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I need HELP! Possible upcoming recording session


LiveMusic

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Posted

I wrote a song recently that has a shot at getting some regional air play. Radio has pretty much given me the go-ahead. But I need to move and move fast and I don't know how I can pull this off because I'll need more moola to do this. (Studio demo with good players.) But I'm crazy not to try to pull this off.

 

I have two very famous musicians that might play on this demo with a couple of other good local musicians. One famous player is a for sure, the other is a maybe. So, I don't want to go into the studio with something that won't work.

 

I have work demo's recorded. I have two styles, one is rockabilly, other is more mellow country or country rock. (EDIT: Now, 3 styles, added 6/8 tempo.) So, once I decide on the style, I can provide them with a basic idea of how the song can sound with CD's.

 

Question: Should I write charts? I don't know how but I think I could figure it out. I've read about it several times. Just haven't needed it cuz I do everything solo and only studio time I've ever done has been solo recordings. Or another question... if I provide a leadsheet with the lyric and chord symbols above the word where the change is, is that okay?

 

Also, if you care to listen, you can tell me which style you prefer. You can hear the song at this page. You can stream it by clicking the mp3 symbol or download it via the other link. I have done about 30 recordings of this song, no kidding. Hopefully, I'm done with the lyric.

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Posted

First of all,.... I don't sound to me like Rockabilly,.. I like the second version better.

 

Second,.... What is wrong with the work demo?

 

There's a bit too much reverb going on and the mixing could be better but further there's nothing wrong with it.

 

Man just re-record it in the style you want where you did this(at home I pressume??).

 

 

It sounds a bitty Don McLean to me.... definately not Rockabilly....

Mix it a bit better and you're done....

 

Cool song!!

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Posted

Hey Duke,

 

I haven't listened to the song, but....

 

If they're famous musicians doing your session, they will have a pretty good idea of what to play - that's why their famous. Show them the basic tune and let them be themselves.

 

Would I tell Dr. John what to play on the piano besides telling the chord changes and the form?

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Posted

Hi Duke,

 

I listened to both versions and have a suggestion. The current meter of the song has difficulty flowing in both formats. Both sound a bit choppy and mechanical. It may be due to the sequencer you are using and studio musicians could help that. However, the vocal seems rushed and I find it difficult to focus on the story, which is very interesting.

 

I would like to recommend that, since you are redoing it anyway, why not try a 6/8 meter instead of a 2/4 shuffle that you have now. I tried vocalizing at a meter of 6/8 a cappella and found it easier to understand the story and it flowed better. Think of the style of a cross between "Mr. Bo-jangles" and " Oh Donna" by Richie Valens. The songs sound good now, but that change may make it fantastic. Tell me what you think of the idea.

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Posted

 

Originally posted by KB Gunn

It may be due to the sequencer you are using and studio musicians could help that. However, the vocal seems rushed and I find it difficult to focus on the story, which is very interesting. I would like to recommend that, since you are redoing it anyway, why not try a 6/8 meter instead of a 2/4 shuffle that you have now.

 

 

I'm all ears, I will try that. Do you think it sounds rushed because it is simply too fast? Reason I say that is a couple of other people said that and the recording I put up about an hour ago, it is 3bpm slower than I had it. Which brings it back close to the original. (I've jacked up the tempo twice since I wrote it... now, brought it back down. Maybe it needs slower still?)

 

I am not sure what you are talking about, other than I can understand "it's too fast," I understand that. But to say the meter doesn't match with the time signature... hmmm... I'm not sure I understand that. But I will try a 6/8 and let you know and thanks for commenting.

 

The only other thing I will say about how I do things is... if I could just sing the song, it would a be a lot better vocal but I am playing the keyboard and pushing all kinds of buttons and watching recording meters and the lyric... which I have re-written about a hundred times... no, 200 times... and I can't do the song justice like I can do when I get in studio and then just SING.

 

So, with all that... I'm not being defensive... I just want to make sure it NEEDS 6/8. As I said, I don't really understand... but I will try 6/8 now and mess around with it. You guys are the experts, I'm just a songwriter trying to sound like a band, haha.

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Posted

Originally posted by LiveMusic

KBGunn, one other thing... do you mean about that tempo or much slower? (Mr. Bojangles and Oh Donna are both slower.)

 

It's hard to say. I think when I was phrasing it, it was about the same speed, but the tempo was more conducive to allow Mr. Page to be held out a bit longer, it allowed it to breathe a bit more. I think you should try same speed and a bit slower and see which sounds better, assuming you find my idea interesting, of course. :)

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Posted

Okay, thanks, yes, I see what you mean. This could work, maybe. I can't be the judge. But I have to like it!

 

When I started trying to put it together rather than just me banging on a guitar, I first came up with #2. But then, with all of the history, I wanted it to sound "older." Plus, the rockabilly fit well because of who hit it big there! Plus, I love rockabilly!

 

This 6/8 style might work... a kind of 50ish sounding style? I dunno if that's what you mean but the words do seem to flow along nicely. And it helps that I love 50's music.

 

I will play around with it and re-record and post again when I do.

 

Thanks for all comments. I have to make this good!

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Posted

 

Originally posted by LiveMusic



This 6/8 style might work... a kind of 50ish sounding style? I dunno if that's what you mean but the words do seem to flow along nicely. And it helps that I love 50's music.


 

 

Exactly! A fifties style for a story about that era! All those people you mention were in their heyday then. The words will be able to breathe more and the story will be more easily understood. Depending how you do it, it could be Bo-Jangles like or more like a country waltz. I think there is still a good market for 50's nostalgia. These days, life has become hectic and stressful. People like to remember the good old days.

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Posted

One more thing, 3/4 or 6/8 time signatures have a tendency to elicit a more emotional response from listeners than standard 4/4. Remember Iris, by the Goo Goo dolls? A smash hit! It was 6/8. I am sure others have recollection of other hits that were 3/4 or 6/8, in addition to Iris, Bo-Jangles and Donna, all classics!

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Posted

Okay, I have recorded a quick demo in 6/8 and edited the page and the mp3 can be streamed at the web page.

 

Tell me if this is even remotely close to what you are saying. Obviously, have not had time to work with phrasing and other things. I can dig around and work it some more but I just want to know if this is the kind of time sig you mean.

 

Or slower?

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Posted

Man, you are FAST!!!

 

That is much better, breathes more. Easier to follow the story. Not quite what I had in mind but much more suitable to the song. That is more like a swing beat in 4/4 following the bass line as one measure or a fast 6/8 (1-2-3,2-2-3,3-2-3,4-2-3 following the high hat as 4 measures) could be scored as either. I like the flow better. Anyone else care to opine?

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Posted

Originally posted by KB Gunn

Man, you are FAST!!!

 

I was hoping that would impress someone, haha. Worked the song up, run through, 2nd take, record it, dump to computer, tweak the sound some, save WAV, convert to mp3, edit web page and m3u page, ftp. That was pretty fast!

 

Durn it was hard deciding between two. Now, three. Oh my.

 

EDIT: Make that four. ;) I just added a bluesy piano version. I keep wanting to slow it down and make it mellow or rock heck out of it. But I tried to make this sound like Louisiana. After all, that is where we are. And I did just see Dr. John in concert last weekend.

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