Bob’s your uncle. 
Real Drummer vs. Drummer in a box, wow, Real wins out every time!
Well . . . unless the real drummer has a “ack-cent” and ya can’t understand 'im! 
“Ya like daggs?”
Hey! I like this song alot. And I think your vocals are superb. Shame about those drums but I think you did the best you could with them. I could have actually done without the drums altogether and maybe just use a tambourine just to keep the time. Great concept, beautiful vocals. I was singing along!
Thanks mfl.
I was at pains with it songwise as to whether there was enough build or tension etc. but just couldn’t manage a rewrite for some reason…
Can’t really comment on the drums, but I love your songwriting skills. I also love that even when your subject matter is a sad or less than ideal situation, you point in a more hopeful direction. (Speaks to the character of the writer, I think.)
I should probably state that I am not implying that people who write about hopelessness are lacking in character. Sheesh… I’m becoming a lawyer!
Hi Craig,
Nice song, cool vocals. There are 3 things that I heard off the top that will keep this song from getting repeat plays. I’m not gonna tell ya what they are because I want you to like me not hate me.
But maybe you can tell me.
Peace good buddy,
Levi
Quote: (Yaz @ Oct. 29 2008, 4:43 AM)
Real Drummer vs. Drummer in a box, wow, Real wins out every time!
Well . . . unless the real drummer has a "ack-cent" and ya can't understand 'im!
"Ya like daggs?"
aaaa! 4 things! I use to do this too before I started recording mixing and editing real drums.
Use viriation on your drum hit levells, all of them! And they will come to life, instead of being a undetermined irritant. This song is in beta stage, keep working on it!
Quote: (Levi @ Oct. 31 2008, 10:49 AM)
Hi Craig,
Nice song, cool vocals.
There are 3 things that I heard off the top that will keep this song from getting repeat plays.
I'm not gonna tell ya what they are because I want you to like me not hate me.
But maybe you can tell me.
Peace good buddy,
Levi
NO NO NO!!!!
You can't just leave it at that!!!!
Tell me...I promise I'll still like you....I NEED to know....
But....if you say it's a nice song..it's not that.
If you say cool vocals it's not that either, therefore by the powers of deduction I guess it's all production...
Hmmm...there's a song in there...
Cheers for the character ref Kevin by the way!!
Off the top I do know the lead is a little out of tune.
I was going to fix that with the new drums honest…I tend to get too eager to get the idea of the tune out and always slack off on the technicalities…
Quote:
Bob's your uncle.
That's it - I'm giving up learning the King's English - If I get no comment at all when I do.
Bob’s your uncle…ok then…fannies your aunt!!!
Well done for learning ‘Kings English’!!!
Quote: (spreadercraig @ Oct. 31 2008, 2:06 PM)
Quote: (Levi @ Oct. 31 2008, 10:49 AM)
Hi Craig,
Nice song, cool vocals. There are 3 things that I heard off the top that will keep this song from getting repeat plays. I'm not gonna tell ya what they are because I want you to like me not hate me.
But maybe you can tell me.
Peace good buddy,
Levi
NO NO NO!!!!
You can't just leave it at that!!!!
Tell me...I promise I'll still like you....I NEED to know....
But....if you say it's a nice song..it's not that.
If you say cool vocals it's not that either, therefore by the powers of deduction I guess it's all production...
Hmmm...there's a song in there...
Cheers for the character ref Kevin by the way!!
Good! Hey I've been a little busy and it's been a few days. I'll re listen and give you those points tomorrow first thing. Yes guitar tuning was one of them. I can relate to wanting to wrap it up after a while!
I need to type a little for that and I'm to sleepy for much typing now.
zzzzzzzzzz!
WAKEY WAKEY LEVI!!!
heh heh…
I don’t know Craig, I guess I have the same problem as Dubious, listening on a laptop with out adequate speakers. Now that I’m listening to it and hear the bass and the kick drum it sounds a little diffrent.
First thing I didn’t like was the rim shot or wood block, I felt that was to loud, maybe the snare as well.
Very the symbol hit that runs with the snare. It’s just a little much.
George Harrison was the lead guitar player for the Beatles. Maybe Paul and John or Ringo during an interview where being facetious when they declared George the Beatles Lead player. (It could have happened that way) But he did play with in his means. Lets face it he wasn’t a Steve Vi, but he managed musically and smartly. A singer like you who writes as well as you, can easily humm some melody lines to copy on the guitar for melodic leads. Just keep trying some until they are majical. George would use a glass slide to make beautiful sounds. You could try something like that as well. You don’t have to be a Delta Blues’man to use a slide. Just make it tasty like your vocals.
I thought the beat was interesting. But the symbol hit was to much, or better yet just switch that to a ride.
You mentioned that you didn’t seem to feel a build up and not havening one isn’t bad. But I think for this song after the lead break, you could easily get away with stepping up a while note, which would give the song a boost.
The vocals are perfect. I thought the rhythm was a little soft. I like that base/guitar run I would make that a little bolder.
So it was
1, the rim shot or wood block.
2, the lead.
3, the symbol
4, repetitious 3rd verse.
Remember Craig after reading this, “we often say what we often need to hear”. So I guess I have a lot of work to do on my own songs! hope some of this helps. Oh by the way. This is a great song!
Your friend,
Levi
Cool. It WAS the production then…phew!
…ok…
Totally hear ya with the wood block etc. I ALWAYS get that wrong IMO. Hopefully if/when Bubba gets time for the drum track that should be sorted.
Ditto the open hi hat on the snare. I was going for a ‘Benefit of Mr. Kite’ feel there, but still really feel it SHOULD be there albeit probably quieter…or louder as Mr. Gump sees fit… 
Never really thought of the solo part in any of my songs. Always been an afterthought 
rushed just ‘to get the tune out’…thanks for the advice there!
Not sure I understand about the repetitious third verse though. The part after the solo does go up a few keys, and isn’t another verse, just a chorus rerun…I’m not arguing my corner here just need a bit of clarification there!!!
You have REALLY helped, which is why I post my music here.
This place is ace…I have an all round mentor who’s ‘walked the walk’, an eq specialist, people who are willing to critique, one or two fellow UK’ers to give me a UK perspective, quite a few US’ers to give me a US perspective, musicians to help with tunes etc…etc…I have my team all here!!!
Thanks all!
Quote: (spreadercraig @ Nov. 02 2008, 5:32 PM)
Never really thought of the solo part in any of my songs. Always been an afterthought
rushed just 'to get the tune out'....thanks for the advice there!Not sure I understand about the repetitious third verse though. The part after the solo does go up a few keys,
Ya I saw the other post today too, good bunch here. All honest help with good advice.
It's good to get away from the song at times. Really don't push it!
My first impression was that it was over produced past the lead.
Anyway, good luck with all that.