SMB - 'The Hills of Litchfield'

A new SMB tune for your delectation

The Hills of Litchfield

Larry - acoustic guitar, percussion
James - electric guitar, synths, bass, mix

Listening on the mail PC, I will have proper listen later.

On my Adams (without ARC)

Breathtaking! 

Your most lush peace (which I prefer over your prior more high-ended stuff)

Pad elements are also low and rich ... keeping the current flowing with gentle cascades and sweet acoustic guitar ripples.  (As if this were water flowing)

For uttermost ambience and relaxation: 10/10

Very nice guys, I like the change up at around 3:30. I would have liked a little percussion to kinda tie things together but that didn't retract from the atmosphere. Beautiful stuff!

Had a chance to get a second listen today .

Perhaps if there was one thing that I would comment on, the guitars, I suspect it would not harm to pan them a little right and left of centre just to open up the centre stage.  (But hey who am I).,

James and Larry,
 
You both have such a soothing way of writing songs. Introspective, natural, hopeful.
 
What is the percussion I hear in the back that frequently matches the downstroke of the acoustic?
 
I'm listening on small PC speakers, but the song sounds rich and mellow. Great work guys. If I wore a hat, well, it would be off to you.
 
Matt

John - thanks for the 2nd listen, will try your suggestion.

Thank you very much Kev!

Matt - many thanks, we appreciate the compliments. I think what you're hearing there is an 'african log', one of Larry's many exotic samples.

Thanks Paulo, we do strive for that feel, really pleased it works for you.

Another gem of a tune for the SMB.  Nice work fellows!  Lush is definitely a word that I found coming to mind whenever I listen to SMB.  The changeup at 3:25 gave me the shivers, beautiful progression.  The first SMB CD has been in rotation in my iPOD a lot lately.  It is a shame because I mainly listen to music while I am drafting and I find that when I listen with my iPOD, I often don't know the names of tunes.  I have a whole Steve Morse Band album where I can only say, I like track 8, etc.  But anyway, SMB is always a treat to the ears no matter the circumstances and this tune is no different.  Great performances and a pristine mix.  Congrats.
 
Any updates for us on the 2nd CD?

i think this is one of Larry's best performances ever, some great stringwork there! electric guitar - my first thought was wondering why it's so low in the mix, but it's still audible, and i guess that helps with the quietness of the piece overall. the bridge in the middle...nice idea, not sure if the minor 6th/7th/dominant cadence works in the context of the whole thing, but i guess stands out more because of it... as ever a great mix and a lovely song which doesn't resort to folky cliches at all.

Yes, Bapu is on to something. I can clearly see Lancelot and Guinevere riding through an open field (in slo-mo of course) while the sunlight filters down through the pollen filled summer air. Wonderful composition and production and the only thing I would try to do is “widen it” a bit (if that makes sense) to fill that cinematic scope that I am seeing. Great job.

Very lovely song!  It is a bit different that what you have done before.  Have a bit of Phil Keaggy feel.  The arrangement is beautiful.

yup yup yup....SMB....fine lads....fine lads indeed!

What a great piece!....very enjoyable to be sure!


A++

Bob, you're a gent, thanks very much indeed for the kind words

Nice imagery Manny! Thanks for the suggestion, I've never tried any stereo widening plug-ins, might be time to try.

Glad you liked it Herb, and thanks for the eq suggestion. I've no doubt there's a lot going on in that region.

Thanks Vicente, glad you enjoyed it.

Brudda Tom, we fanks ya!

Thanks Gary, that's much appreciated.

Cheers Steve, very kind of you to say so mate.

Very nice! You've got a spot on the next Ken Burns documentary I think :-) On the widening, just some subtle stereo delay on the main acoustic part might be enough to do it, I dunno. Nice mix of acoustic and distorted guitar elements.

There's a glitch around 3:27'ish, a fairly loud click in the right channel. Just figured I'd point it out. I went back to there after the end and it happened two more times, so I don't think it was a one off playback glitch.