Critique needed/wanted

tekdiver500ft · #1 07-31-2011, 05:14 AM

It's a straightforward blues, but would love to know what actual musicians think of it. I did this as a session artist a couple days ago. It was quite interesting in that everything else had been done, so I was alone adding bass and backup vocals. First time in a recording studio, too.

http://fcgeil.com/wp-content/uploads...ark-Jungle.mp3

JimmyM · #2 07-31-2011, 08:35 AM

Sorry, I couldn't tell anything...the drummer was too busy losing the beat and stepping all over everything, and the acoustic sounded like it was a beat behind. You did as good as you could with what you had to work with, though. Bass was probably the best thing about it. That and the lead vocal...guy has a nice voice.

Dark Horse · #3 07-31-2011, 09:30 AM

I have to agree with Jimmy.

Honesty, I couldn't get past the first minute because the drums were so "all over the place". It seems like he went into the session thinking "I'm gonna show what I can do" instead of "let's record a great song". His timing was bad, fills were all over, and he wasn't playing to serve the song.

The session would have greatly benefited from :

A) Spending time in pre-production to nail down the correct parts
B) Use of a click track

One of the great things about the studio is taking the time to really figure out what works - locking the bass and drums together, making sure the rhythm beds are tight and correct, working out song arrangements, etc - and it seems like none of that was done here.

Bass-wise, honestly...there wasn't much you could do, as the drummer was too "all over the place".

If you continue to work with these guys, I'd suggest listening objectively, simplifying parts, really working on the tones, and taking the time to make sure that the drums and bass are really locked in. Oh, and spend some time (all the band members) with a metronome.

Best of luck. I hope you don't take my post as "harsh" - I'm really only mentioning these things in the hopes that it will help you in the long run.

tekdiver500ft · #4 07-31-2011, 09:45 AM

Thanks, guys. This is exactly what I needed. I needed objective views (you know, people who aren't invested in the project) to bolster my own thoughts. I agree about the timing, but since it was all already recorded...

The producer is also new to this, and he seems to really value my opinion musically, so I hope to be able to convince him to make these changes. I really like the lead vocalist's voice, too.

Thanks again.

geoff_in_nc · #5 07-31-2011, 10:05 AM

My humble opinion: The singer sliding up a couple tones to correct pitch at the end of what seemed like every single phrase was really .... I don't know how to say this politely.... tiring. I might even go with "annoying".

tekdiver500ft · #6 07-31-2011, 10:08 AM

I agree, Geoff. I like it as an occasional turn, it can be very bluesy, but too much is too much.

Joe Nerve · #7 07-31-2011, 10:18 AM

I disagree about the drummer stuff, and urge the others who commented to take another listen. Not the most solid drumming, but he knows where the one is, and his timing is actually pretty on. Sorry to say to the OP, but you're all over the place on this one. Seems ya don't know the song nor basic blues structure all that well. If I were you, and it's at all possible, I'd ask for the tracks sans bass, work on the tune, and then go back and re-record it. If these guys are serious about their stuff they're going to nix your bass track anyhow. Not saying this to hurt, saying to help. Ya gotta work a little more at this.

tekdiver500ft · #8 07-31-2011, 10:41 AM

No sweat, Joe. No offense taken. I can only improve if I'm told what's wrong.

I've only been playing bass for about two months, and had never even heard the song before this take. Producer said it's a 12-bar blues in A. It was, but not quite, and we may well re-do parts/all of it, as I still think it has potential. As I said, this is for a new producer, he's trying to get some chops recording, and is simply producing a ton of music as practice. I thought there was some good stuff in here, and some not so good. I put it up here to get opinions from more experienced musicians so that I can get my thoughts straight before telling the producer what I think.

I do hear a lot of roughness in the drumming, though. Yes, he finds one pretty well, but the rest isn't particularly good.

Dark Horse · #9 07-31-2011, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

I disagree about the drummer stuff, and urge the others who commented to take another listen. Not the most solid drumming, but he knows where the one is, and his timing is actually pretty on.

By the third measure the drummers meter has slowed down. Put it to a metronome and you'll see. Other than that, the fills also start off time in many cases. He comes in close to the one, but his meter is pretty lacking....speeds up, slows down...definitely not "solid". He also has a tendency to let everything drop out when he does some of his fills.

All in all, the whole thing needs lots of work, but without a solid drum track, you have nothing. Got to have a "foundation" to build the house on, so to speak.