Diamonds and Furs

A year or so ago, James Yoyo posted a couple of funk songs that I liked a lot. It gave me the urge to try some white boy funk myself. The result of that is my latest effort, Diamonds and Furs.

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10752270

This is not the first time that listening to a forum friend has inspired a song. I've been influenced likewise by Kenny Wilson, Daryl Crowley, and Steve Strummer as well. It conveniently gives me someone to blame

So please have a listen and let me know what you think. Thanks!
Mark

When you first meet them? And you have all of those brain chemicals going? You'd do anything for that *** and then at some point? Most people would do anything to get away from it...

I think you did a pretty good job, but it's only moderately funky :-) You need to spend a few days watching brother Don Cornielus, George Clinton, James Brown. 

I enjoyed your tune.


P.S., now that Spacey mentions it? There was quite a clickety clack coming from that pick.

a-ha!

I certainly feel a bit of YoyoFactory's contagious vibe in this, especially the 1st 30 secs.

Pitch is deliberately off in places ... so your funk-song may feel funkier and sweeter after several listens of your unique and awesome vibe.

But on 1st listen, the rhythm guitar is my fav hook here ... and I wouldn't mind it upward compressed a bit stronger for funk's sake (just my silly thoughts).

In my demented vox-centered universe and current wackiness:

The lead vox (to my ears) might beg a hint more compression, centering, and/or more edge-presence and clarity ... (upper EQ?) and/or upper color (saturation)
Or perhaps HPF the lead vox slightly more to allow rhythm and guitar instruments more space ? ,,, and grant his message more edge, upper-presence, and character (5kHz+).

Spacey - that pick noise in the guitar solo is actually deliberate, trying to do a sort of percussive thing with it, a la Hendrix in the opening bars of Voodoo Chile. The rest of it, however, is the result of the guitar I was using, a Carvin with Fender American Standard pups that just might be too close to the strings. I get a very bright tone with those pups.

Robby - "Moderately" funky? Did I not mention "white boy funk?" You think James Brown was truly funky his first try? (Actually, he probably was) Man, you're tough! But you seem to have liked it, so that's cool. Thanks for listening.

Daryl, thanks for coming to my defense, "plenty funky for an old time rocker," which aptly describes me. Glad you liked it.

Philip, thanks for being so specific. The lead vox is centered, but I run it through stereo delay with a ms difference in right/left tracks to widen the sound, a technique recommended by Bobby Owsinski rather than double track it. Getting clarity out of my mic setup is always a challenge.

James, I'm glad you liked it. Stephanie definitely didn't care for the octave vocals, but that's what I hear in my head for this one, so I went with my instincts rather than a harmony. This is about as funky as I'm ever likely to get. Thanks for the feedback.

I appreciate the comments, people. I need you!
Mark

Very Funky little tune you got goin on...Can`t wait to hear the Mastered version.

This baby really cracks the whip.  Snap rhythm guitar is sweet.  I like the vocal filtering.   nice guitar work all around.
I would give the bass a super boost on this.

Thanks, Alkie - It might be a while before it's mastered....until I learn to do it myself, that is....

Tap, No How, Gary - thanks for taking the time to comment, I appreciate it

Good stuff there, Mark.  I really liked this, and was definitely picking up a clash kind of vibe.  Great lead break (the bass was a standout too), and the vocals felt great for the tune.  Nice job on this.

Thanks, Larry! The chords are G13, C9, D9, good ear, pal. a couple of maj7 chords in the little break.  I thought it was a good bass part too, insofar as I believe I played like a bass player rather than a guitarist with a bass.

Thanks for the feedback, Phil, and the comment about the bass too.

Mark, thank you very much, I appreciate your encouragement. I think I'm finally learning to play over the chords.

Great tune man, I dig the guitar sound, unique. Love the solo's as well. Drums feel a bit stiff or straight for that funky guitar but overall great tune! Dig the vox octave's too.

Hey Bob, thanks. A home run! Sure I can see what you mean with the Crosstown Traffic reference. Glad you liked it.

Ed! Holy Toledo, a rare appearance. I use Jammer for drums, and mostly I like the results. But sometimes I have to accommodate my tune to what I can do drumwise.  But what have YOU got in the works? I like your stuff, what's been shakin?

Radio, thanks for the listen, pal.