Not Broadcast Quality

[horacejesse]

I have tried curbing the reverb in some mixes and emliminating it in others. Good surprises opened up.

[mazz]

Allen,I'm not in a position to listen to anything right now (on vacation using the hotel computer), but all I can say is it is never easy to deal with rejection. Since this business is a numbers game, just keep writing and improving with every new piece. As far as production goes, your music (everyone's music) is going to be referenced to some other music. It's human nature and the way the business works. A suggestion would be: if I asked you "1. who are your major influences and 2. what styles of music that are happening today would you put your music in?" What would your answers be? Then seek out that music and listen intensely to it. In this case, listen to the production very carefully. Trends of amount of reverb, effects, etc. come and go and we seem to be in a much drier era right now (I'm not channeling Al Gore ).Send me a PM to remind me to listen when I get home next weekend and I may have some more specific suggestions, based on my own taste, of course!Mazz

[mixopenta]

Hey Allen, I know where you come from, - Right now I'm in my cave licking my wounds. I also had songs in for that same listing, and was pretty bashed, (by ID#173) for both production and composition, and judging by his/hers comments, the requirements for this listing were pretty narrow. I don't know if these songs are the updated ones, but from what I hear, I really like the lead guitar sound. I don't think you need to change anything there. The compositions are stellar. The only thing I find a bit distracting, is that the lead guitar does not seem to be in proportion with the rest of the instrumentation, soundwise. Perhaps it's just a matter of the lead being too loud. Anyhow, I think these songs would benefit from having a bit of "body balancing".On "Summer Rain" IMO I'd back off a little on the effect on the acoustic guitar. Sometimes when one is trying to make a point, contrast is a great, but often underestimated tool.I don't find the reverb amount excessive to the point of being annoying. To make it a bit more mellow, but equally big and lush, I'd opt for cutting a little bit of the high frequency in the reverb though.Perhaps some slight changes and varying of the lead sound would be good, if one was to hear the tracks one after another on an album or in a similar situation.And as usual, only my personal opinion Anyway, I think you do a great job, and you should just keep it up

[allends]

Quote:...And as usual, only my personal opinion Anyway, I think you do a great job, and you should just keep it up Thanks for your thoughtful comments and wonderful encouragement: I'm adding your ideas to my checklist of things to try. I'm sorry to hear about your unpleasant encounter with Listener #173. This same guy was my very first Taxi screener! I got returned by him because, in his words: "good 'rock ballads' in minor keys don't present the 'happy, upbeat, fun' mood they're looking for here". Oh well.....I really appreciate your input!-Allen

[stickinsound]

allen keep on kickin, your style and abillity is unbelievable . i would agree though that sometimes too much is just that , maybe a little less on the reverb and other effects might make your playing and writing stand out and gain the attention that it well deserves.keep up the great work , you truly are an amazing player and writer.

[allends]

Quote:...A tough part of the TAXI challenge... is pitching the right songs to the right listings...I was just telling our friend "u peters" about my very first Taxi experience, not this one.But what you say is very true.Thanks Again,Allen