I like it a lot: great melody, bouncy instrumentation.
 
But something is missing. Cannot quite put my finger on it. Maybe the arrangement?
 
 
 

This is a very cool song Cian, enjoyed it a lot. I didn't hear any timing issues, but I did think the snare was a touch heavy handed, I might have tried a more subtle 'train beat', but everyone's a producer...

This is really great -- nice tune, great vocals.  The only parts that sounds like a 'demo' are maybe the drums (need a little reverb or something) and the backing vocals get a little lost in the mix sometimes.
 
Reminds me of Delta Rae, which is saying something good!
https://soundcloud.com/deltarae/morning-comes
 

Hi Lads, thanks for all your feedback.
 
I have a new version with some live bass in it, bongo percussion, organ sound and some tweaking all round. I would appreciate another listen from both who havent already and those that have for comparison
 
https://soundcloud.com/cian-mcgovern/river-born-1/s-jGtW0
 
General feedback: Most of the comments suggested some "extra production", I didnt think it needed much more, in fact I couldn't fit much more but by adding some more interesting sounds it may have done the trick. I did think there was something missing in the song something meaty down the mid frequency range arrangement-wise which is why I went for the organ here. The drums are dry so I have fixed a little bit  but lets be honest here, you either go drum loops digital or get a real drummer, middle ground always falls short in my opinion. There is some timing issues like some mentioned, I actually think this is due to my latency and live playing with fx on, I have to hit the keyboard a little earlier to get the timing right in my headphones if you get me, that seemed to tighten it.
 
Thanks,
 
Cian
 
 

Nailed it. I'd still like a little more room on the drums but I get what you are saying about live versus loops.  Salt to taste, basically.  I seem to notice it less this time around, so maybe the additional instrumentation did the trick..
 
Great stuff.  Thanks for sharing.
 
 

Hey Cian - this is just FANTASTIC!  I love everything about it!  percussion, backing vocals, piano, lead vox, all is just great!  I do not think it needs more production myself, I think it's perfect as is!  great work!

Beagle & cwestmont, thanks for your additional comments. Glad the tweaks helped improve it. I think Im done with this for now, next step is to get it done in a proper studio with the lads
https://soundcloud.com/ci...n/river-born-1/s-jGtW0
 
Cian

Wow!  Add my voice to the accolades above.  Perfect performance, great production, and the vocals are just plain old outstanding.

I listened and liked it. Ty

didn't hear the 1st version but the one I'm listening to sounds excellent.
Mix, production are spot on and your vocal is perfect.
Sounds finished to me - what are you waiting for......? :)