Old Style Bluegrass

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wretchasketch

wretchasketch

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This tune goes back to the days (and farther) when Bill and Charlie Monroe were still a brother duet. I tried to give it a little of that flavor...Monroe Brothers, Stanleys with Pee Wee Lambert, Jimmy Martin, etc. I'm doing all the vocals and instruments.

What Would You Give?

Thanks for listening, and I welcome any criticism/help.

Tracy Latham
Lewisburg, TN
 
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First of all, I absolutely love it - great job!!! Now for the nitpicks:

Really only one; the banjo just plays the same boring "drone" lick over and over during the mandolin solos or fills. And I'd lose the banjo tinkle at the very end of the song.

The high vocal harmony could be turned down about 3dB overall, although it would work ok as a duet. I'm just not use to hearing the harmony part quite that loud.

But overall, it's a fantastic recording. You've really captured that old timey feeling and spirit.
 
I like it.

The song took me back to the hazy hills of Kentucky/Tennessee. You need a break in the song though...something like "Hammer time!" :D

As for what I'd give in exchange for my soul...? Maybe a V-8 and a Denny's grand slam breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day you know.
 
This is the stuff that was always playing in my house when I was growing up. Mandolin sounds great. I love that high lonesome sound. Thanks for putting this up.
 
nzausrec said:
Thank you
very much
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You are welcome :)

As for what I'd give in exchange for my soul...? Maybe a V-8 and a Denny's grand slam breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day you know.
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That's why it is my favorite hymn. It's a great question, even from a non-religious point of view.

Really only one; the banjo just plays the same boring "drone" lick over and over during the mandolin solos or fills. And I'd lose the banjo tinkle at the very end of the song.

The high vocal harmony could be turned down about 3dB overall, although it would work ok as a duet. I'm just not use to hearing the harmony part quite that loud.
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Harvey, thank you for the listen and comments. I'm going to reference my track to three styles I probably was trying to emulate (Think Bill and Charlie Monroe, Pee Wee Lambert's high harmony with the Stanley Bros ala "Angel Band" from "Oh Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack" and the banjo from Jimmy Martin records mid 50's.) To see how levels and so forth compare.

I kinda wanted the banjo not to be too flashy or detract from the rest (hence the dronishness), and I could even lose it altogether. I might go back in, though and try to spruce it up a little if it is worth it. I do know maybe three more licks:)

I went back and forth a lot on the harmonies. It has to be loud enough to hear the echo "In exchange" adequately and quiet enough to blend. In the spirit of gathering around one mic, I don't want to ride the faders too much...just enough to make it sound like the singers are stepping in and out of the mic. My ears may be prejudiced from all those old Stanley Bros recordings. They really layed that high part on pretty thick...or my ears may just need a rest from it. I got to sang a couple of duets onstage with Bill Monroe a year before he died, and wow did that man have a loud falsetto.

Anyhow, I appreciate the help. That is exactly why I posted it here.

Tracy
 
I'm sorry man, I was kidding around.

I follow the King myself. I enjoyed the song brother.

-laz.
 
laz777 said:
I'm sorry man, I was kidding around.

I follow the King myself. I enjoyed the song brother.

-laz.
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I didn't take any offense... thought it was funny. Thank you for listening and for the nice compliment. Next time you're thinking about jimmy martin I'll probably be thinking with you. We miss him around here
 
without reading other comments yet:

LOVE IT! Real authentic ol' timey. And very good playing, mix, intonation/tuning on the instruments.

Two things would put it over the top...I listen to a lot of B'grass...my latest 'jag'.

1-There was most often an obligatory measure or two extra on the one chord before the change to the four...or an extra measure or two on the five chord just before the turnaround...or at the end of the turnaround. Seems almost universal among the recording artists of the period. Something borrowed from classical and/or keltic, I think.

2-The bass is pretty fat-sounding, compared to most like recordings I hear. A little more string and less lower-mid moo? And it would break thing up real nice if the bass part played the eigth-note triplet time once in a while instead of the steady quarters [assuming 6/8 time]...leading up to chord changes in the progression.....also a stock thing among the better practitioners...from what I hear.

Really dig the sound of the mando....real woody....sounds real old and expensive. I use a brand-X Fender mando with a plywood top. Can't touch your sound on that. If you're using a plywood mando...please tell me how you can get that sound!

That's a fine piece of art you made. A little 'record scratch', and it's ready for a History Channel soundtrack....or a contract with a label specializing in either Gospel or American Trad Bluegrass/Country. That good.
 
I know what you mean about the extra measures. It lets the music breathe a little . Unfortunately we are talking about major surgery to add that into the song. I should have taken it into account. On the other hand I just might ask a good upright bass player to come and replace my minimalistic Playing. Thanks for the nice compliment on the tone of my mandolin. Mine is a pretty nice handmade instrument-not the greatest but not bad. I used An inexpensive ribbon mic to record it Plus a 414 in cardioid overhead as a room mic. The logic behind it is a nice smooth up close sound mixed with a nice sense of ambiance and dimension from the 414. You would probably get a decent result from your fender that way. Thanks again for the suggestions and compliments.
Tracy
 
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That's just awesome stuff! Reminds me of when I was a kid listening to my dad and his buddies playing together sitting around a late night campfire.
 
wretchasketch said:
Thanks for the nice compliment on the tone of my mandolin. Mine is a pretty nice handmade instrument-not the greatest but not bad. I used An inexpensive ribbon mic to record it Plus a 414 in cardioid overhead as a room mic. The logic behind it is a nice smooth up close sound mixed with a nice sense of ambiance and dimension from the 414. You would probably get a decent result from your fender that way. Thanks again for the suggestions and compliments.
Tracy
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Ahhhh...that makes sense. The part I'm missing from the sound is the bottom mini-tubbiness.....just what gets reflected foremost....right? TX!
 
I have nothing to add as far as changing the mix but I really enjoyed listening to that! Sounds Awesome. I would add that to my home mix. Nice job.
 
Sounds great to me man. Excellent work. Really surprised that you did this all yourself as it really does give the impression of a group performance. Well done.
 
Nice performance and you really captured the old time sound very well. You have the high lonesome vocal part down-sounds like Bill Monroe's era.
Only thing I might suggest is having the banjo play a clawhammer/frailing style to make it even more authentic. I play in an acoustic band and the banjo player learned the Arkansas clawhammer style and its an amazing style that drives the song like you wouldn't believe!
 
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