garybrun

6 minutes ago, Douglas Kirby said:

I liked the song Gary - I would have added vocal harmonies on the "Help Me Lords" and "Thank You Lords" if it were my song - just my two cents.

Impressive lyrics - nice job there.

Thanks for listening Douglas.
Back ground vocals is the plan  🙂

I formed a new band  "Gary & The Norwegians" a few days ago... so wanted to get the track together so they can hear it.
Ive got four weeks... 15hrs practice to put a concert on!!!!

6 hours ago, emeraldsoul said:

Nice one! I like the vocal and how it sits with the arrangement. Very calming.

I think the mixing of the vocal could be looked at in context - the elec piano (excellent) is pretty dry, there's just a touch of reverb on the drums,  there's a bit more on the guitar panned left - so overall, pretty dry and cleanly mixed. But the vocal by contrast seems very effected, and very retro with maybe some old dynamic mic? I dunno. I'd vote for less vocal reverb (or delay?) so it can match the mix. It's almost like you are one vocal processor removal away from having a clean, nicely matching vocal. If that makes sense.

But please consider a de-esser on the vocal, although if you back off on a compressor, you might not need a de-esser.

I have always really liked your mixes and I'm sure you know what you are doing . . .

I think if I remember correctly you are from Norway? Apologies if I misremember. But you have a really excellent take here and a great feel for the "1970's Americana country western" vibe. Plus it kind of sounds like Elvis! Pretty cool pulling this off!

 

cheers, 

-Tom

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to listen Tom
I was working on this to 4am this morning... so I will upload a new version soon.
It was to get the ideas down and get other feedback.
Thanks for the EXCELLENT feedback ... really appreciated,
Version 2 soon.

Wasted Years I wrote when I was around 19 years old. (57 now)
Some basic tuning issues with the vocal but I've uploaded as a record for later, too come back too and fix.

Value your opinions so far.

Thanks

Gary

4/4 60BPM
Chords C,F,G,D.

Not so long ago I came to you 
With doubts troubles and fears.
That’s when you opened up my eyes.
I soon realized all those wasted years
When I could have know you more.
I remember on that day
When I met you in a personal way
All the new things I could see.
Oh how my outlook changed
My life you rearranged
Such a purpose you gave to me.

But I say help me Lord
Please help me Lord
The days seem short and the nights so long
I say help me Lord
Please help me Lord
You know I don’t wanna do wrong
That beautiful seed you’ve sown
Lord I know its grown
But it needs water every day from you.
And that bible by my bed
Not now so often read
Just gathers dust on the chair.
SO now I must confess
My feelings of unholiness
I feel I’m drifting away
Seems so natural to do
Too drift and hut you
Such a great battle within.

But I say help me Lord
Please help me Lord
The days seem short and the nights so long
I say help me Lord
Please help me Lord
You know I don’t wanna do wrong

When lying in my bed one day
I heard a quite but still voice say
My child you are so precious to me
And as those tears flowed
When deep inside my heat glowed.
Knowing you would  never turn your back on me.
I want to learn to love you more
Worship and adore
Soak up your Spirit more each day.
Thank you for making me thine
Grafting me back onto the vine
What more can I say?

But thank you Lord
I thank you Lord
For all the gifts you’ve given to me
Yes I thank you Lord
Thank you Lord
There’s a place waiting for me
In eternity..

There something about ABull reminds me of the Stranglers...  dont know why!

Very nice John
Must say I also really appreciate your time taking to give a rundown of your process.
It helps in the listening and learning.

Thanks.

Gary

21 hours ago, Barry Seymour said:

Drums are just the built in drum machine, plus some latin percussion instruments. I used TDR Koletnikov on those tracks, I think. Why do you ask?

Not knocking your composition... we all paint different pictures.
I am listing to the attack/beater in the high range.
To my ears its very crisp and enhanced... thats why I asked about the compression.

Unmistakable Jessie  🙂

Is it me or have your compositions of late got a bit more melodic??  (meant in a nice way)

I always listen to the tracks first before watching the video.
Nice panning effects and delays and good arrangements that keeps you interested.

Gonna give it another listen and watch the video.

Nice groove and guitar work
Is there a lot of compression on the drums?

nice.
Very different with tradition and modern.

Nice tune...

I would have liked the vocal to be a little warmer.<

beautiful

NICE!!!

Nice!
Great reverb and panning.
To me (just my opinion) the flute/whistle can be a little ear piercing..  is there compression on it?
 

Nice cover.
The background voices seem to be a lot "warmer" than the main vocal.
But thats just my taste...

Very nice.
The song seems too happy for such a sad state of affairs though.  🙂

Very nice.
I agree with the comment bring up the volume on the tubular bells.
this track has a mountainous feeling about it...  walking the wilderness.
well done.

6 hours ago, bjornpdx said:

Gary
Somehow I missed this the first time around. Powerful stuff here! Your voice is exceedingly good and I like the real emotion you put into it (maybe inadvertently when caught up in the lyrics?) The piano (by Simeon - excellent) and strings, the chord changes all of it merge to hit that emotional spot inside.

Thanks Bjørn.
Yes the lyrics are very Powerful and did get a hold of me.
Grem and I discussed doing a retake...   but I also believe the emotion is what also makes the song.
Im proud of it..  its still brings tears to my eyes when I listen to it.

Piano and arrangement is beautiful..  which also as a singer helps find the emotion.

Thanks once again for the comments and taking time to listen.

Gary

Thanks for listening Steve.
Appreciate the comments

HI Dean.
Listened to your track..

Good composition
What speakers are you listening on?

Your track lacks bass and sounds boxy.
Try finding a song that is similar that you know.
Add that to your timeline and use it as a reference track and try and match the sound to your track.
Just move an eq around and see how near you can get it.

Well done.

I liked this a lot.
People talk about Zepplin...  but I haven't much listened  to that type of music so cant comment on that influence.
Something sounds a little out of tune,.. dont know what it is...  but I believe thats a good thing.
It somehow makes you listen to the track more closely.
We must remember that we are mixers and I believe the "average guy in the street" wouldn't notice that anyway. 
Great vocals too and not forgetting the lyrics.
Loved it!

Well done mate.
Me LIKE

This was really nice mate.
Im not much of a rocker myself but love this acoustic style.

The mix is great too here on my Focal Trio's
Well done.

WOW!
Great mix for sure... sounds fantastic on my Focals.
SPOT ON!!

47 minutes ago, emeraldsoul said:

Great, love the mix and the vocal, and I identify with the song.

The vocal volume for me dips in spots, as the singer drops into lower pitches especially at the end of a phrase, whil the mandolin remains loud at that point. I think you could volume automate the vocal up a bit at those critical spots.

very very cool project, and where did those cigars get to, anyway? 

 

cheers,

-Tom

Great advice Tom

Very nice Mark.
Well recorded and mixed with good musicianship.

Well done.