Congratulations on the airplay!
I'm late to the party, but here's some thoughts anyway.
This is one of my favourite songs of yours, and I've listened to the original so often that I know the vocal performance inside out.
You know how if the first version of a song you get to know is a live recording, then the album version can sound "wrong" when you finally hear it? Except that I don't think this sounds wrong, I think it sounds great.
Your vocal sound is so much better than your earlier stuff. Your performance is very good, as usual. But the sound is so much clearer, and so much more "intimate" than before. Great effort.
"Unglued" doesn't sound quite right - you seem to lose conviction as the note ends. Mind you, that line is probably my favourite bit in the first version - heart-breaking.
"Picking out her own tunes" is much better this time around, and very nicely sung. It's pitched very low, but you've kept the melody precise and clear.
The guitars sound great too, and I like your choices in arrangement. I particularly like the intro break, and the fill at 4:03.
I agree with someone else, though, that sometimes there's a bit too much string noise. I have the same problem, so I'm afraid I can't help you fix it!
I think the track might be a tiny bit too slow. It's not a major thing, but maybe a couple of bpm faster would suit better?
I love the subtle percussion. But a little cowbell couldn't hurt.
There's some nice playing in the strings. I think you should choose one string track and really bring it forward and centre. Keep the other tracks just as they are - quiet, pushed back, there but not up front. But bring one violin up with the vocal - I think you're missing an opportunity to feature another "voice" in the song; it's there, it just needs bringing forward into the spotlight!
Also, you could try some crescendos into the choruses - that might sound cool.
I like the backing vocals, and the doubled lines and chorus BVs are perfect as is. The oohs and aahs, though, are too hard-panned. (But nicely sung) I'd either bring them in a bit, or double each voice and hard-pan.
Basically, it's a very well-written song, much better recorded and arranged, with a very strong vocal performance and more interesting instrumentation. Your original vocal was so full of character that every detail has stuck in my head, but even so, I think this version is better. Much better.
Will you still talk to us amateurs when you're rich and famous?
(Actually, given your guitar collection you're clearly rich already.
)
Cheers
AB
