This is a song I put aside several months ago. It's a guitar Jazz instrumental. I've been a fan of Larry Carlton for many years and decided I would try to compose an original in his style. I think I got pretty close. The busy bass line and semi-aggressive drums are significant markers for his style, so I concentrated quite a bit on getting those two elements as close as possible. And on his live performances, he always has an EP to fill the soundstage, so I went with that, too.
If you're not a Jazz fan, this may not be your cup of tea. If you are, hope it rings true to my intentions. I have 7 or 8 hours invested in this one, quite a bit of time for me.
Thanks in advance to all who listen and drop a few words for me.
Alan
Here are the people to blame for this having happened:
File:Driving In The Passing Lane.SGU
Key=D , Tempo 125, Length (m:s)=3:17
Style is _ZOOMIN.STY (Zoomin' Soul Jazz Guitar Soloist)
RealTracks in song: 2260:Bass, Electric, FunkyGroove60s Ev 100 RealTracks in song: 4856:Organ, Rhythm SoulJazzGroovinFunkRHComping Ev 100 RealTracks in style: 4885:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm SoulJazzFastFunk Ev 130 RealTracks in style: 4886:Guitar, Electric, Soloist SoulJazzFastFunkBrent Ev 130 RealDrums in Song: BongosEv8 RealDrums in Song: TambourineSteady8ths RealDrums in style:SoulJazzFastFunkEv16: a: SyncSnare&Kick,HiHat b: SyncSnare&Kick,Ride
About My Mixing For This Song - Some Of It Applies To All My Mixes:
For anyone who might be interested, here's most of my reply to Bob (Robert Dean) regarding the dynamics of my mixing approach. Although it's specific to this particular song, much of it applies to my general approach to most songs.
I particularly appreciate that comment as that's the direction. (He was commenting about the dynamics of this song). I was attempting to take this. As far as dynamics, that took a little extra work, primarily with the bass line and the drum kit.
For a bass line that busy, tone is crucial - otherwise it can quickly get mushy or too thin. I gave the bass a fair amount of attention, mostly using BIAB's five-band EQ. I slightly pulled back on the bottom (everything lower than 60 was brought down about 10%). I then added a little more to the mid-range - not much, just a small amount- mostly between 200 & 250). And voila!
I did two things slightly differently with the drums. I usually give the drums a small amount of reverb (30 -40) to make them meld a little better with the other instrumentation. Sometimes I also give them a small amount of upper-mid EQ to enhance the toms a bit and, to a much lesser degree, give the cymbals a little more body. But in this case, I gave the entire drum kit less reverb (10), and I gave some additional high-end EQ to emphasize the cymbals while also brightening the smaller toms.
Anyway, that was my process. I'm fortunate - and thankful - to receive some nice comments on my mixes. Drums and bass play a large part in my listening preferences. I've read up a lot on mixing drums - instrument placement, too.
This is an excellent piece of music. The drums and lead guitar parts are real standouts! I love the dynamics in this track - a lively and robust mix. It sounds like it was captured "live".
Your time investment in this piece really paid off. Outstanding in every way!
Hi Al, Very good song. As Bob already mentioned, the mix really sounds like a live recording. Really very good. If you could mix in some applause at the end, the illusion would be perfect ;-) Your work has paid off, Al. Great job! Andi ;-)
While BiaB is great for making backing tracks, capturing a particular performer is a whole different thing.
I'm not familiar with enough of George's music to say it works, but I'll take your word for it. It certainly gives that feel of a soloist working his ax while the band works behind him!
As Bob says, it's got the energy of a live performance.
Love that vibe which for us leans more toward a great jazz band doing an excellent job playing some funk. That Brent guy nailed it! Outstanding RT solo work. And that Al guy nailed the arrangement and mix!
Another high, high bar BiaB in toto production and we enjoyed it!
J&B
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Hi Alan! I agree with others - this has a very live sound. All the players work well together and sound like they’ve been doing it for years - like a well-oiled machine. Well done. Andrew
Very fantastic Jazz Guitar tune! I can feel the 4 beats in the 16 beats, which makes this tune very stylish and cool. The guitar solo, bass, drums, and rhythm guitar are all perfectly matched, and the instrument selection is great. It reminds me of your long history as a jazz musician.
Super tune, Alan! That bass really sets the pace, and your "Larry" does a fine job threading a tune through the changes. Quite a clear mix, with a very present ambience. Always admired "Mr 335", and this is a sizzling tribute for sure. Well done!
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This is an excellent piece of music. The drums and lead guitar parts are real standouts! I love the dynamics in this track - a lively and robust mix. It sounds like it was captured "live".
Your time investment in this piece really paid off. Outstanding in every way!
Bob
Thank you, Bob. You mentioned, "Lively and robust mix".
I particularly appreciate that comment as that's the direction I was attempting to take this. As far as dynamics, that took a little extra work, primarily with the bass line and the drum kit.
For a bass line that busy, tone is crucial - otherwise it can quickly get mushy or too thin. I gave the bass a fair amount of attention, mostly using BIAB's five-band EQ. I slightly pulled back on the bottom (everything lower than 60 was brought down about 10%). I then added a little more to the mid-range - not much, just a small amount- mostly between 200 & 250). And voila!
I did two things slightly differently with the drums. I usually give the drums a small amount of reverb (30 -40) to make them meld a little better with the other instrumentation. Sometimes I also give them a small amount of upper-mid EQ to enhance the toms a bit and, to a much lesser degree, give the cymbals a little more body. But in this case, I gave the entire drum kit less reverb (10), and I gave some additional high-end EQ to emphasize the cymbals while also brightening the smaller toms.
Anyway, that was my process. I'm fortunate - and thankful - to receive some nice comments on my mixes. Drums and bass play a large part in my listening preferences. I've read up a lot on mixing drums - instrument placement, too.
That's probably a lot more than you wanted to read!
Hi Al, Very good song. As Bob already mentioned, the mix really sounds like a live recording. Really very good. If you could mix in some applause at the end, the illusion would be perfect ;-) Your work has paid off, Al. Great job! Andi ;-)
Hi Andi!
It's great to hear from you again. I'll listen to your new song later today. I'm looking forward to it.
Thank you for your very nice words about this song. I'm glad you liked it. Take care. I'll be over this afternoon for your song.
Definitely a jazzy good feel driving instrumental! It's a really nice mix and production. I enjoyed the ride!
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Alan, you did a fantastic job of capturing the Larry Carlton vibe. Great work on that bass and drums. Along with the guitar it does sound like a Carlton song; I like him also! As mentioned this does sound like it was recorded live. Add some bar noise (talking and drinking glass sounds) and you would have fooled a lot of people. Outstanding use of RTs and RDs. Great mix. Loved it.
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While BiaB is great for making backing tracks, capturing a particular performer is a whole different thing.
I'm not familiar with enough of George's music to say it works, but I'll take your word for it. It certainly gives that feel of a soloist working his ax while the band works behind him!
As Bob says, it's got the energy of a live performance.
Nicely done!
Thanks so much, David. Larry Carlton is most known for his great song "Room 335". Interestingly, he was playing an ES-335 when recording it and does so on most of his live gigs. I was very pleased with how this one came out.
If you're interested, here's a link to one of his live performances doing Room 335: It's one of his more juiced live performances!
Thanks for the visit and always supporting my music.
Oooo, Larry Carlton. Excellent choice. And this is an excellent piece, Alan. Man, that's some extraordinary guitar playing, and I enjoy the progression you crafted for it to stretch out in. The bass sounds excellent, too. The percussion adds so much goodness. Yep, this is passing-lane music for sure.
Enjoy whatever happens! marty
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That was a lovely song, you made! A nice rhythm and an entertaining guitar. Normally I'm not a real Jazz lover, but this one let my feet swing, and that's some achievement!!!
Sounds great Alan! (I think we all need to make sure we write out Alan and not Al, otherwise, it looks like we mean artificial intelligence, LOL.) This reminded me of the CTI sound of the 70s. I only know LC from Steely Dan, but Mr.Mason stands in well. I have trouble getting a good solo take for one verse and here you've done it for a complete song! Your notes on the drum mix are interesting, especially since we don't have all drum stems with BIAB. Or all you doing something different? Lots to enjoy here, I'm listening multiple times. Stellar work.
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Thing is Alan - all your expertise & experience as a prof musician shines all over your posts, you have a way of knitting these projects together which makes them sound authentic & real! This one is no exception - great vibe and live feel, sounds like you just stepped off the stage! Superb job as usual,
Love that vibe which for us leans more toward a great jazz band doing an excellent job playing some funk. That Brent guy nailed it! Outstanding RT solo work. And that Al guy nailed the arrangement and mix!
Another high, high bar BiaB in toto production and we enjoyed it!
J&B
Hey, Folks!
Thanks for stopping in for a listen. Much appreciated.
Yeah, Brent earned his pay on this one for sure. That guy who arranged and mixed said, "Who? Me? Really?"
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