Feedback needed on Crooner submission

[LamarPecorino]

Happy Saturday everyone:

I would appreciate your feedback on my song "I'm A Winner". It is posted on my Taxi page as well as Soundcloud at https://soundcloud.com/user-155785959/im-a-winner It is for the the following listing:

ORIGINAL CROONER-Style JAZZ SONGS with Male Vocals are U-R-G-E-N-T-L-Y needed for an (up to) $5,000, Direct-to-Production Company placement on a HIT TV Show on a Major Broadcast Network. They need great, Mid-to-Up-Tempo Songs (Vintage or Contemporary productions can both work) that could be found on the same playlist as artists like (but not limited to) Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., etc., etc., etc. Please listen to the following songs to get yourself in the general ballpark of what this hit TV show needs:

Note: The show’s production company routinely takes 100% of the Publisher’s share of songs that get placed on the show. You’ll keep 100% of the Writer’s share and get the full sync fee (up to $5,000). a “Luck Be A Lady” by Frank Sinatra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJpGHR6ofus

“Rags to Riches” by Tony Bennett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMHxKB3VZv8

“Ain't That a Kick in the Head” by Dean Martin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb4P-MZMzJs

“The Second Best Secret Agent In The Whole Wide World” by Sammy Davis, Jr.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTIjLLCRD4g

Please submit original Songs that have a classic, timeless, old-timey approach with plenty of crooner swagger. Your vocal performance should be really strong and generally have that awesome vibe and style heard in classic Rat Pack era/Crooner-style songs. Make sure your instrumentation sounds like real musicians playing real instruments, even if you’ve used virtual instruments and/or samples. You do NOT have to submit an authentic vintage master recording for this pitch, but if you do, they’ll love you for it. Recently recorded Songs that have a classic feel and style are absolutely fine.

Lyric themes can cover a range of concepts like, Being Lucky, Rolling the Dice, Taking a Gamble, etc. Yeah, baby… break out the scotch on the rocks and your tuxedo. Lyrics that avoid specific names, dates, and profanity will be appreciated. If your lyrics mention general themes about Vegas, casinos, nighttime, that should be no problem. Please do NOT copy or rip off the referenced artists or songs in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and vibe. Broadcast quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine).

The estimated license fee for this use is $5,000, depending on the ultimate placement. This Production Company offers an EXCLUSIVE publishing agreement with a 50/50 split. The specific terms of this agreement will be determined directly between you and the Publisher. Because this is an Exclusive deal, please do NOT submit music for this pitch that is already signed to any other Libraries or Publishers. You must own or control your Copyright and Master recording. Please submit one to three Songs online or per CD. Submissions will be screened on a Yes/No basis - No full critiques. All Submissions must be received no later than 11:59PM (PDT), on Monday, March 13th, 2017. TAXI #U170313VJ

Thanks in advance!

[LamarPecorino]

Here is another link to "I'm A Winner" on Soundcloud. https://soundcloud.com/user-155785959

[funsongs]

Hey, Lamar... sounds like 'a winner' to me; worth a 5-buck chance at a forward.
One thing - if it were me at the console - I'd either lower the vocal, or raise the whole band track, such that the singer sits more 'in the band'.
To these old guy ears, the vocal's a little too Karaoke-ish in front... but certainly not by much - if that makes mix-sense.
Like the song & hope that helps.
Cheers.

[daveydad]

Great song! Agree with Peter, bring up the music a tad and maybe a touch of reverb on the vocal? Good luck!!

[LamarPecorino]

Thanks Peter and David! I will make those adjustments. I did most of the work with a new set of Bose headphones. I compared the track against my Event monitors and a cheap set of headphones. I agree with your assessment. I'll remix and post the results.

[daveydad]

I think you could submit as is, but I was digitizing a bunch of albums of Perry Como from the 50s for someone and noticed the amount of reverb often used.

[Len911]

You could also try just rolling off the high end a little, eg. ribbon mics roll off at about 7k.

[LamarPecorino]

Point well taken, David. Certainly the Rat-Pack era recordings done at Capitol Records Tower have that great sounding tiled room for reverberation. I'm trying to get close to that sound. Iwas using two different reverb busses, but think that I'll try going to one buss. Maybe that will help produce a more conhesive sound. Thanks again for the tip!

[LamarPecorino]

Hi Len:

Thanks for the tip regarding the treble roll-off. This vocal seems a bit too bright to my ears. However some of my vintage/retro-themed songs were rejected for not sounding contemporary enough. I will try a new mix with the top-end rolled off and post it. Thanks again for sharing your insight.

[Len911]

A reverb tip for you to try:

If you have an M/S plugin like a Brainworx, you can pan the dry vocal mid/left, and the reverb return to the sides panned right, and add mucho plate reverb. Tweek to sweeten. You will be amazed!