February Album Writing Month - FAWM.ORG

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The Last Star Before Daybreak

Bruce H. McCosar

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Tagged As:

instrumental acoustic piano synth ballad

Liner Notes:

And so it ends -- this is my 14th song of FAWM 2010. I've come a long way. That's how this track came to be known as "The Last Star Before Daybreak."

Since FAWM began, I've had a grand total of TWO days at work. If there's any theme to these songs other than my "no robots allowed" rule, it's the constant battle I fought against the weather.

You might think all the snow days were helpful -- and they were. However, shoveling snow and ice, walking the dogs in the few open areas, dealing with extreme cold and power outages . . . it has been a struggle at times. For instance I've injured my right wrist, to the point I stopped playing conga drums for these songs, and never got around to doing any slap bass.

So this is it, the last star before daybreak. On Tuesday, the world returns to normal . . . hopefully. I'll be back at work. I'll be checking out people's FAWM creations in the evenings.

I'm not the same as I was at the beginning of February. Back then, it was a time of uncertainty. Night, if you will -- a dimness of confidence. In the past 14 days, I've played music like never before, and feel like I've actually learned a lot in the process.

I owe FAWM a debt of gratitude. This is my third year at it, but I feel like this has been the best one so far.

Anyway, the music:

Breedlove classical guitar. Roland digital piano. Breedlove acoustic bass. Waldorf Blofeld synth, high in the background.

Since my goal for this FAWM was to reclaim rhythm from the machines, I played with time here a bit -- the guitar is in 12 (4 units of 3), the piano opening and closing parts are in 4 over 12, and the middle piano part is 6 over 12 (sounding as 6 on 4).

--

This song was composed and performed using natural rhythm only -- without a metronome, click track, or drum machine. "No Robots Allowed" is my theme, and here are the rules I'm following:

http://bmccosar.wordpress.com/2010/01/24/the-robot-rules/

Feedback:

•  expendablefriend 1 week ago

  Very beautiful and soothing, and a great performance. I probably wouldn't have been brave enough to take on recording a piece like this without the aid of a click track, but I think it sounds more "human" for it, which I guess is what you were after. Great job, I really enjoyed listening to this.

•  Valerie Cox 1 week ago

  This is so beautiful. It just kinda lulls you into a place a relaxation and comfort.
  
  I came very close to buying a Breedlove 6 string, but talked myself off that ledge before parting with the bucks. Now I'm thinking about it again, cause your classical sounds so nice. Yikes!

• ultravioleteyejeff 1 week ago

  Almost like Phillip Glass. A great ending to the album.

•  caterwauler 2 weeks ago

  Wonderful
  Everything is pretty : the sounds, the harmonies, light and nimble, rocking.

•  Kirsten 2 weeks ago

  Aw, this is really your last? You can go beyond fourteen, you know...
  
  Anyway, I really enjoyed reading your thoughts behind this song. The title fits it perfectly. It's got a very sad yet very hopeful tone to it - beautiful!

• Audita Sum 3 weeks ago

  Nice melancholy tune. I like the shifting time signatures. It gives the piece a feel of having three acts.

•  Kevin Emmrich 3 weeks ago

  Very nice. Interesting choices on the timing aspect here -- but it all fits. Cool stuff.

•  Vom Vorton 3 weeks ago

  Seems weird that the jukebox, set to 'Bruce', should start me here on your 14th song. But I am a slave to the robot
  
  The classical guitar sounds beautiful, and this has a very powerful melancholy feel.

• godoggo 3 weeks ago

  Nice one Bruce. And congratulations on hitting target.

•  Jinx 3 weeks ago

  This is really lovely – usually instrumentals don't hold my attention very well, but I listened to this all the way through.

• hannah 3 weeks ago

  I hear longing, and can picture someone standing at the edge of the abyss. like Billy Sea said, kind of bittersweet. Beautifiul work.

•  Billy Sea 3 weeks ago

  Very lovely Bruce. Kinda bittersweet, like the end of FAWM. Happy with what has happened, but sad it is nearing an end. Really like this....creates a very nice mood.

• Captain Vulpine! 3 weeks ago

  Very moody and marvelously arranged, tis a shame you're leaving already, but I'm amazed at the amount you've been able to get done!
  
  Cheers!
  
  -Captain Vulpine!

• Candle 3 weeks ago

  Is this the end already? Lovely. I love how you've intermingled the various parts and gelled them together so perfectly. You're talent for songwriting & arranging really shines through on this one.
  
  I picture a woman walking along a long sun-lit corridor looking for something… for some reason, that's the visual I got when I listened to this for the first time. Beautiful!

• Corvisier JM 3 weeks ago

  Et bien voilà, la belle aventure ce termine sur un morceau très cool, fait d'arpèges de guitares et de nappes de synthé. Belle conclusion Bruce, pour moi tu es le gagnant de l'Abum Ecrit au Mois de Février 2010 ! J'admire ta façon d'enregistrer à l'ancienne et tu choisis bien tes instruments, la basse est toujours bien jouée et enregistrée, bref un réel plaisir !
  Félicitations !
  
  In english now (hum it's not my cup of tea the translation )
  
  Well, then the adventure is finished on this cool track, with arpeggios of guitar and synthe pads. Nice conclusion. For me you are the winner of FAWM 2010 ! I admire the way you record like before, and you choose well your instruments, the bass is always well played and recorded, so it's a real pleasure !
  Congratulations !

•  Tim Fatchen 3 weeks ago

  I think the robots were defeated here, but we're still losing the war. Setting the differing times was a good touch.

•  G Slade 3 weeks ago

  the piano was an awesome touch man...nothing too complicated here..but it all works well...glad I got to hear all of your tracks this year...nice work..congrats on winning