Bigger Fish to Fry by Jim Bouchard
Genre: Alternative Rock
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Description:
Yet another remix of an old song, new vocals, new drums, new bass. There's a Boldt Junk Kit track that's new too. This one was recorded a while back in Garageband, at a time when I was a moderator on a forum where there was a particularly paranoic delusional individual that went by a handle that started with the letters MMM. Some old-timers here on MacJams may even know of whom I speak. Anyway, he was being rather troublesome and high-maintenance and I exchanged a number of messages with him where he felt persecuted in this forum. Meanwhile it's snowing and snowing for days and here in my city where I have to park on the street, it gets to be a big issue about where to park and so everyone's feeling territorial and crabby. There's always people accusing other people. And in an attempt at putting all this into perspective, I came up with this song.
The interesting thing about this is I recorded the acoustic guitar in stereo, playing one side through my effects pedals and amp and micing the amp, and the other side is mic'ed at the soundhole with no effects, and then I blend the two. There's also 2 tracks of telecaster through the amp. I kept all the guitar tracks but replaced most everything else except for the handclaps in the middle.
This was always one of my favorite tunes that I wrote but it really needed a little better treatment, and I think I might have arrived at it here, but I will anxiously await the verdict of the listener. Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks for listening!
The interesting thing about this is I recorded the acoustic guitar in stereo, playing one side through my effects pedals and amp and micing the amp, and the other side is mic'ed at the soundhole with no effects, and then I blend the two. There's also 2 tracks of telecaster through the amp. I kept all the guitar tracks but replaced most everything else except for the handclaps in the middle.
This was always one of my favorite tunes that I wrote but it really needed a little better treatment, and I think I might have arrived at it here, but I will anxiously await the verdict of the listener. Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks for listening!
Lyrics:
Bigger Fish to Fry Where did my parking space go?
Who's there and who wants to know?
When did it all get so lost?
How come no one told me about the hidden cost?
Nothing should be taken for granted
I like to think I'm even handed
Ever since the world began
I've just been this crooked little man
So things didn't go so well today
I don't really have all that much to say
Sorry but I've got to say goodbye
The opening starts with a long tracking shot
Covering all the things the hero forgot
Picking up where the story left off
Silent in the house save for the stifled cough
It takes time to get into the groove
And when it does it barely seems to move
There's enough blame to go around
But for the blameless that's never allowed
So things didn't go so well today
I don't really have all that much to say
Sorry but I've got to bid you goodbye
I've got bigger fish to fry
I've got bigger fish to fry
I've got bigger fish to fry
So things didn't go so well today
I don't really have all that much to say
Sorry but I've got to bid you goodbye
I've got bigger fish to fry
I've got bigger fish to fry
I've got bigger fish to fry
This I'll say looking you in the eye
I'm just not that kind of guy
Hardware:
ST-66 mic, Thunderbird bassSoftware:
GB, LP8You must be registered and logged-in to comment.









ktb
Jim, I was sitting out on the porch with laptop and earbuds on this glorious morning and was rewarded with this great track. Lyrically point on, musically wraps you in a warm embrace. The percussion was fabulous, with plenty of nuance and accents. Mix was outstanding.
Lightman-
Good vocals... I like this song.. Your voice is raw and powerful... Great... And the mix is good done...
Feter
Yeah ..great track all flourished and great singing !
spheris folkie sound ..thnx alot for sharin !!!
jiguma
My second listen to your stuff in 10 minutes.
The immediate reaction is that most of the treble sounds are coming from the LH side - makes the whole thing sound unbalanced to me. I'd suggest a rethink on the mix to centre it up a bit - or not. Just how I'm hearing it. I think it's mainly because of the mellow electric g on the right that's throwing things off centre.
Great tune though. Performance is ..... what can I say ...... "supa-dupa?!
Cheers from Oz,
Neil
Jim Bouchard
I've been using Logic's Stereo Spread on the master track lately to get more space but I'm not really sure how it works. I think it takes certain frequencies and pans them a little extra bit, and that causes the panning in the tracks themselves to get a little messed with, I think. It's a bit of an experiment. I don't hear a problem really, but I think if I put the clean acoustic in the middle with the lead vocal, it might seem a bit more focused, I guess. I rather like the way this one turned out, but I was thinking of re-recording the guitars just because I feel like I could do a better job now, but I got lazy and so I don't know if I'm just compromising myself!
mowguy3
Great singing of some fine lyrics. How do I say it? You have a leave it alone attitude in your vocals,and it comes across well. Nice job all the way around.
Thanks and be well, Russ
magnatone
what a great, mellow song - love how the guitar holds the soft energy of this. Neil may be right about the panning - though it didn't stand out to me in that same way. However, I'm sitting to the left of both speakers, which isn't exactly conducive to hearing the spread. Nice work Jim!
Komrade K
...going on here, love that guitar work has a real spacious feel (suggests deserts to me - not sure why). Really well put together song - incidentally your vocal reminds me of Kevin Coyne...
KK
kassia
Great performances in this tune. It's got a nice, soft acoustic feel to it. Very warm, like karmatoburn said. The way you performed and mixed the song fits perfectly with the lyrics, kind of a relaxed, water under the bridge feel. I'm listening to this in speakers instead of headphones, and it all surrounds me well so I can't speak to the panning. Jim, I really enjoyed this. Great listening in the morning. Thanks.
Jim Bouchard
Thanks for all the nice comments everybody! Since no one gave me one bad vote so far, I think I'm probably done with this one; at least until I get around to opening the file in Logic again! har har! I'm all over the place!
E-Frame Wrecker
I like your voice its very unique - has a great tone to it. Some interesting work on the transitions, I'll have to listen to it again. One suggestion would be to explore some high harmonies in the chorus and on the chords coming out of the chorus. (if you can't hit 'em perhaps you could enlist the services of someone on this site) The song has good texture, but could use a climax (perhaps the high harmonies might do it) which would likely be the chorus. Just my 2 cents.