Amen, Amen to all those wonderful comments. Great Job Don. Loved it.

Gerry M

Don, I know that you try to NOT sound like an aranger and almost always accomplish that. Just, I didn't think you made it this time with this tune and this keyboard. Kaper made an interesting comment concerning the quality of the Ketron guitars.

I hope you know, you are my inspration and my favorite performer on SZ. You will notice that I do NOT give out commilments that I don't feel are deserved. If I tell you its good you can take it to the bank. I also don't do positive comments to old friends who can no longer sing even though they are old friends.

Anyway, in response to what to do to get back to the great country sound, you migh consider getting rid of the new kb and going back to what works for you. Or, maybe just fix those guitars!

I confused about this statement .....
Ketron sounds are some of the best out there..
Yamaha might have a slight edge due to the effects
they use on their guitars like the Eg: slide guitar, etc,..
but that's it.... Ketron certainly is in the top also.

Don, & Earl,

It sounds like an Arranger. Because IT IS AN ARRANGER.. The only way I have found to NOT have it sound like an Arranger is to use the Arranger less. In essence I use "less" of the Arranger than most folks....I then build my tracks up from there, NOT using Arranger features, but sequencing additional parts manually & adding real guitars...

In essence I use my KORG PA 4x as an Arranger/Workstation

Well, I don't sequence anything much. The guitar is just what popped up on the style preset. As far as sounding country, it's not really a country song, it's a Delbert McClinton blues song, but done more in the fashion of Emmy Lou Harris' version.
It's really early in the game for this arranger, but all the sounds are there.
Constructive criticism is always welcomed by me. Thanks!

Don that sounded great to me I loved it thanks Cal.

Exactly...sound great to me ...who are we too judge?

There is a huge difference between judging someone and giving feedback
Honest feedback is like a present you need to unwrap to find something worthwhile

How we receive it is important too...On my new VIDEO "Cry of the Young" I posted here, another FORUM really got on me about the Drums & bass on the original version. It was TECHNO/RAP, but I was heading in the wrong direction...3 people said the same crit on the other Forum, in different ways & DNJ on this FORUM gave me some great advice here as well on the drums & piano...Now the FIRST one who posted was a little demeaning. But, I saw past that, & realized, his crit was spot on..

He has not responded to the final version, so we will see where his motives were. To demean my work or help the track get better?

Either way.....If a few people tell me the same thing I may want to listen..BTW someone on that same FORUM is slamming my VIDEO "First Love. Last Love" I placed on that Forum 8 months ago and my new VIDEO "Cry of the Young"...Brutal criticism of the song & VIDEO, more the VIDEOS....It is his opinion & probably I will see what he meant as I get better at VIDEOS

I take each comment very seriously. As you say, you may not see understand what someone is trying to tell you at first, but maybe it will sink it later.
I pretty much don't agree with Earl's assessment yet, but I truly appreciate that he took the time and effort to make it, and I am taking it very seriously as I listen to the guitar sounds in question.
When I make my next trip to Mountain Home, AR., I will buy his breakfast in appreciation!
In the next few days, I will finally have a better chance to sit down at the SD7 and do a lot of homework. So far, it has been sort of a mess, rushing it into service before I was ready, but the live audiences seem to be enjoying it and that's what counts.