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Joined: Jul 2007
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First new song posting of the day! (for American continent members, anyway) Now don’t get me wrong. I’m as capitalist and geeky as the next songwriter. But I wrote this song as a response to the never ending stream of advertising thrusting new, improved, can’t-live-without products on us. I was chiefly concerned by ‘digital-age’ products – probably because this is the type of advertising that catches my eye. But no doubt it’s the same story in fashion, home decor., power tools, cosmetics or whatever else you may be interested in. A brand new 3g hands-free 3 TB cordless toaster* to the first person who can correctly spot what type of musical feel I was going for. For once I have also made the lyrics available on SoundClick. BTW, there has been some nice and much-needed reorganisation of the user interface over there. Not sure about all that my.SoundClick stuff ‘though. Now I wonder where they got that idea from? Those of you within a reasonable distance of Paris (France) will find details of forthcoming gigs with my covers band now on my SoundClick page . B-i-a-b (my ancient version, 7 I think) was used to make the original guide track, but only the drums remain in this version. Comments and thoughts are welcome. Even if you hate it, get all your friends and neighbours to listen at least once therby propelling me up the SoundClick sub-chart (Rock/Rock General) (Whatever else you may say about my songs, at least there coming through nice and short now !!)
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Cute song. I'd raise the vox up a bit. It's overpowered in the mix.
Maybe you did want a "cheesy" guitar sound but I'd experiment with some different ones too.
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Great song and super true lyrics!
I would also bring up the vox and possibly lower the vox effects; you don’t need them. You did a great job on the arrangement, super horns.
IMHO, this song is so good I would consider recording it with either live musicians and/or better sound sources. Not that this is terrible, as it is NOT, however the vox, lyrics and arrangement are so good they demand better backing sounds.
My wife had her driving test today.
She got 8 out of 10.
The other 2 jumped out of the way!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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"What he said..." (Mario)
Sounds like a marriage of Reggae & Blues shuffle.
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What "they" said . . . Great arrangement, lots of clarity except where your voice is concerned - really needs to come up against the backing tracks - you've got clever lyrics and they need to stand out. Sounds Dorsey, Goodman jump stuff. Cheers Marc - guess you must be sitting down to dinner about now. 
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Not even breaking out the pastis yet, Ian.
5 pm and still at office here in France (unfortunately)
Thanks to you (and the others) for your kind comments. I'll respond when all the usual suspects have reported in.
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Unique. I like it. It's already been said about bringing up the vox level.
Don S.
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I'm liking those opening horn blasts -- it sets a good mood. Vocals are buried a little too much. I'd swap out that harmonica with something else. It is the only part that sounds overly "midi".
Nice change of pace with the bass, percussion and piano section -- I thought Little Feat was going to break out.
Good rocking tune!
Kevin
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Marc,
Check your email. There seems to be a lot of agreement here.
Nice work.
R.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Quote:
Great song and super true lyrics!
I would also bring up the vox and possibly lower the vox effects; you don’t need them. You did a great job on the arrangement, super horns.
IMHO, this song is so good I would consider recording it with either live musicians and/or better sound sources. Not that this is terrible, as it is NOT, however the vox, lyrics and arrangement are so good they demand better backing sounds.
I agree with everything our friend Mario stated above "except", the horn statement. That is why I'd also love to hear it recorded with live musicians, horn players. And that is a nit pick so other than that I'd leave it alone.
Good Stuff!
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I would go with Lovin Spoonful! Or the Brit version, Herman's Hermits. In any event, I love the music feel. Very reminiscent, happy when singers were not afraid so write lyrics like "La, La, La," and sing them with all they had. I am with you, we have majored on the minors to coin a musical phrase when it comes to technology today. BTW, I see a 3G wirelss toaster too. However, I see in the glove compartment of a car. Afterall, between texting, fixing makeup, watching DVDs we need one more thing to be distracted with while we cruise down the road 40 miles an hour over the speed limit! 
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Bonjour Marc, This song is excellent. You've pulled out all the stops on this one! 10/10 for the arrangement, production, writing. MarioD has made some good comments about some things that could be worth thinking about. When I was listening to it, I couldn't stop smiling Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Great, Marc! Sounds like the wrong key for your voice though. Maybe a lower key? That would give it more balls. I'm thinking Bee Gees, here. I also think your voice is buried too much in the mic - the vocals should always ride on the top Fun lyrics and nice arrangement. Well done
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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Thanks once again for your input, which I have duly acted upon. Slightly modified version has: - more upfront vocals - ditched the overdriven rhythm guitar (unless it is the ‘shuffly’ one that was considered cheesy) - that’s about it. I thought of changing the harmonica patch but it sounded odd on any other instrument. Now this probably breaks several of our esteemed forum rules, so let me just slip it in here for information purposes. I have managed to create an album and make it available for download sale from SoundClick. oh, and the prize goes to …….(drum roll as the envelope is ripped dramatically open)… Mick, I guess. I was aiming for that Dave Edmunds type of blues shuffle sound. I guess the horns were a bit of a distraction. I’m flattered by all the references. Sam, I’ve read what you have written elsewhere about setting the song in a key so that all the melody falls comfortably within the previously defined vocal range. Will add that to my ‘process’ for next time!! BTW rickeG, love both of those bands. Their input into this one must have been subconscious.
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Marc - that is much better. Well done.
You do know that you can adjust the key of all the (backing) tracks in Audacity very simply? If I were you, I would remove the vocal lead, adjust the overall key of the finished backing (including the vocal harmonies) and then re-record the lead vocals over the top of it. Should be very simple for you to do, bearing in mind that you created the whole song and all the music.
HTH
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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Thanks Sam. You're right, but not sure that I'll ever get round to moving this one, what with the day job and all.
I could, in fact, perform the transposition in MIDI and then re-render to audio.
Re the vox, there are no harmonies, just support tracks which are identical (i.e. as close as possible!) to the lead track.
all the best
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