Cortez The Killer

[TelePaul]

A collab between 32-20 Blues and TelePaul...probably our first ever - or first 'proper' one anyways.

So yeah, a cover of Mr. Neil Young's 'Cortez the Killer' for your listening pleasure. Comments/Criticisms more than welcome!

Oh and it's 32-30 on Vox, me on the rest...32-20s jazz solos didn't sit quite right! I dunno if my ateempts are much better!

www.soundclick.com/glasshouserecordings

 

[ziplock43]

Listening right now . . .

Sounds good. The one nick I have with the mix is that the solo guitar feels like it's too high frequency.

Other than that, everything's clear, and it's tight. Strangely, therein lies your problem. Don't get me wrong, you did a great job doing what you set out to do. Neil Young songs have more breathing room, not as tight, all kind of blended together. I understand there's only so much you can do w/ a drum machine though. A telecaster is also a very bright guitar for Neil Young's style.

Again, well put together, just maybe in the wrong style.

 

[Nightfire]

Nice playing and killer song (no pun intended)!
Obviously the vocals arent anywhere close to Neil Young, but theres maybe 3 people in the world who can pull that off anyways.
Production wise it all sounds too clean It's almost too hi-fi for the kind of recordings Young puts out. I wanna hear more vintage dirt, more scruff, more saturated les paul tones, etc. Maybe try different samples for drums, something more led zeppish as far as breathing goes.
The soloing playing was nice but the tone didnt fit with the song, something darker maybe
Very nice mix all around, very, very nice. Just not Neil-ish enough.

Did you ever get new recording equipment after the flood?

 

[zazz]

something wrong chordwise at 014..maybe the bass needs to counterpoint ...double tracking vocals are disturbing but you seem to have that laidback feel going on which makes it a lot better.

 

[32-20-Blues]

Nice playing and killer song (no pun intended)!
Obviously the vocals arent anywhere close to Neil Young, but theres maybe 3 people in the world who can pull that off anyways.
Production wise it all sounds too clean It's almost too hi-fi for the kind of recordings Young puts out. I wanna hear more vintage dirt, more scruff, more saturated les paul tones, etc. Maybe try different samples for drums, something more led zeppish as far as breathing goes.
The soloing playing was nice but the tone didnt fit with the song, something darker maybe
Very nice mix all around, very, very nice. Just not Neil-ish enough.

Did you ever get new recording equipment after the flood?

Thanks for the comments!

Yep, we got new equipment. The insurance covered nearly all of it, which was great. I hear you regarding more dirt in the mix, and I agree with you about the vocals - I don't like my voice at all.

 

[WhiteStrat]

I don't really like Neil Young--so I didn't listen to him. So as I listened to this I wasn't wishing it sounded more like Neil--I thought it sounded pretty darn good as you guys!

I guess if you're hearing the original in your head as you listen, it changes your opinion. But maybe that just makes for an impersonation--not a cover. What you've done is a good cover, even it's not a great impersonation.

Great job!

 

[snellular5]

Wicked

Im a neil young junkie and its nice to see some people covering his stuff on here. I like this take on this really nice and relaxed. Vocals are a bit off in places but other than that, cool man!

 

[TelePaul]

A telecaster is also a very bright guitar for Neil Young's style.

Yah agreed; that's why I opted to play this through my LP studio!

 

[TelePaul]

Production wise it all sounds too clean It's almost too hi-fi for the kind of recordings Young puts out. I wanna hear more vintage dirt, more scruff, more saturated les paul tones, etc. Maybe try different samples for drums, something more led zeppish as far as breathing goes.

AFAIK he tracks live most of the time. I guess that's what creates the raw sound (think Ragged Glory maybe?). Real drums would probably help alright.

 

[TelePaul]

something wrong chordwise at 014..

Can't hear it tbh, can you specify a little? I mean the bass is just one phrase looped again and again...is it a problem with the electric rhythm (panned left) or the acoustic (panned right?)

 

[BushmasterM4]

Love it. I always thaught about doing that as a cover. I think Powder Finger will be my next one. Good work.

 

[antichef]

I like Neil Young - it's been so long since I've heard this song that I don't think I'm unduly influenced -- I'd like to hear more of a volume balance between the electric rhythm (left) and the acoustic (right) -- seems like the electric overpowers the acoustic (of course it does, but you know ). I like the vox and lead guitar. I'd like to hear a little more ornamentation on the drums (as with *all* my own attempts at home recording). Nice job!