The Road

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muzeman

muzeman

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Hi all,

This is a song I wrote a while back called "The Road Less Traveled."-

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=1317&alid=-1

It's about all the runnaways that come to the Big Apple and find out the hard way,it ain't no bowl of cherries.

It's a just me with my acoustic direct.

I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on it.

Is it-

A-Total crap not worth recording.

B-O.K. Give it a shot.

C-The best thing you ever heard.(never mind,forget that one.):D

It's my first attempt at writing a real song.

If you think it's o.k.,any suggestions on instruments,lyrics,ect. would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks,
Pete
 
pete,
it is definitley not a throw away song, if that is what you're asking.....simple, to the point, works the way it is now.....i don't know what you mean by 'worth recording', but i don't think it needs much more than as is.......maybe some vocal harmonies, or something like a mandolin to color the pallette so to speak.
 
Pete, this is really good for first writing attempt. I just now listened lo-fi, and am downloading the mp3. At lo-fi play, the guitar is a little bottom-heavy. Voice could come up a notch or two.
The music is interesting, as you don't do the standard I-IV as the listener expects, I like that about it.
The words do just what they should, tell the story...and I dig the juxtaposition of "tears fall down like rain" with "love falls down like rain."
I like powderfinger's idea about using mandolin, that would sound very nice.
I can hear this as just guitar/vocal also, but it would lend itself nicely to a simple drumbeat, like rims or brushes, and a solid bass line. Harmonies for the lead vocal could work, too. But it lays fine as it is, just guitar/vocal.
Impressive for first time, buddy. For that matter, for any time.

Mark
 
Museman....sounds dreary and gloomy! I love that! everything sits well and the vox are nice and intimate.

True....maybe just a weeeeee bit more coloration. But not much because it already puts you (me anyway) into a "place".

RF
 
thats a really good song......definitely worth persuing......

the guitar definitely needs some of the low filtered outs its boomy.....if thats a second guitar simulating bass, scrap it.....

i like how rushfan described the vocal as "intimate"....id keep the arrangement that way....maybe a warm synth pad coming in for the choruses......maybe a bass line but nothing extravagant......

you could easily scrap this song and leave it right where it is....that what most would do....but take the road less traveled....youll never lose your way again......

good work amigo.....


Mike
 
intimate

yeah that's a great way to describe this. i like it just the way it is(but that's just me):) like gidge said, try not to lose the warm feeling.

on a side note, you said the acoustic was recorded direct?? did you do this with a pop in type pick up, or does the git. have built in electronic's?? and was it just plugged in to the board??pre amp?? because i thought it sounded good, and i'm having real problem's micing my acoustic. i'm just looking for alternative's.:D

thank's for sharing this!!

peace

rick
 
B

without hesitation, I'd speed it up about 20%

I think a typical backup band situation would work.

just to confirm...the gtr is boomy.

nice lyrics.
 
Thanks very much for the positive comments.
I really appreciate it!

powderfinger,
Thanks!

I'll try some harmonies.
I don't own a mandolin,(yet),mabey some Dobro?

mkg,
Thanks for listening!

I'm just getting started with it,I'll definatly try some light drums and bass.
I cut the lows on the guitar,not enough I guess.

rushfan33,
Thanks very much.

Dreary and gloomy subject,but with a happy ending,(for some.)
I appreciate your input.

Gidge,
Thanks dude!

Good ear on the guitar,it's my acoustic through the J station with a bass program.
I did it this way so I could sing and play at the same time,much eaiser for me.

"but take the road less traveled....youll never lose your way again...... "

Good advice!;)

I was thinking the same thing about the synth pad.

fenderlikingood,
Thanks very much.

I recorded the acoustic through my J station,digital out to the stereo ditigal in on my recorder.
First time I ever got it to work!

The guitar has a built in pick up,with it's own tone controls.

This is the first time I was able to play and sing at the same time.
I really got up on the mic also,to try and cover the guitar.
This is definatly the way to go for me.
I just can't get into the groove singing unless I'm playing at the same time.
After hearing JMarcomb's acoustic sound on the mco12's,I'm going to try to get one and attempt a set up that way.

Mix,
Thanks!

I origanally played it slower,I sped it up as much as I could,(I'm not a great fingerpicker.)
I'll have to do some practicing and get them old fingers movin!:D

Thanks very much,
Pete
 
I vote for B-O.K. Give it a shot. :D

It's a nice tune with good lyrics.Maybe try some harmony vocals here and there.It's definetly a good enough song to build on.
 
Hey Muze..........
There is a million different directions you could take this. I like the song, the lyrics/vocs, and the guitar playing. I hear it going into the direction of a James Taylor song. but thats all up to you. Have fun, nice work. g:)
 
Kramer,

Thanks for the vote! ;)
Harmonies sound good.

Guernica,
Thanks man!
James Taylorish sounds cool to me.

Definatly needs some work.

Just a "rough mix."
Oops sorry,didn't mean to say that,it just slipped out!:D

Man I just listened to it through headphones on the computer.
Going to have to check with them next time,the bass on the guitar almost blew my ears out.
Sorry about that!:eek:
 
nice, defenetly speed it up a little. even if you can't finger pick it find another way to play it. and ye there is milion and one way you could arrange this ... cool

oh ye it does sound like you struggle a little with playing... so even though you said you like to play and sing at the same time you might want try seperating the two so you can concentrate on one at a time. and use metronome it's good for keeping you in check

cheers
 
hey muze,


nice tune.. There is so much that could be added to this..

My personal tastes lean towards some cello sounds, some strings, light drum beat maybe.. Or an upright bass sound.. It's definitely worth doing something with.. There were a few minor things with the vocals, and some minor guitar clams, but it's salvagable.. nice melody.. The guitar as a bit boomy, but the sound is still good for the most part..


Did you get the message I sent you?




sam (the trouble maker) :D
 
It's a nice song with a nice feeling. Like someone said a mandoline could be anice thing to add... where was I? oh yeah nice nice.... Something like harmonica would work very well.... and yes female vocal harmonies... Listen to a band called Belle and Sebastian.. and yuo'll get the idea...;)
 
Nice song man. Mic that guitar. I hate direct acoustics. That buzziness drives me nuts....
But some nice playing here. A good drummer (or at least good writing on good canned drums :D ) will really bring some nice dynamics to this. Definitely worth chasing down. Good song.
 
Riku,
Thanks very much!
Harmonica sounds like a good idea.
Don't have any singing females around though!:D

SLuiCe,
I have to agree with you on the guitar,it sounds like crap!
Only way I could sing and play at the same time,till I get another mic.
Canned drums it will be,that's all I have!

Thanks for the listen.

Pete

BTW-I attempted to fix the bass problem on the acoustic and reloaded it on Nowhere.
 
This is a real sweet song, and the subject is good. My wife enjoyed it as well!

I'm hearing some background vocals in my head, and maybe another instrument (possibly strings) in the background as well.

I think you have a great start here!
 
muze

thank's for the info about the guitar!!

i appreciate it!

peace

rick
 
Nice song -nice melody-nice playing-That acoustic sounds kind of brittle and high endy-I noticed you recorded direct-I bet a mic would warm it up...This song is ripe for a little coloration, whether it be a second guitar-cello-organ-or backround voices-but it has an intimate feel that works as it is. Sounded like the lead vocs could come up a bit-I had to strain to hear the words, especially in the beginning. Overall nice tune-well done!


Strat
 
boydrj,

Thanks for saying that,I really appreciate it!:)
Mabey a nice synth pad,and some backround vocals sound good,if I can do it.

fenderlikingood,
No Prob Bob!:D

I'm going to try the acoustic again,with the emulation turned off in my J-station,see how that sounds.

Stratomaster,
Thanks!

I'm going to work on the guitar sound direct,until I can afford a second mic.
I would really like to record vocals and guitar at the same time.

I'm definatly going to work on some coloration!

Thanks very much,
Pete
 
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