November OSAM Stephen *New Mix*

[Stephen]

*New Mix 12-4-08*

Based on the critiques, I replaced the drums, and Dr Who played the bass.


This is another instrumental, using my new Les Paul guitar.
There hasn't been any time to compose lately, so I'm rusty, and this was a bit rushed, so there are some clunkers here, and there.

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7080405

[georgeinar]

That Les Paul is just really fabulous sounding. And I love the chords you've put together here. Fantastic combination. You certainly have the guitar right where it should be, sound wise and as always you are playing quite nicely, nothing rusty to these ears.

[Stephen]

Thanks George, I always enjoy your comments.

I actually bought the Les Paul for the band, but was curious how it would record.
It could use a new bridge pick up, it's a little too bassy for live, but I was pretty happy with this, even though I did the guitar lead in just two takes.

[georgeinar]

I think leads are often best when not too rehearsed. I usually water down my leads if I do them over and over. So I'm not surprised you went with the second try here.

[JonSolo]

Very beefy lead indeed! I can understand why you would feel it bassy in a live situation.

As to the song, it has a bit of a bluesy feel with some really nice runs. Great chord progression that could lend itself for a vocal is handled quite nicely with lead guitar. Again, as with some other songs in the last month or two with many OSAMers (myself and unfinished business included), I feel a missing dynamic...NOT in your guitar playing. You lead has it all and is well in there. Perhaps in the percussion/drums and the omnipresent drone of an organ there is not a lot of breakdowns, but I suppose that is what you meant when you said you were rushed and having little time to compose (which I can totally understand).

But this is very smooth and just goes to show that if you had gobs of time on your hands you'd be altogether in your own universe. Enjoyably smooth bro!

Jon

[Morbius]

Hmmmm..... Stephen? Stephen who??

Oh, I know you!

Yeah, I really like the tone of that new axe of yours!

Nice, smooth, 'not-quite-chill' tune, Stephen!!

[Stephen]

I think leads are often best when not too rehearsed. I usually water down my leads if I do them over and over. So I'm not surprised you went with the second try here.

I always like to do a "scratch" track, then work off that, Usually just doing punches, and overdubs, but this was just a straight run through, on take 2.
I got a bit lucky really, but it could be so much better.

it has a bit of a bluesy feel

I'm glad you think so, that's what I wanted.
Thanks Jon.

Yeah, I really like the tone of that new axe of yours!

Nice, smooth, 'not-quite-chill' tune, Stephen!!

Thanks Professor, glad you like it.

Regards,

[DrWho]

Oh man - love the Les Paul sound - so distinct - so much character ! Well it records just fine man!!!!!

I didn't think your soloing sounded rough around the edges. Different guitar voice, same guitar player We can tell its you - you can't hide behind a new guitar sound !

But I do agree with Jon - I miss the whole tune from a compositional perspective. Here you are soloing over loops, but as I think back to your earlier CD's - they are more complete songs. Hey - we gotta keep pushin' ya here @ the OSAM

I'ld like to stay and chat, but I am going to jam over (or under) your tune now with my bass

Cheers,

={> Art

[Stephen]

Thanks Art, I'd love to have you play bass on this, maybe I can replace the drums, or.... I don't know????

Lemme know if you'ld like a bassless file emailed to ya.

[DrWho]

Yes, that would be great! Please shoot me an MP3 - preferably after you modified the drum track

[sewa]

Hi Stephen,

I understand that this is more a jamming session rather than a fully fledged song, and I like it as such. The guitar sounds very 'american' to my ears which is good, very good actually. I'm a sucker for this kind of bluesy leads.

The quality of the mix is another highlight, especially the drums which sound very 'live'. How did you record them?

sewa

[Stephen]

Yes, that would be great! Please shoot me an MP3 - preferably after you modified the drum track

Done.

Thanks much, I'm anxious to get it.

[Stephen]

Hi Stephen,

I understand that this is more a jamming session rather than a fully fledged song, and I like it as such. The guitar sounds very 'american' to my ears which is good, very good actually. I'm a sucker for this kind of bluesy leads.

The quality of the mix is another highlight, especially the drums which sound very 'live'. How did you record them?

sewa

Thanks sewa, the drums are a loop, and most of my loops are created from one of my synths, so that could be the case here, but not sure, I'm actually replacing the drum track, if I can find something I like better, not easy, since all my compositions start with a drum track, so this was written around the drums.

[Diego]

Sorry, I'm late on that...
What a very very cool sound I can hear!!
You guitar is fantastic, but I like so much that pristine drum sound, and these hammond organs...wow!
Very cool rock-blues chor progression, too!

[sewa]

Thanks sewa, the drums are a loop, and most of my loops are created from one of my synths, so that could be the case here,

It is then probably the reverb setting or something that places the drums so well in the mix.