Steely Dan Covers (karaoke)

[ideascapes]

I've been asked by one of the libraries I work with to produce some "close to the record" karaoke versions of '70s songs and I asked if I could start with Steely Dan. Below are my first two stabs (never done this before). Looking for comments on music match, mix and production, if you have time and are familiar. One thing to note: in place of the vocal, there is an instrumental melody line that I used to keep me oriented in the song--that will be taken out in the final version, but I've kept it here for your reference (please don't comment on how lame that sounds!). I also need to inquire as to whether they want background vocals, as Peg just doesn't sound right without 12 tracks of Michael McDonald.Thanks!Vince---------------------------------www.taxi.com/ideascapesSong Titles: Kid Charlemagne and Peg

[teleblaster]

Alright, you had me at Steely Dan! Wow, I thought I was being ambitious with All Along the Watchtower; go Big or go home eh? Kid Charlemagne: Nice job capturing the drum and bass performances on this track. Nice job capturing the guitar solo performances in general, but the sounds aren't doing it for me -- sounds like a keyboard patch? Might be just fine for Karaoke.Peg ( I used to cover this in my old band):Again nice job capturing the drum and bass performances. Horn punches sound very synthy (again might be just fine for Karaoke). Great job getting notefor on Jay Greydon's killer git solo, but the sound seems kinda cold to me (more keyboard guitar perhaps?)Overall: punch things up a bit, drums particularly, ride cymbals sound small in particularl.Hope I don't sound hyper critical. This is pretty freakin' amazing work getting all this stuff as dead on notefor as you did --kudos!!!Erich

[aldicicco]

Hey Vince!I praise your taste on band selection. The all-time best studio group in my estimation- and I found out last summer they're awfully good live to boot.I have to agree with Erich on the instrument selection. Some were just a tad too far off. I thought the EP on Charlemagne was a little over-fuzzed. Peg did sound rather synthy too. Perhaps this is close enough for the customer. Only you know this.Overall, the performance was really tight- it's always first rate coming from you.I'm listening on the small speakers too and it seems like the mix isn't quite there yet. I always imagine the bass/drums a little more out in front on Steely Dan. In Charlemagne, it also sounded like the clav could be taken back a bit.One small comment on the tune selection. Do you believe an average Joe Sixpack with a few drinks under his belt could possibly tackle Charlemagne? I think Peg is safe, but the vocal range and syncopation on Charlemagne would be a challenge for a good singer... Even Fagan had to warm up before he performed this tune. I guess that's part of the fun of Karaoke.Good luck with this job! This should be a lot of fun.Best wishes,Al

[cameron]

Vince,I'm forever humbled! Steely Dan is my favorite band ever (even though I write country songs) but I doubt I could ever accomplish something like this. If I could, it would probably take me a year or so just to figure out the chords for Kid Charlemagne. Maybe that's why I write country songs!I agree that some of the sounds are not quite right, but I think it's just a matter of having the right patch, as to me it sounds like the performance is spot on... especially the guitar solos in Kid Charlemagne which sound note-for-note perfect. Fix a few of the patches and you've got it!I love Kid Charlemagne, but like Al I did wonder why you didn't pick something a bit more mainstream.... Josie or Reelin' in the Years perhaps.I saw Steely Dan in concert about six months ago (second to last night of their Summer tour). It was the third time I'd seen them live and the first since 1974. The first time I saw them-- must have been 1972 or 73-- they opened for Elton John of all people. It was an outdoor concert at San Diego's Balboa stadium and I was standing near the stage for both concerts. What a great time!Anyway, kudos for tackling such an ambitious project head on.Cam

[billg]

Great job on the bass part Vince. I played bass on that in a cover band for years, you pretty much have the part note for note. Here's the "real" karaoke" version! (looks like Chuck Rainey is playing an Ibanez bass!)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I2jUdNG ... re=related

[k o star]

hey Vince,I'm not familiar with Steely Dan at all... hmmm, some of the sounds like the guitar sounds kinda midi... maybe run it thru some more fx...For karaoke it's probably pass-able I guess... Good work though, I know how hard it is doing covers...-Kel

[ideascapes]

Erich, Al, Cam, Bill, Kel,Thanks for the listen and comments! The items you brought up--and "hyper-critical" notes don't bother me at all--are valid.Concerning the keyboard patch on the guitar solos, I forgot to mention one thing the client said: they are thinking about "guitar karaoke" as well, so my solos might be muted and or brought down in the mix (a la the game "Guitar Hero") in those versions. That's one of the reasons they OK'd Steely Dan (and Kid Char).I will definitely experiment with some of the patches. In retrospect, I think I was trying to make the mix more exciting, which is really hard to do without a vocal running. In fact, I will probably have to break down and sing temp vocal tracks just to get the rest of the mix right. Otherwise I'm just guessing on the balance and the silly melody lines don't emulate vocal qualities well enough to stand in. In any case, the patches can be better, but they won't be too tough on the sound selection (synthy)--they're looking mostly for tempo/vibe, musicality, and a decent emulation of the original.These were a blast to play, especially the bass. I've been a huge Steely Dan fan ever since '72 (I think) when a family friend took some of us to see a Cheech and Chong (!) concert and SD opened for them (must've been before the Elton gig). I taught myself music theory by playing along (by ear) with their songs over the years.Next I'll probably try Josie, My Old School, Reeling in the Years. Or FM. Rikki? Pretzal?V>

[aldicicco]

Hey Vince-You obviously have this under wraps. Don't forget Hey Nineteen. It was a huge sing-along at the LA concert last year. Best wishes,Al

[mazz]

Do It Again!! If you can nail that sitar solo, that would be major!!Stick with the hits first: Rikki, Reeling in the Years, Josie, Hey Nineteen.Some of my personal favs: Your Gold Teeth 2, Dr. Wu, The Fez, Green Earrings, Pretzel Logic, King of the World, I could go on and on!Sounds like a fun project!!Mazz

[deantaylor]

Hey Vince,It is a bit hard for me to weed thru that instrumental voice line, but Peg is sounding pretty good to me. You seem to be on the right track.Dean