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Hi Folks. After reading some suggestions, decided to give this another shot with vocals. So I re-singed my parts using a different mic. I think vocals are more clear now. Thank you for taking time and your suggestions! Crocodile Version II
Crocodile Version II Here is my September contribution to the forum. Just having fun. Mixing was somewhat challenging on this, so I will post the final version as is. Spoken lyrics where derived from Wiki. My wife, Katya helped with spoken vocals. Critical points are ALWAYS welcomed. Thank you for your time! Misha. Crocodile
Lyrics: It is getting late, I am sitting in my cave Got no light, no books, no video games Got no shiny TV on my wall, but I got this pile of mammoth bones From palaeontological and archaeological evidence, Australopithecus apparently evolved in eastern Africa around 4.2 million years ago before spreading throughout the continent and eventually becoming extinct 1.9 million years ago Sitting by the hut on a shore of Nile Im gonna hunt me a tasty crocodile I got no computer with sixty four damn bit All I got is a sharp spear and a pair of fast feet The first settlements in the Nile Valley began around 7,000 years ago. Hunters and gatherers moved to the Nile Valley from less fertile areas in Africa and southwest Asia. As in other parts of the world, these settlements gradually developed into more and more complex societies. It is getting late, sitting at my desk can not see the moon through a muddy glass little buttons flicker on telephony dial I wish I would be hunting crocodiles. The 21st century has been marked by growing economic globalization and integration, with consequent increased risk to interlinked economies, as exemplified by the Great Recession of the late 2000s and early 2010s. This period has also seen the expansion of communications with mobile phones and the Internet, which have caused fundamental societal changes in business, politics, and individuals' personal lives. Tech stuff: Lyrics: me + Wikipedia Vocals: me / Katya BIAB: 2590:Bass, Electric, RockPickedQuarters Ev 165 896:Guitar, 12-String Acoustic, Rhythm FolkRock Ev 100 2553:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Songwriter16thsHigh Ev16 075 1601:Mandolin, Rhythm Pop16Melodic Ev 065 1577:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Soul60sSync Ev 110 2335:String Quartet, Rhythm PopHall Ev 085 RealDrums:PopPromiseEv16^5-a: Snare, HiHat , b: Snare, Ride Various Kontakt midi guitars. Recorded & mixed in Cakewalk.
Last edited by Rustyspoon#; 09/15/20 03:49 AM.
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Ahh, I get to be the first, Misha!
You are showing your lyrical acumen again, along with your penchant for intriguing and unusual music compositions that are always so compelling. The spoken lines are just plain cool and add another dimension to your song that fits well.
Fun, fun, fun. One of the most original pieces I've heard lately.
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Misha, what a kaleidoscope that was! Love the mixup of instruments, harmonies, lyrics, spoken word… It had everything! And produced so excellently. I’ve had the idea for a long time to make a song where the lyric was basically reading the ingredients of some highly processed food; You’ve done something similar by leaning on Wikipedia. Great job, loved it!
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Misha & Katya,
UNREAL.
The delay/ping pong on the spoken word is just short of annoying..instead it's the right level of disorientating.
EXCELLENT.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Wow! Man, you outdid yourself, Misha! Just love what you did with the instrumentation and mix on this, just sounds amazing through the 'phones! Vocals are great too. The delay fx on Katya's voice is cool, but I wonder if you dropped the volume on the repeats a little if it might be more effective? That bit starting at 1:48 ... pure genius! Your stuff is always just so creative and original, and fun! Loved it 
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Misha ...
I'm commenting as I listen for the 2nd time. You are the most creative composer on the forum! Your music is always different from the typical posts ... and always in a good way.
This is simply fantastic ... exceptional in every way!!!
I do agree with Dave that Katya's spoken word voice might be even more dynamic with just a little less of the vocal FX. Yet, it's so good as it is.
That was a great listen ... I enjoyed the entire trip. Best to you and Yours ...
Alan
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Unique and cutting edge. Very creative. I loved it!
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Misha (and Katya),
I agree with all that has been said already.
You are incredibly creative. The Frank Zappa of Band-In-A-Box! The included instruments are so well thought out (and creative!) and mixed together seamlessly.
The write is as creative as the music.
The beginning vocal is slightly "boom-y" or a bit "muddy" - from :25 to :35 - then it gets clear after that. Kayta's vocal is cool, really well spoken. I thought it might be just slightly louder than it should be. Opinions, of course.
This deserves a big WOW! You create amazing music.
fj
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Very creative and fun at the same time, I enjoyed it. Reminded me of a SpongeBob cartoon where he goes back to the past with only a spear. Keep up the creativity, there's never too much of it!
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Scott, Thank you for listening and kind words! ----- Ray, "short of annoying..instead it's the right level of disorientating" LOL! that was the idea, but I think I got a bit to carried away with FX I was not familiar with. ----- Dave, Thank you for listening, your awesome feedback and suggestion! Yeah, too much FX stuff is going on in this. Now, when I gave my ears some rest, I can hear it clearly. I will try to tame some of that digital goodness. ---- Alan, Thank you for your time kind words and suggestion! I will try to address FX overload. ---- Scott, Thank you for listening! ---- FJ, Thank you for your time and kind words... And special thanks for this: "boom-y" or a bit "muddy" YES! Boom-y that is so precise! I tried whole bunch of "by the book" and unorthodox things in trying to address this... It might be that a microphone I used was not the right one for the instruments dynamics. I will try to re-record this next week with another mic to see if it makes a difference. But it also might relate to my ape skills in mixing ---- Tunemonger, Thank you for listening and fun comments! I have not watch Mr.Bob's trip to the past. I have to ask my son, as he was into it at one point. Misha.
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Wacky and wonderful, Misha!
The intro ( and that lovely short strings break) are musical gems and lyrics have all the zany genius we expect from Rusty Spoon.
I agree the spoken word parts ( Katy delivers them so well) could come down in volume a little... I`d also like to ask what fx you used as I`ve tried and failed to create something similar in the past.
Going back for another croc hunt now.
Robert
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Sounds to me like a satire of the modern society, "I got no computer with sixty four damn bit", the melancholy mood highlights the yearning for simpler times. Very original, the spoken parts blend nicely with the theme. The band sounds great and the mix is great - you have created very nice atmosphere with FX. I especially like the instrumental break with strings and humming.
Janne
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The most creative endeavor we've heard here in some time.
Janice who is nearly always circumspect regarding experimental pieces
immediately said, "I like it!"
And so does Bud.
She also commented on how much she liked it when the strings entered. Yep.
The imagery setting the three periods of time is outstanding.
Paleolithic to late stone age to modern...most cool.
You two along with Wiki make a GREAT team.
Your vocals, the spoken word, the vocal processing, the band and the mix
all worked well for us and sounded excellent on the monitors.
Most entertaining!
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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Misha,
With all the beautifull words already spoken out here, what can I say more? you did an outstanding job. It's always a surprise with what kind of song you come every month. Is Covid doing that to you?
I can whine a bit about some thing that sound a bit high, but I don't do that. I only want to tell you I enjoyed every part in it. Well..., the most I like were those very long lines no one can understand because of the effects you used.
Tell me how this crocodilesongs entered your head.
Very nice listen,
Hans
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This awesome man!
I LOVE this.
Super huge congratulations. Massively creative.
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Hi Misha & Katya
What a tasty treat. Love it.
Regards,
Leon
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Misha
Simply amazing, clever and inventive.
Completely refreshing (like Dave loved the strings)
Peter
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Robert, Thank you for kind words and suggestions! The FX is called Shutter, which was a part of Izotope Nectar 2 suite. I believe it transitioned into new Nectar 3 too. This was the first time I tried it. Not quite a traditional delay at all. It is very tricky on "un-rhymed" spoken word, because accents do not fall on particular beats. I am sure it could be managed manually with envelope. Just did not have time to go deeper. --- Janne, Thank you for listening and your feedback! Maybe I exaggerated a little, but sure "yearning for simpler times." --- J&B, Thank you for listening and your kind words! Ohh, I wish Bud would teleport himself for five minutes to guide me mixing this. I am sure it would take him exactly that long to spot the problems --- Hans, Thank you for listening and your fun comments! Hmmm you made me think about the origin of idea.... I think it relates to a couple of Post-apocalyptic fiction books I read. They were by different writers but they had two things in common: Falling back to primal instincts (as society), which was for the most part hunting for food and also looking back at time, analyzing silliness of lifestyles before the "event". --- David, Thank you for taking time and your kind words here and on SC! --- Leon, Thank you for stopping by and your support! --- Peter, Thank you for listening and your kind comments!
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Very entertaining.
My brain was doing circles.
Vic
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Cool song. Very clear recording. Your wife's readings were good. You vocals remind me somewhat of the guy from Talking Heads. Good stuff. I like it. Good use of the band.
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