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#734305 10/10/22 11:44 AM
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Hi all,

I haven't posted in a long, long time but I have checked in from time to time. The quality of the song recordings keep getting better.

I'm back in the studio and well into recording an Americana-tinged album.

My first release is You Have to Like Lonesome. I wrote it, with a bit of lyric help from my friend Ron Beliveau,last year. From start to finish, including a guitar vocal demo, the entire session lasted 90 minutes. I revised a few words but that was it. Quite the exception to the rule for my songwriting labors. The BIAB arrangement took a lot of time, as I had a hard time finding the right feel for the song.

https://fredgrittner.bandcamp.com/track/you-have-to-like-lonesome

RealTracks
2903:Bass, Acoustic, BluesyPopByron Ev 100
2906:Piano, ElectricVintage, Rhythm BluesyPopMike Ev 100
3162:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm BluesyPopHeldEmbelBrent Ev 100
3162:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm BluesyPopHeldEmbelBrent Ev 100
2935:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm FolkPulse8thsFintan Ev 110
RealDrums
FunkyGroove60s^1-a: Snare & Tom , b: 8ths Hat, Snare

Thanks for checking it out.

Update: I remixed the vocal to add more reverb. Floyd and other forum members, thanks for the advice. It does sound better. I have updated the file on the Bandcamp link above.

Last edited by fgrittner; 10/24/22 02:50 AM.

Fred Grittner
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Hi Fred & Ron ...

This is very nice! Real nice selection of backing tracks - the drum track was a truly great choice. I like the lyric a lot. And your vocal is excellent - full and rich. The lyrical hook "hooked" me immediately.

Your mix is spot on. Every instrument was in its proper palce and was easily distinguishable in the mix. Good balance on all the tracks.

Your vocal pulled me in as much anything. I really enjoyed it - and everything else. Very nice!

Alan


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Ah, it starts with a really good song, and you brought in a beauty, Fred. A catchy melody, and relatable lyrics, the perfect band in a pleasing mix. Then you add your soft, emotional vocal and you made a hit. Very enjoyable. Good luck with the album.


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Fred...really well done song...especially lyrically..."a fool's a fool that fools himself" (great line)...so well written and composed...I really like the band you put together...my ears were waiting for a lead instrument...steel guitar or mellow electric...all of your backing instruments seem to be rhythm...an occasional movement from a lead player could add some emotion and help keep the rhythm section from becoming predictable IMO...you have a great voice...really nice! Dan

Last edited by firesong; 10/11/22 03:13 AM.

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Fred,

Great to see you back!

Another excellent write.

"The church gave up its stain glass
This town gave up its soul
I feel like one sad soldier
Lost out on patrol"

Nice!

The BAND works.
Your vocals always strike me as "authentic" (whatever that may mean...)
I like a dry (ish) vocal for this, but I thought it was just a TOUCH too dry (maybe a hint of reverb, a hint of delay?)

Enjoyed the listen (as usual)

For those who were not around the last time Fred was posting, you should check out his 52-week-song-a-week blog (in his signature). Good stuff from beginning to end.

fj

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This is a good song with a great voice and exceptionally good lyrics smile

What I'm missing a bit is some kind of climax, nothing big, something simple like the very last "You have to like lonesome
When you're just a one-man show"
with less or no other instruments.

But that's just nitpicking, as I said, I already like the song as it is now.

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Love the hook and great structure. Vocals fit it very well.

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Wow, I didn't come to the forum until this year, so I don't think I've heard any of your stuff - yet. I'm going to have to check it out. I really like the writing on this one - fantastic chorus. I love that line "A hundred miles from nowhere with no place left to go" Great mix as well. I do agree with Floyd and Dan as far as the vocal may be a little dry and a little bit of a lead line here and there may add a lot. Nice to hear you,

Brad

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Nothing to add that hasn't already been said - good write, well song.

Enjoyed listening!


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Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

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Fred and Ron,

It's good to see you post another one! I like it! It's got kind of a country sound with a rhythm and blues backing and it works for me! Great song!

Thanks, Torrey

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Alan,

Thanks for your comments. My vocals seem to have improved,in large part because I am singing in lower keys these days.


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Firesong, thanks for your comments. I did try to add a pedal steel but I couldn't make it fit the way I wanted it to.


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Floyd,

Thanks for your generous comments. It is good to be back. I just finished a mix on a song where the arrangement had bedeviled me for yours. I feel like I am getting back into stride.

I checked the vocal and I agree I didn't add enough reverb. I just tweaked it and it sounds much better. Thanks.

And thanks for the shout out on my 52 tracks project blog site.


Fred Grittner
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Thank you Torrey, David, Brad, Dewey, B.D., and Marty for listening to my song and for posting comments and suggestions. I do study suggestions for improvement and do use them, if not in this song, if one of my other tunes.

I will be posting more songs in the days ahead. You'll find I write in a lot of genres.


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Hi Fred,

I've been here four years and I think this is the first time I've heard you. I was really impressed. I like your lyrics a lot and I especially like that they fit so well into the melody. It's a really good song. I feel like something needs to happen to differentiate the chorus. You could use a different drum beat, or maybe add another instrument on the chorus only. Of course, I feel this song is screaming for some harmonies on the chorus but I realize that isn't always doable. I use fiverr for vocalists, there is one there under the name craftups that will add harmonies for $20. Just a thought. Anyway, great job, it's thoroughly enjoyable as is and I look forward to hearing more of your work.


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Thanks T,

I appreciate your suggestions and the info on the harmony singer. I will take a look.

I wish I could write songs like this more often. It magically appeared. I took dictation.


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Hello Fred
Very nice song with great melody
Well sung
Sounds very good
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

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Andi,
Thanks for the comments. I like your brevity!


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Really nice write......lots of great images!!! I think the band was perfect and the vocal had just the right feel!!! Nicely done!!! Take care. Greg

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Fred

Been a few years!

Very nice laid back song. Enjoyed it.

Peter

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