Delta Blues

[teleblaster]

Well, I find myself on the bleeding edge of a deadline once again. I submitted a filler track for this TAXI listing last week.ACOUSTIC BLUES SONGS WITH VOCALS a la Robert Johnson, Son House, Muddy Waters are sought after by a successful Music Publisher based in L.A. who has secured tons of Film/TV placements for many TAXI members. This Publisher will be looking for songs with vocals that are specifically similar to the artists mentioned above – male vocals only, please. You'll want to be sure that the lyrics don't have any profanity and the recordings need to be Broadcast Quality (excellent home recordings should be just fine). They offer a non-exclusive, 50/50 split deal – you keep your original copyrights. Please submit 1-3 songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than March 6, 2009.And finally tracked the tune with a writing partner last night. This was all one take, I played git while he sang in the same room. I'm interested in all forms of feedback that will help get this forwarded. I like the performances, and the guitar sound, but think I need to pay some attention to the vox and get more of a vintage sound. Re-tracking isn't out of the question for this either, only takes a few minutes and my buddy lives close. Thanks!http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7432105

[jazzstan]

Great stuff. Brought back memories of my friend Robert Lucas (had toured with Canned Heat for many years)... who recently passed away. Feedback: guitar work was GREAT. Very authentic (props, dude!) but seem to be a bit busy (and mixed hot -at least seemed so on my pc speakers) vis-a-vis the vocal. I'd lighten up underneath the voice and then let all hell break loose in the breaks, pauses and solo section.

[teleblaster]

Thanks JS!,I think you're dead on with the critique: that's why I love this forum! The ebb and flow of the guitar happens naturally when you play and sing and I need to recreate that.Erich

[yammer107]

Boy its right there stylistically.... having heard my share of Robert Johnson stuff. Cool! I guess perhaps like Jazzstan said.... maybe mixed too hot or 'clean' ... * Listen I like it as is, just thinking for more authentic feel you could muff it down or dirty it up a bit somehow..... tin can or telephone effect the first few measures or something might be cool, some record needle scratches perhaps ? Just thinking outloud..Robert Johnson sang & played into a corner, one mic overhead.CHRIS

[teleblaster]

Thanks Chris,Ya I heard that about RJ. I guess some people thought he was shy, and other people thought he did it for the acoustic effect you get with corner loading like that.I'm thinking about bringing the singer back over and taking this into 1 mic to get a more live feel. Even though we tracked together ,it still sounds overdubbed to me.It's hard to say what the listers really want. Do they want a hi-fi version of a traditionally played Delta Blues, or a lofi (not noisy or scratchy, just restricted freq. response) version? I suppose if I keep it hi-fi they can always trash it themselves...?Thanks again for the listen!

[eokamura]

Hey there, nice stuff. Yeah, I'd say the performance is well done but the tone is quite modern. You guys might try one with more of a room sound, distant mic vibe. And for sure the guitar is too hot in this mix. Also I'd keep both the guitar and vocal panned straight up the middle, old school mono style. But for sure you're on the right track. Good luck! eo.

[devin]

I'm liking it TB! Great guitar work, and the vox is right for this vibe. Havings said that, the vocal volume isn't the only thing that needs to come up...I think I'd ask for some more intensity. I think you need to somehow convey some more push in the vox, so it sounds a bit more dominant. The guitar playing is pure passion...gotta get the vox to sound just as serious about the message.Kinda like Robert Plant sounds...as if he's convincing you "this may be the last song I ever sing, so I ain't taking nothing home!"Please note: I may be waaaay off base on this advice. You folks that are deeper in the genre will know if a more casual approach is right...but right now, I want to believe the message a little more.I'm so jealous of the playing, the singing, and the fact that you're so close. It does NOT get any better than that for creating music my good man. Kudos for the setup!!

[yammer107]

Mar 17, 2009, 11:28am, teleblaster wrote:Thanks Chris,Ya I heard that about RJ. I guess some people thought he was shy, and other people thought he did it for the acoustic effect you get with corner loading like that. I agree with you - assumed it was just a great way to capture reflected sound into the mic, possibly not even his idea to begin with. Chris

[ideascapes]

Hey Erich,Really cool track, with very credible guitar playing, singing, and recording.Others have focused on the levels/balance. To me the most noticeable thing is the trebly sound of the vocal. Not sure if you cut too much low/mid or whether I'm hearing the mic. Either way, it seems a mis-match with the guitar, which sounds pretty rich across the spectrum. The current sound allows the vocal to stand out a bit, but I'd personally try for something more organic, less sibilant.Was that distortion I heard on the guitar track at 3:04?Vince

[geo]

Hey Tele... nice stringer you got there... fishing and playing.... there's the life...Cool tune... I was really into some of the older blues artist back in my 20's and you have captured that vibe with the playing...I echo Vince's comments on the vocals... maybe a touch more mid/bass?Good stuff, good luck with it...Peace, Geo