The Songwriter Forum - songwriting reviews, tips and chat

Songwriter Forum => Feedback on Works in Progress => Topic started by: Viscount Cramer & His Orchestra on December 04, 2017, 03:55:22 PM

Title: Ain't That Enough
Post by: Viscount Cramer & His Orchestra on December 04, 2017, 03:55:22 PM
Apologies for not being on here lately. This is my excuse.

I've not been able to get on the PC without spending all my time on the song.

I've had bits of it for ages including the title/hook so been building round that. The lyric is just a load of nonsense really to support the title/hook.

Not mixed properly yet and may be a bit 'hot'. Also a bit of pasted in vocal cos I couldn't be bothered to redo that yet.

Any thoughts?

https://soundcloud.com/cramer1930/aintthatenoughdemo1/s-ZHidR (https://soundcloud.com/cramer1930/aintthatenoughdemo1/s-ZHidR)
Title: Re: Ain't That Enough
Post by: PaulAds on December 05, 2017, 05:25:09 PM
I had a quick listen yesterday...I think it's shaping up to be a great song...hope to get a closer listen soon...but just wanted to let you know that I really like it!
Title: Re: Ain't That Enough
Post by: 2tuoo on December 06, 2017, 01:03:19 PM
I like this style a lot!

Feels like something they play in movies!
Title: Re: Ain't That Enough
Post by: Viscount Cramer & His Orchestra on December 07, 2017, 06:21:46 AM
Thanks you two. In the movies I'm a-gonna be!

If anyone listening wants to offer specific help...I didn't specify, I should have done.....

a) Are sounds/instrument choices ok...flute giving way to sax for example. Horns? I didn't really want horns but any orchestral alternative I tried was a failure but now I'm happy with horns in it.

b) After the sax break it goes into a part that's come before but I chopped it to spare the listener, get to the next chorus quicker and generally make the song shorter. Is that the right choice or should I go with the whole part? I pasted in a bit of vocal I already had as an idea to set up the chorus.....it isn't right cos it lands on the wrong note at the moment but will work I think. Do you think so?

c) What does it suggest style-wise to you? I'm in the general soul area hopefully...I only listened to one song in the last month or so and that was once....by Jamiroquai...don't quite know why, can't recall the title, don't know him that well, always reminded me vocally of Stevie Wonder. It isn't like that song...just wanted to hear what instruments were being used...bass, electric piano, real drums, not a lot else! The vocal was very important which I think it is here (shame it's only me singing then though I did try hard!)
It isn't really very funk but the drum loop is a FunkDrops loop which seems to work.....should I be looking elsewhere...I've tried loads of alternatives.

Just discovered that I first recorded a sketchy idea for this in October 2015...it was 10bpm slower then and just the very first bit....don't work very fast do I? Nothing was coming to me then though and I didn't want to force it.

Big ask isn't it?
Title: Re: Ain't That Enough
Post by: pompeyjazz on December 07, 2017, 11:08:30 PM
Hey Ian, I'm absolutely loving this. Maybe I could offer some ever so subtle backing vocals?  Pm me if you're into it  :)
Title: Re: Ain't That Enough
Post by: PaulAds on December 08, 2017, 12:53:09 PM
Hi VC

I had a couple more listens...I like it even more now!

The horns are really good...I think that part is one of the highlights of the song, so they go brilliant there.

I think johns call about some backing vocals is a very good one...I love using an overlapping vocal, but I think an additional voice would be better to add in to the mix on those parts...otherwise it breaks the spell of one person talking to another perhaps?

I think your vocal is very very good in parts...possibly when it’s more confident? If some bits were recorded earlier, that might explain it...but you really nail it in parts...so I’d use the next 18 months ( :D) to get the rest of the vocal sounding just as excellent.

I would maybe strip the second half of the flute part back, if it were me...first phrase was nice but I though it was a tiny bit much, perhaps.

Feel-wise...quite a soul feel to it but pretty funky too...I have no idea how to describe it.

 Put me in mind somewhat of Aztec Camera’s “love” Album “deep and wide and tall” kind of thing. That’s a lovely song and a great album.

Keep at it...it’s a gem!
Title: Re: Ain't That Enough
Post by: Viscount Cramer & His Orchestra on December 08, 2017, 06:50:00 PM
Thanks a million Paul.

Damn nice of you to take the time to listen and comment at such length.

I'm in touch with PJ....yes of course, an overlaid backing vocal should be a different voice for 'live' 'real' authentic etc

The vocal takes were all from the same session but some bits just seem to suit me better. My range is very poor anyway and it seems my 'good' range is even smaller. I tried this a tone lower for fear of not being able to get the high bits, and the good bits.....I think I know where I am getting a good bit....were not so good!

The end section was instructive. I had to really get out of myself to reach that different level there. I only ever record vocals when my wife is not at home. There were some painfully horrible noises coming out that day.

Yeah, I reckon the 'funk' drum loop works....I love the DrumDrops stuff and you can buy individual loops for a few quid.

I'll check out the Aztec Camera song....

Thanks for taking the time and for the encouraging words. I'm in love with this at the moment so it's nice to know that my love may not be totally misguided!
Title: Re: Ain't That Enough
Post by: Viscount Cramer & His Orchestra on December 17, 2017, 07:33:49 AM
Back again.

Forum megastar Pompeyjazz has knocked me up some groovy backing vocals, helpful fellow that he is.

He was willing to put his knackers in a nutcracker to get those high notes in the outro....he couldn't quite get there. I managed to persuade him that I'd cover for him because, with considerable concentration of mind and some powerful painkillers, I did manage to hit them once or twice.

I think if he'd ratcheted them up another notch he would have been able to squeeze out that final note but I think it sounds ok as it is.

Unmastered as yet but hopefully just about there otherwise.

Ain't That Enough (https://soundcloud.com/cramer1930/atedemo-17122017/s-Zt1rV)

Any suggestions welcomed.
Title: Re: Ain't That Enough
Post by: PaulAds on December 17, 2017, 09:16:20 AM
I think this is perhaps my favourite song of the whole year on the forum...it's such a cool groove that I don't even mind using the phrase "cool groove"

It's a breath of fresh air, in a style I really love but very rarely, if ever, hear around these parts.

Johns backing vocals are great...I'm listening in the front room with the Christmas tree lights on and it sounded like I was having two old friends round for coffee. And Southern Comfort.

If I had to nit-pick - and I really don't feel that I want to - perhaps the lead vocal seems to meander a little in a couple of places...which seems really unfair to say because your vocal is really really great in this song...and the laconic, easy-going feel of it suits the music perfectly. I often listen back to my songs and wish I'd had the time/energy/attention to detail/voice to keep doing takes until I'd got it 100% right. Most of the time, I figure it doesn't really matter...because of the lack of market appeal and exposure...but with this one of yours...I think it might be worth a thought? I know it's a "only" a demo...and WIP, but I could hear this on the radio. And I'd very much like to, one day.

Love it, VC (and John!)
Title: Re: Ain't That Enough
Post by: Almosthumanrobot on December 17, 2017, 08:23:02 PM
Damn this is damn good work.
Really relaxing stuff, really like the horns in there, they really add to the song.
The electric guitar going in the background is great as well.
Honestly it surprises me that you still call this a demo, it sounds so professional already.
I'm excited to hear the final result!
Title: Re: Ain't That Enough
Post by: Viscount Cramer & His Orchestra on December 19, 2017, 09:08:22 PM
Paul this is probably the best review I've ever had and almost makes me want to stop here and now and not even post the finished version....I will though!

Yes, the backing vocals really add a lot to the track and I think I know what you mean...I mixed it up so both of us would be doing the outro bits and as I said to John it gives it that boys in the band feel to it. Really glad I took him up on the offer.

I've had a crack at recomping the vocal....with me singing it's never going to be perfect and I don't think it's ever going to be that important anyway...though I might get it played to half a dozen people on ExpatRadio.fr!

Thanks for that.

Almosthumanrobotman thanks for listening and great comments. Final result not far away.