Americana Crap

[chrisharris]

Hi:

My daughter and I sat down yesterday and wrote and recorded 4 songs.
This is the first one. If you think this sounds like shit, please feel free to say it.

It's called "Straw And Dirt"...(think 3 Little Pigs)
http://www.betteroffdad.com/MP3/strawandbricks.mp3

[Greg_L]

Sounds really good Chris. I think that left chugging guitar sounds very good, but maybe a little loud. Just a touch. The ending is kinda weird with the sudden stops.

On a side note, I've always thought it was really cool how you and your daughter have this musical bond. Most guys with teenage daughters may as well be total strangers. Yall seem to have something special. Props to you.

[Zarathustra]

Some very nice little couplets, song works very well. I think you need to make the vocals more prominent throughout the song, because they often sound drowned in between the guitars and such.

Most of the guitar melody lines in the right track sound more elevator jazz than country to me. I would personally redo it, I just don't like it. It doesn't fit the sound of the rest of the song to me at all. It's just too smooth and doesn't hit the right places to me.

It might need just alittle fiddle. Just a pinch.

[chrisharris]

Originally Posted by Greg_L

On a side note, I've always thought it was really cool how you and your daughter have this musical bond.

Thanks for listening. I'll turn down the "chug" guitar. Yeah man, it's been a fun ride, and I'm gonna' miss the hell out of her when she goes to Colorado in the Fall, but I've got a 10 year old that's becoming quite the guitar player, and the 7 year old can sing better than Jaimee, so I may still have a band!!!

Originally Posted by Zarathustra

Most of the guitar melody lines in the right track sound more elevator jazz than country to me.

Thanks. You're right. We're gonna' replace it with fiddle tomorrow evening. I appreciate the listen.

[Zarathustra]

Thanks for listening. I'll turn down the "chug" guitar. Yeah man, it's been a fun ride, and I'm gonna' miss the hell out of her when she goes to Colorado in the Fall, but I've got a 10 year old that's becoming quite the guitar player, and the 7 year old can sing better than Jaimee, so I may still have a band!

Just make sure to get them to sign their money over to you while they don't understand legal contracts, in case they become way better than you and don't need you anymore. That way you'll still get all the money.

[chrisharris]

Originally Posted by Zarathustra

in case they become way better than you and don't need you anymore.

lmao...that ship has pretty much sailed. I'm lucky they LET me play with them.

[mattkw80]

Wow - great work !

[WhiteStrat]

No nits here. Just wanted to check in and say that I love this piece. I'd love it if were two folks who didn't know each other, but knowing it's you and your daughter makes it all the better.

P.S. I like the guitar melody lines.

[kgirl72]

sounding great as always Chris.

[Marcadiablo]

Really nice work.

[mattkw80]

Your daughter's got a really good voice.

It's natural and not over-done or pushed.

I know a whole lot of people (musicians and non-musician's) who would really dig this.

Your background vocals sound great too.

[Ben Logan]

Great song. Acoustic guitar has a nice tone. Beautiful harmonizing with the singing. Intriguing lyrics. I'm impressed.

[chrisharris]

Originally Posted by mattkw80

Wow - great work !

Thanks for the listen...very much.

Originally Posted by WhiteStrat

knowing it's you and your daughter makes it all the better.

P.S. I like the guitar melody lines.

Sweet. I appreciate the listen...I had intended to do this with fiddle instead of the guitar lines, so it's no great loss when I ditch them...they obviously didn't take long.

The main thing we're trying to do is to create grooves without drums. It's freaking HARD, lol.

Originally Posted by kgirl72

sounding great as always Chris.

I appreciate the listen and the kind words.

Originally Posted by Marcadiablo

Really nice work.

You're too nice...call me an asshole or something.

Originally Posted by mattkw80

I know a whole lot of people (musicians and non-musician's) who would really dig this.

Biggest compliment we could receive. Thanks

Originally Posted by Ben Logan

Great song. Acoustic guitar has a nice tone. Beautiful harmonizing with the singing. Intriguing lyrics. I'm impressed.

Thanks very much. I appreciate the time.

[chrisharris]

The link has been updated with a "new" mix. I put the "new" in quotes because it's pretty similar...I brought down the guitar on the left a bit, I bumped her vocal a db, I took the compression off the backup vocals to clean them up a bit...did some other insignificant crap.

Oh, and I added a tambourine. Man, I suck at tambourine.

Whenever Jaimee can do the fiddle part, we'll be about done with this one. I appreciate the listens.

[SnakeDog5050]

I really like the tune. The singing IMO is excellent, really carries the song nicely. I'm always the fan of tambourine in choruses too, catchy and cool Just an idea... I think it might sound cool if you played the acoustic less aggressive in the first verse, then build it up to what you have later in the verse and chorus. That style seems to fit later on better. Anyways, excellent listen. Look forward to some fiddle

[danw]

I can't really critique the recording in any useful way -- just wanted to say this really is nice. I just sent the link to a friend.

[heatmiser]

Yup, I'm just going to pile on with more compliments...

Very well done. Rhythmically locked right in...no drums required as the groove is there. Vocals are well done - very distinct yet with a nice relaxed sound.

Loving that tambourine...

[Llarion]

I was gonna say that the guitars were too hard panned for my taste, and that the soundfuled was a little strange as a result, but as soon as the bass and percussion came in down the middle, it completely fixed that.

NEAT tune!!! Your daughter is outstanding...

As far as tambo goes, reverse your pattern; the accent goes on the backbeat. it'll be fine then. THe bass covers the downbeats. Only squares clap on 1 and 3, man...

Little klunk on the ending, what was that dropout?

[heatmiser]

Man...i feel square...

[Llarion]

Originally Posted by heatmiser

Man...i feel square...

Well, with that hairdo, what do ya want?

[Acoustic-Fury]

I didn't hear the original but I thought everyone was crazy till I realized you had tweaked it...really well done song, the singer is awesome - she reminds me a lot of Jolie Holland, your guitar sound is great and everything else fits real nice.

Americana can be really moving when done right and I think you got it.

[mwthompson]

Originally Posted by chrisharris

lmao...that ship has pretty much sailed. I'm lucky they LET me play with them.

You're lucky to have the financial leverage. They keep you around because you buy the equipment.

Very good song, by the way. Good writing, I like the lyrics.

[TelePaul]

When do I get to play tele with delay??

[chrisharris]

Originally Posted by heatmiser

Yup, I'm just going to pile on with more compliments...

haha...well thanks for taking the time man.

Originally Posted by Llarion

As far as tambo goes, reverse your pattern;

Little klunk on the ending, what was that dropout?

Ok, I reversed the pattern. I see what you're saying...do the tambo "hits" like a snare would hit, and let the bass pick up where it would be playing with the kick. I never thought about it before, so thanks.

Lol...The dropout was TOTALLY intentional and TOTALLY not to cover up a mistake at the end of the song. - I appreciate the listen very much

Originally Posted by Acoustic-Fury

Americana can be really moving when done right.

I couldn't agree more, and I appreciate your comment.

Originally Posted by mwthompson

Very good song, by the way. Good writing, I like the lyrics.

Cool...this one was written really fast - those are usually my favorites. Thanks for taking the time.

Originally Posted by TelePaul

When do I get to play tele with delay??

It wasn't on this tune...check your PM's for the link to the new tune and see if you want to do it.

This could easily be on the radio, good song, great singing, and good recording.