New Jongleurs tune - Time Is On My Mind

[Armistice]

You probably all know the Jongleurs story* by now... this is one of the other half of the band's tunes which I've resurrected from a demo, stripped everything off except acoustics and lead vocal, and added everything else back.

So, him: acoustic guitar, lead vocals
Me: acoustic guitars, electric guitars, bass, drums, backing vocals

Time Is On My Mind

There are always acoustic guitars in a Jongleurs tune somewhere but this is a bit more electric, especially at the end, which I quite enjoyed knocking together...

As always, I don't have my gear set up in the best mixing position so I rely on any particular feedback about levels of particular things, frequencies popping out, overall mix etc. to improve it. When I have the full album's worth I'll reset the desk and do final final final mixes with everything set up properly.

Thanks to Jimmy for loaning me his Steven Slate snare samples...

Any and all comments welcomed.




*Two piece band essentially soon to be defunct due to his growing family so trying to knock a few more tracks together to have an album's worth he can show his kiddies before the next little bundle of joy arrives - hence the working methodology for this piece... didn't involve any of his time.

 

[Armistice]

What? It's been up 30 seconds and no-one's commented yet!!! Outrageous....

 

[jiff 41]

Well I think it's great, even tho there are more electric gtrs, it still has the Jongleurs sound. Is there any need to worry about where the desk is?,, the only thing I noticed was after the initial vocals with all the delays around(which is brilliant!) & then bang gone, I would rather they fade away, but obviously you meant it to be like that, so I'll STFU!. great stuff Armi!

 

[DM60]

What? It's been up 30 seconds and no-one's commented yet!!! Outrageous....

I have a few meetings this morning, but will listen as soon as I can. More than 30 seconds is just wrong, and we on the board should apologize 30 times over (one for each second).

 

[Chili]

I'd like to hear a little more definition with the bass. Maybe roll in some more EQ around 900hz or bring the track up a few clicks.

Definitely need to bring up the overheads more. Almost can't hear the cymbals when everything is going.

I agree with the comment about the delayed vocal ending abruptly. And maybe bring the BGV's up more. You know I always enjoy your close-harmonies. Oh my.

Yeah, I like the end and not because it's ending.

 

[TripleM]

Little pitch problem at :10? On the word "Time" when the song kicks in. Sounds sharp.

Guitars sound pretty good.

Agree on the lack of definition on the bass. It's kind of mushy.

Things kind of build up and conflict with each other at around 1:10 or so. It gets a little loud and a little harsh sounding through that section.

The acoustic guitar will cover the lead vocal every once in a while.

Little pop at 2:31.

 

[DM60]

cymbals pushed up a bit, but still not too forward as I think you tended. The vocals what everyone is saying to echo out to a fade would sound cool.

I didn't feel the bass was out, the song sounds full enough I didn't miss it. Maybe post at the 3:42 mark where you have the change, pronounced bass there could add to the texture of the change (give the out groove more definition).

Vocals have a nice distinct sound to it and actually adds to the music.

Really nice. Sorry it took so long

 

[dobro]

It's good. Some impressions about things to look at:

* some growl or distortion on the bass to bring it out a bit more

* the vocal at 1.35 - 2.05 (and again at 3.10 etc) sounds sort of fuzzy compared to the verse vocal. Ideas: parallel compression, mult it out and EQ it differently or a subtle distortion plug

* the reverberating echoes on the opening vocal are pretty dark - you could mult them and EQ them differently

* TripleM spotted the pitchiness on 'time' at 0.10.

Nice stuff.

 

[Armistice]

Well I think it's great, even tho there are more electric gtrs, it still has the Jongleurs sound. Is there any need to worry about where the desk is?,, the only thing I noticed was after the initial vocals with all the delays around(which is brilliant!) & then bang gone, I would rather they fade away, but obviously you meant it to be like that, so I'll STFU!. great stuff Armi!

Thanks Jiff.... nice to have a signature sound! I originally had that intro section a bit longer so I may need to go back and tweak the effect timing a bit....

 

[Armistice]

I'd like to hear a little more definition with the bass. Maybe roll in some more EQ around 900hz or bring the track up a few clicks.

Definitely need to bring up the overheads more. Almost can't hear the cymbals when everything is going.

I agree with the comment about the delayed vocal ending abruptly. And maybe bring the BGV's up more. You know I always enjoy your close-harmonies. Oh my.

Yeah, I like the end and not because it's ending.

Thanks Chili - yeah the bass always worried me... I thought about retracking it (it's the original demo track, just cut up and pasted to straighten it out a bit) because it was a bit lacking in presence... I had some EQ about there but took it away... I'll have a play, see if I can't bring it out a bit more... and the BV is a bit raspier than I'd like so I've probably subconsciously buried it a little, so I'll give it/them a nudge..

 

[Armistice]

Little pitch problem at :10? On the word "Time" when the song kicks in. Sounds sharp.

Guitars sound pretty good.

Agree on the lack of definition on the bass. It's kind of mushy.

Things kind of build up and conflict with each other at around 1:10 or so. It gets a little loud and a little harsh sounding through that section.

The acoustic guitar will cover the lead vocal every once in a while.

Little pop at 2:31.

Hi Triple M - will have a listen at 0.10 and see what can be done - that pop could be a rogue cross fade I haven't done properly, will check it out and also the bit at 1.10. Thanks for listening.

 

[Armistice]

Really nice. Sorry it took so long

For shame!

It's OK, it was late Australian time anyway when I put it up so I headed straight for bed and now it's morning again.. thanks for the listen. Will check out the cymbals/overheads... I'd already nudged them a bit when I noticed they'd disappeared... could do with a bit more by the sound of it...

 

[Armistice]

It's good. Some impressions about things to look at:

* some growl or distortion on the bass to bring it out a bit more

* the vocal at 1.35 - 2.05 (and again at 3.10 etc) sounds sort of fuzzy compared to the verse vocal. Ideas: parallel compression, mult it out and EQ it differently or a subtle distortion plug

* the reverberating echoes on the opening vocal are pretty dark - you could mult them and EQ them differently

* TripleM spotted the pitchiness on 'time' at 0.10.

Nice stuff.

Thanks for listening dobro.. I'll check out your suggestions. But not going to get back to it for a day or so alas....

 

[Armistice]

I've done a few quick changes before heading off for work thinking I'd upload the new file when I got here but the buggers have blocked access to dropbox via the work internet.... grrr... so anyone else listening, I've got MOST of the points already raised (the pop, the bass, the BV volume, the cymbals volume, the intro..) in my new mix, which I'll get up in about 8 hours time from now. Cheers.

 

[rayc]

THis may sound odd but there's more than a touch of Television Tom & Richard in the filigree and texture of the guitars.
If you switched out the acoustic for an electric you'd be very TV.
Very, very cool.
Sorry the vocals were there and they were saying something but I paid attention to the guitars.
Very cool!

 

[Armistice]

THis may sound odd but there's more than a touch of Television Tom & Richard in the filigree and texture of the guitars.
If you switched out the acoustic for an electric you'd be very TV.
Very, very cool.
Sorry the vocals were there and they were saying something but I paid attention to the guitars.
Very cool!

Thanks Ray! High praise indeed. I've just actually put a new version up with all the changes mentioned earlier...

I never thought of Television in regards to this but they are favourites of mine, and I do like interweaving guitar lines... AND I'm off to see them at the Enmore in a couple of weeks time... better late than never..

And yeah, not having written the song, I have no real idea what he's on about either, I just harmonise and do woo woos in the appropriate places...

 

[jiff 41]

YES!! The intro delays (disappearance)are covered by the cymbal crash so , The more I listen to it the more I like it!,, alright! introduces the outro very nicely!,,, as we say in Wales, Cracking mwsh!!,, Are there any more Jongleurs tracks in the locker?, That snare sound is great, I don't know what your original one sounded like but that one IS mustard (thanks Jimmy!).

 

[rayc]

Man, I couldn't get tickets for TV - they sold way too wquickly so I've consolled myself with the fact that Richard Lloyd isn't with the band so a little of that twin guitar magic will be missing. I'm telling myself that - the reality will probably be that the play the entire Marquee Moon, the best 1/2 doz from Adventure and the good few from the comeback LP beautifully (that's what the reviews say). I wore out my original Marquee Moon LP, (I was the 1st & probably only bloke in cabramatta to buy it when it came out - the record store Abbey Records was stoked taht someone wanted such an unknown piece of plastic - but I read Melody Maker & NME in addition to the essential RAM so knew my oats from my chaff bag), & have the 1st issue CD as well as the remastered. I'm envious!!!!

 

[Armistice]

Man, I couldn't get tickets for TV - they sold way too wquickly so I've consolled myself with the fact that Richard Lloyd isn't with the band so a little of that twin guitar magic will be missing. I'm telling myself that - the reality will probably be that the play the entire Marquee Moon, the best 1/2 doz from Adventure and the good few from the comeback LP beautifully (that's what the reviews say). I wore out my original Marquee Moon LP, (I was the 1st & probably only bloke in cabramatta to buy it when it came out - the record store Abbey Records was stoked taht someone wanted such an unknown piece of plastic - but I read Melody Maker & NME in addition to the essential RAM so knew my oats from my chaff bag), & have the 1st issue CD as well as the remastered. I'm envious!!!!

I only stumbled across that they were coming out accidentally, and so I got three tickets - Row J - I even queued up at Ticketek in town ahead of opening time to make sure I got them... the saleswoman said "Who?" and "Never heard of them" - so they're for me, my cousin and a mate who has a history of being not exactly the most reliable person in the world for various reasons, and who also lives up near Kew and has to find his way down here (can't take the family car) and pay me for said ticket... he's also a great Television fan, which is why I got him a ticket, but I've always thought the odds of his actually getting here AND greasing my palm with $80 were, say 50/50 at best.

So, if for any reason he fulfills my expectations and doesn't show, I'll let you know and it's yours - I'd only be trying to flog it outside the Enmore on the night anyway, or giving it to my girlfriend who's really not going to "get" Television... think it's today fortnight... the 30th. I'll know by the day before I expect so I'll PM you if he's a no show.

 

[Armistice]

YES!! The intro delays (disappearance)are covered by the cymbal crash so , The more I listen to it the more I like it!,, alright! introduces the outro very nicely!,,, as we say in Wales, Cracking mwsh!!,, Are there any more Jongleurs tracks in the locker?, That snare sound is great, I don't know what your original one sounded like but that one IS mustard (thanks Jimmy!).

Hey Jiff - yeah, I think I'm up for a set of Steven Slate drum samples somehow... it is pretty good. I'm going to convince myself I can't make a similar sound in Addictive Drums first...

We'll be recording 3 more songs and putting his vocals against the Tears and Mascara song I last put up, seeing it's always been one he sings, and I've got another "demo resurrection" I'm working on.... so that's 4 newies, 3 of which are his... and we should start recording them next week or the week after I expect.

They'll mainly be softer stuff too, simpler recordings, to add a bit of balance to the big production numbers...

I have to get everything set up so I can just get him down, and then add me later... fingers crossed, but yes, there will be more, but after that lot, it's probably over..