Track Notes for the ALL VS Comp CD
Life I've Chosen
(c) 2000 Neil Goldstein
Neil Goldstein: Vocals, guitars, bass, keyboard
Steve Bollinger: TD-5 Drums
This song was based on a jam that Steve and I had recorded a couple
weeks before the announcement of the All VS project where he played his
TD5 drums and I played my VG8 via Roland ready Strat direct to the 1680.
Used the Nashville 12 string patch with some minor modifications.
I overdubbed a 16 meg Baldwin piano sample on my K2000, and synth bass
from my Roland JP8080 (triggered via midi guitar). Then overdubbed a
strummed classical guitar (from my recently acquired Godin ACS solidbody
classical) going direct to VS via the ACS pickups.
At this point, a week before the deadline, it was time to write a melody
and lyrics. On that weekend I was juggling studio/writing time with
pruning several trees in our yard. The idea came to write about what's
really going on and that tension between art and duty created an opening
for me to write some lines.
Sang a lead vocal, then a harmony over the chorus and parts of the verse
via my ATM 4050 mic. Tracked the vocals through the MTK Vocal
Compression patch and 6db of boost on Input 1. Did a few takes and
picked the best, but some comping of takes.
Then put a lead guitar solo and distorted jangle on using the Strat
pickups through the VS Studio Lead guitar sim. Picked the best out of
about 5 takes, no comping.
Did about 5 mixes using different ideas and MTK patches. Settled on one
mixed via the Pop MTK, and burned on the Roland CDR.
Wormstew <wormstew@earthlink.net
Curse
Here is the info on my song on the All VS comp:
Song: Curse (written by Mike and Steve Schnee)
Vocals and Instruments played by Mike Schnee
Instruments: acoustinc gtr, electric gtr, bass, midi vibes, dr 660 drum
machine, vocals
Equipment: vs880 expanded, shure sm58, some really old guitar cords.
I forgot all the presets I used. Sorry, I am pretty bad with notes. I
wish I was able to use my Alesis 3630 compressor, as well as sound forge
for "mastering".
As for the song, my brother emailed me an unfinished set of lyrics. He
wrote the first 2 verses and the chorus. I finished it off and wrote the
music.
That's it...
Mike
Wanderer
Shawn
The lyrics to my song, Wanderer, were written several years ago in response
to meeting my birth-mother for the first time. They kicked around in a
binder for some years until I came up with an idea for a song which seemed
to fit the lyrics nicely. I had essentially finished the arrangement and was
ready to start recording when Jim suggested the All VS Comp. The 'spoken'
bridge part in the middle was a separate poem I had written. I threw all it
together, and there you have it.
The tracks were recorded in my basement on a VS1680 with one FX card. I
played all guitars and vocals. I also programmed all of the bass, drums and
keyboards on my trusty DR-5, and engineered the recording. This was a true
blue 'do-it-yourself' project. I am, after all, a Wanderer, and like to do
things on my own 8-)!
Equipment list:
VS1680
QPS CD burner
Boss DR-5 drum machine
Samson S12 vocal mic
Crown CE1000 amp
Peavey Impulse500 speakers
Zenith MC3000 speakers
Pioneer cheap-ass speakers
Sennheiser HD 400 headphones
Pure 
by Dave Freden (2:25)
This one was done at one sitting, more or less, using VS internal effects only.
I didn't adjust EQ or parameters on any of the tracks, and no mastering patches (MTK) were used.
I simply mixed down 8 raw tracks to CD as follows:
Tracks 1 & 2: Taylor 810 miced by Neumann TLM103 & KM184 (VS1680 supplied power, with VS patch "Lt Chorus" inserted in track 2).
Tracks 3 & 4: Boss DR770 drum machine.
Track 5: Vocal - Neumann TLM103 (VS patch "Vocal Efx" ).
Track 6: '62 Precision bass (dry). Track
7: '64 Rick 12-string (VS patch "Clean Twin").
Track 8: '52 Tele (VS patch "LA Lead").
GINNY'S GLOW
Nancy Groff ©3/2000 
Let me try to explain the effect you have on me.
The beauty of your smile has opened up my world.
A ship with wind in its sails. An eagle in flight.
The moon on a lake at night –
My mind is clear; the air is sweet
With the smell of rain before it falls.
The colors on a canyon wall, the rainbow in a waterfall,
A golden dawn,
And Ginny’s glow.
A smile on my lips, a song in my heart.
My eyes now see what I’ve never seen
(I’ve never seen)
The colors on a canyon wall
The rainbow in a waterfall
A golden dawn,
And Ginny’s glow.
"Ginny’s Glow" is a song inspired by and dedicated to the love that our own Professor Carl Chimi has expressed for his newfound soul-mate, Ginny.
The mics are Audix OM-2 dynamic mics plugged directly into our VS880. The piano and vocals are miced and the other sounds are from a Kurzweil 2500X keyboard. Applied onboard EQ and reverb to the vocals only and bounced the result through MTK to get it hotter. All performance done by Nancy Groff.
This started out as a simple 2 min. piano improv that Nancy picked out of a ½ hour recording we did Sunday night (3/12/00) for the All VS comp (due postmarked 3/14). She heard the potential in the melody and added our Kurzweil sounds (with much fumbling by her trusty, but somewhat mentally challenged technical assistant). On Monday, Nancy refined the Kurz accompaniment and wrote the lyrics. We tracked the vocals that night, mixed, and had this in the mail Tuesday morning.
Thanks to Jim for sponsoring this comp project. Putting the Kurz sounds to her piano work has always been Nancy’s intention, but this comp gave us the incentive to do it now and we learned a great deal in the process. Thanks also to all our List friends for their truthful comments on this song, many of which we are using to improve it.
Glory To God, The Giver Of All Good Gifts
Gordon and Nancy Groff 1606 Princess Anne Dr. Lancaster, PA 17601 (888)902-6202 www.nancyspiano.com Go to this site for Nancy's Piano Tapestries, pictures of our studio, family, and List Jam 1
Rick Deering 
I used a CAD C400S microphone for everything, utilizing a Rolls phantom
power pack. I played a Martin D-76. I used a little compression on the
vocal, and reverb on everything. I recorded it in a couple of hours one
night and mixed it the next morning before work, so I didn't have a lot
of time to give much thought to what I was doing. This may turn out to
have been the best way to go. The clicking at the end of the song is
the VS880's hard drive.
Buck Ninety & The Silver Dollars
buckninety@yahoo.com
www.mp3.com/buckninety
Reviews for the ALL VS Comp CD
Gordon and Nancy
Standard disclaimer: This is just one person's opinion. Don't take it as meaning anything beyond this. Hope we can still be friends.
Extended disclaimer: This is the Village Idiot's opinion. I am not a musician and have had no involvement in making music, recording music, listening to it critically or even listening to much of it at all until I bought our VS to record Sweet Nancy and joined this List 9 months ago. I basically am just learning how to hear what you guys hear. Learning from you. Further complicating the matter is that our taste is vastly different from many on this List and from many of the artists represented on this CD. It is very hard for me to separate what I like from what is "good" musically. Really don't know what "good" means in this context anyway. For these reasons, I really do not like to do this, but knowing how much we appreciate commentary on *our* music, I believe it is part of my responsibility to this community and to this most excellent comp project to do this. Here goes.
First, let me say again that the music on this comp is most excellent IMO (I'm going to stop with the IMO's since this whole thing is IMO). The quality of the songs, performances, recordings and mixes is extraordinary. Not a bad one on the CD. Jim did a wonderful job pulling it together.
I learned that these songs sound very different on all the systems I tried them on. Van, headphones from Discman, headphones from PC, headphones from boombox, boombox, home stereo. Did not get around to a listen on my DS-90s yet. Since I wanted to be at the keyboard for this final commentary, I used headphones from PC (Sony MDR-CD60's were best- could not get enough volume from my AKG 240M's).
> 1) Wormstew - Curse Incredible recording! Stereo image is crystal clear. Loved the panning on harmonies and Rhythm. Bass is boomy on some systems, but fine on PC-headphone setup. Vocals hard to hear on some systems and in the van. Sounded great on headphones. (Since I'm reviewing all from headphones/PC setup, I'll rate accordingly). Cool song. Dark and moody for our taste, but this song quality transcends this. Loved the arrangement, bass line, the "chuck-a-choo". Great mix.
Song:A Not our thing, but consistent and perfect with intent of song. Performance:A Recording:A+ Great tracking. Super mix!!
> 2) Doug Robinson - New Bossa Tight. Great piano. Jazz organ, all instruments blended perfectly. Really cool. Excellent recording. We don't really "understand" jazz, but liked this cut a great deal. Did you do all instruments yourself? Looking forward to listening again with track notes in front of me. I know dynamic range is important in jazz, but caused difficulties listening in the van. Loved it on headphones.
Song: C I just don't understand Jazz songs, sorry Doug. Performance A+ Recording and mix A+
> 3) Toddzilla - I'm Not Frank, James, or Brian Liked the guitar intro. Great sound. Liked the stereo image of the two guitars and their interaction. The line "I'm the kind of guy who never wants to die as long as you are here" had Nancy in stitches. Sorry if it was not meant to be funny<g>. The lyrics were kind of a stream-of-consciousness thing. I've since read that you are improvising them. Incredible.
Song: C Performance: A Recording: A
> 4) Jim Giberti - I Never Even Thought This was "it" for us. Just super. Only thing I would suggest would be a little more compression on your vocals and get them a little more up front. Hard to hear them all in the van. On phones everything was clear. Loved your harmonies. Loved the feel of the song. Very skillful guitar and piano. Was the piano acoustic or synth? Loved the sounds of all your instruments. I really want to find out which of these sounds you did on the Kurz and how you got them. Sounded great. Great recording. I can't wait to listen again with your track notes in hand. The lyrics were cool as it had us (Nancy, Kimberly and I) debating what the subject was. I think it was about a lost young love. Is it? Autobiographical? "Never even thought to say goodbye", but all the sights and sounds of that time are still crystal clear to you. Really cool story. Even listening closely on phones, missed a couple words. Need a lyric sheet, please. Song A+ Very romantic and poignant Performance A Work that voice, man! It's great. A little use and/or training and you're there- all the way. Recording A- (hard to hear some vocals)
> 5) Fat Glass - My Friend The "creaking chair" sound got me at first. I thought "what the heck is that", until I realized it was part of your rhythm track. The more I listened to it the more I liked it. Really big, full sound. Mellow tone. Great groove. Hard not to bounce along with it.
Song:A Coming of age. Decide who you want to be. Cool. Performance:A Great guitar sounds and interplay between them. Recording:B Cymbals not well defined enough. Overall sound slightly muddy.
> 6) Dave Freden - Pure Really liked the rhythm intro and fills. Excellent guitar work. Melody not best vehicle for vocals and lyrics. Electric guitar solo and ending did not seem part of the rest of it and kinda left me dangling at the end<g>. The rhythm fills tried to tie it together, but seemed a little disjointed. This song seems like it could be more.
Song:C Performance:B Vocals could be sharpened up. Recording:A Great tracking and mix
> 7) Trick Shot - Big Bad Buick Loved the cymbal intro with the guitar coming in. Great party song. Could use a little more panning work to give each instrument more of it's own space. Give it a wider sound. Kind of all jumbled together to me, a little muddy. Bear in mind that I'm not a very good judge of this kind of music. Take my comments with a big grain of salt. We're pabulum people. This was a little over the edge for me.
Song: B Performance: B Recording: C The mix could be sharpened. Guitars muddy.
> 8) Neil Goldstein - Life I've Chosen Wow. Loved the transition from "Big Bad Buick" to sweet acoustic guitar sound. I know this has nothing to do with this song, but the contrast really highlighted what I liked best about this song. Liked the panning on the drums. Piano a little muddy. Good guitar recording. Sounded like a little straining for some notes on the vocals. Cymbals seem to get into everything. Maybe sharpen them up a little and give them their own "space". A little muddy. Guitar was sparkling clear. Everything else a little less so. Song:A Good lyrics Performance:C Work on vocals a lit Recording:C Most instruments could be sharpened up a little.
> 9) Nancy Groff - Ginny's Glow (Are you supposed to review your own?) Nasty vocal pops at end of first verse. A little noisy - audible hiss in quiet passages. Some room noises at very beginning. Sibilance on vocals should be reduced. Liked the flute, cello and synth sounds with the piano.
Song:A+ Very romantic melody and meaningful lyrics. Performance:A- Minor piano fumble near beginning. I didn't know Nancy could sing this well either. <vbg> Recording:C Still working on tracking vocals. Nasty pops, could have edited it cleaner, removed sibilance.
> 10) Buck Ninety & The Silver Dollars - It May Not Be Right Great acoustic guitar. Vocals very clear and up front. Super sound, stereo image. All clear, had it's own space. Loved it. Lyrics excellent even if I don't agree 100% at this point in my life. Been there too and understand what you are saying. Woulda been right in there with you a few years (decades<g>) ago. Brought back some memories. Not all bad. Cool.
Song :A Performance:A Recording:A
> 11) Shawn Deveau - Wanderer Loved the groove, dark moody beginning (I know I said I don't like dark, but this fit so well). Intro of each instrument with your voice. Great stereo image. Everything has it's place. Good example of cymbals under control. I read the post where you gave your story on this. Very poignant, meaningful. Almost spooky. Very cool. Excellent guitar. Vocals seemed to be straining, hoarse at times, but this is part of the song.
Song:A+ Performance:A Recording:A
> 12) Mitch Harris - Sets Them Dreaming Most excellent piano and acoustic guitar. Electric parts got a little dominating for my taste in the fill. Something happened to the right channel of vocal at 2:10. Great recording. Nice touch of tambourine way in the back (timing of it off a little?) Mitch, you've got an incredible voice! Perhaps the best on this CD, but the melody of the low parts seemed a little droning, with too many syllables to fit into the music comfortably. Not the best showcase of your range with the stark contrast between the low parts with the higher ones. Hmmmm vocal dropout happened again at 2:15. Maybe this is part of the song? Loved the stereo image. Could hear all clearly.
Song:C Cool, but moody and dark. Melody could have been more to better use that voice of yours. Performance:A Recording:A
> 13) Steve Herman - Beef Thang Great stereo image on rhythm and on instruments. Everything had it's place. Mostly clear. I need to know how you got that bass sound to be clearly left and right at the same time without sounding centered. What was it? Distorted Bass guitar? Synth? *I NEED TRACK NOTES!* Very cool. Great sound. While this is outside our "normal" listening preferences, your mix made it soo good and soo cool! I loved it. Don't think I can make Nancy listen to it again though <VBG>.
Song:B A little redundant- could have gone more places, done more with it. Performance: A+ Recording: A+
> 14) Davor Pavuna - Db Love Right down our alley! The best acoustic guitar recording! Great sound. Good stereo image, but not sure I cared for some of your moving panning on the guitar. Like our acoustic piano recordings, a little "hissy". I would like to know how to solve this. Gate em? Loved the song. Simple. Poignant. Romantic. Really did not care for the moving panning on the vocals. The last line- the most important one, needs to be brought up a little. Fine on headphones, but hard to hear in the van.
Song: A+ Performance: A Recording: B A+ for the guitar and vocal tracking. The downtick here is for the moving panning.
Fwhew! This was an all day project! Sorry if I ruffled any feathers. It's hard to talk about someone else's baby. I was going to rate them 1-14 according to my personal preferences. Took over an hour juggling them and came up with an order. Decided that this was a *VERY BAD IDEA*. Sometimes I catch myself before doing something stoopid<G>. I don't regret the time spent. I really learned a lot listening to them like this that I will be able to apply to our own projects. Thanks guys. Flame Shields UP!
Doug Robinson
Well, this thing looks like a million bucks! Great work, Jim--I also appreciated your message.
I am not all the way through--I got to about song 8, then went back to listen to certain tracks once or twice. Thus, this is only part one of my comments.
1. Wormstew--Michael, you know that I really like your writing and playing and even your singing, though I still feel you are being too coy, not opening up and letting your voice shine enough due to insecurity. Groovy arrangement! The occasional major 7th in the vibes against the dominant 7th in the guitar worked for me at first, setting up a quirky feel. Then I just got pissed at it. Great drum sound, as usual. The whole track is impressive.
2. Me--argh. Jim, why is this so soft? I played the CD I burned at the same time, and it's louder. Anyway, a good carpenter never blames the guy who puts together the compilations or whatever. Rick is right--the piano is too soft in most places. That's a recording aesthetic based (also) on insecurity. I didn't think the sound of the bass was too bad, myself--the performance is flabby, definitely, and the instrument itself always sounds better with a preamp. That first low F was what I wrote specifically, but it does kind of hang there. The drums sounded good but small to me, especially in contrast to some of the other tracks on on the album. But hey--not so bad for only two mics.I think the cymbals sounded pretty good, so I don't understand why they made Rick think they were VDrums. To my ears, the drum track sounds VERY live and acoustic. Anyway, I go back and forth between hating and being proud of this track. the mix is pretty well-balanced to my ears.
3. Toddzilla--Sounds like you listened to a little Jonathon Richmond. I liked this track, though the singing seems purposely sloppy in places, and that always bugs me. Randy newman is a favorite example of a vocalist with a bad voice who sings great. I think you should try singing your very best--and I hope I'm not putting my foot in my mouth here! Just a little too much "attitude" in the performance, though i liked a lot of it. Kept me listening.
4. Jim--really good sound mixed with some problems, imo. The level of the hi hat is out of whack, too 70s. And it's very busy. If it were me, I'd assign that pattern to a small shaker sound and make it almost subliminal, then record a straighter hi hat part. If your syncopation is so up front, the groove never settles in. I'd build the groove first, then jazz it up with the accents. Nice harmonies, reminds me of Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds! I'd go in there and have you punch in a few parts where the pitch gets a little indiscriminate, little phrases that had me thinking you were singing a minor third when it was really a major third. Changed the whole meaning of the passage when i realised it was major. An example is the first line, "Do you ever think of it," though now it seems obvious because I know the melody. I think high harmonies are mostly good, though a couple seem a little flat. Man, that hi hat is bugging me, but the crashes and snare sound great. Nice song.
5. Fat Glass--I dig this track! Let It Be-era Beatles. I'm sure you're very proud of the the little drum rudiment part--the semi-march bit? But I found it distracting for a couple of reasons. The bounces are too uniform in volume. Is that as sensitive as you can set the heads? Would be great of those "ghost notes" were a little more ghosty. Other than that, really cool concept and playing. I might push the voice a hair further into the spotlight, but that's me. Great ride cymbal played on the crach cymbal--I'm doing that a lot lately myself. Tres Ringo.
6. Dave Freden--I like this a lot...but...that little rhythm break, while I dig it, needs something to sound more in context--hit a crash on the downbeat of the measure following it or something. It sounds like the drummers just leave the room the second it's finished, not like real life where you'd have to remind them to stop playing once in a while! Good guitar freakout at the end.
7. Trickshot--Well played! Drums could use a little more "sparkle" in the sound. i like this one--I mean, so far, I've liked all the tracks! Was this recorded live? How did you handle the effects on the guitar?
8. Neil Goldstein--my buddy Neil! This is combination of really great and really problematic elements. keep working on your voice--you have some good qualities, like an appealing tone, but the intonation is too inconsistent. let's talk about that hi hat thing.--Exactly how many people did you have playing that? Sounds like you invited everyone in the band to pick up a stick and hit the cymbals for kicks! If you were trying to cover up some inconsistent playing, it didn't work. The groove starts off weak, but by around 3:15, you're really locking in. I'd try playing it through, THEN hitting "record" and doing it again. man, when you guys lock in, it sounds like a hit. This drummer should play to click if this is the best he can do without one, and piano part is rushing in the beginning too.
9. Nancy Groff--Nice track, a little sweet for me, style-wise. I'd immediately scale back the voice reverb about 10% and live with that for a while, then maybe back another 5%. Arrangment-wise, good sounds, but once the orchestra comes in, it never leaves does it? I'd aim for some contrast throughout the song--remember, if you try to say everything, you end up saying nothing, so do a little, then back off, then do some more, etc.
10. Buck Ninety--Just great. Interesting lyrics too. Most of the other tracks, I couldn't tell you what the lyrics are about, so i thik that says something about the space they sit in. Obviously, with a couple of acoustic guitars, the voice doesn't have to work too hard to be clear. Anyway, nice work.
11. Shawn Deveau--really great, Shawn. Why aren't people praising your bass sound? It's great. is it sampled (I'll bet it is, but I could be wrong)? The effects on the voice have the...ahem...effect of making me not listen to the lyrics in some parts. Good drums, though the sidestick is TOO LOUD. Song is too long for me. Nice solo.
More later, gang!
Doug
Wormstew
I don't have as good of ears as some of you, but I will give you my
impressions after hearing the CD a few times. My opinions are not as
technical as some of you might want, but what the hey. (Call me a pussy
if you like, but ) I tried to find something I liked about the
1. Wormstew-Curse
My song. I like it. The vocals could be a little louder in spots, and
they are too thin sounding. The bass could be eq'd a whole lot.
2. Doug Robinson-New Bossa
This is a groovy song. I don't listen to jazz, but this song was going
through my mind yesterday at work. The recording? Incredible, which is
par for the course from what I've heard from Doug.
3. Todzilla-I'm Not Frank, James, Or Brian
I love the part "I'm the kind of guy....". The chords remind me of Neil
Young on that part. The lyrics do sound improvised, but are cool anyway!
4. Jim Giberti- I Never Even Thought
Another good recording (I have to say that all the recordings were
great- better than mine). This is another song that goes through my head
every now and then. I also like the spanish guitar.
5. Fat Glass- My Friend
I didn't like this much at first. But with repeated listens, It has
become one of my faves. Real catchy. I like that "clicking" sound.
6. Dave Freden-Pure
I've heard many of Dave's songs, and I love them. I didn't like this one
as much, but it's growing on me. It does have his "signature" sound. And
I absulutely love the percussion "hook" that starts out the song and
repeats throughout.
7. Trick Shot-Big, Bad Buick
Nice meat and potato rock and roll. Kinda like "Hot For Teacher"
8. Neil Goldstein- Life I've Chosen
Great song. Great recording. I'd work on the vocals more, as they sound
a little flat. The drums need a little quantitizing as well in parts.
Still, I like the song.
9. Nancy Groff- Ginny's Glow
Beautiful song. The voice is so pure. Unfortunately, the purity of the
voice kinda clashes with the "impure" sound of the piano/synth. Is the
piano real? Maybe just an eq problem. Still, very nice.
10. Buck Ninety and The Silver Dollars- It May Not Be Right
Nice and folky. The subject matter? Let's just say that, uhh, I can
relate. Sort of. But don't tell anyone.
11. Shawn Deveau- Wanderer
Probably my favorite of the bunch (although my opionion changes every so
often). I like the arrangement and the way the kick sits with the bass
guitar. Did you use a DR660 for the drums? I also love the guitar solo
(the recording and the part).
12. Mitch Harris- Sets Them Dreaming
Very mysterious and dramatic vocals at the beginning ("sets them
dreaming...". That seems to creep into my mind now and then. The
electric guitar solo seems thin compared to the rest of the mix. BTW, I
always picture you turning your pans on the vocal in a hurry after the
solo! oops. I can relate.
13. Steve Herman- Beef Thang
Cool instrumental. A marriage of real instruments and synths, right?
Nice fat sound. Kinda long, though.
14. Davor Pavuna- Db Love
Love the song and guitar. Almost reminds me of Dear Prudence. I like how
the vocals don't come in until halfway, and then, the song ends. A nice
ending to the comp.
I also want to say THANK YOU to Jim, who put this together in no time. I
think everyone will enjoy it. Let's have MORE!
Victor Paul
-----Original Message-----
From: Victor Paul <trickshotgroup@webtv.net
To: vs880@mail.emrmail.com <vs880@mail.emrmail.com
Date: Friday, May 05, 2000 8:00 AM
Subject: [VS880] 100% PURE ALL VS Reviews
Before I get to individual reviews, I just want to briefly make a few
comments. Jim, you've produced an outstanding cd. I like the sequencing
and I especially like the way the volumes of all the songs were
balanced. It really makes it a pleasure to listen to. Thanks also to
David Powell for the pro art work. Congratulations to everyone who was
involved.
Wormstew/Curse
I like the slow motion effect and the Lennonesque song writing and
vocals. I feel that it could've had a little more instrumentation.
Perhaps a sax doing fills and maybe a solo.
Doug Robinson/New Bossa
George Shearing and Ahmad Jamal comes to mind. Wonderful interplay
between all the players. The writing is beautiful. Excellant recording
and mix.
Todzilla/I'm Not Frank, James or Brian
Like the laid back, easy going vocals and the simplicity of the
instumental accompaniment. A harmony might be a nice touch at 2:00 and
2:40 on the "I'm the kinda guy..." lines.
Jim Giberti/I Never Even Thought
Nice lush sound. Cool guitar work. Like the melody and how it seems to
weave from major to minor or from one key to another. I like the vocal
performance and the mix.
Fat Glass/My Friend
Sounds like a live recording. Nice groove and hooks but some tuning
problems in a few spots. Good catchy song. Give this song the studio
treatment it deserves and add more harmonies.
Dave Freden/Pure
I like the sporadic arrangement. It's different and it kept me
interested throughout. It might be one instrument short. Add something.
Maybe a harmonica.
Trickshot/Big Bad Buick
I like the excitement that's built into this song. Also like the change
in the middle. Needs a guitar solo at 0:56 and again at 1:45 similar to
the end solo. Some of the guitar tracks are rough and need to be done
over. Great mix (hehe) but this one isn't finished. Needs work.
Neil Goldstein/Life I've Chosen
Outstanding song. Has an exciting live feel. A little rough around the
edges in spots. This song and the recording holds it's own but it really
deserves more attention. I hope you get a chance to do it up. I love the
way you write.
Nancy Groff/Ginny's Glow
Lovely song. I love the strings but I'd bring them down a drop to
feature that beautiful voice and piano playing. Thought I heard mic pops
in a couple of spots. Nice work all around.
Buck Ninety & The Silver Dollars/It May Not Be Right
I like the vocal performance a lot. Very convincing. I think the song
deserves a better ending. After the guitar solo, try repeating the line,
''It ain't too bad for me. I just hope it ain't too bad for
you.'' and end the song on the vocals.
Shawn Deveau/Wanderer
Well done. You might want to try adding a harmony on the chorus and on
the section that starts, ''Too proud to see the simple
truth.....''. Real good vocals and guitar playing. Very well
recorded and mixed.
Mitch Harris/Sets Them Dreaming
Cool Song. Very nice arrangement. Real good performance on the vocals
and on the instruments. Recorded well and mixed tastefully. Your writing
stands out. Very interesting and entertaining.
Steve Herman/Beef Thang
This is obviously your instumental rendition of The Captain Beefheart
song, ''Dropout Boogie'', from the classic 'Safe As Milk'
album. What you've done with it is pretty interesting. Nice playing.
Very good recording and mix.
Davor Pavuna/Db Love
Kinda reminds me of Dear Prudence and Can't Find My Way Home. Love the
sound of all those acoustic guitars. Nicely played and layered. Lots of
fun and very entertaining.
Well that's all folks. This was fun. A 100% pure all VS cd. I thought
the concept of an all VS comp cd was a great idea. Many of us got these
Wonderful machines for that very reason. Thanks again Jim and everyone
who helped put this together.
Victor
You can hear LIFE SIGNS on the Abyss.
http://users.ids.net/~johnwn/acostic.htm
Your comments are welcome.
Neil Goldstein <ngold@home.com
Jim, the CD cover art design, and liner notes are outstanding. You just
about cover it with your blurb. Really proud to be part of this project.
Thank you!
Neil
From: steed@utkux.utcc.utk.edu <steed@utkux.utcc.utk.edu
To: VS880@mail.emrmail.com <VS880@mail.emrmail.com
Date: Tuesday, May 02, 2000 4:17 PM
Subject: Re: [VS880] VS COMP REVIEW -part uno
I am not worthy to judge recordings, but here I go:
wormstew
good opening song-- i like the funked-and-down
Liked the vocals--how they blended and such--and lyrics are most kewel
Doug Robinson
Like the winding keyboard parts on this one. Drums sound real to me, the
cymbs seem
to ring for a bit after being hit. My only problem is the drummer (is
that you?) doesn't seem to swing enough for my jazz tastes. (See Art B and
Jazz Messengers) But if drums are not your main axe, then hey, who can
complain?
But if they are, swing baby! Hit them damn things!
Tune is fine if not a bit regular. Could use more attitude, arf arf.
Todzilla
This song is obviously not finished. I don't buy that 'improv' angle.
Finish the dang song kid, before you record it. If you spent as much time
working on your recordings as you do analyzing what you do record, it'd
be half-way good.
I can hear the Backstreet Boys doing this one. Or doing something TO it.
Jim Giberti
Sounds like a professional did this. Oh, a professional did do this.
Coming after my cut could only make it sound more so.
I listen to this and it makes me want to sit in an outdoor bar--somewhere
in Belize, drinking
a glass of vino with the girl I wrote the proceeding song about.
Song establishes a good mood and keeps it-- interesting chord switches.
Kinda reminds me of old Steely Dan, know what I mean? All you need is
Steve Gadd--triple scale no less
Fat Glass
Why does everybody's recordings sound 2x as good as mine?
Love the percussive sounds & vocals are really nicely done.
The song makes me want to drive around in my pickup and look out the
window. One of my favorites on the collection-- reminds me a bit of
Cracker, which is a big compliment.
Dave Freden
Short song titles, I love them. Freden lyrics, what more can a listener
ask for? Love how the guitar comes in mid-way.
This gets me ready for the next Freden CD, which I hope he finishes up
before August 20. Summer is the time I listen to music the most. There,
there's a deadline for you.
Trick Shot
Really dig the guitarz. This song makes me want to drive fast, but not
drunk of course. Swinging!
I used to own a big buick la sabre. Man, I wish I still had it.
Neil Goldstein
I like the flavor of this one. I wish I coulda played fiddle on it.
Kinda reminds of post beach boys brian wilson. I can hear him producing
it.
Nancy Groff
As we say in TN, it's REAL PURDY!
Keys and arrangement quite effective.
Buck Ninety
You know I love this kinda stuff. I'd love to see this show live.
Just enough redneck to make it warm!
-=-=-=-=
Rick Knepper
Since many of these folks had just two weeks to get something together,
it would be unfair of me to harshly pick 'em apart. It takes me 3 - 6
months to get things together on personal recordings so for this to be
thrown together in 2 weeks speaks volumes of the great engineering skill
required to bring this in on a forced production deadline.
There are some great performances as well as some great song material. I
want to approach this review from the viewpoint of a producer you've
hired to put the icing on the cake so to speak.
1.) Wormstew "Curse"
My 2nd favorite song on the set. Very late model Beatle-ish. The first
line, "I kiss the ground you walk on, girl" sung in your decidedly
whacked out voice promises a deliciously dysfunctional tale of love/hate
but as it turns out, if I understand the lyrics correctly, this is
actually a prettuy straight forward declaration of love. I'd prefer you
use the illusions you created (curse out loud, falling to your knees,
etc.) but write it about the last totally destructive dysfunctional
unhealthy love affair you had. That will match the music better in my
opinion. You can write about the love of your life later.
Now about hearing those lyrics, well... I can't, and I listen to a lot
of alternative rock where instrument levels and vocals kinda blend
together sometimes. These lyrics dip into the mix too far. The use of
compression & EQ will pull them out of the mix a bit and allow them to
be intelligble without making it sound like a country song. Track your
vocals with a tad of analog compression to warm them up. Then, during
mixing, after you've put the rest of your tracks together bring up your
vocal and put the fader on zero. Insert the MTK effects patch into the
track and work with it till the vocal is sitting pretty. This allows to
me dial in the correct amount of compression against the mix. Usually,
the vocal is the last thing I set in the mix which may be ass backwards
for some people's style.
The bass is a little uncontrolled. The low note just booms out and
radiates low energy into the rest of the mix. The frequencies don't sit
in their own pocket. Is this a guitar player playing bass?
I like the strummed guitar part. I wished it were higher in the mix -
not that I'm saying this would be good for the mix, I'd just be curious
to hear it loud. It has an interesting sound and I'd like to take a
guess as to what effect you have on it, if any.
Pull the snare back just a db.
----------------
Since many of these folks had just two weeks to get something together,
it would be unfair of me to harshly pick 'em apart. It takes me 3 - 6
months to get things together on personal recordings so for this to be
thrown together in 2 weeks speaks volumes of the great engineering skill
required to bring this in on a forced production deadline.
There are some great performances as well as some great song material. I
want to approach this review from the viewpoint of a producer you've
hired to put the icing on the cake so to speak.
2.) Doug Robinson "New Bossa"
I wish I knew jazz better.
It amazes me that Doug can pull off a jazz jam by himself, one
instrument at a time. I listened closely to the drums spending some time
trying to decide if these were real drums or the V-drums. I finally
decided that the track was done on the V-drums because I'm guessing
mostly but probably because of the cymbals. It's the best drum track on
the album because it was played, not programmed into a drum machine
(V-drums notwithstanding) and it was interesting.
The bass is not the best I've heard on a Doug Robinson song. That low
note at the beginning of the groove just plops there, radiating lethal
low energy into the mix. It needs tightening. I hear a little
tentativeness in the bass playing so I'm guessing you played this as
well as the drums or someone who doesn't regularly play on your CDs sat
in or someone who does play regularly but was not well rehearsed.
Whatever. Still better than my bass grooves.
The piano appeared as more of a background instrument for this song. The
bass track appears to be the featured track throughout. The piano solo
sounds like an electric piano. I WANT acoustic piano tracks featured
from Doug Robinson arrangement. <g
The bass track notwithstanding, this cut is one of the better mixes on
the CD, with every thing well in balance.
--
Rick Knepper
Wasted Potential Productions
MicroComputer Support Services
Po Box 1461
Ft. Worth, TX 76101
817-239-9632 business hours
817-737-4002 after 6 PM
also
Rick wrote:
The bass tracks in these songs are either buried so far you can't tell
what is being played or they are so overbearing with incontrolled
frequencies that they encroach on the rest of the instruments. There are
a few songs, Mitch Harris', come to mind where the bass sits much better
in its bed than the others. Maybe Mitch should give us a step by step
account of what he did to get this bass track.
Mitch Replys
Spent a lot of time on it is what. More time than any other aspect of
the mix. Partly due to Shreddie's comments on my Original Comp CD submission.
Boomy - part of that was a goal in that tune - wanted that "Animals" over
vibrated bass amp sound.
But not on this one.
For this one used the comp bass insert, put it a little off-center and then used
the bass cut in the MTK to get the right balance on the master. Of course a little
inspiration helps and I was making the CD to send to Jim and to HER. I've been inspired to
be
missing from the list, too. . . I'll be back :)
Review Replys
rickrecords@home.com about NEW Bossa
<< 2.) Doug Robinson "New Bossa"
I wish I knew jazz better.
You are not the only one.
<< It amazes me that Doug can pull off a jazz jam by himself, one
instrument at a time. I listened closely to the drums spending some time
trying to decide if these were real drums or the V-drums. I finally
decided that the track was done on the V-drums because I'm guessing
mostly but probably because of the cymbals. It's the best drum track on
the album because it was played, not programmed into a drum machine
(V-drums notwithstanding) and it was interesting.
You've probably read by now that they were real drums, but I have since
changed my ride cymbal to an old Zildjian instead of that metallic-sounding
AAX ride. I don't know--maybe I should be insulted, but I think the VDrums
actually sound like very well-recorded drums, so I'm taking this as a
compliment (as I'm sure you meant it).
<<The bass is not the best I've heard on a Doug Robinson song. That low
note at the beginning of the groove just plops there, radiating lethal
low energy into the mix. It needs tightening. I hear a little
tentativeness in the bass playing so I'm guessing you played this as
well as the drums or someone who doesn't regularly play on your CDs sat
in or someone who does play regularly but was not well rehearsed.
Whatever. Still better than my bass grooves.
It was too hard to play on that electric upright--I should have played Fender
bass. I liked the floppy "jazzy" sound of the upright, but it's a bitch to
play, especially in F. Plus, I was committed to finishing the track before
midnight, so it was 2 rehearsal takes then the final, with a couple of punch
ins. "Tentative" is a kind choice of words.
<< The piano appeared as more of a background instrument for this song. The
bass track appears to be the featured track throughout. The piano solo
sounds like an electric piano. I WANT acoustic piano tracks featured
from Doug Robinson arrangement. <g
That was a last minute copout--the first half is, I think, acoustic piano--it
happened so fast, and it''s been so long I can't remember--but the second
half was mediocre, so I overdubbed e-piano.
<< The bass track notwithstanding, this cut is one of the better mixes on
the CD, with every thing well in balance.
Thank you very much.
Doug
Shawn's handy-dandy, 100% Pure, All BS Review!!!!!
The following is an unpaid apolitical pronouncement.
DISCLAIMER: Whereas I am infinitely unqualified to critique the musical meanderings others, let me preface my comments by typing a big ol' 8-)!
1. Wormstew: Curse
Very tasty! I didn't hear any swear words though.
2. Doug Robinson: New Bossa
Horizontal man!
3. Todzilla: I'm Not Frank, James, or Brian
Who is this?!
4. Jim Giberti: I Never Even Thought
Should have put a little more effort into this.
5. Fat Glass: My Friend
Very warm and open. Kind.
6. Dave Freden: Pure
Virginal, but only marginally so.
7. Trick Shot: Big, Bad Buick
A little rusty in spots.
8. Neil Goldstein: Life I've Chosen
Wouldn't have it any other way.
9. Nancy Groff: Ginny's Glow
Brilliant!
10. Buck Ninety & The Silver Dollars: It May Not Be Right
There's something wrong with this.
11. Shawn Deveau: Wanderer
Rambling. All over the place.
12. Mitch Harris: Sets Them Dreaming
Made me fall asleep.
13. Steve Herman: Beef Thang
Bloated. Gave me gas.
14. Davor Pavuna: Db Love
Cheesy. (Swiss)
Th-th-th-th-that's all folks!