This is.... &mdash 06/18/07 - 06:45:50 AM
a solid little tune - love the guitar tones & accents throughout - nice production all the way around - fine lyrical content - nice guitar & vocal work - two thumbs up!
- Godchaser [ Reply to This ]
Melancholy &mdash 06/18/07 - 07:17:19 AM
Melancholy end to the weekend. Lyrics and musics support the mood well. Fine, sad song. Thanks for sharing. [ Reply to This ]
Sad &mdash 06/18/07 - 07:34:10 AM
it is, no doubt. Hope it didn't ruin the end of the weekend for you! Glad you liked it, and thank you for the kind words about the words and music. I appreciate it. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
Many thanks &mdash 06/18/07 - 07:29:08 AM
for the kind words. Glad you liked the guitar work, and I'm happy the lyrics worked for you. Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate it. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
Oops &mdash 06/18/07 - 07:30:09 AM
Great sound &mdash 06/18/07 - 07:31:18 AM
Love the acoustic sound. One of your strongest I've heard. Really great production. I'm impressed. If you want some criticism, I would say that you should have sung the "clean and sober" verse with more........energy? deliverence? I don't know.
Just an outstanding effort, man.
Top 10 macjams song I have heard.
Well-done.
LL [ Reply to This ]
Wow &mdash 06/18/07 - 01:43:56 PM
This is my second attempt at responding to your post. I actually responded earlier but for some reason it didn't appear. Hope it doesn't suddenly appear five times or something!
Anyway, thank you very much for your comments - high praise indeed. I am a great admirer of your writing and your appraisal of this song means a lot to me. Thanks also for the comment on the singing. That's something I may address if I decide to tackle this song again sometime. Thanks again for taking the time. I appreciate it. [ Reply to This ]
Very nice &mdash 06/18/07 - 07:54:48 AM
Lovely guitar work, creating a very strong structure with beautiful decoration on it. Very nicely put together and honestly presented. The message of the song resonates strongly for me too. [ Reply to This ]
Thank you very much &mdash 06/18/07 - 11:09:24 AM
for your kind words. I'm glad you liked the music, but even happier you felt there was honesty there in the song. I can't think of a better compliment! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I appreciate it. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
Great &mdash 06/18/07 - 12:29:33 PM
song. Your best vocal performance yet, nice harmonies coupled with excellent guitar work. Production wise this is sounding very good indeed. I can resist a bit of melancholy...
Peter [ Reply to This ]
Hey, Peter &mdash 06/18/07 - 02:55:24 PM
Thanks for the kind words, brother. Glad you liked the vocals - I'm bowled over by your compliment. Also very happy you like the mix, since, as I've mentioned to you before, I think you do such a good job in this area. Yeah, a little melancholy goes a long way! Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate it. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
I enjoyed this song.... &mdash 06/18/07 - 02:18:52 PM
It speaks about loss but finishes on a good, positive note. (Always a good thing in my thinking).
I enjoyed the accoustic element with the occasional electric accompaniment. It set the piece off.
The song has much more potential, as it could be done in so many ways whilst still keeping to the good groove, lyrics and backing.
I hear this tune in many different 'settings' because it's one of those simple, memorable, catchy melodies. (None of the above being negative from where I sit).
It's one of the few tunes on MJ's that I know I will remember.
Excellent.
Take care.
Paul.
[ Reply to This ]
Memorability &mdash 06/18/07 - 03:00:33 PM
(if that's a word) is high praise, indeed! Glad you thought so, and I'm happy you thought the little sprinkling of electric guitar worked in there. I almost changed it at the last moment, but then I decided to go with my instinct. I can see what you mean about there being other options as far as treatments for this song. You never know - maybe someday I (or someone else) will try a different approach. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to comment. You have a great musical imagination and I appreciate your feedback. Many thanks. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
Good job &mdash 06/18/07 - 04:30:03 PM
Solid vocals with a great music background! Great performace.. Well done [ Reply to This ]
Thanks a lot &mdash 06/18/07 - 08:29:22 PM
Glad you liked it, and especially glad you liked the music. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
it is like &mdash 06/18/07 - 05:09:19 PM
you read my mind on your vocal melodies...right before you started singin, i though " do this one low"... and BAM!! you did!
really nice guitar tone... i got so tired of playing around with mine, i went for an acoustic electric...it records in stereo, so it beats fighting cheap acoustice... you got a bowie thing going on towards the solo.. love old bowie...ziggy, where are you now? [ Reply to This ]
Man, you've no idea &mdash 06/18/07 - 08:51:14 PM
how many times I almost decided going low was the wrong thing to do. I can't really sing, so all I'm ever really trying to do with a vocal is not screw it up too much! Singing that low is a struggle for me, and I even tried recording it higher. But somewhere, somehow, I got fixed on the idea that this song was always supposed to be like this, so I stuck with it. Thanks for noticing! Thanks also for the Bowie comment. I think Ziggy's in Switzerland somewhere wasting all his free time mucking around on the internet...sounds oddly familiar...Anyway, thanks for taking the time. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
great tune! &mdash 06/18/07 - 05:46:14 PM
fantastic mood and then the drums and electric guitar comes in, totally opens the song up, very original sound, nice chorus and vibes [ Reply to This ]
I'll take original &mdash 06/18/07 - 08:41:21 PM
It's very cool to think that something you make has something even remotely resembling a sound that could be called original. Praise, indeed. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
good &mdash 06/18/07 - 06:10:23 PM
one dajama. nice song, and your guitar has sound for days. how did you record it? great track. [ Reply to This ]
Thanks, man &mdash 06/18/07 - 08:38:25 PM
Glad it appealed to you. The acoustic is a battered old Alvarez that has had its fair share of knocks, but I put new light gauge strings on, talk sweetly to her and she does the job every time. The song actually has four acoustic tracks (although you only hear two at any one time) - each panned a little left or right, and each playing slightly different versions of the melody, so there's a kind of counterpoint thing going on. I record each track using a Shure SM58, and then tweak the sound with a bit of EQ - basically to brighten it up a touch. This is all done in GB, because I'm scared of Logic Express and i think it's going to yell at me if I do something wrong. Thanks for stopping by, brother. Always happy to hear that you like one of mine. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
This is really solid songwriting.... &mdash 06/18/07 - 08:32:34 PM
...and I might say, solid songwriting with a twist...
I love the acoustic guitar work against the electric bits that come in from time to time, especially where there are different acoustic bits left and right... Love those big strummy electric chorus-y chords...
I like the vocal delivery, and love the bits with the falsetto harmony...
Gets me in the heart... I like the play on the meaning of "one false move"...
Ed [ Reply to This ]
Thanks, Ed &mdash 06/19/07 - 07:32:49 AM
Really glad the lyrics connected with you, and I'm glad you liked the two acoustic tracks. It took me a while to realize the way to make that work was to pan one track left and the other right - I really am a novice when it comes to mixing! The electric strummed chords I put in and took out and put back in...I'm glad you think they worked. I'm a huge fan of your guitar playing and I really take your comments to heart. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
Great song! &mdash 06/19/07 - 04:59:13 AM
Liked the intro a lot, lovely juxtaposition of the two acoustics - the first echoed electric strum was great - woke me up - the second and the third less so. Really good sound when the drums kick in, though the kick drum at the start and in the chorus sounds at odds with the general rhythm to me - too many (or oddly timed) hits when it needs to be simple (just a matter of taste I'm sure). Otherwise, good sound on the drums. Is there a bass part (often hard to tell on the 'phones)? If so, it needs to be boosted, especially when you're putting so much gain on the kick.
Terrific song and lyrics, and the harmonies are really well done. You have a very good voice, and write an equally good song.
Like it a lot!
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Thanks, Neil &mdash 06/19/07 - 10:32:22 AM
I always appreciate your comments, and I'm very grateful for the time and care you put into them. I know what you mean about the drums on the chorus - I used a variation of the loop which is a bit "busier", so there are more kicks than in the verse. I had originally thought of this song as having a kind of more hip hop drum sound, but my attempts at that sounded horrible! There is a bass track - it basically (ahem) doubles one of the acoustic guitar tracks (but only hitting every second note or something like that) and I had huge problems mixing it in. My first mix sounded so bassy and boomy that I started cutting out bass frequencies and maybe that's why it's hard to hear. I realize now that I've been hearing it because I know it's there - not because it's clear in the mix! Perceptive comment - thanks for that. I think your mixing and mastering ability is outstanding (I still remember hearing Blue Pool blast out of the speakers and almost falling off my seat!) and i really appreciate your comments. Thanks for stopping by. Glad you like it! Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
Mixing bass .. &mdash 06/19/07 - 05:15:04 PM
.. is a bit of a black art David! Three things I do which help are: use some solid compression (try: Attack 4ms to 10ms, Release 10ms, Threshold-2db to -10db, Ratio 8:1 with a hard Knee - there are better presets in Logic if you're using it). Secondly, I use the Bass Amp plugin and choose something like "Modern Rock Bass" which gives a bit of midrange. Third, I sometimes put in a low filter at around 50.
You need to mess about with these a bit - depends on your bass. I usually start my mix with the bass just below clipping and build the other tracks in from there. Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Neil --- ACROSS THE WATER[ Reply to This ]
Thanks, Neil &mdash 06/19/07 - 07:29:16 PM
for the specific comments! I appreciate your taking the time. I will definitely give that a shot and let you know how it works out. Thanks again. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
lovely tune &mdash 06/19/07 - 07:38:52 AM
(i don't know where my comment went, so i'm trying to recreate it)
I really like this song, your voice is great and the sound is pro. The chord progression is very interesting and I especially like the way you switch things up a bit in the chorus. Your lyrics are very moving and elegant in their simplicity. Very nice job! [ Reply to This ]
Hey, dude &mdash 06/19/07 - 07:43:51 PM
Thanks a lot for the kind words. I'm humbled by your nice words about the music, and delighted you found the lyrics good. "elegant" is, in my opinion, high praise. I will drop by soon to check out your stuff. Thanks again. I really appreciate it. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
All that's been said... &mdash 06/19/07 - 11:39:38 AM
...and more. Such a fine tune.
I, too, love the chord shifts and key changes.
[ Reply to This ]
Thanks a lot &mdash 06/19/07 - 08:43:17 PM
I appreciate the comment. You're a great guitar player, and i especially appreciate your comment on the chord progression. Many thanks. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
One false move &mdash 06/19/07 - 01:03:38 PM
Very nice balanced writing, focused and clear, with a great ending. I really like the guitar work. However, in my ears the MIDI drums have a MIDIness to them that comes from too many played notes and a lack of evenness across the drum field, especially the drum being too heavy and the toms panning spreading too far; there are also unnecessary syncopation notes that hiccup a bit in an inhuman way. Consider another mix using less drumming; I found them distracting throughout. Nice song, tho.
[ Reply to This ]
Thanks, Tobin &mdash 06/19/07 - 08:47:31 PM
I'm glad you liked the song, and i appreciate your taking the time to stop by and comment. Thanks for your specific comments on the drums. A couple of people have had issues with the percussion aspect of the song, and I will be keeping that in mind for future remixes/ re-recordings. Thanks again. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
I'm gonna stop being so amazed &mdash 06/19/07 - 04:51:25 PM
at the quality of work around MJ one of these days - but not today. Which is not to say that I don't expect great things from you - but this song is so good it hurts. Everything works - strting with the slight detune in the early acoustic riff when it's doubled - and then the vocal mix in the chorus is perfect. Great song = glad I stopped by. [ Reply to This ]
I'm glad you stopped by too! &mdash 06/19/07 - 10:06:48 PM
Thanks so much for your comment. I'm humbled by your praise. Glad you think everything works well in the recording, but most glad you like the song. You are an adventurous writer and I appreciate your feedback. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
really nice &mdash 06/19/07 - 10:14:51 PM
solid songwritting. guitars are very well played. you set them perfectly in the mix. the electric with the delay was a nice boost.
I have to agree with the others on the drum at the begiining of the chorus, a simpler pattern is really all you need 'nuff said.
Should also mention I really like your vocal harmonies. Not easy to match with a low and high vocal.
Excellent work! [ Reply to This ]
Thanks, indeed &mdash 06/19/07 - 11:58:59 PM
Glad you like the song. Thanks for your comment on the harmonies - it can be hard to get right, and i had to take a couple of stabs at it! As for the drums, I think I may have to rethink the drum pattern I'm using. Somebody mentioned it's distracting, and that's never good. Anything that pulls your attention away from the song is a negative.
Thanks for stopping by, dude. I appreciate your comments. Cheers.
[ Reply to This ]
tune &mdash 06/20/07 - 01:29:47 AM
i like it a lot, but the guitar sounds out of tune and the vox are a little loud in the mix for my taste. Cool song. [ Reply to This ]
Thanks &mdash 06/20/07 - 09:27:31 AM
for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Glad you like the song, and thanks for your critique on the guitar and vocal sound. I look forward to checking out your latest. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
hook &mdash 06/20/07 - 10:37:36 AM
Love the melody in this -- such a powerful hook. I'm still singing along long after it's done. Really solid. [ Reply to This ]
Thanks! &mdash 06/20/07 - 08:55:39 PM
Glad to hear it sticks in the head (I hope not in an annoying way!). Thanks for stopping by. I will be by soon to listen to your latest. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
I too.. &mdash 06/20/07 - 11:10:48 AM
Think this is your best vocal that I've heard and I can only echo what the others have said about the song and the sound. Very melancholy sound and words, M [ Reply to This ]
Glad &mdash 06/20/07 - 08:57:34 PM
to hear you liked the vocal, and hope the melancholy vibe wasn't too much of a downer! Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate it. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
could &mdash 06/20/07 - 08:22:15 PM
this be any better Your voice is so clear your guitar is played with out a note missing.. You my man have givin me a sound experience and its not the redbull talkin hahah enjoyed it much thanks!! [ Reply to This ]
Thank you, thank you! &mdash 06/20/07 - 09:01:56 PM
I'm delighted to hear you enjoyed the experience! Thank you much for the commments on the vocal and guitar - I appreciate it. Cheers, dude. Peace. [ Reply to This ]
Yikes! &mdash 06/21/07 - 10:20:01 PM
this is awesome. Great song but ended too soon; I wanted to listen and listen; a great stimulus for all kinds of thought; you could've had me for a few more minutes. Wonderful writing. [ Reply to This ]
Thanks, Joe &mdash 06/25/07 - 12:00:03 AM
always nice to know I haven't outstayed my welcome with a song! Leave 'em wanting more - isn't that the phrase? Thanks for stopping by and commenting. You write great songs - I'm happy you like my efforts. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
mighty tasty &mdash 06/22/07 - 11:47:10 AM
very nicely done, dajama. the pensive guitar pattern making up the melody is a good one. your mellow up close and personal vocal is the perfect match for the music. the solo was especially nice. interesting changes and an excellent build. HEY, THIS IS GOOD! enjoyed - anne [ Reply to This ]
OOOPS &mdash 06/22/07 - 11:48:05 AM
Thank you indeed &mdash 06/25/07 - 12:02:31 AM
Any compliment on my vocal from as talented a vocalist as yourself is welcome indeed. Glad you liked the ending enough to pop back in and mention it! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time. I appreciate it. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
LIVE WIRES &mdash 06/24/07 - 12:56:23 AM
Concept.
Delivery.
TOP STUFF.
There's an agony here, that I know on sight.
very best,
Coop
[ Reply to This ]
If &mdash 06/25/07 - 12:05:14 AM
it's real enough that you recognize it when you hear it, then I must be doing something right. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
stellar &mdash 06/24/07 - 12:53:01 PM
Really great songcraft jama. Your voice is nice and mellow and the delivery is perfect. Luv the sounds on the guitars and how the overall mix envelops the listener. A little Gilmore flav in there. Nice job [ Reply to This ]
Did you just &mdash 06/25/07 - 12:08:35 AM
mention my favorite guitarist of all time and suggest you heard a hint of him in there? You may be my new favorite person (however underserving of the comparison I may be!). Thanks for the kind words. Glad you like the song. I'll be checking out your latest soon. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
Cool transitions! &mdash 06/24/07 - 09:33:46 PM
Lyrics: too true!
This song is really well put together!
Peace,
Doug [ Reply to This ]
Glad &mdash 06/25/07 - 12:10:32 AM
the lyrics made sense to you, and happy you liked the arrangement. Just been listening again to your latest - truly beautiful. Thanks for listening. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
This was certainly worth a revisit... &mdash 06/29/07 - 03:55:18 PM
I have no idea why this tune melted my core. I don't know anyone, nor have I ever known anyone, whoe's dealt literally, w/ a substance abuse to the point where their story aligns w/ your words here. Although these verbal sound bites are artfully arranged to the point of being able to apply to any number of life's struggles, there must be some personal connection that is not so consciously prevelant to me, on some level.
And it's a good thing I'm diggn' everything about this, cuz it will go a long ways towards making this a worthy study.
You and your virtual or real posse have to already know all of the countless reasons why this is as good as it is otherwise, how could you have arrived here. (yes, in that last statement, I reveal that I no idea if it's live or, 'memorex'...)
Excellent production, and all!
Thanks for the nice tunage! It is very, 'right on'!
Macca [ Reply to This ]
Is it possible to hear &mdash 07/03/07 - 08:07:30 PM
a greater compliment for a piece of music than that it "melted my core"? Your words - and the obvious close listening that went into them - are appreciated and, in fact, really made me think. It's all about connections, and it seems this one connected with you. This makes me very happy. Thanks for taking the time. I truly appreciate it. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
Great songwriting David! &mdash 07/04/07 - 10:50:48 AM
Very clever shifts in this (don't ever let anyone call you shiftless!). Nice clear vocal. Great acoustic sound. Love the liquid electric chordings as well. A very well crafted tune. Big Kudos!
Be well friend!
Vagabond: http://www.macjams.com/song/33206 [ Reply to This ]
Thanks, Michael &mdash 07/06/07 - 11:31:16 PM
Glad you liked it. Glad you like the guitar sounds - easy when you mix acoustic and electric to overwhelm one with the other, I find, so I'm happy you think this worked. You did a good job on your latest of combining the two, btw. Thanks for stopping by. Your comments are always appreciated. (So, if I'm not shiftless, does that make me shifty?) [ Reply to This ]
Sensitivity &mdash 07/06/07 - 10:31:12 AM
Sobriety - not the easiest subject to write about without being maudlin or moralistic, but you handle it with great insight and sensitvity.
There's a quiet desperation here - expressed in the lyrics, in the singing and in the music - which pulls us in ... and makes us sad. We recognize the moment - when the party's over, when somebody dear has run out of luck, and the walls are tumbling down ... and we, too, are helpless in the backwash of events.
And just when it seems like it's going on too long - Bam! - that great ending. [ Reply to This ]
Great song &mdash 07/08/07 - 04:55:13 PM
This is the 1st song of yours I have heard.Great vocals-original sound.Reminds me a bit of XTC.Nice job! [ Reply to This ]
Ibstrat, I'm &mdash 07/09/07 - 10:28:24 PM
glad you stopped by, and i'm happy you liked the song. I've just been listening to one of yours - outstanding guitar playing. Very cool. Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate it. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
Your comments &mdash 07/09/07 - 10:22:31 PM
are beautifully expressed and much appreciated. If the sadness at the heart of the song makes sense to you, then I can only take that as a positive reflection on the song itself. Thanks for taking the time. I appreciate it. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
Oops &mdash 07/09/07 - 10:24:23 PM
The above comments are supposed to be in response to Warren Smith. I'll cut and paste them. Excuse the repetition. [ Reply to This ]
Your comments &mdash 07/09/07 - 10:29:33 PM
are beautifully expressed and much appreciated. If the sadness at the heart of the song makes sense to you, then I can only take that as a positive reflection on the song itself. Thanks for taking the time. I appreciate it. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
i like this &mdash 07/08/07 - 04:49:14 PM
I really like the guitar playing here. You got a great acoustic sound recorded. The lyrics and subject matter is something that hits close to home for me, having lost many things and people along my short journey.
Good song. [ Reply to This ]
in a way, it's kind of sad &mdash 07/09/07 - 10:26:37 PM
that more than a few people have recognized something or identified with something in this song, but on the other hand, I guess that means it works. Glad you like the acoustic sound - I plan to use it more in the near future. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
nice song &mdash 07/26/07 - 09:42:21 PM
cool lyric
interesting melody and sweet guitar lines
i like this a lot
peace
tim [ Reply to This ]
Thanks for stopping by &mdash 07/28/07 - 02:49:46 PM
and glad you liked the melody. Happy you enjoyed it. I appreciate your taking the time to comment. Cheers. [ Reply to This ]
This one is &mdash 12/29/07 - 01:05:09 AM
Thank you &mdash 12/29/07 - 11:17:58 PM
Glad you enjoyed it. It's one I've been reworking recently, just as far as the overly "busy" drums and so on. I may re-post at some stage. Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it. Peace. [ Reply to This ]
|
- Godchaser
[ Reply to This ]