"Mercy Street" (Peter Gabriel cover) Modern/Indie Folk

[famous beagle]

Hey y'all,

This is our cover of Gabriel's "Mercy Street." I'm actually not 100% done tracking - we still have to add a higher female harmony part in the chorus - but it's very close, and I'm not sure when we're going to be able to do that, so I'm doing what I can (working on the mix) in the meantime.

Any thoughts or comments welcome. Thanks for listening.

 

[dachay2tnr]

Nice recording. Pleasant to listen to. Harmonies are nice.

Not familiar with the original, but not crazy about where it slows around 1:50ish, and repeats later on. I assume that's the original's arrangement.

Well mixed.

 

[famous beagle]

Nice recording. Pleasant to listen to. Harmonies are nice.

Not familiar with the original, but not crazy about where it slows around 1:50ish, and repeats later on. I assume that's the original's arrangement.

Well mixed.

Thanks for the listen. Actually, it was my idea to break things down during the chorus, as I thought it made for some nice moments. Different strokes!

The original sounds quite different (dominated by synths, appears on his 1986 "So" album). My favorite song of his for sure.

 

[Papanate]

Hey y'all,

This is our cover of Gabriel's "Mercy Street." I'm actually not 100% done tracking - we still have to add a higher female harmony part in the chorus - but it's very close, and I'm not sure when we're going to be able to do that, so I'm doing what I can (working on the mix) in the meantime.

Any thoughts or comments welcome. Thanks for listening.

It sounds like it needs more depth in the Vocals - a different more in depth reverb - make it a little more fluid - since you are adding more harmonies I’ll hold off on the balance between them - the original is so haunting - I like the stops on the chorus - sometimes - I can’t tell yet - the bass bits are great as are the thingy that kind of sounds Indian/Scottish bagpipes - What is that? - The Drum parts are very subtle - again I can’t tell exactly what is accenting the Bass - but its very well done.

 

[R D Smith]

I'm not familiar with the original either, but I really like your version. I think it sounds pretty good now, I can't imagine that it needs much more to be finished.

 

[stratmonkee]

wow, what a great song to cover, love Peter Gabriel and finally got to see him live last year. Tremendous job on this, probably my favorite song off So. Great instrumentation choices and playing, love the female harmony parts, such a cool vibe . Is that a violin playing the beautiful fills and accents around the vocals/between verses? Man, this is great!

 

[famous beagle]

It sounds like it needs more depth in the Vocals - a different more in depth reverb - make it a little more fluid - since you are adding more harmonies I’ll hold off on the balance between them - the original is so haunting - I like the stops on the chorus - sometimes - I can’t tell yet - the bass bits are great as are the thingy that kind of sounds Indian/Scottish bagpipes - What is that? - The Drum parts are very subtle - again I can’t tell exactly what is accenting the Bass - but its very well done.

Thanks for the listen and the comments.

There's only a subtle kick drum accenting the bass right now. I'm still debating whether I should add anymore percussion.

Regarding the bagpipe-like instrument, I'm not entirely sure what you're talking about. If it's the thing that's playing the melody during the instrumental interludes, that's a violin (which is also present in much of the rest of the track.

Oh, wait! You're taking about the "Let's take the boat out" bit, right? That's six tracks of strings: two cellos and four violins. (My son played the cello bits.) I had them slide in and out of tune to create the drone-like hurdy-gurdy effect.

 

[Papanate]

There's only a subtle kick drum accenting the bass right now. I'm still debating whether I should add anymore percussion.

Clever - You could add a bit of Floor tom in there - rolling off the top end - and keep the punch without overtly sounding the Tom.

Regarding the bagpipe-like instrument, I'm not entirely sure what you're talking about. If it's the thing that's playing the melody during the instrumental interludes, that's a violin (which is also present in much of the rest of the track.

Again very cleverly done - I thought it was a Violin - but it has a lot of body - and I guess I’m easily misled!

Oh, wait! You're taking about the "Let's take the boat out" bit, right? That's six tracks of strings: two cellos and four violins. (My son played the cello bits.) I had them slide in and out of tune to create the drone-like hurdy-gurdy effect.

It’s the Hurdy Gurdy effect that threw me off - you sons very good on Cello - Don’t know if I like the off tune bits - you know in George Harrisons ‘Within and Without You’ - the Strings slide over the scale - but they stay in tune (well…in a microtonal way) - and it blends - could you do something like that there?

 

[mark skinner]

Simply Beautiful. I'm looking forward to hearing how this progresses. As a cello player , I'm always wanting to hear more of one. It's the perfect instrument to get a haunting break that really pulls you in.. Loved it .. mark

 

[rob aylestone]

Very often we get to hear stuff that is all separate 'good' stuff, but I press play and start to pick things out - and I hope the comments go well. I had to listen to yours twice, because I like Peter Gabriel, but didn't know this one, and kept imagining it was him - and listening to the song. I forgot I was supposed to be sort of analysing it. That I think, is just an indication it sounds 'right' - it's a great mix and nothing in it jumps out. I had to listen twice, and even the second time, I drifted away. I think this is pretty rare, and I think that anything you now do is gilding the lily - nothing screams for adjustment on anything other than personal taste. A great piece of work.

 

[famous beagle]

@R D Smith Thanks so much for the listen and the kind words.

@stratmonkee Thanks! Yes, this is my favorite off that album for sure - probably of all of his stuff. Yes, that's a violin (several overdubs at points). Glad you enjoyed it!

@Papanate That hurdy-gurdy effect is one of my favorite parts of the track, actually. It turned out just the way I imagined it.

@mark skinner Thanks! Yes, it's hard to beat a cello when it comes to creating drama and mood.

@rob aylestone Thanks so much. You should check out the original if you haven't heard it; it's phenomenal, IMO. And thanks for teaching me a new expression in "gilding the lily."