Screener #27!

[raymy]

Hi, my name is Randall (Raymy) Krumrei and I have been a TAXI member off and on since the beginning. I have received valuable feedback over the years that I have used to hone my craft. I have also enjoyed some moderate success as a result of TAXI and count my years with the company as indispensable. I received a return critique just a few days ago that was so thorough and helpful, that I had to give a shoutout to the screener. Unfortunately, I received a critique from you today that was both disappointing and maddening and I want to take a moment to express my dissatisfaction. I hope you will take a brief moment to read my comments.

The critique was for a Christmas song titled, "Where There is Christmas." Your critique had many positive things to say about the song including the following phrases. "Expansive melody and dramatic, even theatrical... good choice for Susan Boyle. Well thought out narrative, personal and poetic imagery." You then go on to say that the lyric looses its focus in the chorus with the line "there are motherless things"... WHAT??? That is not even a line in the song! If that were a line in the song, I would agree it looses focus. The actual line is There are MARVELOUS things. This is followed immediately with the lines "like the wonder of angels and the splendor of kings." Not a loss of focus at all in my book. I listened to the track to see how you heard the wrong lyric and in your defense I could hear the line that way if I tried hard, although it would not be my first assumption. However, that is why we include lyrics in these submissions. I checked, and "marvelous" is what is written in the lyrics. Furthermore, with no further comments past this misunderstanding of the lyric, including the second verse and bridge, I get the feeling that you did not listen to the song beyond the first verse and chorus. This may not be the case, but it is the impression the critique gives. It appears that the song was returned based solely on this assumed lyric.

I understand that anyone can have an off day and I really appreciate all the hard work you folks do, but I ask you to remember that this is our livelihood in your hands. I believe that you must be good at what you do, if your low screener # indicates your years with the company. However, I also believe, that this song deserves another listen with the correct lyric in mind. I appreciate you taking the time to read this, and I hope you agree with me.

Here is the lyric:
WHERE THERE IS CHRISTMAS

Where there is Christmas, hearts are alight,
Gathered under evergreens, on a clear wintery night.
The laughter of children, a cheerful refrain.
And someone you knew years before walks through the door again.

Where there is Christmas, there are marvelous things;
Like the wonder of angles, and the splendor of kings,
The glorious starlight streaming down from above.
Still the greatest gift of heaven is…
Where there is Christmas, there’s love.

Where there is Christmas, conflict will cease;
The clamor of violence gives way to whispers of peace.
Enemies pardon, and friends reconcile,
And no one ever speaks of war, if only for a while.

Where there is Christmas, there are marvelous things;
Like the wonder of angles, and the splendor of kings,
The glorious starlight streaming down from above.
Still the greatest gift of heaven is…
Where there is Christmas, there’s love.

So take hold of this time and those who you hold dear.
Wrap your love around them Christmas is near.

Where there is Christmas, there are marvelous things;
Like the wonder of angels, and the spender of kings,
The glorious starlight, and the child from above.
He is the gift of heaven, for
Where there is Christmas, there’s love.


Thanks,

Raymy

[rnrmachine]

That has to be quite frustrating Raymy, I feel your pain.

I would definitely have the "Head Screener" look at it.

Rob

[fret17]

Hi Raymy....Sorry I'm not the screener replying...but I just wanted you to know I just heard the christmas song you wrote(I remember the listing was for ala Susan Boyle) and I thought you nailed it!....It's a wonderfully written uplifting Christmas song with great lyrics and melody...especially great for her to sing...I can tell, you worked extra hard to match this listing and in my book(unpublished as it may be heh) it was killer on target!...I may not have what it takes to screen songs...but I know when I hear something I like and have performed long enough to know what's great for an artist... I'm with you on your suspicions that it wasn't heard all the way through....it's a shame...they missed a great song...

[Casey H]

Ray
Drop an email to the head screener at Taxi about this. If the screener didn't read the lyric sheet, he/she may have goofed.... That is unless the ennunciation was really bad-- didn't listen yet...

The screeners don't always read these posts.

Best
Casey

[glender]

I remember this song too, It was perfect for the listing. I don't know how anyone could write a better Christmas song than this. I completely flat line when it comes to Christmas music. This was a nice piece, very well constructed. Makes me wonder what it takes to get a forward around here. I can't imagine this one not going through.

Good luck getting it all straightened out but I fear time is your enemy.

[raymy]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I too thought the song was a shoe-in. However, the TAXI staff has been really fair in making the situation right. The song still did not receive a forward, but I do feel it was given a fair shake. I don't blame screener 27, it was just an issue of communication and can happen to anybody. I think this does go to show just how hard it is to get forwarded on a major artist listing.

[fret17]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I too thought the song was a shoe-in. However, the TAXI staff has been really fair in making the situation right. The song still did not receive a forward, but I do feel it was given a fair shake. I don't blame screener 27, it was just an issue of communication and can happen to anybody. I think this does go to show just how hard it is to get forwarded on a major artist listing.

Still....it's only natural to wonder if the artist had a chance to hear it...it might've had a chance at getting cut...I suppose it can be a bit painful at times for screeners too

[Len911]

Raymy, even after knowing that the correct lyrics were "marvelous things", I clearly heard motherless things the first two times and marvelous things on the last chorus. imo, motherless,marvelous is almost irrelevant, as this is such a powerful song. The only nit for me was that I would rather hear something more concrete in the hook, where there is Christmas certainly makes sense, but being such a powerful song, where there, seems underpowered. If it was "whiskey" is Christmas, although whiskey would be a ridiculous word to place there, because it is concrete at least matches the power that the song truly possesses. It would be ashame if you didn't resubmit this song again or for another listing, because I really think it is within the tolerance or + and - for a high bar listing. If by chance someone asked me to sing on a christmas album,lol, I would choose this song even if I had to sing motherless and whiskey!