Big Band bash

[lestonal]

May 12, 2009, 9:11pm, remmet wrote:This appeared through Dispatch:BIG BAND/SWING SONGS AND INSTRUMENTALS - both Traditional a la Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Bobby Darrin, as well as Contemporary a la Brian Setzer Orchestra, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, etc., are needed by a well established US/International Music Publisher who has a need for this material for Film/TV opportunities. He mainly wants to hear songs with vocals (think Bobby Darrin's "Beyond the Sea" as an example) but he is open to instrumentals if they fall in line with the Big Band/Swing sound. The arrangements should sound authentic and performances need to be excellent. Broadcast Quality is needed (great home recordings should be fine). Please submit one to three songs and/or instrumentals online/per CD, include lyrics (if applicable). All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than 10:00am (PST) on Friday, May 15, 2009. TAXI #D090515BBHere's a lively little piece called Riffin - a pun on West Side Story. I'm not sure if it fits the listing or if it's close to sounding authentic enough. I'm still debating whether to submit it.http://www.richardemmet.com/SK/Riffin.mp3RichardWhen this song first started, I thought the Muppet Show was about to begin...Richard.No. This will not fill the needs of the description above. You have heard Brian Setzer correct? Glenn Miller was more commercial based. Etc., etc. This isn't swing, this isn't Big Band. If anything... ...Gershwin's ugly step sister comes to mind. Your style falls suit to the likes of Gershwin more than anything. That progressive, full, constantly moving and exciting orchestral arrangement. Granted.. ..you are no Gershwin, BUT, you ARE something and your work deserves a better treatment. I've listened to your song about 7 times now.... ....I'm not going to review it. I'm not going to suggest this or that on the mix, etc. Why? Because whatever you are using to sequence and orchestrate is sub par. Especially for a guy with such an undeniable talent. What I am going to say, is, that if you created this 100%, get yourself some better tools. The musicality and orchestration here are beyond phenomenal for some indie off the internet street. You are NOT giving yourself a fair shot. This mix is cheesy and the production sounds like something bought at Wal-Mart. Why do that to yourself? I've been around and have come across many highly educated and talented musicians that were literally sitting on the Holy Grail of their craft, yet tried to harness that power through fairly mediocre outlets. Everything I've said above is a major compliment and it takes a lot to get me upset and excited at the same time.Do yourself the favor, get better equipment, better sounds, better engineering. Then my friend... ...orchestrate. I know a great guy who does.. ..similar stuff, but in a more dissonant realm. His sounds and engineering are to be rivaled. You need to talk to him. He could point you in the right direction.You have the canvas Richard, just buy some better paint and THAT has nothing to do with you. Think about it.

[mazz]

Hi Richard,This is a cool piece but it sounds more Broadway than Big Band. It's obvious that you used orchestral instruments to create this arrangement, which is one thing that makes it sound like a Broadway orchestra.Musically, it is probably more complex than the listing is asking for, considering that the artists they mention are more in the "swing" big band than the "jazz" or orchestral big band side, like Stan Kenton was.It's an ambitious effort but I don't think it's on target for the listing.Cheers,Mazz

[remmet]

Quote: When this song first started, I thought the Muppet Show was about to begin...Funny you should mention that, Les. Riffin' derives from two separate pieces originally written for a CD-Rom/interactive Internet game called Piggyland . All the characters, not surprisingly, were pigs. The game never made it to market, no pun intended, but I thought some of the music was worth preserving, so I combined the two pieces and turned it into the current piece.Quote:I've listened to your song about 7 times now.... ....I'm not going to review it. I'm not going to suggest this or that on the mix, etc. Why? Because whatever you are using to sequence and orchestrate is sub par. Especially for a guy with such an undeniable talent. What I am going to say, is, that if you created this 100%, get yourself some better tools. The musicality and orchestration here are beyond phenomenal for some indie off the internet street. You are NOT giving yourself a fair shot. This mix is cheesy and the production sounds like something bought at Wal-Mart. Why do that to yourself? I've been around and have come across many highly educated and talented musicians that were literally sitting on the Holy Grail of their craft, yet tried to harness that power through fairly mediocre outlets. Everything I've said above is a major compliment and it takes a lot to get me upset and excited at the same time.Do yourself the favor, get better equipment, better sounds, better engineering. Then my friend... ...orchestrate. I know a great guy who does.. ..similar stuff, but in a more dissonant realm. His sounds and engineering are to be rivaled. You need to talk to him. He could point you in the right direction.You have the canvas Richard, just buy some better paint and THAT has nothing to do with you. Think about it.Les, I'm glad you . . . sort of . . . liked it. I'm using sample software mainly designed for orchestral film scoring, and it does a fairly good job at that, but obviously it's not the best tool for progressive big band jazz. What better tool(s) would you recommend?Thanks for taking the time to listen and give this some thought. I appreciate it.Richard

[lestonal]

May 14, 2009, 3:31pm, remmet wrote:Les, I'm glad you . . . sort of . . . liked itMaybe I wasn't clear enough Richard. I did not sort of like it. I loved it. It's the dirty diamond syndrome that time and time again really pets my peeve. You have it Richard. You just need better tools. More convincing tools. More appropriate tools.Mozart didn't play on a Casio.

[remmet]

May 14, 2009, 3:39pm, lestonal wrote:May 14, 2009, 3:31pm, remmet wrote:Les, I'm glad you . . . sort of . . . liked itMaybe I wasn't clear enough Richard. I did not sort of like it. I loved it. It's the dirty diamond syndrome that time and time again really pets my peeve. You have it Richard. You just need better tools. More convincing tools. More appropriate tools.Mozart didn't play on a Casio. In this case, I think the best tool would be a real orchestra of live musicians. Richard

[fusilierb]

Big Band, not really. A great piece, definitely. More Gershwin than big band. But still super cool.B