Old Engine 109 - Original Song By LBro

[LBro]

I hope this finds all of you well and welcome to my take on Multi-Take, Multi-Track Monday. The studio is my hobby and certainly this one was no one off, rather it's an in depth studio project.

For me, this is a major original that has been formulating for over a decade. Yes, you read that right. I probably started working on this, possibly as far back as when I was 17 or so, around 1974. The main intro guitar riff was developed back then, if memory serves. I always seemed to recall that riff was inspired by Alice Cooper, yet I can't find the riff in anything of Cooper that I have. Maybe Toby or someone will flash on it and point me to the "original" that spawned the riff?

At any rate, over the years this series of chord progressions grew and were added to. That is where the past 10-12 years come in. I always wanted to turn this into a song, even back when I did the Friday Night Jam with LBro video, that is posted up on YouTube.

In addition, I wanted NaNa, (who is my daughter that many old timers on here will recognize as she used to sing on many projects in the past), to be in this song. You will note she is not in the song, but is in the credits at the end. Due to Covid and a new grandson who is now 2, she has not sung in over a couple of years. Try as she might, it just did not work out to have her do the backing vocals in this one. Maybe the 3 part harmony threw her? Not sure, but I am chagrined it did not come to be this time. She helped out in the song a lot and inspired it, so in the credits she stays. The plan is to do another original song project with her. It may be a duet and I am looking forward to that. The best part is she can sing and help out now and then!

Hope you enjoy this song and project. I suspect there are well over 100 hours in this one and I may never make another like it. That part you could say, is a true one off!
https://youtu.be/MPLNz5GzVUQ




Thanks to NaNa and some in the community, for their help!

All the best and keep on a rock'n!
LBro

[DavidP]

Bravo and Good Vibes on another tip-top production, LBro.

What a range of skills on display in this production ... composing, writing, arranging, playing, singing, mixing, video composition and editing.  You sure were all in on this one.

It's all good but have to say that intro that builds like OE109 climbing a gradient, the train whistle guitar synced with the video ... that was superb. 

Now let me go give it another watch!

[LBro]

Bravo and Good Vibes on another tip-top production, LBro.

What a range of skills on display in this production ... composing, writing, arranging, playing, singing, mixing, video composition and editing.  You sure were all in on this one.

It's all good but have to say that intro that builds like OE109 climbing a gradient, the train whistle guitar synced with the video ... that was superb. 

Now let me go give it another watch!

Hey David,
Thanks for purchasing a ticket on the train! Glad this one was your cup of tea too. Did you catch the rabbit near the end on the hillside? He scampers down the hill and you can't see it, but he runs out in front of the train! Oh no!

Again, thanks for the kind words and all the best to you as you keep rock'n,
LB

[KasperFauerby]

Hi LBro,

This is surely your best work yet. Really like the intro - both how it fades in, the repeated bends... and that strange riff at 0:24 fits really well into the underlying music. Nice guitar btw!
Great tones as well. Is that the Kemper being dusted off again?
Can see lots of work must have gone into this one...

Cheers,
Kasper

[DarrellW]

Loved it! Great production and I love Steam trains - proper ones!
Good vibes for making me smile!

[crocodile1]

Wow, LBro,
this is very cool! I think it's the best song I've ever heard from you.
Wonderful harmonies in the vocals, a great strict style of the whole song.
And of course, an excellent mix.
Say hi to NaNa, I warmly remember our joint work on the "Picture"cover with her.
Thank you for sharing, your long-term work was a success, it is difficult to overestimate it!
Keep on rocking!
Leo

[Rosshkerr]

Awesome stuff. Great track, production, video. Wow. Well done and well worth the hours put in

This is my guitar. There are many like it but this one is mine

[RC23]

Very cool, what a great song and production.

[adi_mrok]

Top notch production straight from LBro, no surprises here. I was quite amazed how lined up your video was when train driver released the steam (I assume) by pushing a lever above his head (sorry my vocabulary in trains department is really beind!) with a little guitar riff you had going there.

Was this video made for you specifically or did you just find a good clip online? Seems to me it's a personal one perhaps from your work life? Haha might be stretching here!

Vibes well deserved!

Keep on rockin' my friends

[brianlarsen]

Stop that train... I wanna get on!
That's a whole lotta love, sweat 'n' tears went into that production, Brother.
There's nothing like finishing an original.
Vibes 

[digger72]

Hi Lbro,

Started in 1974? And I thought it took us a long time to complete a track. 

The intro is fantastic - really draws you into the the steam train.
The percussion is the key - the drums/cymbals really do sound like a steam train.
Loving those long drawn out notes on the guitar.
Cool song indeed. Seemed to end rather abruptly though.

Excellent production and video.

Digger

[sairfingers]

Terrific stuff Digger. What a lot of work has gone into this project. Superb. I felt as if I was on that old steam train. Well done.

[CT]

Well done LB! Nice rockin' guit, flawless audio/video production. Fun little ride along the tracks. Great attention to details. Really cool.

[LBro]

Hi LBro,

This is surely your best work yet. Really like the intro - both how it fades in, the repeated bends... and that strange riff at 0:24 fits really well into the underlying music. Nice guitar btw!
Great tones as well. Is that the Kemper being dusted off again?
Can see lots of work must have gone into this one...

Cheers,
Kasper

Hi Kasper,
If this is my best work yet, that is exactly what I was shooting for. After so many years in the making I wanted to do this song some justice! Sounds like I may have hit the mark! Yes, this is the Kemper KPA that you hear for sure. Used it on all guitar tracks and it is pretty clean. Though I added some extra delay in spots. You are correct, a ton of work went into this and even into trying to make NaNa's vocals work.

Thanks again as I appreciate the feedback from you so very much!

Keep that tone a rock'n!
LB

[close2u]

Another cracker for the LBro stable. The rhythm has been mentioned and that surely does make this one bounce along in locomotive style. The riff and the bends / slides to match the engineer also add to the whole really well. What a production. Full steam ahead.

[LBro]

Loved it! Great production and I love Steam trains - proper ones!
Good vibes for making me smile!

Hi Darrell!
Forgive me if you will, but what is a "proper one" when it comes to locomotives and steam trains? If we have proper ones, then what is an improper one? LOL, you have me very curious about this!

Glad this put a smile on the face. Maybe it is kind of like the first Christmas where a kid comes out Christmas morning to see a new train set up and running around under the tree and it is all his?

I will stop while I am behind!
LB

[DarrellW]

Hi Darrell!
Forgive me if you will, but what is a "proper one" when it comes to locomotives and steam trains? If we have proper ones, then what is an improper one? LOL, you have me very curious about this!

It’s a proper one because it’s steam not diesel or electric; to me anything powered by steam is a thing of beauty that’s alive. It’s not just the trains that interest me, it’s stationary engines, steam cars, traction engines, steam powered boats, trains anything! It’s what I was brought up with and it’s stayed with me more than anything else.

[LBro]

Wow, LBro,
this is very cool! I think it's the best song I've ever heard from you.
Wonderful harmonies in the vocals, a great strict style of the whole song.
And of course, an excellent mix.
Say hi to NaNa, I warmly remember our joint work on the "Picture"cover with her.
Thank you for sharing, your long-term work was a success, it is difficult to overestimate it!
Keep on rocking!
Leo

Hi Leo,
Thanks on this being "the best song" from me. I put a lot into this one, so it means alot to have you say that! On the vocal harmonies I remembered from a Beatles project we did the 3 part harmonies on. I wanted to try and do something somewhat similar. I think it came out pretty good and you verified that by what you said.

I said "hi" to NaNa for you and she replied back in like fashion! Picture was a cool project and I will never forget your scream with a lot of verb on it! That was classic Leo! 

All the best my friend and keep rock'n it down!
LB

[Mike Sebastian P]

Great original song, it's always interesting to hear something completely new. It's good that your dream finally came true, and you did it. I agree with the previous comments that this is probably your best original work. I loved your guitar playing and the vocals and the sound of the mix, the video also went well with the song.
I wish you and NaNa to do a duet whenever possible, it would be very good.

Mike

[b1rdland]

Lovely song LBro. Everything is great and very LBro - you have a unique sound and your many talents shine through on this one. The vocal harmonies are fabulous and I like the range of instruments you’ve used, makes for a rich and interesting listen. 10+ years in the making? I won’t hold my breath waiting for the album then 

Good work!

[pkboo3]

Hey LBro!  What a great accomplishment you have completed after all these years. Loved the whole Steam Engine Story. Incredible production in all areas.

Coincidentally, on Aug 25th, we just had Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 steam engine come through a town just 30+ miles from where I live. It was called “The Big Boy Tour”. The tour began on Aug 5 in Cheyenne, Wyoming and will end at the same location on Sep 5.


Sent from my iPhone using JustinGuitar.com Forum

[LBro]

Awesome stuff. Great track, production, video. Wow. Well done and well worth the hours put in

This is my guitar. There are many like it but this one is mine

Hi,
Thanks so much for stopping by to board the train and for leaving some nice comments! I am still wondering about the hours... 
But this is my hobby, so time well spent I think!

You take good care and keep on rock'n!
LB

[LBro]

Very cool, what a great song and production.

Thanks RC!
Glad it struck your fancy!
I hope to do another, this time with NaNa if all works out. It should be a good one too...

Keep rock'n,
LB

[LBro]

Top notch production straight from LBro, no surprises here. I was quite amazed how lined up your video was when train driver released the steam (I assume) by pushing a lever above his head (sorry my vocabulary in trains department is really beind!) with a little guitar riff you had going there.

Was this video made for you specifically or did you just find a good clip online? Seems to me it's a personal one perhaps from your work life? Haha might be stretching here!

Vibes well deserved!

Keep on rockin' my friends

Hey Adi,
Good to hear from you!
It took me 3 splices in the train whistle area to pull off the timing sync with the guitar train whistle riff. I was hoping for 2, but could not find the footage to support it.

Yeah, on the video I hired a fancy NY agency to go out and film the "Big Boy" train in all it's glory for this one... - Ha, ha - pulling your leg on this one, big time. No, all the footage was found on the net and mostly YouTube. I had hours of it and it was a chore to cut out what I needed. I am pretty happy with the result though. Wish the train could have been headed the same direction in each scene though. I would have liked the train headed west or from left to right in most shots, to simulate going to the west coast and San Francisco!

Glad you enjoyed this one and I hope the next is better! Tough act to follow as I agree with those saying this is my best original production to date.

You keep well and all the best as you rock on!
LB

[LBro]

Stop that train... I wanna get on!
That's a whole lotta love, sweat 'n' tears went into that production, Brother.
There's nothing like finishing an original.
Vibes 

Brian,
For you we will stop the train. You do have a ticket, no? If not we will throttle up and leave you at the station! 
Just kidding, but glad you enjoyed this one!

Keep rock'n,
LB