Feaker's Country Dittie Mix Feedback and Where to Solo?

[cassmcentee]

Looking for overall mix feedback on Paul Feaker's lovely dittie...
I'm also going to inject one or two solos by lengthening the song
should one happen after the second chorus before the bridge
...and again after the last chorus, therefore adding one more chorus after to get to the ending???

Can I Please...
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Newer Mix
https://soundcloud.com/robert-cass-mcen ... 04-18-2014

[LittleRedChurch]

wow...that's interesting!

It's a good song. I can see there being an audience for it. Great mix, Cass. Really clean. Nice separation. I really like the melody too. To me TO MEEEEEEEEE, I'd say if that voice had a bit more punch, that chorus could really deliver. I mean, Hank Williams Senior power/twang/punch. Still, as is, it's really engaging...

Cool


G

[cassmcentee]

Thanks LRC!
Paul is going to re track the vocal with some better equipment.
The HighZ static of the Scratch Vocal track prevents me from getting it to pop out any more than it is...
I am still mixing it, working the bass line, working the drums, mando volume, 3rd n 4rth Guitar volume, etc etc

Here is the mix that I've sent a "slide player" to solo on...

https://soundcloud.com/robert-cass-mcen ... 03-13-2014

I added a section pre bridge for the solo instrument to introduce itself
Still not sure if a second solo should take place after the 3rd chorus by adding a 4rth

[rdance]

i like the solo placement. i don't think this song needs another one. it's more about the singer's story and you have plenty of nice stringed instruments playfully dancing all the way through it. if you really want a second solo, i would just let the slide guy take the song out on a short vamp after the vocal finishes.

ps, i think slide is a good choice, because the tune is humorous and slide will work well with that.

nice work cass and paul!

[cassmcentee]

Thanks Richard, I agree 100%
I've asked the slide to go ahead and solo over the final chorus out while tracking...
Then I have something to play with
I appreciate your sensibilities!

[brianmcnulty]

My thoughts... I don't know if it needs another solo. You have the slide before the bridge. I would not add another solo there. You want to keep it moving. If you did add another I think the only place you could put it would be after the bridge and before the last chorus. If you did, you wanna keep it short... no more than 8 measures. You want country song length at 3:30 plus or minus 0:30. I think the song is fine in present form... close enough to 3. I couldn't understand the lyrics... good you are bringing them up. Nice sounding track.

[brianmcnulty]

PS When you put a solo at the end of the song, radio often cuts it out. Think of MY KINDA PARTY by Jason Aldean. You have that awesome lead solo at the end and 9 times out of ten, radio station fades it out.

[cassmcentee]

Thanks Brian!
What I ended up doing was to have the slide play with the ending
I sidechain/compressed it using the vocals so it wouldn't step on the final lines of the song.
The latest version is here...
still a work in progress,,,
need to improve the bass line in places
still need to unbury the vocals
drums still need a little more human touch...

"Can I Please..."
https://soundcloud.com/robert-cass-mcen ... 04-18-2014

[brianmcnulty]

Sounds good Robert. I wish soundcloud had a place for lyrics like taxi does. By the way, I love that dobro. Very nice. Was that you? If you would like me to take a look at your lyrics, I would be glad to do so.

[playagibson]

I don't think it needs another solo.
What you have there is fine.
I would however, like to hear the vocals some more.
The slide guitar has more presence and tone than your vocal.
I would play with the compression and saturation settings to get that vocal out in front.
Don't be afraid to turn it up.
Rich.