Listened to last week’s show but didn’t find time to post. Sorry chaps, I enjoyed the show as I recollect.
A charity CD ?? What a coincidence.

I’m about to do the same at school. I’ve put the idea out that I’ll make a CD of songs - many of which will be written and performed by the pupils. I’m raising money for Rwanda. I’ll have the ‘why is my song not on’ etc problem. But I shall be a dictator, benevolent to most I hope. Good idea to get the charity to do their bit. I’m doing this for CAFOD’s connect2rwanda project. They have links across the country, especially around the North of the UK. I’ll let you know how I get on. I got volunteers already (an indie band, a rap duo, a girl band all with songs ready) and the first meeting is not till next Wednesday. What? With their musical talent and my technical genius…

oh dear…
Home Made Soundbooth. Ha ha! Yes, 10 inches would be about right, maybe nearer 6. Can’t remember to be truthful. Oh No! The sample! Ouch.

Neither has any other fx on. The first one is with the ‘box’ the 2nd without. The 2nd has more toppy hi end reflections. One issue here is that the two were recorded a year apart. I don’t think the first take (with) has as much zest as the 2nd (without). That doesn’t help comparison. The ‘box’, no it needs a name. It needs something naff and 60s, a mix of ACME and sci-fi, with a hint of Bazooka Joe, X Ray goggles it won’t actually workness. How about the
“VOX-O-MATIC”. Yup. That does it for me.
I would settle for anything that improved the sound of my den/room. I think this is an improvement, I’m not claiming perfection.
Revisiting Tunes. Covering your own songs in a different style. Another coincidence? Get out of my head, you head spies. What was the movie that took that storyline? Being John Malkovich? Anyhow, I plan some recycling. Agreed how the old 6 string is less audible these days. A full strum on the guitar seems too much in the mix. I might have to do this to generate material for my charity CD. I need some young peoples dance tracks. I’ve been listening to suss out the instrumentation and editing/mixing style. I think I get it, let’s see if I can do it! I’ve had a dabble on Mixcraft with synths. I’ve bought a CD of dance drum loops.
More structure helps. I think I’m very traditional because of my musical education, I can’t seem to shrug it off. I settle for writing one verse and one chorus. then I can leave it for work on another sitting. Once I’ve written something then I can re-write it at my leisure. But I need enough raw materials to do this.
I can grab a chord sequence I’ve come up with whilst experimenting previously, I always write down good ideas. I tend to play my acoustic with my laptop at the ready. Another idea I’ve used is to steal a chord sequence from a successful song that I don’t know, via a cheat book, off the internet, and come up with my own variation of it and my own tune. Since I don’t know the song or its rhythm I won’t be copying.
Tony you are spot on here about the ‘one verse too many’ syndrome. It becomes really noticeable when the bridge comes too early; it makes the 3rd verse a verse too far. Often, not always. I’m guilty of that. My latest song ‘Shanklin Beach’ has a third 3rd but I only sing that 3rd verse live. I don’t think I’ll record the song with it now. The tune would have outstayed its welcome.
Having a strong theme helps. Good idea. Like mining a seam. I’m impressed you did the rpm challenge. Not had time to listen yet, it’s been a busy week and it’ll get busier if the pupils get enthusiastic about my CD idea. And fear they may be. Hmmm. How can I crush that youthful enthusiasm, optimism and innocent joy? Come up with all the obstacles as to why it won’t work?

Oh go on then. I’ll actually try and make it work.
Keeping ideas; like I say, I have my laptop around but I don’t record, I write down what I discover. I can’t write lyrics then add a melody later. But I may be wrong, I may have to do this with my charity project.
This weeks tunes.
Back To The Beginning - Ronnie Marler
Lovely clear, crisp you have there Ronnie. I found the stark simplicity of the mix refreshing and uplifting. Nice ending.
Peoria - Frank Canonica
Love the intro! But you lost me on; “List what songs are other people’s favourite of theirs”, this reminded me of the ontological argument for the existence of God, ‘that than which a greater cannot be conceived cannot be thought to not exist’ etc. Lovely fading in of the song there Frank. A blending which is evident in the way you mix the backing vocals there. In fact I like how I just blended my opening remarks into a critique of the song. Great clarity and separation in this, really good clarity. Not sure about the vocal soundscape though Frank. Could I interest you in purchasing a Vox-o-matic? A snip at $370. You owe it to yourself. I have access to, shall we say, a ‘source’. Good song! Do we write what we like to listen to? I think I do. But not quite as well!
Windwalkers - Richie Floyd.
Strong left field with a big flavouring of native American. Great bass riffing with the drums going on. Powerful. Ah. I hear the explanation after the song – and I got it right. A very ‘rooted’ vibe here. I liked this.
Wave - The Experiments.
Now, in that kind of environment boys you’re never gonna get the right vocal space. Did I tell you about my Vox-o-matic? I can hear wood cutting equipment here; you could isolate yourself from these echoes and flutters for a mere $370. And a song of this quality deserves the finest gear to set down for eternity. What do you want the grandchildren to say? ‘Nice song gramps but is the reflection of a bandsaw in the background? Aren’t we worth a pure recording environment?’ imagine the disappointment on their little faces. You owe to them and your music.
Well played guys!