Beagle

LpMike75


.  Personally, I want harsh critisism because I always want to improve, but not everyone is like that.

Personally I appreciate honest criticism, but not "harsh."  I will always accept and evaluate any constructive honest criticism, even if the person is pointing out flaws in my voice or my playing.  what I do not appreciate are "harsh" criticisms.  here is an example of what I'm talking about - this was a direct quote from someone posting a criticism on the songs forum.
 

With all the storms and rolling ships, I feel like I am getting sea sick  Ah! So that's why I felt like puking when I listened to to the song.   

 
there is absolutely no reason to be an a$$ when critiquing.  this is what I consider a harsh response and it is not helpful in any way and it's completley uncalled for.  the person who gives responses like this should just stay off of the forum because they're not contributing anything constructive - they are only dumping their filth on others.
 
in contrast, here is a critique of a song of mine which I thought was excellent:
 

Liked the song a lot. I hear what folks are saying at 2:45, but nothing that can't be fixed.

The overall mix sounds a bit muddy to me. It feels like there could be a bit more high in a certain range, but I can't put my finger on which one. It could be an effect of Soundclouds conversion though, that's happened on a few things I posted on there, that's why I stopped using them and went to Box.net.

Something isn't right with the bass at 19 seconds and the timing of the bass in general seems off to me, or there is a quick attack on a compressor dipping the volume a tad too much perhaps? It sounds maybe like you were trying to get the kick and bass to play nice together?

There's a lot going on in this song and it sounds like it was a bear to mix. All in all I really liked the mix, the song, and all the performances.

he stated what he thought needed to be fixed in the mix, he asked questions and he told me what he liked about the song and mix.  THAT is the way we should be critiquing each other.

I guess it's a play on words.  "Honest critisism" can be harsh but not necessarily insulting.  We don't need insulting reviews or critiques, that doesnt help anyone.  I guess I am looking for critical feedback, not insulting feedback.  I very rarely see insults on other people's music in the song forums, and don't think there is any good that can come from that.
 
Sometimes it's hard to know who wants "honest and critical" feedback on how to improve, and who simply wants a "nice job!" comment on their hard work.   

"I guess it's a play on words.  "Honest critisism" can be harsh but not necessarily insulting.  We don't need insulting reviews or critiques, that doesnt help anyone.  I guess I am looking for critical feedback, not insulting feedback.  I very rarely see insults on other people's music in the song forums, and don't think there is any good that can come from that.
 
Sometimes it's hard to know who wants "honest and critical" feedback on how to improve, and who simply wants a "nice job!" comment on their hard work."

It is ALWAYS best to be honest, although sometimes hard? I was on a blind date recently, and trying hard to think of something nice to say? So I told her, "hey, you know you don't sweat much for a fat girl?" It was the nicest honest thing I could think of to say. (I'm sorry for that right there Lord)

Danny Danzi

 We got enough sugar coating and horsesh!t around here to create our own Candy Land board game.    
  

I just finished reading this entire thread (and I'm still working through that link to the Yep thread).  Wow.
 
There's nothing I can add that hasn't already been said, and said well.  Other than getting completely off-topic and pointing out Danny's Candy Land comment back in post # 3.
 
I've played a lot of Candy Land with my two kids, and I'm laughing at the idea of horsesh!t being part of that game.  I'm picturing brown squares on the game board.  Brown and scratch-n-sniff!  (Silly and stupid I know, but I'm sitting here in my cube at work, laughing.)

Chaos Choir


All the previous pages in this thread have been very interesting and informative. Although this isn't the songs forum, all the talk about Bohemian Rhapsody made me want to post a link to my friend Richie Castellano's redo of the song while also creating a multi part video of the recording. IMHO, pretty impressive feat. 

I apologize for posting the link here instead of the songs forum but I thought all in here might enjoy it. 

Richie is currently the touring bass player for BOC. And yes, the same BOC that made cowbells a vital part of a song! :)

Hope you enjoy...

Patrick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Iiy_YfpVn0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

That's one talented dude! Thanks for sharing that Patrick. The only slightly negative thing I can say is....I would have loved to hear HIS take on this as opposed to copping things to the best of his ability. Though I give him credit for all that he did and for being authentic, other than the recording being a bit crisper....it's pretty much the same as the original.
 
That guy sings so well, I could handle him replacing Freddy in Queen as he's a bit more vocally expressive with less "vocal drama" as I like to call it. What a great musician...absolutely fantastic in all aspects...even the guitar tone was spot on. Like I say though...I would have loved to have heard his twist on it rather than copping it exactly, but that's just me.
 
That's really not meant to sound negative or degrading as I know how hard it is to do something like this and make it authentic....I just like it when someone covers something in their own image to where you know it's the same song, yet has a twist with their own personality. Make sense at all? Other than that though...a primo piece of work that he should be extremely proud of. I know I would be! :)
 
-Danny

Chaos Choir

Danny Danzi

Chaos Choir


All the previous pages in this thread have been very interesting and informative. Although this isn't the songs forum, all the talk about Bohemian Rhapsody made me want to post a link to my friend Richie Castellano's redo of the song while also creating a multi part video of the recording. IMHO, pretty impressive feat. 

I apologize for posting the link here instead of the songs forum but I thought all in here might enjoy it. 

Richie is currently the touring bass player for BOC. And yes, the same BOC that made cowbells a vital part of a song! :)

Hope you enjoy...

Patrick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Iiy_YfpVn0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

That's one talented dude! Thanks for sharing that Patrick. The only slightly negative thing I can say is....I would have loved to hear HIS take on this as opposed to copping things to the best of his ability. Though I give him credit for all that he did and for being authentic, other than the recording being a bit crisper....it's pretty much the same as the original.
 
That guy sings so well, I could handle him replacing Freddy in Queen as he's a bit more vocally expressive with less "vocal drama" as I like to call it. What a great musician...absolutely fantastic in all aspects...even the guitar tone was spot on. Like I say though...I would have loved to have heard his twist on it rather than copping it exactly, but that's just me.
 
That's really not meant to sound negative or degrading as I know how hard it is to do something like this and make it authentic....I just like it when someone covers something in their own image to where you know it's the same song, yet has a twist with their own personality. Make sense at all? Other than that though...a primo piece of work that he should be extremely proud of. I know I would be! :)
 
-Danny

 
Hey Danny! First let me say how much I admire you for what you've written on this forum and I've been to your web site and REALLY enjoy your music! :) I'm a newcomer on this forum as far as posting and I've gotten some really good advice here (all taken in and absorbed and then applied!)
 
And I agree with you wholeheartedly about cover songs as I also like it when a cover song has the performing artists 'touch' and feeling added to it. Your cover of Bryan Adams being a perfect example, which BTW is a kickass version and beautifully performed!  :)
 
Richie made the song & video for a Queen contest that he entered and he came in second place. He also got to meet Brian May and Roger Taylor!
 
I know Richie since he was in diapers back when his pop John owned a music store in Brooklyn where I bought my first 'real' guitar back in the '70's. Richie has a band on the side called Hit Me With It and they used to play locally in the NY metro area some years ago.
 
They would pass a sheet of paper and pen around in the audience and everyone could write down a song they wanted to hear the band play. It was extremely impressive to watch them perform songs (most of them having never been played together as a band) as if they had been in their set and playing them for years! And I'm talking a range of songs by Elton John, Dream Theatre, Billy Joel, Zeppelin, Van Halen, Roy Buchanan (yes, Roy Buchanan!), Peter Gabriel, so on and so forth. 
 
On another note, I'll be in NJ (Seaside Heights) during the end of August and I would LOVE to catch you playing live or even just to hang out and have a beer with (on me of course!). I'll keep checking your web page for upcoming shows as I know I'll enjoy watching you perform live based on what I've heard from your songs.
 
Take care man...
 
 
Best regards,
 
Patrick
 

LOL you rule man, what an awesome response! Thank you for that, Patrick! I wasn't going to post anything initially in fear you may have taken what I said negatively. Make no mistake, I respect that guy so much for what he did...he's simply amazing in my book. I'm glad you felt the way I did...and it's funny you mentioned the Bryan Adams tune....I was actually going to pm it to you to further explain what I was getting at with that whole "give your own twist on a cover" thing. Glad you liked my version, thanks so much for that and for the other compliments on my stuff. Brought a huge smile to my face. :)
 
That's pretty awesome what they did with that piece of paper. Whew....I could never do anything like that. I don't know enough covers or different styles to do anything remotely close. LOL! I do good with just about anything that I've heard before at least once...but can't promise I'd get the key right. Hahahaha!
 
Oh no kiddin....you'll be in NJ? I wish my original band was playing...but we're still working hard on getting the new album done. My cover band is playing though but I don't think we'll be playing when you'll be here. We try to book 1-2 gigs per month to make it more of an event instead of playing all the time and hating every minute of it. I got two shows in August, but they are early in the month. Back to back...August 10 and 11. Then I have a September 8th...but that's all I got that would be close to what you mentioned. Would love to meet you, hang out and have a beer brother. If by chance you'll be around here during those times, let me know and I'll pm you the specifics. Thanks again...and tell your buddy I think he's da man! :)
 
-Danny

Go to Youtube and type in "Pensado's Place".

 
I missed this the first time I read scanned this thread. I took a look and subscribed... this is going to take some time. I've been reading through the YEP thread too, good stuff there and looks like good stuff here. The best thing I have learned is to use HPFs and LPFs, cut the highs and lows, make room for each part and don't solo tracks when mixing to ake that track sound it's best because, if I understand correctly, doing that will likely land me in mudland. It is counterintuative to the newbie... ie me. All this info is really a huge help. I have certainly learned how little I know and I no longer give advice at least not on recording...
 
Thanks for the head's up on Pensado’s Place!!
 
Also I should add, in case I haven't before.. Danny, I really appreciate everything you share and all the effort you put into really trying to help everyone, that you really care about others and about helping us all shows. Thank you!
 
Julien