very nice subtle additions. both versions are so outstanding. cool to see (hear) what can happen

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I like the bass you've added. The percussion section is fittingly delicate, and I like the details within it.

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I was a bit worried that the quiet mood and nearness of this song would be in danger if someone "messed" with it... My fear was obviously in vain:)

I like the bass guitar you have added. It may seem more warm and "right" for this folk style tune. Though Ed's midi bass was good too, and got me wondering if it really were midi.

I think you have made a good contribution to a great song. The perc is delicate and suits it well.

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a beautiful song!

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I don't know if I have 'the right' to say this as I'm not a musican But I must follow my heart..! I found the first version so OUTSTANDING .. So...I thought.. bass drums percussion.......help ! SORRY!!..;)!!!
It couldn't have turned out anything but brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love the drums..: ): ) there could be even MORE of them........They give her voice an extra push...i really feel the drums could even have a little 'solo'kindof a paus to let her voice sink in & be enjoyed even more
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKYOU : ) : ) : )
Lena

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...it can be nerve-wracking to put your song and your work into someone else's hands... Especially the hands of someone you really like and respect... Because, what do you do if they put their heart and soul into it, and you end up hating it?

Thankfully, not the case here. Somehow, working from the original (but bass-less) AIFF mix, you've managed to craft another but still very true-to-the-song feel in this mix... The bass playing is melodic, propulsive, and still supportive of the vocal... The percussion, which above all other elements COULD have been fighting with everything else, finds the nooks and crannies in which to add to the mix... I think one of the main things you have accomplished is that you have added elements to the recording while still preserving and framing Mysti's very beautiful and important vocal...

As a result, it gives a gift back to me as the songwriter, letting me see and hear that there is and was more song in that song than I may have thought... It widens my sense of what can be done with a song in the arrangement and recording...

I give you a lot of credit for musical sense, Neil, and also want to put it out there that you are a very sensitive and gentlemanly post-collaborator, checking in with me/us about how this was coming along, and being willing to tweak bits in response to my thoughts.

Thank you for a lovely re-imagining of this song.

Ed

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....... for the kind words and for letting me play with your lovely song. Mysti's voice is absolutely fabulous here, and the song has a certain flow about it which leapt out at me when I first heard it. Funny, I found that doing the "sensitive drummer" bit was more difficult than the "big bang" approach. I really enjoyed doing this one!! The song art by the way is a photo I took in the foothills of the French Alps in 2004 - no nasty repercussions likely there :)
Peace, Neil

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Gulaga Dreaming

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I am hugely impressed! I liked the original a lot, but you have done a masterful job here, adding very tasteful and creative percussion, and the bass. This is spectacular! All tens.

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I don't listen to much Folk-based music, I can appreciate a stellar performance. Neil, your bass & percussion additions are wonderful. The mix sounds fantastic!

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of my days living in Scotland.Enjoyed it!

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Beautiful country !
Nice contribution Neil, it's a lovely complement, with a great musical sense. Very well done...
Bravo et merci mon ami.
Marc

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I was avoiding listening much to this until I got my mix done, which I didn't quite manage, but still... I really liked what you did here, and I think you were a bit more adventurous in arranging the percussion stuff than I was. It's funny how there was so much in the original to work with, because it sounded so simple to start with, and I think that this pop version really brings out some nice elements. And I like the bass part, you have a really great feel for that, of course, keeping it rooted in the basics but always moving, with lead-ins and little percolating upbeats that help keep the song moving along. It's a short song in some respects and I was hoping it would go on, because it seemed to end to soon... Great job!

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...and 'hear' what others hear.

In a way, I'm a passenger on this song, and I've enjoyed seeing where the journey's led.

thanks for this :)

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Well you're right when you said, 'that the original version was wonderful as it was'... And you did make this a little different, and in some very good ways...

I like the syncopated rim smacks and the drumwork/per/bass work that you added; it adds a degree of warmth to an already, very warm piece. There's also an added degree of richness in color and texture - You done good, Neil!

Something in the mix makes things sound kinda hot, or crunchy - I don't know if it's something that's over compressed, or what, but I've heard it before on one of your pieces, and forgot to mention it. That's a
small thing compared to what you've added to make such a striking difference on this.

Yep... very nice, my friend. Very nice! Thaks! Macca

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This is really just an embellishment on an already beautiful song of course, and all credit really should go to Ed and Mysti - I just tweaked it a little.

The saturation you mention is me getting carried away with the "louder is better" approach. I'm glad you mentioned it, as I thought I was getting away with it - obviously not ;) I really want to get my mixes with as much volume as I can, but with the ears I'm left with after way too long playing loud, sometimes my fine discrimination kind of leaves me.

On this I used Blockfish to crank it up, on others it's compression. I'd love to be able to get volume without saturation, but just don't have the knowledge to do it. You, PV, and a few others seem to have a knack for this, but I haven't learnt it yet. Back to the internet for some advice!!!!

I'll try something else on my next one, which should be up in a week or so.
I really appreciate your comments and continued interest in what I'm doing Mr M.
Peace,
Neil

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Gulaga Dreaming

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I hear that a lot in your songs, and this one is no exception, so I've gotten used to it, which is why I didn't mention it. Blockfish is just another type of compression, an extremely simple interface matched up with a powerful compressor.
(Here I get up on my soapbox) The secret to using compression is to avoid as much as possible. Louder is not better, but it's an unfortunate trend in modern audio that brainwashes us otherwise. I'd love to be able to get saturation without volume, that's my goal! I use a gentle compression in Trackplug on occasion when mastering, but other than that I avoid compression as a rule.

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I appreciate the comment - I know you've made it before. When I discovered compression I got seriously carried away with it, but had started to trim it back a little. I tried the Wave Arts Sound Suite plugins (TrackPlug, FinalPlug etc) and thought they were great: sophisticated and subtle when needed. Unfortunately, the price was far too much for me when the demo versions I was using ran out, and I had to revert to Blockfish - a little like a sledgehammer in my hands sometimes.
I have a new one coming up in a week or so (just waiting for a collab track), and I will attempt a no-comp mix to see how it goes.
Cheers,
Neil

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Gulaga Dreaming

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I had to go back and listen to the original again, which I also really liked. The added bass and percussions certainly added a more exotic and vibrant feel to it but still maintains the soft, dreamy feel of the original... I love the original, but I'll have to say the fuller sound of this version is more appealing to me after prolonged listening. This song is like waking up outdoors on a balmy, misty morning and coming out of your tent to be greeted by a beautiful day.

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additional instrumentation in the bass and drums, and well performed. - Harold

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Wonderful Neil! Wish you could see my enjoyment listening!

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Sorry I missed this sooner... the bass and percussion is an excellent addition. Thanks for sharing...

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This is as compelling, Sweet, Crisp, and Emotive as the best of more optimistic and less self concious days of the Mid 60's.



I don't know what to say.

Fabulous.



vbr,

-rtc

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Listen if Neil Young tries to join you guys just say no. Comon... give us an album.. and then the world tour.

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I never heard the original, but this has all the elements of a great song.
Timeless.....Great Job!!!

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well mixed. everything is nice and clear

namaste,
eimstudio

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