Classic-sounding POP FOLK / SOFT ROCK / SINGER-SON

[rickg]

I was wondering if anyone had a song(s) forwarded for this listing. Classic-sounding POP FOLK / SOFT ROCK / SINGER-SONGWRITER SONGS a la Don Mclean, Tom Petty, John Denver, Jim Croce, Jackson Brown, Paul Simon, etc. are needed by a new LA-based Music Library being started by veterans of that industry. Great vocals and instrumental performances are essential. No lyrical restrictions -- all themes are OK. They offer a non-exclusive, 50/50 split deal -- you keep your original copyrights. Broadcast quality needed. Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS ONLY -- NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI. For ground submissions, please enclose a S.A.S.E. if you would like a response. Submissions must be received no later than Nov. 15, 2007. TAXI # Y071115SSMany of the critiques I have received so far call my songs more classic than current sounding. One was compared to Roy Orbison and another to Simon & Garfunkel. So when I saw this listing, I jumped on it with great expectations. No fowards and without a critique, no explanation why. Here are two that were submitted. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, RickThe Kind of Lovehttp://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_id=74272&stream=trueIt all Belongs to Youhttp://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_id=74264&stream=true

[johnnydean1]

Quote:I was wondering if anyone had a song(s) forwarded for this listing. Classic-sounding POP FOLK / SOFT ROCK / SINGER-SONGWRITER SONGS a la Don Mclean, Tom Petty, John Denver, Jim Croce, Jackson Brown, Paul Simon, etc. are needed by a new LA-based Music Library being started by veterans of that industry. Great vocals and instrumental performances are essential. No lyrical restrictions -- all themes are OK. They offer a non-exclusive, 50/50 split deal -- you keep your original copyrights. Broadcast quality needed. Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS ONLY -- NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI. For ground submissions, please enclose a S.A.S.E. if you would like a response. Submissions must be received no later than Nov. 15, 2007. TAXI # Y071115SSMany of the critiques I have received so far call my songs more classic than current sounding. One was compared to Roy Orbison and another to Simon & Garfunkel. So when I saw this listing, I jumped on it with great expectations. No fowards and without a critique, no explanation why. Here are two that were submitted. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, RickThe Kind of Lovehttp://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_id=74272&stream=trueIt all Belongs to Youhttp://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_id=74264&stream=trueMy problem with the word "Classic" used in this instance is,does the word Classic mean had your songs been released at the time they would have become massive hits and become classics or does it refer to a period in time as in the Classical period in orchestral music.To be honest I don't think your songs would fit either of the criteria.Sorry! BTW the Simon & Garfunkle inference probably refers to the guitar into on the first one and not the rest of the song.And if you submit to a no critique listing you can't really expect a critique can you?

[rickg]

Thanks for listening and for your feedback. I knew that I would not get a critique from the get go. But without one it is difficult to judge what types of songs really fit the listing. Hence, my request for feedback. Also, the Simon & Garfunkel comparison was for a different song than those posted here.

[ddusty]

Hey Rick,"The Kind of Love" was much closer to the listing then "It All belongs to you".IMO, the production of Belong is not up to the standard for most Library deals. The drum machine and keyboard sounded a little to MIDI to me.Although Kind fo Love was closer stylistically, I would guess that the song just doesn't grab enough. Maybe it's all the returns we have gotten citing not enough hooks, but that's the first thing to look for in a return.Both songs are nice, but I feel they both suffer from not having a killer chorus.Rob

[rickg]

Hey Rob & Michael, I appreciate you taking the time to listen and providing some specific feedback. I enjoyed "Find My Name" very much. It has more of a pop feel to it (my wife called it quite catchy) than what I read into this listing. Congrats on the forward and best of luck! Rick

[diogenes]

I'm listening to "The kind of love" and it sounded like a fit to me. It totally meshed in there with John Denver, Jim Croce, etc. I thought the production was great. No idea why it wasn't forwarded. Better luck next time. After listening to Michaels song I'm wondering if maybe his interpretation of the listing was correct (obviously, since he got forwarded). I think you actually fit the ala's more closely than he did, "find my name" is a great song, but sounds way more modern than the ala's, so, I don't know, I hope one day to interpret listings that well I guess

[rickg]

Thanks for the encouraging words. From the way the listing is written, I believed they were seeking songs that would appeal to older folks like me who grew up listening to the artists mentioned. I think it will be tough to get anywhere with my soft-folk style of writing when it seems that current-sounding is really the key. I think Michael's song has a cool brit-invasion pop vibe to it that gives it a bit of a retro (classic) feel.

[djdeweese]

Hey Rick,I think the sound of the mix was right on for "The Kind of Love." Very reminiscent of the classic singer/songwriters. It was probably aspects of the song writing that made the difference, which is the magic element that turns a good mix into a great song. I was rejected for this listing too, probably as much for my static song development as anything. My reject, if it matters, is "A Little of Your Time"http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... 2&stream=t rueFor my two cents worth, it sounds like you've got what you need to be successful, just a matter of time and pressure. (BTW, it didn't seem to me like your original post sounded like you expected a critique, so I'm not sure why johhnydean thought you said you did. Those "no critique" listings sure can be frustrating when you get a return and wonder "Why?")

[rickg]

Hey DJ, Thanks for the kind & very encouraging words. I enjoyed your song and thought it did fit the listing. The vocal quality was good and the instruments, especially the piano, sounded authentic & crisp. My best guess as to why no forward would be the same two reasons some of my songs have been returned; not enough difference/tension between the verse & chorus and not enough of a "hook". For what it's worth, I feel the overall feel & flow of your song is really nice.

[djdeweese]

Thanks Rick. I think you're right on: my song doesn't really have much contrast between the verse/chorus, and no real bridge. That particular song meant a lot to me when I wrote it years ago, and time would have been that I would have argued it was just perfect for what it was supposed to be. But this music-for-sale mentality is different than music-as-art, and I'm learning to thicken my skin ($5 at a time). Keep up the musical work and the mellow vibe, man. I can hear the sincerity in your work, and to me at least, that means a lot. (As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "One line from a private heart saves the whole book.")