0/2 on Traditional Blues -- pretty bummed about this one..

[teleblaster]

Like the title says, I'm bummed, but I'm not bitter or angry. I just want to know what it takes to elevate these tracks to the 'A list'. When I listen to them compared to the stuff that went forward I have to say I don't hear anything glaring or way out of bounds. I'm gonna submit these to a publisher I work with that has a pretty high bar. Your input is greatly appreciated to help me shore these puppies up before sending them off.

Here's the listing:
CLASSIC BLUES INSTRUMENTAL COMPOSERS a la Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy, etc., needed by a Music Producer who has a new music library with Major distribution and already has several TAXI composers under his roof. He's looking for tracks that have an authentic Blues sound with solid arrangements and performances in this style! This producer is currently the provider of music for a huge daytime television talk show but wants to make clear that the songs he signs to the library will focus on the other projects he is involved in and will not compete with the Composers working on the talk show. He is open to both domestic and international writers. This is an exclusive deal and you keep 100% of the writer's share. All submissions need to be Broadcast Quality (excellent sounding home recordings are fine). Please submit two to three instrumentals online or per CD. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI

Smoke and Lightening: http://soundclick.com/share?songid=9565083 --> stylistically off target
Same Ole Thing: http://soundclick.com/share?songid=9564681 --> Recording checked with a comment saying 'mix could be more even'

[eeoo]

These are Nice Erich. I wonder if perhaps they want a more 12 bar blues vibe, these are kinda swampy/country. Dunno, were the ones you've heard that got forwarded more traditional, 12 bar style blues tunes?

[rnrmachine]

Hey Erich,

I thought the 2nd one sounded like a decent mix. It had much better sounding drums then the first song imho... on the first listen, but maybe he had a problem with the amount of FX on the lead guitar. That is the trouble with YES/NO listings. They only have to give one reason... although there may be a few. Anyway.. sound quality wise, I thought the 2nd song sounded better then the first... mainly the drums. They just sound WAY more real to me in the second song. (second song being "Same Ole Thing")

That listing is looking for composers, so it's definitely a high bar listing in the sense that you need to sound like every aspect is authentic. No, even remotely sounding, sampled sounds will work in that genre. I thought the drums in the first song needed to be more relaxed and being so dry didn't help you any... they just sounded too mechanical to me. Although they did sound good, so you were really close. You did really good though. Better then I could have, would have done, had I tried for that listing. I liked they way you put it all together. Keep working on it man... you will get it imho.

So in essence I feel that... the first song "Smoke and Lightening" was really good but the drums at times gave too much of a mechanical vibe on the first listen and that's the one that matters the most... it's not so bad on following listens. I guess it is off target stylistically... but to me.. it could fit in those a la's so not sure what to say there. I am definitely being nit picky here... had you played that for me and just asked if I liked it or not I would have said that rocks dude!!!

"Same Ole Thing".. just fix that lead and the over all sound. It has a bit too much FX on the lead gtr and other instruments are not matching compared to the drums. With this genre, it would seem to me, to have everything sounding like it's more or less in the same room... would be choice. Get a more "Open mic night" sound going perhaps? But keep it pro sounding. They probably still want a more modern sounding recording. I don't know for sure.. just guessing...

I would tend to agree with eeoo, those a la's are definitely 12 bar blues fanatics so maybe you strayed too far from the a la's?? /shrug

Good luck dude!!! You obviously have talent!! This forum is chock full of people with talent imho.

Rob

[teleblaster]

Thanks EO and RNR..., great comments, very helpful.

[Len911]

smoke and lightening, titled similar to smokestack lightening, but almost sounded like spoonful in places. Definitely Howlin' Wolf vibe. Stylistically off target?? Are you kidding me? That's baloney! As a matter of fact if it was any closer to spoonful, well, anyway.
soundclick is taking a long time right now, so I can't listen right now for that song.

[Len911]

Ok, got through on Same ole Thing. Sounds good to me.
Quite frankly Erich, it's a real mystery why you weren't forwarded.
Howlin' Wolf is one of my favorites, and if you can pull off smokestack and lightening, and having me believin' it to be so close to spoonful,lol, and Howlin' Wolf was listed as an ala, I'm startin to wonder if some of the ala's sent in submissions, if they might not be returned also for stylistically being off? Erich, unless you are not giving us the whole picture,lol! I think somebody made a booboo!

You don't think maybe they were looking for Muddy Watered Down, Whispering Wolf and Sissy Guy do you?ROFL!! Sorry, I'm blowin off steam with the sarcasm.

[teleblaster]

Thanks Len, glad to hear someone picked up on the Howlin Wolf vibe I was goin' for. I'm pretty sure these tracks will find a home one way or the other.