[Morefrog Jones]

Cant quite make my mind up on this one, parts of it I really like and the general feel of it made me listen to the end.

[adamfarr]

Thanks everyone.

The Viscount is really on fire today: got the Spanish instrument (half empty bottle of Anis del Mono, not bashed on tabletop but scraped with a 2 Euro coin - classic). Also picked up on the Where Do You Go To My Lovely progression which I had tried to play down... Thanks for the detailed listen as always!

Martimedia: great comments, thanks - the chord in the place you picked up is an FMaj7 so the bass would have been F-A (walks down from C/G, Bm/F). Perhaps an F5 would be more neutral...? Correct re the panning - as I had a low and a high guitar I panned the bass to the high side but now I see it does stick out. Am working through the timings...

Nooms: many thanks - if only I'd been going for the Ivor Cutler sound! I love middle 8s but good to question whether this actually needed one. The magpie line seemed too good to leave out though (and there will never be another song to accomodate it I think...)

Igg: the call and response is a truly great suggestion - I think it could really work. Not sure about losing the drums in the chorus - but some variation could work for sure...

Oliver: thanks for that! I know I am still a bit rooted in trying to knock out each track in a single take and perhaps it shows. I will definitely be getting into some cutting and pasting!

Morefrog: thanks for giving it a chance!

Thanks everyone for giving this one a listen - quirky can be fun but a thin line sometimes...

[MartiMedia]

Martimedia: great comments, thanks - the chord in the place you picked up is an FMaj7 so the bass would have been F-A (walks down from C/G, Bm/F). Perhaps an F5 would be more neutral...? Correct re the panning - as I had a low and a high guitar I panned the bass to the high side but now I see it does stick out. Am working through the timings...
...
Oliver: thanks for that! I know I am still a bit rooted in trying to knock out each track in a single take and perhaps it shows. I will definitely be getting into some cutting and pasting!

Yw AdamFarr, quickly responding to your words to Oliver: I'd get rid of that root principle... When you have the luxury to record parts in takes and choose the best take, why wouldn't you? It will become a 'challenge' when you're asked to play the whole song live, but then you have time to practise ;-) Now this principle will maybe limiting you to express creatively... And when home-recording, I'd choose this opportunity instead of sticking to principles... Hope that's helpful to you though, just my thoughts...
MM

[Boydie]

+1 to all the comments made my KEVIN and PAUL ADS - I can't really ad much as I was about to write exactly the same so instead of me doing that re-read their comments!

I did want to comment on the production though...

"technically" there are issues with the production, mixing, timing etc. etc.

HOWEVER - your overall vision for the production was:

In my mind I saw a meeting of Leonard Cohen and a wild and stompy folk group

I think your approach to the recording, mixing and production absolutely hit the mark and this is EXACTLY what it sounded like

For me this is MUCH more important (ie capturing the "vibe" or "vision" you were aiming for) than getting the "threshold level on your kick compressor right" or the "EQ setting on the Anis del Mono track"

It is very easy to get sucked into the rabbit hole of production and to not see the "wood for the trees"

The journey usually means that as you learn more about production you will focus on (and play with) different ideas and techniques - but your overall mixes will usually end up sounding worse - eg really sterile, over-compressed and generally "over-produced"

You will come out of the other end though and be able to achieve better mixes that still retain the character and "vision" you are after

I think this song would make a great track for you to keep using as you learn about production - the challenge being: can you maintain the wonderful vibe you have created whilst making the production and mix better?

[Jamie]

Hi Adam, I can't add to the technical/ musical comments made by others, I largely agree with the thrust of them.Early on the timing issues were so much of a distraction I couldn't focus on what you were trying to do , but as the song went on I could see where it was going. The 6/8 timing is a great idea and the thrust of the acoustic guitar worked well. I thought the organ solo went on too long but the organ tone fitted the sound. Lyrically I found it a bit clunky in places but then what do I know .
Nice one!
Cheers
Jamie

[Doodles]

Honestly, I think there are a lot of good things going on - particularly I love the rhythm and the organ - but I think the vocal drags it down. Writing, producing and recording a song, particularly when you're on a learning curve can be a pretty big task (it is for me anyway). I would advise delegating the vocal part to a specialist vocalist for now (there are quite a few online that will charge a nominal fee because really they just like to sing - I have found real gems that have recorded for as little as £3)...

...then you can focus on the parts that show the most promise. The music, chords structure etc really seem like they're heading in the right direction. I think with a vocal that brings up the level of the track, we would have a whole different animal here.



 

[adamfarr]

Taking the opportunity for nip in for a quick thank you!

Boydie: thanks for the encouragement re the vision (and for not judging too much whether it was a good vision or not!). And yeah, Anis del Mono is a b****r to EQ  I will really really try not to be that person with 18 effects and 24 automation tracks but I am sure I will give in to temptation on occasion... (sorry face)

Jamie: thanks for sticking with it; I have worked out a bit better since this was done how to adjust timings where needed - the objective being that things are as loose as I want them to be and not just out of control!

Doodles: thanks for the honest feedback and the point is not lost on me. I will ask that you also stick around to hear my next tune. Firstly, it's in the right key for my voice and secondly, I actually think I've improved quite a bit. And I am also enjoying it, so I might not take your advice right now (but I do get it and I do care about my listeners' ears so why not use the opportunities that are out there...)

Thanks everyone!

[montydog]

Hi,

I was intrigued to hear what you'd come up with after reading your introduction. It started off very promisingly and I can see what you're trying to achieve. The instruments you have chosen work together well and the rhythm pattern is good. It is distinctive and quirky which is a good thing. Others have covered the issues with your vocals being too low and with the timing issues so I'll not go into those. You've just got to tighten up the timing, sort your phrasing and key out and this will fly.

M

[Wicked Deeds]

Beautiful rhythmic introduction. I'm enjoying the acoustic guitar a great deal. The percussion is very minimal but enjoyable. Maybe make it a little busier here and there to lift the song further. Overall, this works well and has a real charm.  The organ works well, - perhaps drop it in the mix a little as it's a little bit too far forward at the moment. Having said that, it's just right for the solo ands it is at this time that the instrumentation /interplay with guitar, bass organ and percussion shines. Enjoyable backing vocals too.

Well done!