This is my final entry in the Xtra Styles competition in the Country category (content copied from original post).

Southern Comfort


I wasn’t going to enter in this category as Country’s not really my genre but then I thought “nothing ventured nothing gained”. Also BIAB makes it fairly easy to try out genres that you may not be so familiar with.

I used the _SALOON style which was very inspiring including both Resonator and Pedal Steel guitar tracks. However, I found it too busy so alternated between the Resonator and Steel guitars for the verse and chorus.

Also, the song has quite a few “pushes” which I found created unnatural sounding Pedal steel and resonator chord transitions so I created a parallel version of the song with no pushes and used the Resonator and Pedal steel tracks from this version.

For the solo guitar I decided to have the day off and found a very tasty RT (413:Guitar, Electric, Soloist Train Pickin'). I generated two versions of the solo and cherry picked the bits I liked the most from each one to create the final solo. I also added edgy (L) and clean (R) amp models and chorus to the solo track and finally added my vocals.

****** Song Summary *************
Title: Southern Comfort (Xtra Styles Comp)
File:Southern Comfort (Xtra Styles Comp).SGU
Key=E , Tempo 95, Length (m:s)=2:21
Style is _SALOON.STY (Saloon Funky Resonator Country)

RealTracks in style: 1416:Bass, Electric, PopSw16Sync Sw16 075
RealTracks in style: 2627:Guitar, Resonator, RhythmPlus BluesFunkyRandy Sw16 075
RealTracks in style: 1421:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopCrossover Sw16 075
RealTracks in style: 876:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm NorthernRockFuzzyQuarters Sw16 075
RealTracks in style: ~~363:Pedal Steel, Background Ev 085
RealDrums in style: NashCrossovrSw16^10-a:Snare, Closed Hat Push Beat 2 , b:Snare, Open Hat Boogaloo

RealTrack added: 413:Guitar, Electric, Soloist Train Pickin' Ev 130
*******************

Lyrics:
Well I’m driving this highway,
Through haunted dusty towns,
Heading for Nashville,
Near the Mason-Dixon line

The Grand Ole Opry
Looks mighty fine to me
But I won’t be stopping
Got somewhere else to be

Every place I see it just reminds me
Of every moment that I spend with you
With every mile I’m getting even closer
Southern Comfort pay your due

Now I’m headin for Memphis
Seeing sights that make me think
Of times gone by
Nearly drove me to drink

Now things are lookin better
Got you on my mind
Be there before you know it
Feeling mighty fine

Every place I see it just reminds me
Of every moment that I spend with you
With every mile I’m getting even closer
Southern Comfort pay your due

Enjoy!
Rec

I really like this song a lot. I think you did a great job on this one.

Charlie

Cheers Charlie, much appreciated.

Rec

Really catchy tune!! Very nice changes, and some cool lyrics. You have a real knack for melody. For me, the vocal seems too buried in the mix. You sing really well, and I would bring it up 2-4 db. I also feel the arrangement is a bit busy at times. Love the song!! Take care. Greg

Rec, caught this one first thing this morning and loved it, only getting around to saying something now. All your songs have a real "arena singalong" feel to them, and I love the guitar solo at the end of this one too

Thanks a lot Greg for your comments. I think the same as you about the vocals being buried. It was weird with this song - I spent ages and ages adjusting the relative levels. I would increase one thing which caused something else to be buried. I even tried sidechain compression so that the vocals reduced the levels on the guitar tracks when they kicked in but couldn't get it to sound natural. I also agree about the how busy the song is in places. I think the _SALOON Style is excellent but you have to separate the RTs and not use them all at once! There may well be a version 2 of this song before too long



Cheers Will B Glad you enjoyed this one too and thank you for your positive comments. My other Xtra Style competition entries were mostly about sad or unhappy things so I wanted a more upbeat feel to this one that people could sing along to.

All the best,
Rec

Very singalong and catchy.
Yes, bring the vocal up as Greg suggested...its a good melody that will come out more.
There`s still time for a remix before the contest closes!

Robert

Yes bringing up the vocals and thinning out the backing tracks would put this excellent song over the top for me.

You have a very good voice so put it on the top.

This is an excellent song that just needs a little polish IMHO.

Many thanks for the comments and suggestions Robertkc and MarioD.
I am working on a version 2 mix

Rec

Nice song - agree with the comments it's a bit busy in parts - perhaps lose the pedal steel? (particularly during the guitar solo)

Nice and catchy.

Peter

Thanks Peter, yes that's one of the changes I have made and I will be uploading a new version soon...

Cheers,
Rec

Updated mix now posted on Soundcloud (use same link as before or click here).

- Removed a lot of overlaps for pedal steel, resonator and guitar.
- Brought vocals forward in the mix
- Other minor tweaks

Rec

Oh yeah! That is a much cleaner mix and the gain on the vocals sounds good. FWIW, I ascribe to the notion that perfection is approached when there's nothing left to take away rather than when there's nothing left to add.

Your soundstage now allows each track to have it's own place w/o stepping on others. I think all of your efforts paid off and you have a nice song for the contest.

And like Mario said you have a nice voice...so keep it on top!

We enjoyed it!

J&B

As Jon Lovitt used to say "That's the ticket"!! Sounds great now. Fantastic song. Vocal sounds great-you're a great singer-don't be shy, just put it out front. Excellent mix!! Take care. Greg

Thanks Janice, Bud and Greg for taking the time to listen to the remix and for the vote of confidence.
Much appreciated

Cheers
Rec

Rec,

I enjoyed that!
Cool solo and thanks for the insights into how you did the song, nice to see how others work so's that I can adapt stuff and use myself!

great stuff
Alyn

Rec,

Enjoyed that. Like Greg said... "this is catchy!"... terrific melody. The song itself had a feel like the California Country Rock bands - Poco comes to mind...

Nice. Smooth. A great listen...

floyd



(btw..thanks for the very nice comments on "I Love You When It Rains"... did not want to bump it again, as I had another ready to go...)

Rec,
You`ve cracked it on the remix.Now its radio ( & contest!) ready.

Robert

Very cool tune. Loved the lyric and vocal

Cheers Alyn. Glad you enjoyed the song and found the information useful.



Thanks a bunch Floyd for your positive comments. Quite understand re "I Love You When it Rains" and I meant every word.



Thanks a lot Robert. The competition seems to be hotting up with all the great entries from so many. I've not looked at the forum for a day or so and there's so much to catch up on!



Cheers Scott, kind of you.

Rec