William Hayden’s Timeseven project – an industry-seasoned, all-star ensemble playing rootsy, country, adult contemporary, and tastefully allotted rock – returns with their latest single, “When We Were Young.” And this particular track, as emotionally resonant as one would expect from project Timeseven, expresses the beauty of witnessing – and experiencing – true love.
Tell me more…..
Per Hayden, “I’ve been fortunate to witness several beautiful love stories throughout my life, including my own with my wife. From my front row seat, I’ve watched love blossom between my sisters and their high school sweethearts, who are now their husbands. I’ve also been inspired by the enduring love my mother shared with the love of her life. This song is a tribute to young love—love that never grows old, no matter how many years have passed.“
Ready to hear testimony to the power of closely observed and deeply experienced love? Let’s listen, and talk about it.
Wait. Who does what?
Words, Music, Arrangement, Production, Acoustic, Electric Guitars by William Hayden (Timeseven Productions)
Vocal by Brad Williams (a major label country music artist)
Keyboards by Scotty Willbanks (from Third Day)
Drums by Daniel Sadownick (Steely Dan, Taylor Swift, Norah Jones)
Bass by Alison Prestwood (Blake Shelton, Faith Hill, Brooks and Dunn)
Guitar by Noah Needleman (Brett Young, Dann Huff)
And “When We Were Young” was mixed and mastered by 10 x Grammy-winning mix engineer, Darrell Thorp (Paul McCartney, Radiohead, Beck).
Listening, and talking about it.
It begins with a lightly picked acoustic that’s almost harmonic in tone. And then, Brad Williams’ rich, gentle timbre with emotional, warbling vibrato arrives. His voice, as always, is positively stuffed with feeling, but expertly reserved in its effortless, spot-on delivery. And, for some reason, I hear a bit of Christopher Cross; perhaps it’s a particular shaping of vowels, or the way his voice emanates from the roof of his mouth, adding a bit more depth to the subtly broadening reverb. Whatever’s happening here, it adds an extra glistening to this sonically perfect vocal production.
When the chorus hits, so does the energy. Blowing electric guitar chords enter, the drums arrive, and Williams’ voice is backed by a quiet harmony.
The next verse gains incremental strength with a ringing guitar and careful, casual drums – at least for a moment, until things revert to their gentler demeanor, allowing the chorus more gravitas when making its confident, compelling return.
After this final chorus, the song reduces, hangs a bit, and Williams utters the last refrain of “When We Were Young” before the music simply drifts, briefly, and ends.
But is it good?
I listened 37 times and it moved me equally with each play. The instrumentation is solid, clean, and the perfect musical foundation for Williams’ aching, stunningly sincere vocals. And the clarity, the separation of instruments, Williams’ perfectly captured voice, and the warm, space-filling, sonic amalgamation of it all…..You can tell a master was at the console, working diligently to conjure the final, magical mix.
So… “is it good”? Oh, heck yeah. It moves; it celebrates; it captures the wonder of sacred, connective feelings between those in love, and those completely in awe of it. “When We Were Young” soundtracks the beginning of lifelong relationships – relationships maintaining a passion that never dims beyond its initial, exciting embers. If you want to reflect, if you want to embrace now, tighter than ever, “When We Were Young” is music for your first, nervous slow dance at homecoming – a dance that continues forever, with magic forever intact. HIGHLY recommended.
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BELOW: Follow and support Timeseven on Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram, and listen to/ download/ purchase their music on Soundcloud and Apple Music. Want to offer more support? Visit their website, and sign up for any and all news, updates, and forthcoming releases. And as always, thank you for listening to real music
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When We Were Young premieres on 10/23/2024 on all major streaming services.