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I wrote this after reading interminable arguments between people on a 'philosophy' forum. Borrowed the concept from Bill Shakespeare. I started out with all tracks, took most out, put them back in, and still can't decide whether I prefer this with the full band or something smaller. Here's the full band version. Would appreciate any advice on the mix... The style is 'Country Boogie' and I used bass, (piano, drums and acoustic guitar)* from that set. I added electric rhythm and lead guitars, both stratocaster with Amplitube 'Fender' amps. I use a Rode NT2-A mic for vocals but it really takes a lot of tweaking at mix-down to get my voice sounding anywhere near a sound I'm happy with. Mastered in Logic using EZmix. *LATE EDIT: After taking some very good mixing advice the mix has changed considerably. The only thing remaining from BB now is the bass part. Drums were swapped out for GrooveMonkey midi loops in EZdrummer. I dropped the piano and acoustic guitar altogether. https://soundcloud.com/user-663569023/thinking-makes-it-soThanks for listening.
Last edited by Chris Dent; 08/22/20 07:53 PM.
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Vocals were fine! (Blues Bard is one of my accounts on youtube, though I never put anything on it.) This had an excellent groove and the lyrics were good. Guitar was excellent. You didn't get too carried away with the Shakespeare thing, which I think was a good thing. All in all, it's a fine outing. Enjoyed it a lot.
Last edited by TuneMonger; 08/20/20 11:15 PM.
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This is excellent. The intro was perfect, the arrangement and guitars are right up there.
(On your vocals you may want to experiment with some eq, maybe another high pass filter or cutting some mud? Reverb can muddy a track too. I always struggle with that.)
But, hey, your performance is very good.
Well done.
Scott
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Love that guitar!. I agree about the eq on the mix. See if you can kick those drums up a notch they sound a bit flat to me (IMHO) I use EZ mix too but I also use high pass. I also would like more fills to add some snap, sparkle and anticipation to the rhythm section.
I loved the song structure. But I really liked your guitar, sounds like this was fun to record.
Rick
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Hello Chris,
I am glad to notice philosophical foot-tappers are just like those ordinary people also like.
You made a nice swinging Blues with a beautiful leadguitar in it. Very good!
I agree with the others mentioning the eq on the vocals, but I also would like you to bring your piano a bit more forward. Now it is 'drowning' somewhere in the back, if you know what I mean.
And i have a wish: I would like to read the lyrics. I heard you sing 'Shakespeare' a couple of times, but not why you mentioned him. Well... I'm teasing a bit, but I like reading what you sing, so maybe you could do that?
Thanks in advance,
Hans
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Thanks so much for the comments.
I took the advice of Tunemonger, Oleman, and Majic and:
1. After much searching in Logic found the Vintage Console EQ which allowed me to use a high-pass filter and brighten the vocals.
2. I replaced the BB drums with some GrooveMonkey midi loops loaded into EZdrummer (Jazz kit)
I am much happier with the sound now and am really pleased that you offered that advice. I am uploading the new version on Soundcloud.
To Birchwood - thanks for the comments. I have actually decided to take out the piano and the acoustic guitar altogether. I think it was too much going on in the background. I have put the lyrics here so you can read them without having to decipher my deteriorating voice!
Thinking makes it so.
Some guy is coming around, proclaiming what is right.
You point out why he is wrong, and then you both begin to fight.
I said hey, there’s something you should know.
There ain’t no right or wrong, its just opinion makes it seem to be so.
Some folks say you shouldn’t. Others that you should.
Some think you’re pretty cool. Some say you’re no good.
I said hey, there’s something you oughta know.
You’re neither one thing or the other, its just opinion makes it seem to be so.
Some people call me a sinner. Some say that I’m a saint.
I know that I know that I am what I am,
and I know that I’m not what I ain’t.
Just like Bill Shakespeare told us, a long, long time ago.
When Hamlet turned to Rosencrantz and said there’s something that I know
There is nothing either good or bad
But thinking makes it so.
break
You might think I’m a sinner. You might think I’m a saint.
I know that I know that I am what I am,
and I know that I’m not what I ain’t.
Well William Shakespeare told us, a long, long time ago.
When Hamlet turned to Rosencrantz and said there’s some thing that I know
There is nothing either good or bad
But thinking makes it so.
break
There ain’t no right or wrong, it’s just opinion makes it seem to be so.
It ain’t one thing or the other, it’s only thinking makes it seem that you know .
There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.
Last edited by Chris Dent; 08/22/20 07:46 PM.
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Very cool blues number!! I like this arrangement a lot, and I thought the vocals were stellar!! Fun lyrics too!! Take care. Greg
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Nice blues indeed. Or boogie  Your performances on guitar and vocals were in the pocket. Lotta truth in that lyric ... some folks just have to have a slot to slide you in! Enjoyed it! 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! Our Videos are here on our website.
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I couldn't help fiddling with the mix on this. I ended up putting all the instruments back in. It is probably a bit over the top regarding the rhythm section now but it sort of gives the piece a 'live' feel that is more fun. I'll probably change my mind again one day and set it back to a quartet sound but for now it has four guitarists (three of which are me), piano, organ, bass and drums - all going for it! https://soundcloud.com/user-663569023/thinking-makes-it-so
Last edited by Chris Dent; 09/09/20 06:09 PM.
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Hi Chris,
I made a mistake while replying to you in a post for my song. I thought we hadden't met and I hadn't listen to your song, but I did. So don't become disapointed when you read all that.
Here I want to thank you for showing the lyrics. I think I dissagree with Shakespeare though! In my song you heard why...
Hans
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I like this retro style. Like the mix, guitar work, lyrics - everything. Your voice is well-suited to this genre.
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Very Cool!
Great vibe, well written lyrics.
Mix sounds pretty good to me.
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Hi Chris,
This was an excellent listen!
Really well played and produced...
The only really qualm I have with your post is that you didn't include the lyrics! (How we sposed to sing along?)
Thanks for posting...
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Chris,
A good, clever write- original lyrics worth paying attention to ( unusual for a blues song ).
Nothing wrong with your vocal and the guitar work is excellent.
I couldn`t hear a big difference on the newest version... maybe I`d give a nod to the simpler band on the previous, but both are fine.
Robert
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Hi Chris
Good vocal and guitar work on a nice bluesy number. Enjoyed it.
Regards,
Leon
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Nice - the band is a little full but it works.
The brightening of the vocals has also increased the sibilant stuff...you could notch that out.
Cheers
rayc
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Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
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