XTC lovers please don't hate me! "Mayor of Simpleton"

[cassmcentee]

You Taxi-ites rock!

Rob... I did have a beer after you and Russell suggested, retracked the acoustic version, resang the scratch, stopped...
Still too ugly to post...

Catherine... I'm so happy you like this! I will pay close attention to the reverb!

Fellow Fan Bob... Hah! Thank You! Last night as I was working on it I was thinking the same thing, I had left the center open for vocals. Because I haven't tracked vocals I'm in "No Man's Land" where I need one mix for the instrumental getting centered and more definition of the melody like you mention.

Paul... Thank you!

[nick.moxsom]

Oh, I feel like I just got to the car show and you've shut the garage doors for some tinkering. Hopefully it'll be back up soon so I can hear...

Nick

[cassmcentee]

Sorry Nick, just put last night's mix up...
https://soundcloud.com/robert-cass-mcen ... y-change-f

I've been waiting to hear your take on this!!!

[nick.moxsom]

Well, Cass, as you probably know already, I think you're just a little but insane

Not only picking one of the most sophisticated pop compositions of the modern era, but then attempting to do the whole thing orchestrally... Dude, I reckon you should order some more beer in cos you're gonna be there for some while. LOL

Seriously, great effort, and taking on strings and brass all in on go... kudos to you, mate. At the moment it's got a kinda 'Switched-On Bach' feel to it, which is kitschy but cool. Not sure where you plan to go with it, but I'll be listening in.

I noticed Tarquin Gotch in the credits there – he was one seriously switched-on guy. I met him a couple of times, while he was interested in a band I was in, but I never took him seriously enough at the time. Charming guy, knew his onions. Wish I'd known mine...

Looking forward to the next instalment.

Nick

[cassmcentee]

Thanks Nick!
I've always loved this song of XTC's the best. (Nigel runs a tight 2nd)
My thought was to...
1. Learn the song for myself on Acoustic (Tuned the guitar down to D, the bottom of my vocal range, and play it in F Major)
2. Make a version that could work for commercials. (There is a Beach Boys song running in a commercial right now that got me thinking)...
3. Make a vocal version that wouldn't be too cheesy for the next 80's/90's listing that pops up

and you are correct, It has turned into a lot of work!

I knew you would have a connection to the band, just knew it!!!

Thanks again for the words and your ears!

[eeoo]

Wow, that's an ambitious project, good for you! I think it sounds great, there's a certain sound, might be the brass, that takes it too far into midi world for me but that's a nitpick because I could never even attempt something like this!

Go Cass, freat work!

eo

[cassmcentee]

Thanks Ethan!
The solo violin is the main culprit in my ears...
...most of it will get cut when I lay vocals down
It's pretty much a place holder for the vocals.
I haven't sung for a long time and I wanted to know exactly what notes I'm supposed to be aiming for!