I'm going to post this at night like I did 2 years ago... I woke up to 2 pages of flamming and how much I sucked... Lead by the pro, john smiles(can he even) and others... I hope to awake to flames... Maybe the forum has changed for the better.. Of course this was done on an arranger keyboard... which should make it not ot... http://chipos.com/mixdown.mp3

DJ waiting the flame



[This message has been edited by beachbum (edited 04-30-2005).]

Beachbum,
I am listening to your song right now; I think that the arrangement is very well done (I like the piano comping and the strings in the background).
On the other hand, your voice seems a bit "behind" in the mix and I wouldn't mind to hear it a bit more "up-front", maybe lowering the strings, which tend to be at times too loud.
Since this is a candid review and I always tend to give constructive criticism (that is, if I don't like a song, I usually dont' comment anything, instead of writing banalities like "Thank you for sharing"), I will add that in the very first phrase of the song your voice seems to drift slightly out of tune (I am referring to the bit where you sing "All my troubles seem so far away"). Other than that, you pitch is very good and have to agree with Scott that your voice emission has improved a lot since your first songs.

Thanks Dreamer...
I did this in 10 minutes about a week ago when I heard the pro gave his fairwell speach... This is the tune i posted 2 years ago, and got flamed, I wanted to see how far I've come... And I had the same complaint 2 years ago... I don't know what it is about this one that makes me want to feel it more than sing it... Check out my originals http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/dcallmusic.htm
I sure don't drift in those... But something about this one... I can't help it... I feel it's the way it should be done... Thanks for the listen..

I think I'm going to quit... You guys got me. Plus, I'm starting a new job and can't keep the kind of hours I need to compose... You guys win...
DJ
Unlike th pro, I quit...



[This message has been edited by beachbum (edited 04-30-2005).]

DJ, come on now, enough with the pessimism. If you want to make it with your music in the music biz, you need to maintain a thick skin and persevere with a more postive attitude. Take your music anywhere and there will be at least an equal (and probably a lot more) people who will hate your music than love it. That's just the way of the world. That said, I myself have grown to appreciate your creative efforts, and the sincerity and angst expressed in your songs. I like the arrangement you used on Yesterday, and the vocals (though a tad rough in spots from a technical point of view) delivers the message, which is of foremost importance in a song. Keep going and don't let the nay-sayers allow you to put a negative spin on things. Life is good. - Scott

Dang Scott you got me!!
Everyone threatening to quit I thought I'd join in.... You right... It isn't polished; it took 10 minutes to do in a huff I was in. I suppose that words that some folks post years ago can build up... as for the covers, like this, that's why I do originals... nobody can tell if I behind!!! Thanks Scott...



[This message has been edited by beachbum (edited 04-30-2005).]

DJ, I don't understand the negative comments...I think it sounded great..Your vocals remind me of Rachel Hunters X.....Rod Stewart..

DJ, your efforts and those of others are one of the reasons that I try to come to this forum on a daily basis. I don't feel I am qualified to give you a technical review of your work, but I will tell you I enjoyed your interpretation, performance and willingness to share. Sometimes singing a song the way you want it done is enjoyment enough. DJ, keep em coming and be assured I am always willing to listen. Man if we all looked alike, sounded alike and thought alike...this would be a boring world.

Ricky

DJ: I hope you didn't misinterprete my comments. My technical remarks were only made as a point of reference.Some of my favorite singers (from Dylan, Hank Williams, and Rod Stewart) have voices rough around the edges, but that's what makes them special (and successful)and sets them apart from others. I never advocate technical perfection but instead, defining 'your own' sound to bring out your own unique 'personal' style. As I listen to each new song of yours, you're sounding less and less like 'Sting' and coming into your own. Bravo. Keep up the good work. - Scott

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 04-30-2005).]

Thanks guys... Again this was a ten-minute effort... As my origs, are why I do this...
Thanks fran for the listen, and the history has been deleted... So, Thanks for the nice words...

Jenkins... Thanks for the time... check out my originals... all done with the psr2000...My tune, "goodbye" seems to be doing well... I wish more shared as well...

Scott,
Hey even in the old days you never took me behind the woodshed... And you know that cover tunes is not my reason to music... You've always had a positive thing to say... If I listen to the folks who use to judge on this board I would have never written "goodbye"

Thanks again,
DJ

DJ,
I am really enjoying the tunes.
And exactly what Ricky (Jenkins) said goes for me too.

Thanks.
Ed

I listened to Beachbum's yesterday and... I liked it. I downloaded it and did some playing around with it in Wavelab.
I put a stereo-enhancer on the original recording and added some mid and lower strings. A pizzicato somewhere near the beginning and at the end and that was it.
However I couldn't resist putting a "sgt. Pepper's" trumpet in it as well. Maybe not appropriate but I had fun doing this.
You can find it HERE


------------------
drdalet

DJ
Being on dialup I only have the patience to download one version, so I downloaded drdalet's...and enjoyed it very much. No complaints here with dragging...everything you sang appeared to be intentional stylization with the emotion I am sure you felt.

It sounded great. Sure wish I could hit those high notes like you do. Congrats to you and drdalet on a fine collaboration.

Eddie

Hi DJ,
I enjoyed your rendition a lot. I had never heard your first one. I think must have been posted just a bit before I found this wonderful place. But I have enjoyed everything I have heard from you and please do keep sharing with us.

------------------
The old Newb

Ed thanks for the listen, I'm glad you enjoyed it...

drdalet... Pretty cool remake thier... Thanks for the tweaks... very cool..

Eddie
Thanks for the time... I wouldn't have bothered on dail up... I once, had to go back to dial after being with a cable modem for years... All I would do is check email and log off... Way to slow... Thanks for taking the time...


OldNewb,
Thank you for your time as well... I think I did this to say hey... We can get better if we have folks not wanting to tear us down, but help build us up...
Thanks everyone,
DJ

Good version and good singing. I could sit in a bar and listen to you for hours.
And don't worry about the flamers from your first attempts. Remember that Lucille Ball's first acting teacher begged her to drop out because he said that she couldn't act her way out of a paper bag and COL Sanders had three bankruptcies before he started selling chicken.
I'm going to check out your originals...
BTW, for those who are curious, I'm a newbie deciding which arranger to buy and this is my first post.
Love the forum!
- Dan

Welcome to the forum StPatrick/Dan.
There has been an awful lot of posting here lately about new members and how they feel treated as they are fitting in. I hope you do not let any of it influence you in whatever you want to say. I just try to remember the old "Golden Rule".
I hope your stay here is long and fruitful.

------------------
The old Newb

Thanks so much. I think AJ told me about this forum when I met him at Washington Music Center and he was dazzling me with the SD1 Plus. Me and a guy who works for me got him to play and sing Shaggy's Angel after about 30 seconds of humming it to him. Really talented guy.
Back to the topic at hand.... (I'm scared to do any off topic stuff here, lol!) I like this guys originals too. He really reminds me of the lead singer from Men at Work. I bet he could tear up Down Under.

I'm not sure if it would be a compliment or insult to have myself compared to another singer (famous & re-owned or not). On one hand a compliment because of the association, but I prefer to be acknowledged for 'my own' voice & unique style.

I remember seeing a video documentary on Elvis Presley, where he recants that a record producer (Sun records?) asked him (before he was heard/discovered) WHO he sounded like. He replied: "I don't sound like nobody else, I sound like myself". Very telling response I'd say. Now half the world (Elvis impersonators) are trying to sound like him. Afterall, there is and will always be ONLY one Elvis.

Though we all might sound similar to someone else (star) out there, I personally advocate each of us finding & devleoping our OWN 'voice' and UNIQUE sound. Though I can obviously hear the similarities between DJ's & Sting's vocal style, I also appreciate the vocal things that DJ does differently than Sting, and encourage him to set himself uniquely apart, developing his own sound with that. - Scott

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 05-03-2005).]

Thanks for listening ST Pat and welcome to the forum... You can find anything you what to know about arrangers here... Always someone to help...

Thanks again Scott... Kind of strange... I don't hear anyone but me when doing tunes now...

DJ