Return on Y110111BL - Do you agree with this screener?

[Casey H]

Just got a return on this one.

When I submitted, I actually thought it was off-target--- bluesy but not blues. A return for off-target wouldn't have surprised me. But this, from screener #325, has me scratching my head:

The Music box was checked and this comment was given:

This piece was certainly in the style requested for this project. But the melody for this track felt like it wandered too much. The themes never resolved properly. There were a bit too many ideas being presented to create a solid emotional experience essential for this listing.

Does this have too many ideas, wander, and not resolve? I'm open minded. Please let me know what you think of the screener's comment.

Thanks
Casey

Track "Take Me Away" at http://www.taxi.com/caseyh

ORIGINAL BLUES INSTRUMENTALS (In all styles) needed by a Music Library/Publisher for Film/TV placements and licensing. Open to all tempos. Compositions and arrangements must be solid. For Film & TV, evoking an atmosphere or mood is the name of the game Ð it's not just about competent playing! Nevertheless, instrumental performances must be top notch and sound authentic to the genre! (No MIDI tracks! No programmed drums.) Broadcast quality needed (great sounding home recordings are OK). We recently ran this as Dispatch listing #D1011209BL, so if you submitted to that listing, send in new material this time around. Please submit one to three instrumentals online or per CD. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than Tuesday, January 11, 2011. TAXI #Y110111BL

[fret17]

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[Casey H]

Thanks Tom.... Yea, it's a Clapton-style, played by Keith... I've always gotten great feedback on it...

I appreciate your comments regarding what the screener had to say... As you know, one's first reaction when they get a return and read the comment(s) doesn't always lend itself to open-mindedness. That's why I posted.

Casey

[kitchensinkmusic]

Hi Casey....I have to admit I'm bewildered. While this is clearly not blues it is bluesy and it is very well executed. I don't hear what the screener and Tom are hearing. From a compositional standpoint it sounds very organic and extremely focused mood-wise. To me the mood is a bit triumphant but your title works well - kind of like F' it - I'm outta here and I'm good. Which is a good way to approach this return.

[Casey H]

Thanks Richard
I'm still scratching my head and upset about it... But I know the least open-minded person in the world is the artist.

Casey

[fret17]

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[DonaldM]

Thanks Tom.... Yea, it's a Clapton-style, played by Keith... I've always gotten great feedback on it...

I appreciate your comments regarding what the screener had to say... As you know, one's first reaction when they get a return and read the comment(s) doesn't always lend itself to open-mindedness. That's why I posted.

Casey

First off, I really liked the song, Casey. Well done. Secondly, I kinda have to agree with you...to my ears, musically everything fit together great. I'm pretty aware when something isn't working musically and wouldn't be afraid to say so, but that sure doesn't seem to be the case here. So, yeah, it is a bit puzzling to me too.

[teleblaster]

I really like the track, but, I think I understand what the screener was saying in the sense that this melody does not have the kind of simplicity and 'hear it once and remember it forever' asthetic that a blues piece typically does. Unless 'blues' is appended or prepended with some other descriptor I think of 'Got My Mojo Workin', 'Same Thing', 'Hoochie Coochie Man', 'Red House' etc.

Of course that basically leads back to your original conclusion Casey, that this probably should have been returned as 'not bluesey enough' instead of the comments about the melody meandering...

That said this is a great track, composition, performance and recording.

[Casey H]

Thanks Donald and Erich!
Honestly, if even 1-2 experienced members agree with the screener here, it's what I need to hear and just move on. That's the beauty of the forum. When we don't agree with the screener we can put it out there for opinions from our peers.

I'm always nervous about posting a disagreement on a return or screener's feedback because I'm not looking for negative people to come out of the woodwork and use the thread in some sort of Taxi-negative way. (Not saying anyone has!)

This was not a rant! I want the opinion of my peers because of the respect I have for you and because I wouldn't contact Taxi about it unless overwhelming opinion is that the screener goofed. For newbies, the process to follow is to post a link to the music, the listing, lyrics (if applicable), and the entire review for others to check out. In this case, it was only a mini-review.

Also, altough I may not have agreed with you, screener #325, I do thank you for putting as much in that optional box as you did. You didn't have to write anything. So thanks! Didn't mean to bite the hand that fed me...

Casey

[ottlukk]

Casey: Frankly, I disagree with the screener. I thought this right on target, in fact, I thought it was really pretty.
Ott