anybody get a forward for D140505JZ?

[niallyboy]

Just wondering what kind of wallpaper got forwarded for this listing:

"SMALL ENSEMBLE JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL TRACKS are needed ..... They’re searching for sophisticated and elegant sounding Instrumental Tracks that could work as background source music for scenes that may take place at a formal cocktail party, a fancy hotel lobby, or a high-end reception. Think of a posh, black tie event with champagne, caviar, and high-powered socialites. Light, sparse arrangements performed by a trio or quartet should work best for this pitch. All tempos will be considered. . . . They’re NOT looking for anything that’s too big, frenetic, or bombastic sounding."

All three of my submissions were returned, and I've been performing in the above-described niche for 35+ years. Granted, a live performance scenario and film/TV requirements are on opposite ends of the requirement scale, so I shouldn't be in disagreement with the screener when he/she writes that the sax was a bit busy or the drums too bombastic. In this MIDIfied world, any amount of real drums has the potential of being too bombastic, so I'm curious as to what made it through.

Please post your link(s) to any forwarded submissions so that I may have a gander.

Thanks All,
Niall

[jonnybutter]

I've had a few head scratcher-returns in the past, but this is the worst , so I feel I have to chime in. I'm not going to dwell on it, but I have to question this comment, "Dynamics are a bit too hard and rhythmic." for my songs "Bamee" and the ultra-languid "Sylvan Pools", which can be found on my taxi home page. The songs were mixed dry and fairly dynamic so that a.) they sounded live, and b.) so the mixer could do his or her thing in terms of dynamics, room tone, etc. when mixing with nat sound, dialog, etc.

For my song "Champale"- also on my taxi page - this was the comment (cut and pasted): "Drum are too frenetic for this underscore listing." 'Frenetic'? Really? And isn't it source music, not underscore?

A high bar is one thing, but this feels a little closer to arbitrary - a high bar doesn't mean 'find a reason to return', does it?

I like Taxi a lot, and I know I have *plenty* of room for improvement. So - I'm shrugging it off and moving on..but this doesn't inspire confidence.

I too would like to hear what got forwarded.

[HectorRContreras]

We hear you dear Jon,

Sorry about the Returns. Your three Musical Compositions cited above are very good, amiable, engaging.
One day, they will be accepted, of this I am sure.
Very soothing Piano with : "Champale"

I read your Interview at your TAXI Page, very cool, and I love when you said : "My Dream is to make little Movies for your ears."

Ah yes ! How many times I said that to Hector too. Yes, we are composing Stories, and Landscapes and Images, ... in Sounds !

[HectorRContreras]

Sorry about the Returns, dear Niall

I have just listened to : "A Flute of Champagne" at your TAXI Page, finding nothing bombastic at all in it, actually quite the opposite. It is truly soothing and lovely.

[jonnybutter]

You are so sweet Catherine. Thanks for the cheer up. The reason I find these particular returns frustrating is that I wrote them as source music, not as 'hey here are my jazz compositions'. They've all been forwarded before for listings similar to this, so...? If they were any more low key they would evaporate! And if listing had said 'underscore' that's what I would have submitted.

oh well.

Yes, movies for our ears! Thanks for the shout. And thanks for being so nice.

We hear you dear Jon,

Sorry about the Returns. Your three Musical Compositions cited above are very good, amiable, engaging.
One day, they will be accepted, of this I am sure.
Very soothing Piano with : "Champale"

I read your Interview at your TAXI Page, very cool, and I love when you said : "My Dream is to make little Movies for your ears."

Ah yes ! How many times I said that to Hector too. Yes, we are composing Stories, and Landscapes and Images, ... in Sounds !

[niallyboy]

Hi Jon,

Regarding your own comments on your submissions for the above-referenced listing-- "If they were any more low key they would evaporate!"-- I thought you were spot on. Goodness, you used brushes on Champale-- how that could be construed as frenetic is absurd. Your other tunes were understated elegance, totally valid and worthy offerings. Rhythmically hard?-- weird.

We're shaking hands on this one. My submissions were Mesmerized, Life of Ease and Nobody Said (piano). Granted, a horn can be intrusive underneath dialogue, but too busy?

Niall

[jonnybutter]

Hey Niall,

Nice tunes! All three of them - very nice. And what a good player you are - you got delicious tone, man.

Upon further reflection, I think this phenomenon could be one of two things: a.) like I sort of implied, a too-picky, grouchy screener, or - more likely - 2.) a client who has either something very very specific in mind, or one who doesn't quite know what they want. I have run into both kinds of client many times (maybe you too), and I think that sort of stuff just comes with the territory.

If it's the screener, then is some sort of legitimate complaint here. Judging from other returns, I wouldn't call this screener exactly 'politic'. But that isn't necessarily a serious problem as long as they are fair.

But guess what? It's probably the client, and what can you do about that? They are paying and they get what they want.

oh well. Rock on Niall. You have some great music going on.

You ever listen to Peter Apfelbaum's band? I can't remember the name, but they were fantastic. ("Until the Rain Comes' was a killer.) You remind me of them a bit.

take care

Jon


EDIT: Apfelbaum's band was the Hieroglyphics Ensemble. You probably know them, but check em if you don't.