Hi everyone,
Thanks for all your replies and the efforts you have gone to to help with my problem. I am just back from my break in Brighton / London and so apologise for the delay in getting back to you. (I did cart my laptop all the way down with me only to find I had left the power cord at home!!! Typical).

I do find it a little strange that some of you hear the 'mud' as do I and yet others don't. I guess this is where Terry's advice with regard to good mixing and monitoring comes in to get that 'equal' sound regardless of what eqipment the song is played on.

I am also surprised that Gary got excellent quality through his hi-fi whilst my own hi-fi sounded terrible! Maybe Gary has a much better hi-fi than I do

I think that maybe I need to at least take on board some of Terry's excellent advice in his tutorial (link above) and also invest in some decent monitor speakers.

I know that I will never get anywhere as a singer but I do want to make my ditties as presentable as possible so that my limited vocal ability does not detract from what otherwise could be a half decent song.

Thanks again everyone for your help and when I have 'mastered' (no pun intended!) at least the basics I will re-record the above two songs to see if I have made at least a little progress.

Best to you all
Tony