freddy j

Hi Patrick. Don't give up! The re-worked version is better. The guitar work is great and over all it sounds good, but I agree it just needs some tweaking. From my perspective, I am guessing that it might be (in part) the drums that could be influencing the timing. The bass pedal some times gets a bit out of sync with the overall tempo of the song or so it seem to me. A trick that I read about concerning vocals, is to mute some of the instrumental tracks and just keep the basic drum beat and the minimal number of instruments to keep the rhythm of the song going. Then record the vocal(s) to that --- keeping in mind how you want the vocal to sound and matching the vocal melody to the rhythm. Hope that helps. You're almost there and I would love to hear the finish.

Well done lads!!! Good performance and great sentiments. Mix sounds good to me.

Well this past week was certainly a revolting development! I had to take my computer in for "fixin' " and it took just shy of a week to get it back. I don't do phone stuff (my thumbs are too fat?). So can you imagine the horror? !!? Anyway, I am almost back to normal - and - my computer is also. Hi David. I'm very glad that you enjoyed the song. Thanks for listening and thanks very much for commenting. I listened to "White hole" and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a nice cheery song that would contrast with the darkness of a blackhole. Nice one! Hey Tom. Thanks very much for the kind words and encouragement. I was concerned with the guitars stepping on each other. Now that I have my computer back I can take another listen and do some fixin". I love songs that tell a story. Would you believe that Leiber and Stoller (you know the one's that wrote all those great Coaster's songs) are absolute fav's of mine. "Gainfully unemployed" I like that term! Mind if I use it? I have been "gainfully unemployed" since I retired! BTW, thanks for checking up on me. The absence of a computer was the problem. Thank you Starise. I very much appreciate your comments. I was also going back in the alley a a bit on this song as I did in Hot Dog. Back in the '50's and very early '60 duets were not unusual in rock 'n roll and Pop (e.g., Black Slacks by the Sparkletones). I didn't intend to do dual vocals throughout but I guess I got carried away. Since in was in the alley, I just decided to leave it that way. Thanks again for listening and commenting. Hi Douglas. I am very glad that you like it. Thanks very much for listening and for the kind words. Hi Bjorn. Thanks very much for your kind words. I had to look up what DSM-5 but was not able to find a free access to it on-line. I did, however, do a search and the phrase "black hole" has been used in psychology although not in the same way that I used it in the song. In the articles I read, it was used more to describe a feeling of emptiness associated with some mental illnesses. A bit different from my concept in the song of a person who sucks in all that they can. Thanks again for your comments.

You have definitely captured that reggae sound. I particularly like the "Big Hall" feel on the lead vox. You have also captured a great feel good sound through the lyrics and melody. Nice one!!

I have never heard the original but I do know that you have done an excellent job in capturing the down-home sound. The instrumental playing is excellent and your vocals are excellent. Great performance and mix!!!

Very cool jazz piece indeed. As Bjorn pointed out, there is some good improv going on in this number. The BGV's were a great addition. Nice one!!

Well done gentlemen! I am absoflippinlutely amazed at how y'all put these disparate sounds together and not only made them make sense but entertaining. A tip of the hat to ya!! Well done and very cool!!!

Well I think that you did what you intended! It certainly has that Latin feel to which you have matched that spy thriller vibe. Excellent composition and arrangement of the various instrumental sections. Oh ya, the guitar playing, excellent. I absoflippinlutely enjoyed this post. Thanks for putting it on the forum!

Very sorry to hear about the devastation in your country. Seems things are a bit crazy (weather-wise) around the world. Mama nature must be getting a bit ticked off at human kind. Now about the song. Excellent work! The mix is good but the composition and arrangement are most cool. The wandering repetitive piano centerpiece matched with the ominous deep string sounds definitely set the stage for an emotional response. This composition is just begging for a video to go along with it. Enjoyed it enough that I had to give it a second listen.

Have you met anyone with a blackhole personality? This is a compilation of the traits of those that I have met. I used a lot of guitar tracks in this song. In all there were 4 (5 if you count that noise -panned L -- at the end of the song). My concern is that they might be stepping on each other. I would appreciate any comments, suggestions , etc. if you find that it is so --- or ---- for any other comments, suggestions, etc. that you may have. Thanks!! BLACKHOLE PERSONALITY https://www.soundclick.com/artist/default.cfm?bandid=963481

PLEASE IGNORE -- I SUBMITTED THIS IN LATE FEBRUARY (I THOUGHT) BUT IT NEVER APPEARED ON THE FORUM. SO, I SUBMITTED THE ABOVE. NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN IT APPEARED TODAY . I DON'T KNOW? Hi Starise. Thank you very much for the kind words and encouragement. When you are an old dog (like me) the retro-song styles come back into memory rather easily. I get stuck in some of the old styles once in a while but hopefully I get adventurous enough to try some thing new now and then. Thanks again. Hi Allan. Thank much for the kind words. I listened to these old styles during some formative years --- so, some must have stuck with me? Hey Beagle. Thanks very much for listening and for the encouraging comments. BTW, I really enjoyed listening to your recent posting! Hello Paul. Thank you. Ya, I just love both the KaChunk and Chunka rhythms. In fact, I'm hooked on almost any song that has a strong rhythm. Thanks again for listening pal. Hi Paulo. You know, I think I enjoy music more in a small venue live setting than I do listening recorded music. But that's just me. This weekend I enjoyed going to the WMNF Rockabilly Ruckus at Skipper's Smokehouse. I got to listen to Big Sandy and the Flyrite Boys, and Jeff Vitolo and the Quarter Mile Rebels. Some great rockabilly there. I very much appreciate your taking the time to listen and for your kind comments. Hi Wookiee! Thanks for listening and your comments. I have fiddled with the EQ and hopefully it has a bit more bottom. Thanks again. Hey Daryl. Ya know ---- I do this stuff because I love doing it for my pleasure but if it brings a smile or enjoyment to someone --- that's the icing on the cake. I'm very glad that you listened and I am delighted that it brought a smile to your face!! Thanks very much John B. I was having a whole bunch of fun while I was doing this number and I'm thrilled that it might have brought some enjoyment to you . Thanks again.

I really like the lead vocal on this song. I love that baritone sound. Some times that lower sound gets eaten up by the instrumentation but it comes through fine to me. I have mixed feelings about the tempo. I'm kind of thinking that it is OK and the energy of the song builds a bit as the vocals build toward the end. Great job and great to hear y'all Beagle!

Indeed a cool Cool Jazz sound, or maybe a bebop - Cool Jazz hybrid. Whatever, it is a cool song. I particularly liked the duo with the guitar and piano sounds near the beginning.

This is really an excellent song Paul. You have a knack for writing great introspective lyrics and matching very effective melodies for them. You have done a really good job on the arrangement and I love the haunting sound of the accompanying instrumentation and that nice ending guitar solo. I really enjoyed listening. Thanks for posting.

Some really interesting sounds here Wookiee. IMHO you have done a great job into weaving them into what I got as a doggone interesting cosmic sci-fi journey. This number would be great cinematic music for the big screen (or the little one for that matter). Glad that you are back to putting up songs. I look forward to the completion of this.

Hey Lee. Boy howdy -- there is a bit of a country feeling to this one and a terrific job you did! This is a really a feel good song -- great melody to it, great hook and great instrumentation to carry the lyrics along. I thought that your mix was good. To me the instruments did not intrude on each other at all and certainly were clear. I liked the sound of the keyboard (organ) and the guitar solos. This was a very pleasant song and I enjoyed listening. Thanks for posting.

This is a bit of your softer side. It really is a beautiful song. Of course your performance (particularly the vox and harmonies), writing/arrangement and mix are outstanding. Ya, I'm a fan!!!

Hi Starise. This style of music was a magnet that immediately attracted me when I was a wee bit of a lad. Would you believe a young toddler? Thank you very much for the kind words and for the encouragement. I very much appreciate it!!! Hey Beagle. It has been a while since I have seen you on the forum. It's great to see you back. I'm glad that you liked this number. Thanks very much for the very kind words. Hey Paul. Thanks very much for taking the time to comment and for the kind words. You get a gold star for being able to discern a KaChunk rhythm from a Chunka rhythm. Well done! Thanks again my friend. ⭐ Hi Paulo. When going out I have always enjoyed small more intimate venues rather than large concerts. That could also be complicated by the fact that the music to which I am attracted is usually not fashionable or popular. Thus -- small venues (e.g., smokey bars). And having bored you with this information, I sincerely appreciate that you not only took time to listen but you also commented. Thanks very much for your kind words. Wookie. Thank you for your comments my friend. I appreciate it and it looks like I should kick in more bass. Thanks again. Hi Daryl. Thank you very much. I was having fun when I was doing this song and was smiling a lot. It always makes me feel great when others smile back. I very much appreciate your listening and taking the time to comment. Thanks again. Hello John B. Thank you very much. Many years back, I had a couple of songs played by a DJ on our local community radio station and around the same time a couple of songs were played as bumper music on the old NPR Car Talk show. That was my "15 minutes" and was enough for me. I really enjoy sharing songs on this forum and being educated by my forum friends. Thanks again for your very kind words.

I always look forward to your posts. Ya, what they said above. You did indeed capture a sense of creepy and suspense. Cool - and - well done. All of the little nuances that you added (e.g., the voices) were very creative and really added to the atmosphere of suspense. I really enjoyed this one but I did have to go around the house turning on more lights!

Nice one Allan. I also think that this does have a bit of a Joe Jackson feel. Any way it is well put together - good performance, arrangement etc. with good vocals and harmonies. Well done!

And where would the world be without "silly" love songs. This is a wonderful song. You have a strength in writing very sincere lyrics (they seem very personal) and matching them with great melodies and music. Well done!!!

Absoflippinlutely excellent work again! As one who struggles too often with active "dream nights", I was particularly drawn to this song. Great composing, arranging, performance, and production. The tempo of this song really demonstrated your vocal skills and harmonies. Please add my kudos to those above.

An interesting mix of cheery music and serious lyrics. Actually, I got a different message from the lyrics. To my perception (understanding that Michael is not real) your lyrics seemed observational and somewhat empathetic. I noticed this particularly in the course (e.g., poor Michael). Anyway, I thought the song was well done and I enjoyed listening.

Hi Dan. Thanks for your suggestions. I have fiddled around and added a bit more bottom. Hopefully, it sounds a bit better now. Thanks again. Hey Bjorn. Thank you for the kind words!! You are absolutely right. It does have more of a rock 'n roll feeling. I guess around that period of time (when the term rock 'n roll was just coming into use) a lot of different genre were being dumped into it, such as: jump blues, blues, hot swing, boogie woogie, rockabilly, R & B, etc. I must have gotten confused. 🤔 I must say that I am impressed by your discerning ability to distinguish between KaChunk and Chunka rhythms. (lol) Thanks again for your comments! Hello Mark. Thank you. I really do appreciate you taking the time to listen and especially comment. I hope you held on to that Audition guitar. I went on-line to see if I could find any and I saw asking prices anywhere from the high $200's all the way up to $500+ depending on the condition and model. That is probably a wee bit more than the asking prices in the '60's. Thanks again Mark! Thank you Douglas. As I mentioned in the post above, it is a simple song and it put itself together relatively easy. However, I did fret over it in trying to get the right sound on the guitars. I finally had to give up only hoping that I got close. I haven't performed (music) live in a very, very long time (since college days). I'm afraid that I would be a disappointment to anyone that would be subjected to a performance by me. I very much do appreciate your taking the time to listen Douglas and thanks for your kind comments. Hi Nigel. I very much appreciate your kind comments. Thank you. I listened to your recent post "Looking Forward To My Past" and it is a knockout. Excellent work!!

Well you were going for positive and indeed, you nailed it. The song was not only positive but to borrow from Paul above, it was downright inspiring. Great harmonies. Well done!!