This is my soft rock version of the public domain traditional Christmas hymn Joy To The World. Mostly having fun singing with biab/rts and experimenting with mixing since I haven't had time to write much lately.

It's all realtracks and me singing lead with my "choir" which includes tracks of me singing harmony plus some from the harmonizer.

Hope you enjoy it. I tried some different things mixing so lemme know ....

JOY TO THE WORLD

Thanks for listening.

EDIT: Okay, so I tried an experiment - maybe I'll be a poster child - or not - LOL! We're all friends here. I'm adding a Melodyne version of this to SC - same link - I'll label it. The only changes are the intro and I added an organ near the end. I just set Melodyne to pitch correct 100% NO pitch drift and NO manual adjustments and No other adjustments were made to the mix, pan, levels or effects on any vocals. (I couldn't use Melodyne on the TCH because I only have the singletrack.) So what do you think if you're game to listen again?

Josie,

A great arrangement! Excellent delivery as well. I especially like when the "choir" comes in - nice touch...

Bob

Josie, The mix sounds good, the choir is really cool. The arrangement is unique and I like the little bluesy touch to the vocal. The intonation on the first verse really threw

me at first. Then as I got further along I saw what you were shooting for and I like the idea. I went back and listened to the first verse about 10 times and I came to the

conclusion that it is a little pitchy in spots like the first time you sing the word "world". I know you are trying for that blue note and I really do like the overall idea of the

arrangement. Also I liked the modulation. Thanks for sharing. Tom

Thank you Bob, glad you got it.

Tommy,

Thank you. After what I’ve been through with sinus I’m lucky to sing at all. LOL! Maybe I should’ve waited til all clear but I had fun. I debated about leaving that first part on there. It’s a soul oriented arrangement. I don’t claim to be a perfect singer even when I’m on top of my game. As far as I’ve heard there aren’t any without help from Melodyne. I’m really glad the mix is good.

Don’t take me wrong, I don’t mind your comment about “pitchy” but fair warning - if the pitch police are coming out on this forum a lot of heads are going to roll. LOL!

Josie,
Nice rendition and arrangement.
OBTW, although it's been months, I still launch into "It is what it is" whether I hear the phrase. Such a strong hook!
SD

Josie, I should be the last one to call the pitch police. I am the one who puts up questionable vocals on the forum. I think you are a very good singer and I love everything

you post. I was just giving an opinion to help make your recording a little better. “I have opinions of my own - strong opinions - but I don't always agree with them.” All

the best-I really did like the rendition. Tom

OK... hey it's that time of the year again isn't it?

I like the version.... smooth, easy rock. Nice parts.... the guitars and such sound good.

To me, the first verse is pitchy as has been mentioned above.... once you get going it smooths out a bit. I like the harmony and the modulations.

Singing with a stuffy nose is not ideal. I try to avoid it totally because, for me, it doesn't end well. I use that time to work on guitar chops instead.
In addition, a stuffed up head usually affects the ears, and hearing details in a mix is critical and very difficult to do when you have a head cold.

Josie:

Nice version. I enjoyed the modulations and the harmonies.

John

Hi Josie,

nice arrangement. The mosulations are a good idea.

Guenter

Thank you, SD, Herb, John and Guenter.

As an experiment, I ran the vocals and harmonies except the TCH ones through Melodyne singletrack formerly called Essentials. I just set it to 100% pitch correct with no pitch drift correction. No manual adjustments - long day at work and didn't have time to get that involved with the amount of tracks I have.

All settings for all vocals are exactly the same as the original mix. I did eliminate them from the intro and add an organ pad for a few bars toward the end of the song. Otherwise it's exactly the same. No effects, volumes, pans, etc., were changed.

So I thought it would be a fun experiment. It's just a little Christmas song I did for fun so no big deal. We're all friends here.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on how it affects my voice or whatever you thoughts are if you don't mind listening. <grin>

PS. Tommy, I think you are wonderfully talented with many gifts and make this forum more enjoyable by being here and contributing as much as you do. I appreciate your opinions. My police remark was meant as humor in general and not directed at you personally.

Hi Josie,

I like the Melodyne version better than the original.

George

Josie, I vote for Melodyne. Thanks for your kind remarks. No harm no foul. Tom

Josie,

1st of all I like your production and overlays of harmonies on this song. With this said after reading all the post above re: pitch and Melodyne I have a different theory, mine is a chord or in my mind anyway a "wrong chord theory".

When the vocal comes to the "Lord is come" line I am hearing a chord that in my mind just does not fit the melody, or after even more thought it could be the style chosen is giving you one too many beats on that chord when they should be a change there.

On a side note regarding "wrong chords" if you have never played with a good trumpet player and experienced the funny face they make (usually followed by a dirty look) when surprised with an incorrect chord or even a variation of the "correct chord" they weren't expecting you haven't lived.

Just my thought, bottom-line very good effort on this old classic.

Later,

Hi Josie,

that's much better. It's not flat anymore.
Joy to the world.

Guenter

Josie,

Cool arrangement! Kinda "rockin'" in a smooth, casual way (thought you might start really rockin' out towards the end...get that choir riled up..).

I could see doing a whole CD of "mildly rockin'" Christmas songs... I think you could sell that..

The newer version works...

floyd

Josie,

The melodyne version is much better. I like this sorta rockin version and the modulations are cool.

Greg

Thank all of you - Tommy, George, Guenter, Greg, Danny and Floyd, I appreciate the extra listen and feedback.

Danny, it's going from 1 to 1maj7 every two bars in the verses. I will give what you said some serious thought. Have never played with a live trumpet player but did sing with a terrific sax player.

Wow, Floyd. that made my day! Might be a fun project for me. On this song, I wanted to do an arrangement like I heard as a kid in our racially mixed church - where half the crowd clapped on the down beat - with the "choir" increasing punch and a big finish but I got frustrated trying to get the voices like I wanted, especially the males.



Well, based on this little experiment and my battles with allergies/sinus, I should learn how to really use Melodyne. I'll have to figure out how to keep the fullness of my natural flat sharp whatever voice since my husband thinks it makes me sound in tune but "sucks the soul out" of my voice.

Yet another thing to learn. To quote myself, I can use all the help I can get. LOL!

Hi Josie

I agree with Greg here. I would also suggest looking at the chords again like Danny said. I often find if I just go back to very simple chords I am able to put a better vocal to something, especially if I know the song quite well.

Interesting mix. Hope you have a very happy Christmas.

I agree with your husband as you DO have a soulful voice and computer wizardry goes some way to destroy that.
Still it sounds like you had fun doing the song.

I sympathise with you with your sinus problems as I permanently have problems since a sports injury destroyed my right one half a century ago!

Alyn

When I first heard the song, I wasn't sure if I should comment because of the pitch problems. Especially since pitch is a huge problem with me!

Melodyne fixed the pitch issues, and the song really shines now.

Gotta add Melodyne to my goodies list now...

Joanne,

Thank you. I hear you. Also you have to watch for the way the chord inversions work together with the different instruments and the vocal notes even on simple chords....it's always something. Hey there might be a song in that phrase...LOL!

Hope you have a Merry Christmas too and that you and that sweet little ornery lovable Westie are both over that nasty pitbull attack.

Like them both Josie and like the way you explore and experiment. Refreshing.
Joy to you also! - Richard.

Hi, Josie !:))

I am a little late but
forgive me for that, I have been
out singing barbershop lately and have
not been around !:))

But, Josie, I must say that you
have made a mighty superb arrangement
of this beutiful Carol !:))
I am awed !!!:))) Just great Josie !!

Cheers
Dani

Hi Josie,

Gosh you sing beautifully. This was so good to listen to! I notice that there has been a comment or two on the chord progression. Personally, I'm a fan of the chords you used. I think they're very inventive and created some really nice musical tensions that resolved with a very satisfying sense of resolution. In fact, I reckon more could even be made from this!

I'm with floyd, I bet you could market a CD of songs like this

Best wishes,
Noel

I like the swirling vocal chorus in the first version, they both sound great

It's always interesting to hear a radically different interpretation of a standard. And sometimes they work - as does your song! Janice particularly like the choir and the key change. It all landed in a nice place.

David, Rich, Dani, Noel, Gruve, Janice and Bud. Thanks to all of you for listening. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Merry Christmas.


Josie

Josie, I’m late to the party but very glad that I came. This is fantastic. I really like the I-Imaj7 chords. A fantastic job on everything!

Melodyne is fantastic isn’t it!

Merry Christmas.

Hi Josie!

That was real nice! We loved the simplicity yet fullness of the cut. We particularly enjoyed the modulation with the background choir...sweet! And your voice is crisp and clear. Thanks for a super listen! Merry Christmas!!!

Al & Di

Mario, Alan and Di. Thank you.
I appreciate you taking the time to listen and your comments.

Meanwhile, for anyone else seeing this, I'm removing this song from SCloud since Christmas is over to use the space for other things - I don't have a pro account so I don't keep all my songs up on there.

All the best,

Josie