My cover didn't make it...

[Russell Landwehr]

Here's the listing... please note my emphasis:

COVER VERSIONS of HIT SONGS of the 1980s are needed by an A-List Film/TV Music Licensing Company. They need great sounding, creative covers of almost any big song you can think of from the ‘80s! And your cover versions can be done in ANY STYLE/GENRE that’s Film/TV/Commercial friendly! Broadcast Quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine). Your COVERS can range from stripped-down acoustic versions to full blown, over the top productions, and everything in between. This Licensing Company’s happy to hear straight sound-a-like versions OR you can give them a brand new spin on any hit song from the era.

My return said...

The drum beat feels a bit awkward and herky/jerky with the rest of the instrumental performance. A more driving feel would be a suggestion with some fresher, more current sounding elements.

The song I submitted: https://soundcloud.com/russell-landwehr ... rn-english

You know, I was expecting to get returned for VOCAL performance...

Russell

Edit: BTW it was screener #374 (I see others got a different screener)

[PeterD]

Damn Russell,

I thought it was really nice too! Great ambiance and mood!!

I tried to put on screener shoes to see where they were coming from, and sort of agree with the awkwardness of the drums (only at times though). At the Rally (where they built a song from scratch), they discussed percussion phrasing complementing the mood of the melody. I LOVE to color outside the lines, but when it comes to TV & Film stuff, I think the more predictable, the better (most of the time).

Buh … BA, buh buh BA, as boring as it is, would have made a big difference.

My 2 cents of course …

Next time!!!

[ScottFree4All]

Hey Russell,

I'm sorry to say that the drums ruined it for me. BUT... everything else - especially your vocals - were great. The bass was very inspired but it was fighting with the percussion. There was no flow or groove to the beat - it felt herky jerky at times.

My suggestion would be to keep the track exactly as is but use some funky drummer loops - cut 'em up and move them around. The song begs for that groove - everything else is inspired and really nice - in my opinion. It would be a waste if you just left this the way it is. I urge you to fix those drums. One day soon another listing will come along and you'll be ready with a winner!

Cheers,
Scott

[rdance]

nice vocal russ! yeah, maybe half time that drum groove. (from one who is known for heavily syncopating beats, ha!). yep, 374 is tough. i always get returns from himher.

[jaredlutes]

I think the vocals were great - very appropriate for the vibe. The other instruments and pads are nice too, and the mix is really balanced!

But with all respect, the drums reduce the whole thing to 'demo' status.

It sounds like you're using EZ Drummer, or something similar? It also sounds like you tapped some of it manually on your keyboard/MIDI controller? If you're gonna freestyle it like that, quantize the notes later - at least lightly. You really gotta be careful with MIDI drums. As handy as they are - the sounds are becoming easily recognizable nowadays, so if you have to use them, keep them subtle and stupid-simple.

Just rework the drums, and resubmit this great track!

[funsongs]

Just rework the drums, and resubmit this great track!

yeh...what he wrote.
Peter R.

[Russell Landwehr]

Well there ya go.

Thanks everyone for the input. I really appreciate the candid thoughts/observations on this. I do have a personal preference for the way the drums are in this, but I'm not too stubborn to keep it that way in the face of the overwhelming consensus.

I'm kinda wishing I'd had more time between recording this song and the listing deadline so that I coulda posted in Peer to Peer first... I did go pretty far outside the box with the drums. Mebbe y'all could have reigned me in enough to get a forward.

Thanks again. And when I rework the drums, I'll check back for your ears in Peer to Peer.

Russell

[MattCurious]

Russell - coming to this a bit late, sorry. If it helps - I used to work with a drummer who was in a top-15 charting act in the UK. His trick was always to compliment the vocal phrasing so that, what ever else was going on in the track, the rhythm would bounce along in support of the vocal phrasing (not unlike your bass, here). Here he is in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RNtmolwVXw