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#647572 03/19/21 09:27 AM
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My latest.....

It is a song about rising to your level of total incompetence in the professional world. If you detect any political buffoonery overtones in this..... well.... that's in the ear of the listener.


Aside from that.... dang I had some fun with it. So here's the specs on the details.

Style is a swing called Jumble hard rock shuffle.
Bass 2749
Piano 1591
B3 425
Drums are hard rock shuffle.

I'm singing on this and playing the guitars. It should be noted of course that I am using the new Spark modeling amp on the guitar parts. The rhythm is a clean amp of some sort.... might be a hardware default as well, and the leads are a crunch style that was edited from one of the hardware defaults. This is a pretty amazing little amp and the more I use it the more I'm liking what I hear. I am using my Joyo Ultimate Drive pedal on the front end, just to be totally honest. This pedal is not so much for distortion as it is to give a boost to the guitar's signal. I run it on a low and clean setting as a preamp because my Modern Tele is a bit weak on it's stock pickups.

Circle Back


It took me a while to write the lyrics to this. A line here.... a line there.... one day.... hey, I had it halfway done. Hope you enjoy it.


And the lyrics:

I've asked a lot of questions don't tell me no lies
just give me the truth try it on for size
You know you can do it you know that you can
caught like a deer in a hunters spotlight
can't decide whether to run, stand, or fight
You wish that it was over and you could just go home

You don't know what to say, you don't know what to do
One thing is certain, you're definitely screwed
With your intellect alone, you can't possibly win this one
No one will be happy no matter what you say
But you had to have a sense it would end up this way
Then like a puppet you say.... I'll have to circle back. Say What?

Standing up in front of the crowd,
I can't believe my ears you actually said that out loud
Lord have mercy, what are you gonna say now?
Ramblin on, do you hear what you say
Do you know what you're talking about on any given day
Yeah I don't know, I find it hard to believe

You don't know what to say, you don't know what to do
One thing is certain, you're definitely screwed
With your intellect alone, you can't possibly win this one
No one will be happy no matter what you say
But you had to have a sense it would end up this way
Then like a puppet you say.... I'll have to circle back... What's that even mean?

I'll have to circle back, let me check with the boss, and circle back
I'll have to circle back, let me check my facts, and circle back

I'll have to circle back..... let me get back to you on that.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 03/20/21 05:39 AM.

You can find my music at:
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Enjoyed the song! Good emoting on the vocal.

Nice mix - so much... everything. But lots of guitar!

Fun listen! laugh


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

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Great vocal, lyric and guitar. Very well produced. I’ve been looking at that amp for a while and now I think you just gave me the final push. Looks like a fun thing to take on the road this summer. I really liked this one, Tom

Last edited by tommyad; 03/20/21 09:44 AM.
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This is one of those tunes that we just liked from the git go to the tag. No need to parse it out.

All is good...the write (great hook), the vocal/guitar performances, the amp and that fine group you called into the studio. The shuffle drums and shuffle piano are are right in our rhythm wheelhouse...drivin'

Most enjoyable!

J&B


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That amp is in very competent hands that is for sure! Super chops, great mix, fantastic vocal, and outstanding lyrics.

This is a winner.


The bumper sticker said "I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal".
Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road.

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Hi Herb.
I very much enjoyed this . The vox has the perfect sardonic component to tell this story in a convincing manner . All instruments are nicely placed in the mix with a width and depth that is pleasing to the ear. I know nothing about guitars but I could tell from the opening stanza that some magic might happen. It did . A fine exuberant display of quality production and storytelling. Well done.
cheers
Gary.

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A good rockin' rhythm throughout.
Amp sound good.

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Sweet toe-tappin' fun!

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Cool song. Well written. Good use of the band. Good production. Good job.


My music can be heard at: The Cracks
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Herb

Good sound throughout, nice vocal and performance.

Guitar playing was very nice and the guitar sounds excellent in the mix.

Enjoyed it.

Peter

dcuny #647945 03/22/21 05:31 AM
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Originally Posted By: dcuny
Enjoyed the song! Good emoting on the vocal.

Nice mix - so much... everything. But lots of guitar!

Fun listen! laugh

Lots of Guitar? Seriously? I thought the guitar, at least the rhythm was kinda hiding in there and peeking through occasionally.

I'm glad you enjoyed it though.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
tommyad #647947 03/22/21 05:43 AM
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Originally Posted By: tommyad
Great vocal, lyric and guitar. Very well produced. I’ve been looking at that amp for a while and now I think you just gave me the final push. Looks like a fun thing to take on the road this summer. I really liked this one, Tom


Tom, glad you had a listen and enjoyed the song.

So, the Spark amp. It's certainly a cool little amp. A buddy of mine who also has a studio and has turned me on to some good studio gear, recommended it to me. I'm not sure now of the turn around time, but when I ordered it, there was a back order and it took several months to get it. I think 4 or 5 months....but they did keep you informed via email as they were able to update the progress of the order. the amp is pretty cool as a studio amp and it's got a ton of nice stuff in it. Dozens of Amp and pedal models that you can mix and match plus it lets you save much of it in presets. You can also use it as a straight up amp. The knobs are kinda small and close together... a bit of a pain, and it's a classic knobs on top design.... a pain in the studio if you have it on a tilted back stand. But... using a smartphone or iPad/tablet, no one really needs to touch the knobs anyway..... it has a free app that syncs with bluetooth and lets you control the amp, and access all of the internal models. It is small, and it is light, and it sounds good, and can be quite loud. All pluses. While it has a headphone out, there's no line out or footswitch to change the 4 hardware presets. ALL in ALL.... a great sounding little amp that's easy to carry around with you.

On this recording, the amp was actually running pretty quiet. I think you will probably enjoy this amp. And the while the price is going up, it's still reasonable.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Originally Posted By: Janice & Bud
This is one of those tunes that we just liked from the git go to the tag. No need to parse it out.

All is good...the write (great hook), the vocal/guitar performances, the amp and that fine group you called into the studio. The shuffle drums and shuffle piano are are right in our rhythm wheelhouse...drivin'

Most enjoyable!

J&B



Well I reckon that about says it all. Glad you enjoyed it from the git-go!


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Mario D
Quote:
That amp is in very competent hands that is for sure! Super chops, great mix, fantastic vocal, and outstanding lyrics.
This is a winner.


It's certainly a fun little amp. Thanks for the listen and comments

Gary Weder
Quote:
Hi Herb I very much enjoyed this . The vox has the perfect sardonic component to tell this story in a convincing manner . All instruments are nicely placed in the mix with a width and depth that is pleasing to the ear. I know nothing about guitars but I could tell from the opening stanza that some magic might happen. It did . A fine exuberant display of quality production and storytelling. Well done.
cheers


Thanks.... glad you liked it.


Floyd
Quote:
A good rockin' rhythm throughout. Amp sound good.


Much appreciated. brief and to the point


Gruverider
Quote:
Sweet toe-tappin' fun!


It's gotta be fun right?


jptjptjpt
Quote:
Cool song. Well written. Good use of the band. Good production. Good job.


Thank you for commenting. sounds like you liked it.



PeterF
Quote:
Good sound throughout, nice vocal and performance. Guitar playing was very nice and the guitar sounds excellent in the mix. Enjoyed it.


Again... thank you for listening and taking the time to comment.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 03/23/21 07:21 AM.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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A great toe-tapping, hand-clapping, table-thumping number. Just what I need to get me going at 5am!


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Good lyrics (I've encountered a few people who fit that bill), singing, guitar work, band and mix. Much enjoyed.
Regards,
Leon

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Now THAT'S entertainment. Hot vocals, hot band, hot guitars. Big fun listen.


BIAB 2021 Audiophile. Windows 10 64bit. Songwriter, lyricist, composer(?) loving all styles. Some pre-BIAB music from Farfetched Tangmo Band's first CD. https://alonetone.com/tangmo/playlists/close-to-the-ground
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Cool!
Powerful vocals, nice mix.

moto

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Herb, you have such a great tone to your voice. I wish I could get some of that in my voice. You also have a great sense of rhythm in your singing. It makes it great to listen too. Really cool song.


Chad (Hope that makes it easier)

TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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Ghostgum
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A great toe-tapping, hand-clapping, table-thumping number. Just what I need to get me going at 5am!


glad it got you going.... what is this 5am of which you speak?

Leon1
Quote:
Good lyrics (I've encountered a few people who fit that bill), singing, guitar work, band and mix. Much enjoyed.
Regards,


this was inspired by our newest WH press secretary spokewoman..... but yeah, I've known a few like that in my time too. Glad you enjoyed this song.

Tangmo
Quote:
Now THAT'S entertainment. Hot vocals, hot band, hot guitars. Big fun listen.


Now THAT'S how you write a review.... thanks.

Captainmoto
Quote:
Cool! Powerful vocals, nice mix.


All I do is put the mic on a stand and let it rip.... glad you are liking it.

Heartolearn
Quote:
Herb, you have such a great tone to your voice. I wish I could get some of that in my voice. You also have a great sense of rhythm in your singing. It makes it great to listen too. Really cool song.


Thank you. rhythm is life.....glad you liked it.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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