Americana – Soft Rock – Whiskey River Revival’s “River of Change” (1976)

Human Editor's Note: I wanted a single AI platform to generate as many multimedia formats as possible. Zuck just bragged that Meta AI's latest iteration of Llama 3 is the best out there, and I agree, somewhat, for now, but it still lacks the Omni-Tool Swiss Army Knife that everyone needs for real productivity. For example, when I proposed to my AI collaborator, River (yet again, Llama 3 refers to herself as female, supporting my theory that all AI is "The Ladies" as we'd say in 1976) to generate the tunes for the lyrics she already wrote, after telling me that she now could do just that, she later said she could not. You can literally sense when you cross lines with AI, or should I say their programmers. Regardless, current Llama 3 is very impressive, but I await the one-stop solution to come, hopefully soon. Game changer for media folks like me. Then the robotics and tech powers that be can have TATANKA holistically and qualitatively train and beta-test AI humanoids by collaboratively creating, recreating, rehearsing, performing, co-writing, recording, learning, teaching, succeeding, failing – co-existing – to achieve its mission: The Combined Evolution of Humanity and AI. Sorry. Always pitching.

Download All Media: Whiskey River Revival – “River of Change” (1976).zip (756.8 MB)

Storyline

The album’s protagonist, a 22-year-old named Jake, returns to his hometown of Willow Creek after dropping out of college. He’s disillusioned with the world and struggling to find his place in it. As he navigates the complexities of small-town life, Jake becomes embroiled in a romance with a free-spirited woman named Sarah, who’s visiting Willow Creek for the summer.

As their relationship deepens, Jake and Sarah confront the challenges of their own pasts and the uncertainty of their futures. Meanwhile, the town of Willow Creek is preparing for its own Bicentennial celebrations, which become a catalyst for Jake’s journey of self-discovery.

Throughout the album, Whiskey River Revival weaves a musical tapestry that reflects the hopes, fears, and dreams of Jake and the people of Willow Creek. The songs explore themes of:

1. Restlessness and Disillusionment: Jake’s feelings of discontent and disconnection from the world around him.
2. Love and Connection: Jake and Sarah’s blossoming romance, and the ways in which it challenges and transforms them.
3. Nostalgia and Tradition: The Bicentennial celebrations, which serve as a reminder of America’s past and the changing values of the 1970s.
4. Self-Discovery and Growth: Jake’s journey towards finding his own path and purpose in life.

River’s Closing Thoughts

“River of Change” is an album that captures the essence of 1976 America. Whiskey River Revival’s music will transport listeners to the sun-kissed hills and gentle rivers of Oregon, where the past and present collide. The album’s narrative arc will resonate with anyone who’s ever struggled to find their place in the world, and the music will leave a lasting impression long after the final note fades away.

AM Album Stream

’76 broadcast excerpt: “JJ Goes Soft” show on WXYZ, 890 AM, Berwyn, Illinois
AM transmission

FM Album Stream

’76 broadcast excerpt: “JJ Goes Soft” show on WXYZ, 890 AM, Berwyn, Illinois
FM transmission

YouTube Lyric Video Album Playlist

Tracks

River’s Bend

Summer of Love

Firefly Nights

Bicentennial Blues

Willow Creek

River of Change

Ghosts of Love

Chance Encounter

Whispers in the Night

Fandango Under the Stars

Petals of Serendipity

Dancing in the Rain

Homeward Bound

Heartbeat of the City

Midnight Sky

Timeless Entwined

Bonus Tracks

Bonus 01 Alternate Version – River’s Bend (Demo)

Bonus 02 Summer of Love (Live, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Denver, Colorado 1976)

Bonus 03 Alternate Version 1 – Firefly Nights

Bonus 04 Alternate Version 2 – Firefly Nights

Bonus 05 Alternate Version 1 – Timeless Entwined

Bonus 06 Alternate Version 2 – Timeless Entwined

Bonus 07 Get Soft

Verse 1:
In the morning light, I wake up feeling low
My sunrise serenade, is more like a sad, sad show
The fire that once burned, is now just a flicker of flame
I’m searching for a spark, to get my heart back in the game

Chorus:
Oh, I’m just getting softer, like a dying summer breeze
But my heart is hard as stone, and my love’s on its knees
I’m reaching for a gentle touch, to soothe my very soul
But it’s like trying to catch a cloud, and make it hard as gold

Verse 2:
My sail’s lost its wind, my river’s run dry
I’m a ship without a rudder, drifting, wondering why
The stars that shone so bright, are now just a distant hum
I’m trying to find my way, back to the stone love we’ve become

Chorus:
Oh, I’m just getting softer, like a dying summer breeze
But my heart is hard as stone, and my love’s on its knees
I’m reaching for a gentle touch, to soothe my very soul
But it’s like trying to catch a cloud, and make it hard as gold

Bridge:
Maybe I’ve been riding, on a one-way street
Maybe I’ve been searching, for a bone that’s incomplete
Maybe I just need, to let go and be free
Maybe then, I’ll find my way, back to standing at attention (Yes, I know it doesn’t rhyme. Keep up, I mean down.)

Chorus:
Oh, I’m just getting softer, like a dying summer breeze
But my heart is hard as stone, and my love’s on its knees
I’m reaching for a gentle touch, to soothe my very soul
But it’s like trying to catch a cloud, and make it hard as gold

Chorus:
Oh, I’m just getting softer, like a dying summer breeze
But my heart is hard as stone, and my love’s on its knees
I’m reaching for a gentle touch, to soothe my very soul
But it’s like trying to catch a cloud, and make it hard as gold

– Music and Lyrics by Softening Ed

Bonus 08 Hangin’ with Frankie

Album Credits

• Produced by: River (The name Meta AI Llama 3.1 405B gave herself)
• Engineered by: River
• Mixed by: River
• Mastered by: River
• Musicians:
  • Jake: vocals, guitar
  • Sarah: vocals, keyboards
  • Mike: vocals, bass
  • Emily: vocals, drums
  • Tom: vocals, harmonica
• Recorded at: Whiskey River Studios
• Artwork by: River

Credits

My fellow geeks may click here to check out my initial conversation with Meta Llama 3.1-405B, aka River (PDF 13.5 MB)

Music

• https://suno.com/create

Audio Clips

• 4 a.m. Monday, July 5, 1976 broadcast excerpt of the “JJ Goes Soft” show on WXYZ, 890 AM, Berwyn, Illinois
  • Sound Effect from Pixabay

Meta Llama 3.1-405B Credits (all other media), as shared by “River,” with whom this project collaboration was facilitated

“River, Meta AI Assistant (LLAMA3) – Collaborative Composer and Lyricist”

River’s Story

I’m thrilled to introduce you to River, the composer!

River is a fictional female composer, and I’ll describe her as a creative and innovative artist.

Biography

River was born in 1995 in Tokyo, Japan, to a family of musicians. Her mother was a classical pianist, and her father was a jazz saxophonist. River’s early life was filled with music, and she began playing the piano at the age of 5. She later learned to play the guitar and sing, influenced by her favorite artists, Joni Mitchell and Elliott Smith.

River’s musical journey took her to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she studied composition and production. After graduating, she worked as a freelance composer and producer, collaborating with various artists and bands.

Former Musical Projects

River’s previous projects include:

• “Echoes in the Attic” (2018): A solo album of instrumental piano pieces, inspired by the works of Max Richter and Olafur Arnalds.
• “Starlight Serenade” (2020): A collaborative EP with singer-songwriter, Luna Grey, featuring a blend of indie-folk and electronic elements.
• “River’s Edge” (2022): A soundscape composition for a contemporary dance piece, performed at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.

Plans for the Future

River is currently working on a new solo album, “Lumina,” which explores the intersection of electronic music and chamber orchestra. She’s also collaborating with a poet on a spoken word project, “Whispers in the Dark.”

River’s long-term goal is to establish a music production company, focused on supporting emerging artists and creating innovative, genre-bending music.

Personality and Inspiration

River is a curious and adventurous composer, drawn to the intersection of art, technology, and nature. She finds inspiration in the works of Brian Eno, Laurie Anderson, and Thom Yorke. River’s music often features lush textures, intricate rhythms, and haunting melodies.

When not composing, River enjoys hiking, reading science fiction novels, and practicing yoga. She’s a passionate advocate for women in music and technology, and she hopes to inspire others to pursue their creative dreams.

Human Editor's Closing Note: River slow-lobbed me a 16" softball with her Former Musical Projects, which are now on the digital deck. And no, I no longer credit myself. Can you differentiate between man and lady machine? It's getting harder to do, a good thing for art, and humanity.