freddy j

NOTE  As per suggestions made above I have made some changes to the song.  I tend to use loops for drums.  Even though most have been digitized they seem to have bit more of that analogue feel that I appreciate.  I found the loop that I liked for the main portion of the track (Beta Monkey Nashville Brushes) but could not find fills that I liked.  I did, however, find some fills that sounded better (Yurt Rock Shawn Zorn).  The main concern with this was that the Nashville Brushes were recorded at 122 bpm and the Shawn Zorn were recorded at 120 bpm and they used different drum sets.  So -- I have spent the past few days in trying  to  get he two to match-up and fit better.  Also, I spent some time adjusting the EQ and volumes.  In fact, I spent time in EQing, panning, adjusting volumes, etc. on all tracks.  Hopefully this has made the instrument separation and other things better and not worse. 

Hi Jack.  Thanks for listening and for your suggestion RE: the drums.  Hopefully the changes made above will help!

Hi Bjorn.  I did play a VST  instrument for the organ.  It was the Native Instruments - Komplete Kontrol -Jazz Organ.  Thanks for listening and for your kind comments.  BTW, I really enjoyed your recent post.

Hi Nigel.  Thanks for listening and commenting.  I was going for a retro sound on the organ and used the Native Instruments - Komplete Kontrol -Jazz Organ.  Thanks again.

Hi Tom.  Thanks very much for listening and your comments and suggestions.  The note above explains (crudely) what I was doing with the drums.  It is not always easy to find good quality loops and there is so much variation in how they are recorded (even the same company).  Probably E Z Drums would be easier (once I learned the program).  Loops do have the advantage of a skilled drummer (usually) setting down a flowing drum pattern.  My concern is that given my skills I would end up programming something that sounds too stiff and automatic.  Oh well, perhaps I should get the EZ Drums and practice.

Thanks very much again for the suggestions!!

Hi Allan.  Good to hear from you.  Hmmm, there seems to be a consensus about the drums.  Maybe the tweaking that i mentioned in the Note above has helped.  I appreciate your taking the time to listen and thanks for your comments and suggestions!!

As always Niglel -- a stellar production!  You never fail to impress!

What a great piece!  Composition, mix, musicianship, etc. are all excellent!

Excellent piece Bjorn!!!  You have been posting some wonderful music and pictures/videos and this certainly is another great addition to the list.

Well done!

Very cool indeed!!!  There is some excellent playing in this.  Love the bass and drums that carry this number along.  Mix sound very good to me.

Well done!

I thought that I had previously listened to this but soon realized that I had not.  I'm glad that a I did listen.  As usual this is a stellar piece.  I love the "held" notes and also luv the drums.  This song seemed to be to introduce a number of aural emotions along the path of listening. 

Well done!!!

I had originally intended for this song to be an instrumental.  The goal being to try and improve my skills in using MIDI instruments.  However, after watching way too much and too many varieties of news shows, I had to add lyrics to vent my frustrations.  I know this song violates most of the standards for song writing -- e.g., the intro is too long, there is only one verse which is repeated, etc.  However, I was having too much fun to stop.

Given all of that, I would very much appreciate your comments, crit.'s, suggestions, etc. 

Thanks!

MADNESS

https://www.soundclick.com/artist/default.cfm?bandid=963481

Jesse is back!  The Earth is back in it's orbit and all is well.  YEA!!

As always - I entered into a different space and enjoyed the heck (expletive deleted) out of this one.

One of your best -- keep 'em coming pal!!

I join the chorus as far as the Zappa style to this number.    This song has a blues feel to it, it has some great bass and guitar work,  the lyrics are terrific, and the vocals present the lyrics and feel of the instrumentation perfectly.

This is just plain old absoflippinlutely COOL!

Almost missed this one.  I'm glad that I did not.  What an absolutely wonderful song!  It has a great pop feel and the instrumentation gives it a a very unique sound.  The lyrics are delightful and the vocals/harmony are excellent.  Being a guitar guy -- I particularly liked that rhythm guitar sound panned hard right!

I thoroughly enjoyed the listen!!

Great sound!  Well done!

Great work on this song Steve!  The instrumentation is very well done played, arranged and separated.  BTW - luv the little Ventures riff.  The vocals are also well very done.  The lyrics are excellent and poignant.  The phrases "...The choice is up to you ...  and-- ...free will is a bitch..." are particularly relevant.

The current estimates from the relevant scientific community is that this planet has somewhere around another 4 billion years before our sun supernovas and earth is cooked.  They also warn that we are entering in to the 6th mass species extinction of life on this planet.   While it would appear that our planet will be here for quite some time it appears that we (as a species along with many others) will not be,  Perhaps that is the Armageddon mentioned above? 

Thank you Wookiee!  I am not immersed in the dark side but would cautiously like to make a few ventures in using it. Also thanks  for the tip on MIDI Guitar 2  by Jam Origin.  The main sources of  frustration with MIDI consists of: my lack of knowledge (e.g., 1-equipment, processes of recording it, etc;  and 2-all those black and white keys --oy!).  A guitar neck, for me, would be a lot easier than all those black and white keys.  I certainly will give it a try.

Hmmmmm ?  You bring up a good point.  I do tend to make things difficult.

Any way thanks for taking the time to comment!  "...a psychedelic feel like it's a Beatles demo..."  -- many thanks!  Rubber Soul and its successor Revolver were 2 of my favourite albums of the Beatles!

Thank Bapu -- very much appreciated!!!!

Hi Rik.  I just borrowed from the fertile imagination of lots of old school Blues guys and gals that sang about similar circumstances.  I appreciate your taking the time to listen and comment.  Thanks!! 

Hi Nigel.  This is a style of music that even as a wee child grabbed me and it has never let me go.  I love it!  I'm very glad that you liked it.  Thanks for your kind comments!!

Hi Lynn.  There "ain't nothin'" like some good old school, back-in-the-alley Blues to get one riled up.  Ya man!  Thanks for the encouragement my friend!!

Hi Makke. Thanks very much for listening.  I appreciate the kind comments!

Hi FreeEarCandy!  Thanks! I certainly do not consider myself an artist!  I am just a guy who loves music and loves to try and make music.  When I'm not offering social comments (complaining -(lol) about something then I like to have fun -- sometimes combining the two.  I am always surprised if a song turns out OK.  I guess that is why I appreciate comments and suggestions received on this forum.  Thanks for responding and for your comments and encouragement!

Hey Daryl.  Thanks for listening and commenting.  I appreciate your suggestion concerning the length.  I cannot disagree but also fully realize that the length should probably be trimmed down even more than the hair on the ***** of a Nematocera (dipterid suborder). 😄 I appreciate the humour pal -- thanks again!!

As an old school analog guy I struggle with synths, MIDI, etc.  However, I do listen in wonderment to the creative pieces that you post.  Great composition pal!

What a treat!  A song with a bit of a twist!  Your vocals perfectly deliver some interesting lyrics.  The music was perfect in delivering the "feel" of the song.  I love the horns and that bass sounds great.  The background comment add even more to the song.  The day might have been "Pretty Good"  but the song was great.  In fact I might say that it was more than "Adequate"!

Great song.  It has all the elements of a great uptempo pop song.  I can't remember the original post but this one sounds great --- lyrics, instrumentation (ya -- the drums sound OK to my chronologically challenged ears, and your vocals are very good indeed!  Well done!!!

Doggonit Jesse -- this is your best yet.  This is COOL -  all in caps.  I enjoyed the speaking "in tongues".   I know I have mentioned this before --- and   ---- your posts definitely have the "Jesse style and signature   ------  but  ------ there is perhaps  a wee bit of Gang of Four in them. 

Keep them coming pal!

Ya, this covers the Pink Panther feel .  Your playing is excellent as usual and the mix is very well done.  I agree with comments above --- the brushes on the drums sound very good!

My apologies for being tardy in replying.  Sometimes life interferes with what you rather be doing.

Hi John B.  I did use Session Horns but not Session Horns Pro, and I used DSK Saxophones for the tenor sac..  Thanks very much for listening and for the kind comments.

Hey tom.  I'm very glad that you liked it .  As always, I thank you for your encouragement!

Hi Makke.  Thanks very much for listening and the kind words.  I enjoyed your recent post very much.

Hi Jack.  Thanks much for the tip!  I appreciate your taking the time to listen and make comments.

Hey Bjorn.  Ever since I was a wee rug rat, and was able to dial in radio stations, I have been crazy for the Blues.  I appreciate your very kind words.

Back to the Blues!  I had to get back to the music that I love.  So -- I went back in the alley and found a file that I was working on and finished it.  It is the real Blues. This time genre identification was not hard with this song.  It tells a little story of a guy who thinks he can live off of his woman without contributing anything.  It didn't work!

As always I will appreciate any comments, suggestions, crit.'s, etc.

Thanks!

MISOGYNIST BLUES

https://www.soundclick.com/artist/default.cfm?bandid=963481

How do you do it!?  Another one in a long line of excellent productions.  The BGV's are excellent!