Please critique! Nueviejo

[zoom]

Hey all!This is my first real attempt at a world instrumental, and wanted to get some input as far as mix, style, instrumentation, length of the solos, etc... I've been with this track too long and now can't see the forest through the trees........It started out a lot more world than what it ended up being (now I would consider it more latin)-- I was having issues with all the different lead instruments until I finally switched to nylon guitar.Let me know what you think... all suggestions are welcome. And if you hear some issues, please let me know (along with what might fix it!).Thanks!PatNueviejoDownload herehttp://www.taximusic.com/download/193319/Nueviejo.mp3Stream herehttp://www.taxi.com/patellwein

[jay10music]

PAT....What a nice Vibe... Love when the Harmony guitars come in...That's CATS....Love the melody.....Intro very cool....Great feel... I Think the Nylon Guitar could use a little more reverb. Seems dry In beginning.IMO Would give it a more worldly sound....There a couple of spots the guitar gets a little stiff...At the end is one place.Being such a long piece it had to be tough staying loose.But I have to say....I love this Piece....The Vibe is there... JMO...JAY....

[zoom]

Thanks for the input Jay!Yeah.... the soloing does get a little stiff in places.... I've actually recorded it a half dozen times, took the best takes and tried it... again, I think I've been caught up in the nuances so long that all the lines start blurring together... you know how it goes!

[feaker]

PatMy daughter (3 grandkids) lives in Delano Minnesota, northwest of the cities. Going to "zoom" over there next week.Very nice for your first.Like what's going on at 1:10.Think I have played those intro chords before?Good workPaul

[zoom]

Thanks Paul.... get ready for the bitter cold! Finally got above 0 today -- the chill is starting early this year...And, If you've played an Am and F chord.... then you have played it before!Thanks again for the input, and have fun in Minne-SNOW-tah

[billg]

hey Pat, very cool song, great vibe going on here! Other than some stiffness in the playing (as mentioned) the only other thing I can say is that I think the nylon strings need a little warmer treatment . . . not sure what shoud be boosted . . . maybe around 200??? Maybe a cut at 2k or 3k???? I think it may be just a tad "plinky" (is that a word?). Great track, I'm betting you get a lot of forwards from this.

[partyofone]

Hi Pat. From everything I heard at the Rally and seeing what supervisors look for.. namely a concise vibe and idea that has movement.. it seems like you totally have that going on. I'll second the addition of some verb on the guit-fiddles and also Bill's "plinky" comment (good adjective btw). If EQ didn't fix that then maybe a fast attack compressor would dull them down a bit. Good luck!

[sergeman]

Style_x_ On target for today's market in instrumental genre__ Not current sounding__ Hard to classifyStyle Comments:Reminiscent of some instrumentals by George Lynch from the mid-90s and another one done by Slash in an album called "Flamenco Soul"Melody_x_ Good music in verses__ Verses could be stronger__ Good music in chorus__ Verses/Chorus sound too similar__ Memorable Hook__ Hook not obvious enoughMelody Comments:The music is very catchy__________________________________________________________________________________Structure__ Intro too long__ Well-written structure__ Good sectional contrast_x Not enough sectional contrast__ Could use a bridgeStructure Comments:Maybe a bit more variety could help, but the changing instrumentation (muting of percussion) adds a bit of needed change___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Lyric__ First line makes me want to hear more__ Engaging__ Cohesive__ Good use of imagery__ Rhymes well__ Communicates emotion to listener__ Lacks focus__ Unique__ Too abstract__ I don't understand it__ Too predictable__ Too many cliches__ Awkward phrasing__ Vocal does not help to sell song__ Vocal does help to sell songLyrcial Comments:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Title__ Good titlex_ So-So title__ Can't determine title by listening__ Could appear in a more strategic place__ Doesn't repeat enough__ Repeats too oftenTitle Comments:The title could've been better. Nueviejo would mean something like "newold" in English, which sounds COOL in English but not so much in Spanish. Due to the type of music, maybe something along the lines of "Gypsy Trail" or something would've been better.OVERALL COMMENTSI think the song is very strong and has a lot of potential for some tv programs having to do with journeys, travelling and maybe even cooking, so long as it's ethnic in the Spanish sense (this is MOST definitely not Mexican, Central or South American.)Now give a rating 1 to 10, 1 being the worst, 10 being the best:9 Music__ Lyrics9 Marketability9 Arrangement10 Production10EngineeringNOW. Would you walk this into a label credibility on this music? color]_x_ YES__ NONOW. Give a reason why did or didn't forward this:I would forward this to someone looking for maybe some music for a Spanish travel show, cooking show, ethnic program about travelling. I would also say that this could easily be used in many other places on tv where instrumental, non-obtrussive music is needed.Congratulations! I think this is a really great piece!Serge

[deantaylor]

Pat,I like this piece a lot. Definately latin, not world, but who cares .. it is good. I also noticed that the playing is a bit stiff in spots. Make that better and you've really got something.Dean

[zoom]

Dec 16, 2008, 4:05pm, billg wrote:hey Pat, very cool song, great vibe going on here! Other than some stiffness in the playing (as mentioned) the only other thing I can say is that I think the nylon strings need a little warmer treatment . . . not sure what shoud be boosted . . . maybe around 200??? Maybe a cut at 2k or 3k???? I think it may be just a tad "plinky" (is that a word?). Great track, I'm betting you get a lot of forwards from this.Good comments Bill.... yeah, I thought I had wrangled the nylon enough to fit into the rest of the song when I uploaded, but another day and another few listens and I totally hear it. Thanks for the EQ tips!