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Posted By: floyd jane Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/04/14 04:16 PM
>>>>>>>>>> A NEW MIX WAS UPLOADED ON 3/5/14 @ 6:55 <<<<<<<<<<<<<

A co-write (Tom and floyd) - and a "collab" with Janice and Bud...

Tom (tommyad) sent a song that he had just written and ask if I wanted to "join in".
Perhaps another verse or bridge...

Having seen old friends walk away from long term relationships, he felt he needed to "say something"...

I tweaked the verses a bit and extended the chorus a bit... hopefully, staying true to Tom's original message.
Tom's original (beautiful, but very range-y) melody is essentially intact..

I recorded the song based on a track layout that Tom had sent (using a different acoustic, a different ep).
I did the vocal and some harmonies (2) and then asked Janice to add some (2 - thanks, Bud!) as well..
Tom added the lead guitar. (I think it is GORGEOUS!)
I mixed that (it's like a magic pot).
Tom then Mastered it.
A real team effort... (Peter - thank you for the friends that you have brought me!)

Did not intend to post this quite so soon "on the heels" of the last one, but..
Today is my birthday.
Turns out... it's Tom's birthday, too.
We just found that out this morning.
So this is a "celebration".

We hope you enjoy it. I know we all enjoyed putting it together...

Lead guitar: Tom Adams
Vocal: floyd jane
Harmonies: Janice Merritt and floyd jane

The rest of the band...
RealTracks in song: ~701:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesSync Ev 085
RealTracks in song: ~1639:Piano, Electric, Rhythm JazzFunkBreezy Ev16 075
RealTracks in song: 1761:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Pop16ths Ev16 085
RealTracks in song: ~542:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Dreamy Ev 085
RealDrums in Song: NashvilleEven8^1-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride


TELL HER

you're wondering how this happened
goodbye still lingers in the air
numbering the reasons for letting go
you lie and say you just don't care

(chorus)
you don't have to live without her
you don't have to let her just walk away
there's still love in her eyes when she looks at you
tell her that you want her to stay
whatever it takes
don't let love slip away
listen to your heart while there's still a chance
tell her that you want her to stay
just tell her

you've had your share of rough roads
through it all, you've both been there
so, take your time; think this through
she's not the only one who cares

repeat chorus
solo
repeat chorus


Comments encouraged.

Have at it...

floyd


Posted By: 90 dB Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/04/14 04:24 PM
Most excellent. Great colab.

Happy birthday to both of you guys.


Regards,


Bob
Posted By: big741 Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/04/14 04:44 PM
Happy birthdays, you two!

Thanks for giving us this lovely present for your birthdays. Nice!

Thanks for the music,
Dan
Posted By: Sonny Ray Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/04/14 05:00 PM
Great song and happy birthday.
Posted By: Guitarhacker Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/04/14 06:22 PM
Nice job on the collab. Really good job on the writing here.

I listened to this on cheap speakers this morning but wanted to hear it on something better before I commented.

The mix is big and wide.... I like that. Vocals are forward nicely.

I'm listening now on headphones so I can hear details better.


redacted commentary on crits
Posted By: sixchannel Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/04/14 06:53 PM
Well I don't know about all that for sure.
All I know is that it's another Winner from The Showcase Music Factory.
Superb ensemble effort here. I love the lyrics, some delightful chords in the verse, great singing from EVERYONE, wonderful solo and infills from Tommy. EVERYTHING
I particularly like the way the guitar follows the notes (or is it the other way around?) of the opening notes of the chorus.
My only crit is that end chord. Doesnt seem to sit right. Just MO.
Happy Birthday, Floyd and Tommy
cheers
Ian
Posted By: Noel96 Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/04/14 07:46 PM
Hi floyd and Tommy,

I haven't listened to the music yet. I'm coming back to that tonight.

I just wanted to wish you both a happy birthday. I know I'm late. The International Date Line already puts me in tomorrow compared to the US. Just didn't want to get any later smile

Happy birthday to you,
Noel
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/04/14 08:30 PM
Bob - thanks for that. (you're due...)

Dan - appreciate it.

Sonny - thanks for taking this for a spin...

Herb - thanks. No need to wipe out comments regarding the mix - it's a forum - which by definition is "for discussion". I checked the vocal - it never exceeds 0. A couple of snare hits do, but just barely so I don't think you could pinpoint them. What you perceive as a compressor pumping is two different acoustic guitar tracks panned L & R to help give this that "big" feel. As you stated, "subtle but noticeable" which was, in fact, the intent. Thanks for the comments
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/04/14 08:38 PM
Ian - Thanks - you are most kind. Tom's guitar is cool, isn't it! That last note does make you "sit up and take notice". It is not what you expect. I love it because of that. It kind of leaves you hanging - sort of where the lyric leaves you - you just don't really know what the outcome is - whether or not it/things is/are resolved... I hope you will add this to your "listen in the car" list.. and let me know 6 weeks from now how you feel about that last note/chord... (it might be that it never "grows on you" - I'd really like to know...)

Noel - you made it in PLENTY of time! smile
Posted By: Guitarhacker Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/04/14 08:44 PM
Originally Posted By: floyd jane


Herb - thanks. No need to wipe out comments regarding the mix - it's a forum - which by definition is "for discussion".


I have "stepped in it" before over some comments on tunes here so.... hey... no problem. I withdrew those comments..... I like that song a lot.... like I said on the tune.... great job with it.
Posted By: aleck rand Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/04/14 10:30 PM
Floyd and Tom,

Fellas, that last note was the major 7th tacked onto a D maj chord, making the chord ... you guessed it ... D maj7. Now, you guys teaming up - there oughta be a law. But it's everything I expected. Interesting technical remarks by Floyd, over my head, but interesting anyway.

Another day at the office for a couple of pros.

Dean
Posted By: rsdean Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/04/14 11:11 PM
Floyd / All,

Outstanding collaboration! I liked everything about this, including the extremely cool lead guitar lines... Excellent! smile

Bob
Posted By: AudioTrack Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/04/14 11:35 PM
Great song guys, and really well produced, vocals work so well together, and a really good feel happening with the entire arrangement.

Thanks for sharing
Posted By: boehm Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/04/14 11:40 PM
Hi Floyd and company,

first happy birthday to you and Tommy.
Great collaboration.
Especially like vocals, harmonies and lead guitar.

@Ian: When I played maj7 chords my father always said that sounded wrong. He never got used to it.

Guenter
Posted By: Sundance Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/05/14 03:16 AM
Really pretty song.

Happy birthday guys!
Posted By: tommyad Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/05/14 03:40 AM
Hello everyone. I just came in from a day long celebration which included the posting of this song. I sent a couple of verses and a chorus to Floyd as a rough draft of something that came very quickly to the surface. He is a great closer and polisher and he worked his magic on the lyrics rewriting and and creating a second chorus. He really structured the song and brought it together in a cohesive manner. I tend to fly off in different directions and he was able to salvage the main idea. Thanks to everyone for the comments on the guitar parts. Once again credit to floyd for the walk up doubling the lines in the chorus. It was an inspired idea. This eventually became the signature lick. Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes, it has been a terrific day. I see a couple of new faces and want to encourage them to stick around. Regarding the maj7 note at the end. I had told floyd that I thought it was like the singer was saying oh well I tried. Regarding Herb's comments, please don't redact anything. We're big boys and personally I know you have a wealth of knowledge to share. On the compression issue I don't hear it yet, but I am still going over it. You are right about the sibilance issue and it may be a couple of things. I tried to de ess the vocal during mastering and that may have worked better during the mixing stage. There is a fine line between crispness and too much analog warmth and after de essing I tried to get back some high end. Anyway I appreciate your careful listening and your constructive comments. It helps us get better. Thanks to Janice and Bud for the vocal and the ears. Oh yeah, Happy Birthday floyd . I appreciate all the work that you put into this. Tom
Posted By: Greg Johnson Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/05/14 05:34 AM
Great effort guys!! Sweet song! Happy B-day to both of you! Always love Tom's guitar! Take care. Greg
Posted By: PgFantastic Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/05/14 06:38 AM
Outstanding work, so well written and performed; engineered, thanks for sharing!
Posted By: gibson Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/05/14 07:25 AM
Floyd and Tom,

Excellent job by all,
the chorus is really powerful with all the voices, really powerful.. I can almost sing it after the 2nd listen so it is a little earworm AAARGH laugh
good mix, excellent vocals by all concerned, good solo and nice ending

and Happy Birthday to Tom and Floyd

Alyn
Posted By: Guitarhacker Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/05/14 01:17 PM
Let me see if I can say this the right way without offending too many people.

I try to be constructive in everything I say when I comment about someone's song. I know how I feel when someone comments in a negative way on mine. I'm certainly no expert when it comes to song writing or engineering a recording, however, Ive been around music for many decades, in every aspect of it, and I do try to share my limited but growing knowledge with others to the best of my abilities. If a song structure is a bit out of the ordinary, I may comment on that. If the vocals are pitchy, it's not a slam on someone's singing abilities to say that they should consider Melodyne for the vox track. I can sing fairly well and I use ME on every single vocal track that comes through my studio as a finished track for every singer, and most especially, me.

Nothing I say when I comment on a song in any manner is intended to be hurtful or negative or seen as putting down a song or someone's talent, but I am here to tell you, I have been taken to the proverbial wood shed by some folks over some the comments I have posted.....so I'm trying to be a bit more..... uhhhh, what's the word here.....? "Sensitive?"

So, with my initial comments, it was a case of should I have, or should I not have, and I opted to pull them down. Thank you for clarifying with your reply that you do wish to get details in the commentary beyond the standard... "Hey loved it, good job".... cool

So, with that in mind, yes, I thought I did hear some compressor issues in the song, especially evident to me in the headphones in V1. Kinda like the release was slow and grabbing the entire mix, not exactly pumping but it certainly sounded like it was hitting the acoustic guitar's initial attack on the strum. You gotta listen carefully. It is very subtle. You can hear it rising back up.

OK, saying this too.... knowing how BB and RB tracks sometimes sound and how they interact with each other in weird ways, that could also be at fault and it not be totally a comp issue. More than one time I have searched a project with 12 to 20 tracks looking for something that didn't sound right and found it to simply be the interaction between 2 RB tracks causing it.

On the sibilant highs, I almost hesitate to comment when I hear that unless it's really noticeable since I realize it may be the low end speakers and headphones I monitor with breaking up and not being able to handle the high end cleanly. Cheap tweeters and a $30 set of Yamaha cans. I rarely take the time to move someone's song into my studio for a listen on my studio monitors. If it's not cutting the mustard on normal (cheap) computer monitors and my cans plugged into my lappy, the studio probably won't do it any favors either.

I know this is nit picking but I know that if it was my mix, and you heard something in the song, or the mix, that was a fixable, avoidable issue, I would appreciate the heads up on what you thought was the issue so I could learn from that experience. Sometimes, we get lazy. We hear the issue as we mix, and figure no one else will notice. (I'm guilty of doing this a lot)

Yeah.... so, no more redacting my comments. If I hear something in a song AND I decide to comment, I will let the chips fall where they may. Hear it and learn, or hear it and get mad.... it will be the choice of that individual writer/engineer. I will do my best to be sensitive, but I will be saying what I believe to be the case. As always, folks are free to PM me with their flames. I've got a fire extinguisher.

Sorry to be so long winded. We now return you to your regular forum.....

BTW: loved that guitar tone too.
Posted By: dani48 Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/05/14 03:24 PM
Hi, Tommy, Floyd & Janice !:))

I liked the tune and I liked the vocals !
Splendid co-op, I´d say !!:))
....and naturally Happy Birthday to
Tom & Floyd ....here comes the fanfare:

http://app.box.com/s/5jnj8rfhkzyyo6qnqpu9


With lots of Ice cream and strawberry pie
and ....naturally lots of nice
gifts for the jubilants !!!!!


Cheers
Dani
Posted By: Steve Young Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/05/14 06:32 PM
A lot of talent on this one!

First, happy (belated) birthday to 2 fine musicians/songwriters!

This one meets up to what I have come to expect from you guys: a first rate effort! Well crafted lyrics, and as usual, the vocals shine. Tommy, your guitar solos are impeccably tasty for this one.

I'm listening with buds for comfort, and it all sounds good to me.

Steve
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/05/14 10:28 PM
For anyone who might happen by this way...


>>>> A NEW MIX WAS UPLOAD TODAY (3/5/14) @ 6:55 <<<<<

- a bit of manual de-essing.

- Janice's harmony bumped up - 'cause we know y'all love 'er and so do we!



Thanks for listening!

Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/05/14 11:05 PM
Gonna sneak in here with a comment before Janice weighs in. Hey be careful 'cause Janice's deep south accent is beginning to peek through. I don’t have and never used a melo-whatchamaycallit pitch corrector but I might have to shop around for one of them de-drawlers.

Bud

PS Both versions are beautiful!
Posted By: gruverider Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/06/14 12:02 AM
congrats on a great colab!

mix wise: everything is in the pocket, but I especially love the kick and snare, I am just amazed at how you get them so articulate, grounding the groove yet sitting in the mix...

great song all around!
Posted By: Al-David Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/06/14 06:07 AM
Hey There, All OF You!

First, happy birthday to both guys! I have one on the 22nd of this month. I tried to figure up the years but the danged calculator started smoking, so I quit!!

Great song and production. What always impresses me is great harmony...and this puppy has a lot of it! Super job by everyone. And yeah,m that guitar sounds pretty sweet! Congrats to all involved. Ya did good!

Al & Di
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/07/14 01:51 PM
Dean - thanks for the listen - can't imagine that I could ever get "over your head"... you seem to have stored an encyclopedia up there sometimes..

Bob - appreciate the listen and comments...

Trevor - thanks for dropping by - always appreciate it.

Guenter - Thanks for all of that. "He never got used to it." - got a chuckle out of that...
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/07/14 06:52 PM
Josie - thanks. (and we do appreciate the earlier thoughts)


Greg - thanks for stopping in for a listen.


Robert - thanks for all those nice words...


Alyn - Thanks - always good to know something "sticks". Appreciate the listen..


Herb - thanks for the comments. We've addressed the sibilance issues - a combination of some post processing I did on the vocals and the mastering processing on top of that that just brought out the highs too much. There was never a compressor problem - that was just how the 2 panned acoustic guitars tracks sounded in headphones. As you noted previously, it was only evident using phones. I addressed that as well.
Posted By: MarioD Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/07/14 10:09 PM
It’s all been said!

All I can add is you should be very proud of this one and why aren’t you guys/gal under contract? This is better than most of the songs on the radio right now!
Posted By: RichMac Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/07/14 10:21 PM
Very nice. Well better than that actually. Particularly enjoyed the dynamics in the chorus and the lead guitar. Happy birthdays.
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/08/14 02:14 PM
dani - thanks! The birthday song was a delight! Is that you playing the guitar?

Steve - thanks for dropping by for a listen. hope you are doing well (and preparing your next song!)...

Bud - careful... those de-drawlers can add artifacts!..

Lawrence - thanks. On some songs, I will add a snare track and a kick track over the RT drum track so I have control over them. But I did not do that on this one - it was just the RT with a default FX chain in Studio One for a drum group - adds an EQ with a bump at 50 Hz (for the kick) and another about 3k Hz that catches the snare. Then there is a multiband dynamics that tweaks the low, low-mid and mid that is, no doubt, helping to accentuate those as well (I have not touched those to see exactly what they do - I have only recently begun using Studio One and in this case when I tried that preset to see what it did, it seemed to work without any further knob turning).
Posted By: JoanneCooper Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/08/14 02:38 PM
Hi Tommy, Floyd, Janice and Bud.
What a team!! Didn't hear the first version but I love this one. Nice write, nice vocals, great production. What else can I say except happy happy all round..
Posted By: ROG Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/08/14 11:56 PM
Hey team.

Late as usual, but managed to get in a listen tonight.

Great song! Floyd - I definitely notice something new in the way your sound is getting "bigger" on the most recent tracks. It sounds very professional and commercial and the lift that the voices give it where the chorus comes in is terrific. I also think it's good the way it then drops down again instead of just powering through - a nice touch.

Lovely guitar work, but for me, the vocals from you and Janice are superb and make the song what it is. I've only picked up on the new mix, but it sounds as good as ever to me.

Going back for a second dose.

ROG.
Posted By: Sundance Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/09/14 03:42 PM
Congrats on the updated mix. More powerful. Beautiful. Glad my suggestions helped. smile


Josie
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/09/14 09:33 PM
Al & Di - thanks for dropping in for a listen!

Mario - what a nice thing to say. Hey, a few like this and maybe we'll go looking a deal! LOL!... Thanks

Richard - thank you. we all appreciate it!
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/09/14 09:39 PM
Joanne - thank you - from the lot of us!

ROG - thanks - I was trying to make this have a good full sound in the chorus - I processed the harmonies more than I typically do - a touch more reverb on some a delay on some - so they blend into a big chorus. And I have been getting a little fuller sound lately. I think a big part of it is the combination of the vocals and the sound of Tom's guitar mixed up together. Plus Tom's touch in the mastering phase - he's been getting a good big sound these days - so that's a big part of it, too...

Josie - thanks again....
Posted By: tommyad Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/10/14 04:53 PM
I just wanted to check back in and thank all the listeners and those who took the time to comment. We were able to use some of the constructive criticism to help us tweak a few things and make it a better production. This was only the second time I have ever co-written anything and floyd made it easy. Thanks again to Janice and Bud. The overall experience of this was more than I could have hoped for. Tom
Posted By: olemon Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/13/14 01:29 AM
I've been busy elsewhere, way behind in listening. So, naturally, all of the best adjectives and accolades are taken:) And I am taken with this performance!

Great song and a super job by all.

That guitar is filled with emotion, the vocals are solid and tight. Thanks for sharing your talents.

Happy Birthday(s).
Posted By: trapper456 Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/13/14 06:26 AM
I am now listening to this work of art on my stereo and it is top notch, each one of my 4 speakers cost about $1,200.00 a piece and my stereo was very expensive also. The widening sound is just out of this world. I am going to listen to it through headphones in my Walkman CD player up on 10 and see if I get the same results. This could be hit. My GOD you guys niceeeee. Jobbbbb.
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Tell Her (co-write Tom and floyd) - 03/13/14 03:50 PM
Scott - thanks for that. appreciate it.


Bob - Always good to know it sounds good on a good system. Thanks for the kind words.
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