Barry Seymour

Thanks for the honest feedback. This is another one of those songs that sounds right in the headphones but not on the room speakers. It's a problem, not sure what to do about it - it's like the headphones are lying to me when I hear myself on pitch! Gonna work on it some more. Again, thanks.

Here's a new one. I reworked an old song that I didn't like. New lyrics, added strings, did more advanced mixing than I knew how to do last time around. Suggestions welcome! EDIT: It's released!

I have pulled the trigger! Thanks, everyone, for the comments and encouragement.

The image is not actually my axe, but it's blue to go with the album title. Randy Bachman! LOL! You ain't seen nothin' yet. ?

Thanks for the kind words, it's appreciated. That sound is not actually a banjo; amazingly, it's my Strat! I just redid my Frankencaster with vintage pups at neck and middle and a two-pickup Shawbucker on the bridge. The alleged 'banjo' sound you hear is actually the middle pickup! After this latest rework it's a tone monster.

Here's the next mix. I compressed the vocals a bit more and added reverb. I tried to make them float IN the music instead of above it, and have a similar reverb so it felt more a part of the music. I made a few minor lyrical changes. I also compressed the guitars more, and added some treble, trying to get them to 'pump' more.

Would echo the comment on the piano - make just a bit crisper, maybe back it off a few percent, leave a bit more room for the strings. Also, is that pedal sound I'm hearing? I assume that was intentional. Beautiful music.

I'll second what others here have said. No need to be hard on yourself; bocals are stellar. A haunting, moody song, sparkling production. Well done.

I foresee a future for you in scoring science fiction epics. Good stuff! Love the crunchy bass on the bottom; is that analog?

This is a charming song, a touch of middle Beatles here, smooth and snappy. I'd only recommend a little more clarity / sparkle in the vocals, drums and the tinkly synths in the chorus. It sounds just a touch muddy in the center channel.

This one's bit of a departure for me. Striving for a Mumford and Sons type of sound, driving folk. Suggestions welcome.

Are you playing ALL of this? Holy Crap! Smoother than silk, great groove, tight playing, everything is nicely balanced. I wouldn't worry about the 'fake' violin sound, it's actually a little exotic; I like it a lot!

Sorry, everyone, I somehow failed to put the link to the song in my post!

Here's the final. Thanks, everyone, for the guidance and suggestions.

The drums are by MT PowerDrumKit 2; they're spot on. I suspect it's the playing that's off. Ugh. Don't wanna go there, but I might have to. Others have said it needed more bass. Maybe I should back it off a touch. Thanks...

Here's mix 2.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Sorry for my delay in responding, I literally re-sang this on vacation (brought my laptop, mixer, mic and stand on the road!), posted this and then finished my vacation. I'll get to this soon.

Thanks for the kind words. I do struggle with playing to the drum part - it's so slow! Trying to find that groove. As for the pad, it's the basic string pad, the free strings that come with Cakewalk. Still not thinking they're as natural-sounding as I'd like. I'm trying to build them slowly to a crescendo at the end, but maybe I can start from a slightly louder place. Thanks!

Here's the new song. Comments and suggestions welcome.

Final Mix!

I have given some thought to harmony vox on the chorus. Food for thought, thanks...

A rather personal experience.... a lot of these lyrics came to me in the hospital. Took me eight weeks to sort it all out. Input welcome. EDIT: Final mix!

That was charming. Wouldn't change a thing. If you're worried about varying volume levels, use TDR Kotelnikov to master the individual tracks, but I'm not hearing a problem.

Oh, I thought you meant AT 5:45. I get it now. And yeah, that is my response too! When I get an actual record company breathing down my neck, then I'll tighten things up. ?

Here's the final mix. Thanks, everyone, for your invaluable input! https://soundcloud.com/barry-seymour/sneakin-up-on-the-blues