"How He Loves" (collab with my daughter on vocals!)

I was actually able to talk my daughter (who just turned 15) into the studio to record some vocals. She just had a dance routine to this song and I figured that was a good way to talk her into it. I could have done a better job tracking the vocals and hope to get her to re-record them, but I’m not holding my breath because she starts school on Wednesday (Sophomore – eek!!). She had a party to go to that night so I was only able to steal about 45 minutes of her time so it was a rush job.
Here’s the link – it’s “How He Loves” by the David Crowder Band
 
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=9526101

If you’re familiar with the original, you’ll be able to tell we took a lot of liberties.
Any comments and feedback appreciated!!

Thanks Janet!! I've got the link fixed.

Yeah I hated this song when I would hear it on K-Love, then our band played it a couple of times and I realized the main thing I didn't like about it was his voice. But I also didn't like the arrangement much, so I changed it!! :)  

But David Crowder is one crazy looking guy, ain't he???

OMG! What is this angel voice from heaven?

Her voice is a good fit for this song. Soft and pensive, not boisterous and belting.

If she's this good at 15, just think what she'll do in a couple of years with more experience behind her.

I went to YouTube to hear the David Crowder Band perform this.

I liked your addition of the piano close to the opening. Er...that was a piano, wasn't it?  I'm listening through blown speakers.  

And the way you arpeggiate the guitar chords is nice.  That 6/8 arpeggiation is timeless. Every decade uses it, so it will never be dated. I noticed the David Crowder Band didn't do this.  It was barely perceptible to me that they were even in 6/8 time. They just didn't play it up like y'all do. It sounds good.

David Crowder is the wierd Al of CCM.... this is beautful.

Hi Dave,

I'm not familiar with the original, (or am I?) but this is all well found.

A nice sturdy arrangement, and a delightful performance from the songstress there.

Lovely.

Hey, Dave!  this isn't fair, I can't tell you that you need to replace the vocalist!!! LOL!  I can't tell you that because she's really great on this! 

I've always liked this song, but you and your daughter have really brought this up a notch!  she's not perfect, but at 15 - wow!  keep encouraging her because she really can do well with some experience!

on a little note, I noticed a little distortion on the vox - how did you record them?  what was your signal path? 

Did you do all the instrumentatation on this Dave? If so..nice playing and some good dynamics too. Piano, acoustic and lead guitar were noted!!

Your daughter has a very nice voice and this was performed well. I think some articulation (not volume) on the vox is in order as it was a bit tough for me to understand the wording. I know I'm 'old scholl' with that thought, so just my humble 2 drachma....

Larry

Peggysuechan - thanks!! Yeah I thought her voice was a good fit for this, too. I really wanted to emphasis the 6/8 timing because I thought it added to the feel. I appreciate your comments!
Thatsastrat - well maybe you need to get him to howl on some tunes! Actually my daughter loves to sing along while I'm playing the acoustic, but getting her to record only happens a couple times a year. I wish it was more often, but you know teenagers and their schedules!

Thanks, Herb, Ron & Jon!!
Karalie - I appreciate your listening! But c'mon, I love my avatar! It's my slightly odd way of reminding myself that you can be happy no matter what your situation!!

Reece - yeah you wouldn't be mean to a kid, would you?? You know I'm not sure if it's distortion or what. My signal chain was just my Blue Blueberry mic into my Presonus Eureka preamp into my interface. But I don't think she had a good headphone mix and was standing too far off the mic, so I got a pretty weak signal. I think boosting the track just raised the noise floor too much and plus the A/C was running. Bottom line, it was a rush job and I hope I can redo it.

Thanks BIABDude!!

Larry - yep that's me on all the instruments. Thanks for listening buddy!!
 
Paulo - thank you sir. I agree with you - it worked well on the first verse where it's kinda of breathy but when it kicks up a bit I think I need a different song that's a little more direct so it doesn't get lost. Thanks for your ears!!

i'm unconvinced by the elcetric guitar tone, I think the piano encroaches on the vocals a little in the frequency spectrum.

I'm not sure the mic or the way you've mixed the vocals do them justice, although having said that, you can tell its a rush job. She has a tendancy to be a little nasal and lacks conviction in places. Its hard when its a cover of a singer songwriter because you feel they've took great pain in writing every word and it means something deep and intimate to them and it takes great work to reproduce that power of a vocalist who deeply believes everything they've written and put it into someone else. I think that's what sticks out to me. Also one or two tuning issues vocallay, but that's often an issue with a nasal delivery making things sound flat in my experience.

Overall, i quite liked it (even though all my comments appear negative i often overlook the positive as people have either already picked up on that or you already know about it, but i often feel i can offer constructive criticism, so i do).

There seems to be a lot of christian songs on here, I am wondering if Sonar is the DAW for Christians.

Good track it was nice listening and i hope you get your daughter in the studio for a decent ammount of time in the near future, that would be really nice to hear the result of a good studio session with her, she has potential definatly. (i couldn't dream of singing that well anyway).

Cheers,
Chris.

Well our church album is being produced in a PT studio...shame on us!

I can't compare this to this original, as I am not familiar with the original; however, this one sounds excellent to me.  The playing is terrific and your 15 year old daughter sounds great!
 
Freddy J

Hi Dave.  Performances are very good.  Seems to me like the vocals could come up a bit more.  Your daughter has a good start if she chooses to continue with her singing - and I hope she does.

Hi Dave,

I'm not familiar with the original but I think this sounds great.

The mix sounds good on my cheesy headphones and, of course, your daughter
sounds like an angel.

Mostly I think it's fantastic that you and your daughter were able to spend the
time together recording this when most 15 year olds won't talk to their parents

Dave,
I have a 6 yr old daughter that I drag into the studio every now and then.  The last time I recorded her she really "listened" to herself and was very disappointed at what she heard.  She's quite the perfectonist.  I applaude you for spending time with your daughter this way.  It's an awesome feeling being able to record your children.
 
I agree with most of the comments.  Your daughter has great potential.  My only suggestion is to try a different mic or if you have EQ'ed the vox I'd try something different.  I'm listening on PC speakers so take this with a grain of salt.  The vox sounds a little harsh, which is most likely the mic.  Just my 2¢.
 
Rich

She has a lovely voice, and it really fits this song.   More!