced with pain, no matter what’s wrong or who’s right:
never let your guard down – ‘cuz it just ain’t worth the fight.

Araw Gabi By Regine Velasquez (Dianne T. Cover)

Dianne Torrecampo

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