Here is a new instrumental. Took the title of the song from the original style I started with. Replaced most of the real tracks as the song progressed.

Haunts

Here is the band.

****** Song Summary *************
Title: HAUNTS

RT675 B3 Organ
RT2482-Bass
RT3278 Vocal Mmms
RT2457 Strings
RT3267 Cello
Real Guitar 854 12 String
Real Drums RockEven8

*******************

Guitars Gibson ES335 for first verse. Gretsch Penguin for the second and third verse.
Amp was a Marshall 1974x

Effects were processed through two Eventide H9's

Scott,
Really nice playing but the 1st minute and a half had the backing at almost buried level with the snares slap being the most prominent element after the solo guitar.
I reckon the solo playing would benefit from a more snug fitting backing level.
In terms of the song the guitar is alive and the backing is a ghostly visitation.

This is a really lovely instrumental. I especially love the cello. Thanks for sharing!

'Scott C'...

Where do you find the inspiration for your instrumental productions??? I feel that you are on some kind of mission to see how deep you can get into your soul. Every time I listen to your compositions, I hear less and less instrumentation, and what there is of it, is arranged in such a quiet way that it's like the other side of your song, but in another dimension.

Haunts doesn't suggest spooks, goblins, skeletons, or bats, but it does evoke spirits that desire to break through the veil that separates us from them, to reassure us that there is, indeed, a 'peaceable kingdom', somewhere...

There's more to music than sounds.

LOREN (a.k.a. 'bluage')

Nice instrumental, Scott! I always like your tone and note choices.

I think Ray might be right about the bed being too low in the mix, would be worth trying to bring that up and see how the track sounds; very hard to hear some of the elements you mention. And that would enhance the guitar because it would be playing off something.

Cool little lick at the end with your whammy pedal!

Nicely done, Scott - I found it flowed really nicely, and the cello was a great touch. Makes for a unique and engaging listen.

Thanks for sharing

Hi Scott,

I hadn't heard from you for a while. Than, this morning SC warned me, Scott has a new song! I listened to it first thing this morning! Well, morning... I mean 3 o'clock. I couldn't sleep, probably thinking of your absence.

As always, your soloplaying is swell and this melody is very nice, a bit dreamy (could be the time of day I listened). But as Ray stated, your backing band is too soft compared with your sologuitar. Give their volume a push (upwards!) then all will fit well. Unless you did it on purpose, therefore you called it Haunted, didn't you?

Nice day,
Hans

Scott,

Really like your tone and effects and playing in this. Might be my favorite of yours. Cool stuff...

(I agree with Ray and Dave about the backing levels.)

Really enjoyed your haunting melody... Cool ending...


fj

Thanks Ray for checking out the song. Thanks for the feedback on the mix. I have a new pair of hearing aids and I am totally lost with the backtrack solo volumes. I mix first with the headphones then try and adjust with the monitors after. I have bumped up the volume of the backtrack. Funny when I compared the original wav to the Soundcloud playback it is totally different.

NOW the true coolness of it comes across - fabulous.

Thanks Ember Glad you liked the song.



Loren thanks so much for taking the time to write such a nice review. Definitely brought a smile to my face. Glad you liked the song.

Sounds great Scott!

Nice playing and nice arrangement, guess I'm hearing the fixed version.

Again sounds just right on my go to Devices.

Thanks

Scott

Very nice indeed. Some tasty melodic playing and excellent tone and nice use of effects.
Also liked the whammy ending.

Peter

Scott,
Very nice track! Your guitar works extremely well with orchestra strings. The only thing I would like to hear backing track a little louder, especially drums.
Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

Man, what a great idea to use the strings.
They are perfect for supporting the melody.

Your guitar playing is sublime and the
tone couldn't be better for the for this piece.

...so easy to get lost in it.

Excellent!

J&B

PS

Bud here: My audiologist and I designed a program for my hearing
aids just for my mixing. On the other hand Janice can hear a humming bird
a mile away!

Thanks Dave for checking out the song I bumped up the backtrack a bit. Glad you liked the song..

Thanks Derek for checking out the song. Glad you liked it..



Thanks Hans for checking out the song. Yes I agree the backing track was to far back in the mix. I have new hearing aids that were working a bit to good. Glad you liked the song.

Scott,
Lots of emotion in your playing- especially when the tone changes.
This is one to drift away on- loved it!

Robert

hi scott I do like your style and choice of notes and medley as said backing tracks up a bit that said I enjoy your work always eric

Yeah, Scott. Like the name says. (Just in time for Halloween)
I liked the background level because for my tastes it supported the essence of the guitar sounds. A lot of pure expression, there. Solid string striking.

Thanks Floyd. Glad you liked the song. Gave the backtrack a bump after yours and Ray's suggestion.



Thanks for the help on the mix. I appreciated it.



Thanks for checking out the song. Good to hear from you David. Glad you liked the song

Hauntingly beautiful. Enjoyed the listen.

Hi Scott, very evocative tune. Guitar playing very good as usual.

Mike B.

Thanks Mark. Glad you liked the song.



Thanks Mike for checking out the song. Gald you liked it

Well done on the guitar playing Scott! I like the piece and its laid back style. It something to sit back a listen to after a busy day. You can crawl up on a couch and lose yourself in this piece. Keep coming up with gems like this one!

I agree that hearing aids are a problem in mixing. I have them also. I still haven't found a great solution to getting the proper settings in them to but I have adjusted to them. I find that I can now hear those high frequencies and upper mid ranges and were driving me crazy in the mix. I had one piece that the cymbals were so loud they drowned the mix out but to my ears it sounded good (that was without the hearing aids).

Thanks Rich for checking out the song. Glad you liked it.

Wow, what an ethereal melody and tone. You guitar tiptoes lightly over the backing tracks to produce such a pleasing composition.

Thanks for checking out the song It is appreciated

A very nice instrumental song.

Gentle, delicate guitar work delivers the piece beautifully.

Not what I expected from the title.

Interesting listen. I didn't initially grab my ear, but it grew on me the second through.

Hi Scott.

This is a very restful presentation that seriously soothes the soul.

It's Sunday morning here in Melbourne, it's been raining overnight and the day looks a little bit gloomy and overcast... believe it or not your instrumental is a perfect fit and a terrific mood enhancer for the ambience the morning has created.

I enjoyed where you took me.

All the best,
Noel

Scott,

Very nice playing and nice Tone!
A typical Scott sound.
I also agree with Ray and Dave about the backing levels.
And I agree with floyd.
Really enjoyed your haunting melody... Cool ending...

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Hi Scott,

this is excellent!

Very nice playing and I love the tone a lot. Creates a very special atmosphere. Like Ray mentioned the backing track might have been a bit louder for me, too, but maybe that might have even spoiled the vibe...

It's just great the way it is !'

Stefan

Thanks for checking out the song I appreciated it



Thanks David Yes I started the song out quietly and tried to build through the second verse and finish softly again. Was struggling with my hearing aids and the mix with the head phones.



Thanks Noel for checking out the song. So glad you liked it. Have some new delays and they are proving most helpful with the ambient feel to the song.



Thanks Shigeki Thanks for checking out the song. Will work on the backtrack and try and improve the levels.



Thanks Stefan

Glad you liked the song. Yes I was trying to change the effect of the different verses. Lost a little in the translation :-) will work on the backtrack volumes.

Definitely agree with all that!! Very pretty but backing track is too buried. Nice stuff!! Take care. Greg

Very nice haunting melody...
With lovely guitar tones...
I always like listening to your tunes!

Thanks Greg for checking out the song Glad you liked it.



Thanks Jim for the kind words Glad you liked the song

Perfect title for the tune Scott! The guitar sounds great! Thanks, Torrey

Good to hear from you Torrey. Glad you liked the song

Hi Scott. I've only just discovered this terrific, aptly titled song. Love your guitar work and tone.
The backing works really well too - great choice of tracks.
Cheers,
Mike

Thanks Scott...
For taking time to listen to “There Won't Be No Christmas This Year” ...
You will find my response to your comments there

Also I’d like to mention...
You really add to the success of this User Showcase forum!
Thanks again...

Thanks Jim. I really own this forum allot. I have met some really cool people during my active time here. There is no doubt the forum has kept me engaged in my playing. My collaborations with Robert have been my favourite song I have been involved in

Hi Scott.

That was beautiful.

Reminds me of my favorite guitar piece.
Peter green's Albatross.

Very tasty.

Oh yes and hearing aids.
What is the proper sound of something.
I guess it's all relative.
To something....... Somewhere.......

Cheers.

Scott,
very peaceful and beautiful guitar playing!
I wish drums were more pronounced.
Thank you for sharing!

Misha.