Pick Up the Pieces/Funk Cover/REAPER

[surfercook]

Wow, it really is quiet here! Here's a relatively strong effort from me. Stacked the most tracks in a long time. Worked pretty hard on this. Even restrung my bass. Needed it considering the strings were like 3 yrs old! Also I did a horn swell intro after my first version. The beginning was too abrupt. Then I switched up the horns from the first ver. Originally I used just the full horn section on one track but wasn't diggin' it. So I copied the midi track to two new tracks and put in individual horns(tenor sax and trumpet). Also had to correct a couple mistakes I made playing the melody on my You Rock Guitar. The horn section went easy as the were just swell chords. Then to finish it off I added a guitar solo clean. Started doing takes w/an overdriven distorted tone but opted for the clean.
Also I didn't listen to the original at all. I just went w/the chart and how I remembered the tune.
Drums (EZ)
Rhythm Gtr (Fender Studio w/wah added and routed to another track while mousing the pedal for a true wah sound)
Mute Gtr (Fender Studio)
Bass (Guitar Rig 5)
Midi Tenor Sax (First Call Horns)
Midi Trumpet (First Call Horns)
Full Horn Section (First Call Horns)
Lead Gtr (Guitar Rig 5)

Pick Up The Pieces

Pick Up The Pieces (First Ver)

[Lungfruit]

I do like the horn swell on the 2nd version at the intro. I like the funky bass tone. It's really cool! The drums seems a little low in the mix IMHO. I listened to both of these a couple of times and something seems off with the timing. Especially the horns, almost like they are a beat off especially when the bass is there. Or maybe the horn melody is a bit slower. I don't know, but to my ears, something seems a little off though. Overall I liked the production.

[The Cracks]

A very ambitious project, Marc. All in all both are good. I think the second one is the better mix. The horns on the first one sound rather flat and too loud for the production mix. Everything is much more smooth in the second one. But, frankly, I'd drop the horns and play your guitar over top of the track and call it an original. The guitar on the first one is outstanding. That was the highlight of the show for me.

[voclizr]

Could use a tightening timing wise, especially in the "lead horns". As somebody stated above, they sound off beat from the rest of the band. The background horns sound better (more realistic and on tempo). It's something. People on these music forums don't seem to like MIDI horns much. They're very difficult to make realistic sounding. No mercy! No understanding!

[dickl]

Something doesn't sound right rhythmically. Not sure what's going on but the backing seems to be at odds with the melody.

Nice arrangement though. I haven't heard that for years.

Cheers

Dick

[Omegaman]

Rhythmically something isn't right, Horns sound off beat and too straight. I haven't played this in a loooong time, but might just have to work on it again. lol

yes this is my semi annual appearance to catch up.

[surfercook]

Thanx for all the listens and comments lungy, vocalizr, cracks, dickl, and omega. I understand the timing is off on this. Knew it from the start. This is a tough one. Hopefully I'll revisit it one day.
It would be interesting to hear some one else's version. I probably shoulda practiced it w/the original a bit first. Maybe I'll try that now. It's tough to get good funk right.

[Omegaman]

Marc, it is a tough one. I pulled out the sheet music and I haven't played it in years, but I should dust it off. Tough to get the horn lines under the fingers when you're not used to moving that fast. LOL