Rents Due!

[bmete]

Hi Fellow Taxi Members, I would love to hear your input on this Jazzy/Blues tune " Rents Due! ". I've submitted it to this listing:SWING JAZZ SONGS & INSTRUMENTALS are needed by in Independent Label to license for an upcoming Swing Jazz CD Box Set to be distributed by a major label in Europe. ORIGINALS or POPULAR COVERS are OK for this project (originals are preferred). Style-wise, they’re open to a broad range of Swing, from Jump Blues to BeBop to Swing Revival to “crooners.” Think from the 1920s to present day: Benny Goodman, Louis Prima, Duke Ellington, Buddy Greco, Nat King Cole, the Brian Setzer Orchestra, the Squirrel Nut Zippers, the Royal Crown Revue, the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, etc. etc. Male or female vocals are OK. Looking forward to hearing your comments!Here's the link:http://www.reddproductions.net/reynovia/rentsdue.mp3See you at the Road Rally!Bob

[stkeb]

Hi, Bob -- I tried to take a listen, but was unable to get the link to work.

[bmete]

hi stkeb,sorry the link didn't work, please try it again, sometimes the web service I use goes down for service at weird times. if it still doesn't work please tryhttp://www.reynovia.comthen click on the music tabrents due is the last song of the first album.Bob

[trentoliphant]

A great track. I really like the vocals, and all the solos.A couple of minor complaints:The snare seems a bit jarring in the mix to me, especially when the vocals are in. The only other thing that I noticed that was a bit odd to me was when the vibes first came in, I NOTICED the piano dropping back. That may not be an issue, but it did pull me out of the listening experience a bit.I'm no expert, but I'm not sure that this really is SWING Jazz. (At least it's not what I would consider swing). I could be way wrong, but as I read that listing this style of jazz didn't even enter my mind. I know the listing referred to they are open to a broad range of swing, but even the sub categories of Jump Blues and BeBop are a much more driving style.Trent

[stkeb]

Hi, Bob - thanks for resposting the link - this time it worked perfectly. I love the title, that sparked my interest right away. I also love the beat of the song, the melody and really loved the flute solos. For me, the vocals were so high - at times it was hard to listen to and I had a bit of difficulty understanding some of the words. I kept hearing it in my head with a lower, smoky male vocal. Just my thoughts, hope it helps...take care!Tricia

[ddusty]

Hey Bob,Nice tune but.... *the dreaded butThe hardest thing with these listings is sometimes the listing itself. I have to agree with Trent, I don't think this song would be forwarded solely on being off target for the listing. (I just noticed that you already submitted, so I am hoping that you will prove me wrong )To me the "a la's " they mention are too far off. Luis Prima, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Cherry Poppin daddies, squirel nut zippers all lean towards the uptempto swing. They do mention crooners, so they may be looking for a slower number like this, but to me the listing is geared more to the up tempo stuff.As for the song itself, i really liked it, my one complaint (and it's nit picking) would be the drum sounds. IMO a more "organic" drum sound would take this track up a few notches. The tune makes me feel like I am in a dark and smoky club, the only thing snapping me out of that vibe is the toms sound to "electronic" (especially in the opening fill). Keep in mind i am listening on my laptop with a crummy set of headphones, so I probably shouldn't even be commenting on the sound, as it may sound great through some real speakers Good Luck,Rob

[bmete]

Hi Trent,Thanks for you insights- The opening has both piano and vibes playing the groove- when the vibes starts his ride it leaves just the piano, that's probably why you thought the piano cut back. Yeah, Being new to Taxi, matching tunes to genres and sub genres and sub sub genres has been difficult for me. ( of course I've been a member since July and I just noticed that Taxi gives a genre definitions link at the beginning of the listings. ( observant I am). Being a jazz musician forever, we've always considered anything that has a walking bass line and be bop (triplets) phrasing) in it "swing", I'm probably stretching it a little with listing, but, you never know until you try. All they can say is no.Thanks for listening!

[bmete]

Hi Tricia,When I wrote Rents Due, I wrote it with a local singer in mind who has an incredible deep rich low bluesy voice ( like Cassandra Wilson). Unfortunately, she was too busy to record it. The high version here grew on me the more I listened to Jenny sing it. ( then I thought most bluesy type tune are low and husky, why not try something a little different.) Rob, As I mentioned to Trent, yeah it is probably a stretch, the "crooner's " line in the listing is what made me say "what the hay..."I used the drums in the box cause my drummer moved 400 miles away. I am planning to have him lay down the drum groove at the end of the month and remix it. ( just got more equipment compressors etc.)Thanks for you comments, I really appreciate them.Bob