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Thank you for the review of "Gabey the rampaging baby." That was basically a collection of performances off of the Bigfish audio Nu Jazz sample bundle. A client gave them to me after winning a competition here on BJ. There were some great performances on that collection and I had the idea to use some big band with my son's vocal samples one day. It was a lot of fun editing and in the end it was only meant to be a cute song celebrating my son's ability to go on a rampage with his cueing and squeaking:) His mother and I can't stop giggling whenever we play it. I can understand your observation that its not an "actual song" by the standard radio format... Although 80% of the music I do this way is primarily instrumental and catered to film and game soundtracks... So you may be marking a lot of my songs down in reviews unfortunately I completely understand though... Sometimes you want a story with actual lyrics and the music isn't enough when only accompanied by some baby sound design. Thank you again for the review!!! Keep rocking:) Best: N
Hi! Actually, I'm not really interested in lyrics, although I write them for my own songs, nor do I care too much how radio defines a song, but the actual word 'song' MEANS 'music meant for singing'. Your track doesn't really have a singable melody. Thus, I wouldn't really call it a song. It reminds me of the opening seconds of Stevie Wonder's 'Isn't She Lovely', but that, of-course does resolve into a song. It's not that I'm marking your song down. To me, it isn't a song at all. On the other hand, as I think I said in my review, for film background or especially a TV commercial or as a theme tune for a comedy show on TV...perfect! (I hadn't thought of games! ;-) ).
There's a few people here that share your opinion... Although, I was brought up and trained to consider the works of Bach, Beethoven, John Williams, James Horner, Joe Satirani, and the work of many more artists/composers songs too... I guess with that mindset I suppose that would entitle me to be able to go through reviews and say things like "Well, being most of the opportunities here cater to film and television I was expecting less of a song and more of a composition." Regardless, everyone is entitled to their opinion as to what constitutes a song and I'm not about to tell you you're wrong. I'd just humbly ask you to consider other possibilities while reviewing and try to keep an open mind... Besides... It wasn't my music you reviewed, it was BigFish audio's:) So this was more of meet and greet for me than it was a review of my music. Unfortunately... I'm not half the musician as some of those Jazz artist on bigfish audio, I'd really hate to think what you'd think of my own work (loosens collar as the walls start to come in). Haha... I checked out your own "songs." Reminded me of a cross between Dirty Vegas and Leonard Cohen. Very cool style. I'd be interested in hearing more when I find the time to swing by after finishing the current score I'm producing (more non songs I'm afraid). Keep on rocking, I enjoyed your music, and respect your opinion regardless of our different perspectives on what constitutes a song (believe me, this topic was beaten beyond the dead horse in some of the blogs here on BJ, its just one of those things, lol). Take care and good luck in the reviews:) Best: N
PS. Your photo is awesome... I love that shot, between the girls and the expression on your face, digging that a lot:)
Strange. I really can't stand Leonard Cohen. No voice and very little melody. He's all about words and should stick to them! I've never heard of Dirty Vegas, so cannot comment on them. I don't know which songs you listened to. I started in the 60s in the same company as The Beatles, but am influenced by Puccini, Duke Ellington, Antonio Carlos Jobim and write in a whole variety of genres, few of them included in the choices on this site. As for the picture, one of the girls is 15 years older than the other and she's a great singer/songwriter herself. They're both brazilian. do a Web search on Ive Mendes. Returning to you, as I said, your track (that's a safe word!) is perfectly suited for precisely what you intended it for!
lol = track. Thats awesome. Leonard didn't have much of a voice, you're right there, but there was a quality really appealing to listeners about him, something very familiar and down to earth about a lot of his work that I think resonates in your own. (not the whole monotone thing but that warm quality to his characteristics, which is good.) Dirty Vegas was an electric band that did some really cool stuff back in the day. Here are two links to the same song... Acoustic and electronic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONCY0xnefAE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7orcS9eBo8s&feature=related I can hear your beetles influences for sure... Especially in your second track. Originally when I got started in composing it was "Wrath of Kahn" and "Elton John" that inspired me. Now days I'm so torn all over the map I have no idea what I'm doing any more. Its a cluster @#$% of album productions, remixes, soundtracks, and commercial cues. Regardless... I've discovered in my limited experiences that it all comes in so many forms these days that its really hard to know how to rate stuff. Regardless... Its a voyage full of exploration and plenty of unexpected surprises. I enjoyed experiencing your work for its art and hope to see more of you in the future. Best: N
Hi! I wasn't really INFLUENCED by The Beatles. That's just how we all wrote and sounded back in the 60s. I was with Dick James after The Beatles, but BEFORE he signed Elton John, whose songs are all a bit too alike, in my ears. Another one whom i think is rather over-rated. As to Mr. Cohen, however, he's probably the only songwriter I like even less than Bob Dylan! In closing, which of my songs DID you listen to?
The first two... Your first track reminded me of Dirty Vegas in the composition and Cohen in the vocal delivery. The second track had that "Beetles and early Elton John" sound in its composition and delivery. The engineering quality really removed from the experience though... I'd be curious how it would sound after getting a few restoration plugins on it... Cleaning up the noise floor and what not. Beyond that I've been working on a science fiction soundtrack for half the morning. Haven't really taken the time to listen to much of anything to be honest. Too focused on designing synth sounds from the ground up in an attempt to present some original content that hasn't been heard a 1000 times in every horror film ever created you know? Its really tough... Some times you're so sure no one has done anything like it and then when others hear it they don't think there's anything special about it. The second you start doing stuff people expect though... Its strange how the originality props go up even though its already been done. Elton John's early career was fantastic... It was so amazing that in many regards I see Elton's current work as a completely different artist. People may like the whole "Circle of life thing" but I'm all about "Rocket man, your song, and Saturday night is a great night for fighting" you know? Originally when I was really getting influenced it was Nine Inch Nails pushing all my buttons... Later, Trent got a little more into the political messages and what not and he lost me as well. The track you reviewed is actually a horrible way to get to know me as a producer being that was one of my more "out of the box" productions. I'm usually doing dark soundtracks, industrial music, or club thumpers to be honest. Regardless... Like I said... I can never tell wether I'm coming or going being the genre's I produce are literally every where. You've been doing this a while then I take it? I was a glimmer in a bottle of Jack Daniels back in the 60's. Wasn't until 78 when I was finally hatched... Its hard to impress a lot of the veteran producers some weeks. Most of them have been in the presence of Gods and a lot of work must seem trivial to them in contrast. I have to remind myself often that I'm still young in comparison and likely don't have a fraction of the experience. I still hold tight to my guns regarding production philosophies though. I figure what good is an opinion if its not your own right? Anyhow... Sorry I didn't spend more time on your profile, when I get a chance I'll be sure to do so. The contrast between your first and second track was quite wide... I can imagine you have a lot more to offer than what I've heard. Best: N
Oh... and I hate Johnny Cash myself... Never did understand why so many people enjoyed his work like they did. Every time I listen to the older stuff all I can think is "another cowboy" song. Oddly though... As I grew older, I discovered tracks like his Hurt Cover and "When the man comes around" and after a while he grew on me. Its sometimes tough to appreciate qualities in music we don't personally relate to. Over time though... I've allowed myself the opportunity to ponder why it was others enjoyed the work so much and have done what I can to learn from it. Unfortunately... All I ever took away from it was "Its all about the lyrics and giving your audience something to identify with." Which in my case... Suggests I should stop producing today being I rely primarily on music to tell the story... Not the other way around. Best: N
Hi! I was born in 1947. OK. It's NOBODY where you thought I sounded like Cohen. I understand now. I had a terrible cold when I recorded that and must replace the vocal when I have the time! I think you my have played To speak Of Love next. This is a ballad written for a musical that was never put on. Try SOMEONE when you have the time. The first concerts I ever attended were of...the great Paul Robeson, Andres Segovia and the last of the great tenors, Jussi Bjorling. Then I discovered Jazz and went to see my favourite singer at the Palladium a couple of times...Peggy Lee and also a great concert in 1969 or so. Support act: Ella Fitzgerald. Main act: The Duke Ellington Orchestra. ciao, Earl.
It was Nobody I was thinking of:) I'll be sure to stop back in when I can give you twenty minutes or so. Thank you again for your thoughts in the review, bid you the best for the rest of your day as well:) N