One True Thing - New version

[cameron]

Nice song, Mark. I didn't hear the first version but this one sounds fine. Your voice reminds me of Clapton.Cameron

[heinsite]

damn mark, the vocal is perfectly reggae-d delayed IMHO, (hey "reggae delayed", hmmm...LOL) i am not a soundclick member, but if copy the http/url thingee and send it to my daughter's email, will she be able to open it? i think she'll love this and so do i. i'm no techie, let me know if that'll work...great job man, the best,warrenPS:NEVER MIND THE HTTP THING WORKS WHEN I PUNCH IT IN UP TOP ON MY BAR THING--MAN, TECHNO IDIOT!!

[zoom]

Hey Mark!Great tune! I personally wanted a little more bite on the guitar, and more boom to the kick... more of the "modern" reggae sound with less effects all around, snappier percussion in front and a huge bottom that shakes the room. But the more classic Marley vibe works well here -- so it just depends on what you're trying to accomplish with the overall tone.Really good lyrics, and the voice was dead on most of the time. I thought I heard moments where you fell out of "character" here and there... but it was sporadic and wouldn't be enough to raise any alarms on a more casual listen.I'm really impressed with your range dude... Having that musical ADD is a real treat sometimes, as people never know what's coming next! Ok... next tune from you should be a slammin' pop-punk piece.... either that or an old-timey song circa 1925.... or... hmmm....

[jay10music]

MARK....This piece is so CooooooL.... THIS IS DIFFERENT.....Almost Bob Marley Ragae type sound..... I Love it...Your really spreading out...Great Job....... Jay..

[stephen1977]

I guess I'm catching the second wave of this track....Well first off I really enjoyed the feel of this track a lot. A very nice, cool groove with an excellent overall vibe to it.The song does lack a little punch like mentioned above, but I think in this case it doesn't necessarily need it. Up for debate I suppose. I do agree however that the overuse of reverb on the lead vocal is a bit on the overkill side of things. It has a time and place, and with this particular song, personally, I would go as clean as possible on the vocals.The production for the most part is really clean, crisp, and cuts through leaving every instrument audible and enjoyable. I think what the chorus sections are missing is more harmonies with background singers or yourself. You have a harmony present, but I would add at least another with some better panning of the harmonies. I like the chorus and it flows in that traditional reggae sense, but its missing a little bit of power that I think by simply adding more vocals would improve upon. You might even go as far as adding a few little clean, guitar runs here and there or even a harmonizing guitar section with a wah type effect mimicking the lead vocal line in a sense. Just ideas.Normally, I don't really listen to Reggae man, but I tell you, for the style, you have a natural knack for it and all in all I am impressed with your performance and this song.Well done.

[maceman]

Mark,Another great tune man. I really liked the whole approach.....The hook "One True Thing" almost makes me sing One Two Three... this may go down as one of those tunes in history where the lyrics get messed up like blinded by the light...wrapped up like a douch...etc.... Great piece. Something to be very happy with!! What is the name of that effect driving the melody at the beginning? I amways wondered what that was that Marley used. It is a great instrument whatever it is...Maceman

[geo]

Dude ... it's much more polished, sounds great!!! Still would try for a more cutting sound on the "chank" guitar... on the chorus try damping the strings after the up stroke... give it more bite.... it sounds a little "lazy" (sorry couldn't think of a better term)... kind of drags the rhythm in the chorus down a bit...Actually the Chank guitar is the only thing that needs a little attention here (grew up playing the style )... on this section try this out...If you think with your heart they tear you apartHit the chords one the 1 beat through hereIt’s a dangerous warBack to chanks hereEvery man that we find will be guiltyChords on 1We can’t let them speak anymoreBack to chanksa variation like that helps define your pre chorus.... it's what I was referring to above in my first post.... This is really good man.... good job!!!!Peace, Geo

[Mark Kaufman]

Thanks again Glenn and Warren, and thank you Cameron! Clapton huh? Damn. I need to tell my wife this stuff.Zoom, thanks again for great insight. Really good lyrics? That's really up for debate. I have a rewrite that I am going to try as an alternate version in which there is no room for any misunderestimation... Okay, I was raised on vague lyrics that sound cool and are open to interpretation--I'm a child of the 60's and early 70's--but I'm also mindful of those that hate songs that don't make clear sense to them, and this song actually DOES mean something very specific to me. I do like these lyrics, but I'm also going to try out the other version that let's people know who's talking and what refers to which. As far as that musical ADD, I DO enjoy it. The last one I posted was sort of alt country, and I just recorded a cover of David Bowie's "Lady Stardust" (not planning to post that). Next up? I don't know! Thanks Zoom.Jay, yes, this is definitely shooting for a Marley sound circa 1973 or so. Thanks for all the encouragement! Hi Stephen! Yes you're hearing a second version...the first one had about 2/3 of the instrumentation. I need to think over your suggestions, because they are really resonating with me. Wish I had two or three REAL kickass reggae backup singers...that's what it really needs, not me singing falsetto at a desk. Thanks for all the kind words!Maceman, thanks! That sound you hear is a Clavinet, a sort of organ, the same one used on Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" and lots of Marley tunes. Mine is a free VST...and I give it to you: Ticky Clav VST - Free Download. Enjoy! Wrap it up like a douche into the ruler in the night. As CCR used to sing, "Therrrrre's a bathroom on the right." Okay Geo, I was REALLY thinking about you with all those changes, and sure enough, I was dissatisfied with the chank, and you picked it up. But then you gave me a great key, and I will definitely try what you just wrote. The real trouble is I have been plugging in direct and trusting to amp simulation. Time for me to bring out the amp and crank that mother. Really appreciate all your ideas. Thanks!-Mark

[geo]

No problem.... I've had my head stuck in rock for so long this was like a breath of fresh air.... well maybe not air I used to play a Washburn Tele knock-off through a little Fender Bronco tube amp with a single 8" speaker.... everything on 10 except bass on 5 and vibrato on 3... so much fun....On the chorus pay close attention to the strum.... once you get it you'll hear it.... try a quick upstroke with a mute, downstroke and then another quick upstroke with a mute... should sound like...D DAA D D DAA D D DAA D (sound out )Sorry, don't know how else to explain it Peace, Geo