First new song in a while..."When She Smiles"

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AndyW
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2011/05/15 23:49:16 (permalink)

First new song in a while..."When She Smiles"

Wrote this for my wife(yes, I have a sappy romantic side  ;) ).  Recorded and mixed in X1 with primarily UAD plugs.  Would appreciate comments on song structure, lyrics and mixing.  Also would appreciate comments on two new things I recorded on this song I've never done before...harmonica and slide guitar.  Guidance on technique from others more experienced in these two skills would be awesome.

http://www.soundclick.com/andyw

Should be the first song that plays.

Thx!

Best,

AndyW

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www.soundclick.com/andyw
#1

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    droddey
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    Re:First new song in a while..."When She Smiles" 2011/05/16 00:04:07 (permalink)
    Sounds nice. I like the way it goes big there in the later choruses. Harmonica and slide sound nice to me. Gooc vocal performance. The snare maybe isn't the best suited to this tune, I dunno. Particularly in the quieter parts where it's there it doesn't necessarily sound in the same space as the rest of it. Could just be these speakers.

    Dean Roddey
    Chairman/CTO, Charmed Quark Systems
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    #2
    AndyW
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    Re:First new song in a while..."When She Smiles" 2011/05/16 10:43:37 (permalink)
    Dean,

    Thx for the listen and the thoughtful comments.  Now that I listen again I agree that the snare is too dark or something.  I need to fiddle with it.  Thx for pointing that out!

    Best,

    Andy

    Best,

    AndyW

    OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR

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    #3
    AndyW
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    Re:First new song in a while..."When She Smiles" 2011/05/20 18:51:44 (permalink)
    Updated mix posted.  Less compression on the vocal, some Eq adjustment on the drums and a a few other tweaks here and there...

    Best,

    AndyW

    OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR

    www.soundclick.com/andyw
    #4
    timidi
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    Re:First new song in a while..."When She Smiles" 2011/05/20 19:55:42 (permalink)
    This is a great song. I do think it needs a real drummer or serious work on the midi drums.

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    #5
    Janet
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    Re:First new song in a while..."When She Smiles" 2011/05/21 22:55:53 (permalink)
    LOVE that hook!  Great lyrics too. :) 
    #6
    AndyW
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    Re:First new song in a while..."When She Smiles" 2011/08/20 12:13:23 (permalink)
    OK...pretty sure I have a near final mix now. Thx for all the feedback.

    Best,

    AndyW

    OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR

    www.soundclick.com/andyw
    #7
    Marshall
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    Re:First new song in a while..."When She Smiles" 2011/08/20 16:31:34 (permalink)
    I just wanted to say that I love your voice. And it makes a nice change to hear a love song about the writer's wife! I remember Eric Clapton's Wonderful Tonight fell into the same lyrical category. 

    The song is instantly catchy, and I mean that as a sincere compliment. 

    Cheers, Bill
    #8
    AndyW
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    Re:First new song in a while..."When She Smiles" 2011/08/20 17:29:24 (permalink)
      Bill, Thx much for the listen...catchy is indeed a great complement!

    Best,

    AndyW

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    #9
    karalie7@aol.com
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    Re:First new song in a while..."When She Smiles" 2011/08/22 01:09:50 (permalink)
    Good baritone voice and instruments. Vocal performance is nice just needs a bit more clarity in the mix:-) Great song for your wife, very sweet.
    #10
    AndyW
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    Re:First new song in a while..."When She Smiles" 2011/08/23 19:30:01 (permalink)
     Thx for the feedback and the kind comment.

    Best,

    AndyW

    OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR

    www.soundclick.com/andyw
    #11
    geeare1
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    Re:First new song in a while..."When She Smiles" 2011/08/27 12:52:34 (permalink)
    Hi Andy,

    Great song! Love the chorus

    The mix sounds great from here and the slide and harmonica are perfect IMO.

    -gr

    'There's two kinds of music: good and bad. I like both.' - Duke Ellington

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    #12
    jbow
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    Re:First new song in a while..."When She Smiles" 2011/08/27 14:05:18 (permalink)
    Wow, you not only know how to write but you know how to mix. Very good job!!! Listening now...
     
    Your voice is very good, on the edge of true greatness. I think you should take some private voice lessons because with just a little more work... I'm not saying anything is wrong but I hear a LOT of potential. I was a voice major in college but I have lost most of it over the years due to neglect but I still remember the exercises and breathing techniques, how to open the mouth and annunciate... you have all that already. You don't cut off your notes too soon.. just a little more polish and you could go from great to awesome on vocals.
     
    I really like the song and production... I kept wanting to hear a banjo somewhere in there, I think it would fit really well, sort of the way the Eagles used it on Desperado, or the Outlaws on some songs... not that your tune is anything like those. In some way it reminded me of some Phil Keaggy songs but I don't know why. Different voice and playing... maybe just the way it made me feel.
     
    You really did a good job on everything, IMO.
     
    Thanks for sharing!
     
    Julien
    post edited by jbow - 2011/08/27 14:07:27

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    #13
    AndyW
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    Re:First new song in a while..."When She Smiles" 2011/08/27 18:04:34 (permalink)
    Gary,, Thx for the listen and the compliment... Julien...I am probably too old to learn new tricks with voice lessons...but I appreciate your comments very much. Vocals is something I struggle with the most, actually to get to my version of "right". I don't have a banjo yet but I will put it on my list...;) As far as being compared to the Eagles and Phil Keaggy...I don't deserve that comparison but I'll take it. Thx much.

    Best,

    AndyW

    OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR

    www.soundclick.com/andyw
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