Nowhere Man

[Mark Kaufman]

Thanks Paul, I had a blast doing this today.

[davekershaw]

Great work Mark.A tough one to take on.You've got quite a Beatles library now!This song really showed how tight and spot on The Beatle's harmonies were, and it's one of my favourite tracks.It's hard to listen without comparing everything with the original.The guitar is good, but doesn't have that Harrison ring (SG around that time?).And I notice you missed a beat on that harmonic at the end of the break. I love that where it is on the original.You nailed the harmony, but that very last rise on "nowhere plans for nobody", which is so prominent and striking on The Beatles version, I think needs to be brought up, to really end on a high.Maybe bring another vocalist in for a contrasting voice (maybe Bill ).It's just one of those songs that I love every moment of, and never tire of hearing.btw: If you're getting this sound without monitors, maybe we should all club together just to see what you can do with them! Well done,Dave.

[Mark Kaufman]

Thanks Cam and Dave! Cam, that's a weird coincidence...are we just part of the matrix or something?? And Dave, I read your post before I went back to the drawing board...I re-sang the last but in full voice, but it was tough, and guess what? I still don't sound anywhere near as good as Paul McCartney. But it's a little closer now. Harrison used the Sonic Blue Stratocaster on the solo, so I keep thinking my Strat should do well...but My middle pick-up is messed up so I can't dial in that great in-between setting that gives it that deep hollow sound. Damn! And I just saw a great deal on some decent monitors on Craigslist...maybe we won't need to pass the hat after all. The new mix is both better and worse...needs more low-end and the guitar solo is way too loud.However! Check out Bill Gaunce's bouncy and most excellent bass playing! He knocked out the track this morning, no beer or anything, and it sounds GREAT. McCartney's part sort of baffled me...but not Bill. That's faithful to the original and really brings the rhythm alive. THANKS BILL G! -Mark

[rld]

Is the idea to get this as close to the original as possible?Sounds good...the very last harmony tho needs to be staccato...."nowhere plans for no-bod-y"Unless its close enough as is.

[Mark Kaufman]

Thanks RLD. Well, yes and no...since others doing this one were all discussing different approaches, I figured I'd just do a straight-up Beatles-style version to see if I could get it to still be worth hearing. But I also know I'll lose the game of getting every single nuance down...once you do, you start to think, well, maybe I should try it chewing gum like Lennon did..Still, it's addictive. Yesterday I remembered there was an extra La-La in the back-up harmony and re-did it. And Dave picked up on how I ended the solo differently...I did it on purpose, but now those things begin to really stand out.

[geo]

Hey Mark...This sounds great!!! Mix sounds a little thin but I'm on cheap PC speakers so there !!Good luck!!Peace, Geo

[davekershaw]

Yeah, I like this better Mark.Those acoustics come in perfectly at the beginning.I still prefer the harmonic on that other beat.And agree with that staccato at the end.It does depend whether you really want to replicate (impossible imo)the original, or make your own mark (no pun intended, but it's a good one). For me, I think it's just down to your mixing now. You've done a great job.The thing for me, with songs like this, is that I like to hear things in the place they were in the original. That's why I can't get used to Bob Dylan live. Some people like the way he changes songs every time he sings them, but it throws and puts me off. Especially on classics.Anyway, great job, and good luck with the competition.Is the prize a set of monitors?

[michael11]

Nice one Mark,translated to US speak Awesome. Love the vox and the bass playing.Fab!!!!!!