Hi Friends,
 
We are in the process of recording a new cd. Currently we have 5 songs fully tracked and working in various stages of another 10 songs. Here is an original song that we recorded "Been Through the Fire". 
 
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=13066172
 
1. What do you think about the bells in the beginning of the song and at 1:11? 
 
2. What do you think about the lead guitar solo in the middle of the song at 2:15? Should it be more stylized? Or play the melody straight like it is?
 
3. What genre would you classify the song?
 
This is a rough mix with no equalization or effects, only panning and light compression with Sonitus for levels. Song features: live drums, guitar, bass, keys, organ and vocals.
 
Your honest feedback is appreciated!
Blessings!
Lasana and Karalie Kanneh
 

Sounds like you have a good start but I would prefer to hear a more finished product with your intended panning and other processing before any real mix comments.
 
Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for listening Wookiee.
 
On this project we are going to have someone else do the equ, add reverbs and most of the mixing. I am mainly interested in help with the recording as we track it. If we decided to change the guitar solo or change the bells we would do that before sending it to the mixer. 
 
Cheers!

Pretty cool. The bass is pretty close to where you want it, sounds punchy and keeps things going along! The organ patch you have going seemed a little thin in spots, you might like VB3 which is a VST organ, fairly cheap, but a big step up from your current patch in my opinion. 
 
It's cool, it's upbeat, it's Christian (I think?), it's very pleasant. All good!
 
The bells and guitar solo didn't stand out either way for me. I'd like to hear this once you've got your mixing on!
 
I would vote to eliminate that low register electric piano, I don't think it adds much. It's pitched so low, you wonder why it's there? I don't think you often hear a low electric piano comping along like that, but this could be your stylistic choice, in which case nevermind then!!!  If you want a low pad, maybe organ or something sustained like strings, mixed waaay down low? Just some thoughts . . .
 
good song, sounds like it's well on the way.
 
cheers,
-Tom

Hey Karalie - haven't heard from you guys here in a while.
 
1. What do you think about the bells in the beginning of the song and at 1:11?
I like them, but they're a little "subdued" for the rest of the instruments in the song.
 
2. What do you think about the lead guitar solo in the middle of the song at 2:15? Should it be more stylized? Or play the melody straight like it is?
personally I think I'd like to hear the guitar solo play something different than the melody of the song.  gives the song a interesting break that way.
 
3. What genre would you classify the song?
I have no idea! LOL
 
I'd like to hear this when it's finished.  it's difficult to hear everything without it being mixed properly.  this is a good start!

Can't hear the bells but I hear organ! I would redo the guitar solo and put more emotion into it.  I like the sound and vocals. You need a good mixer on this so it doesn't sound dated.  
Vocal and piano seem pitchy in places.
Good luck with this project.
 
 

It is good to see y'all back on the forum.  This is a very nice, pleasant, and upbeat song.  As was stated above, it is hard to make comments without hearing the final product but I will try and answer your question.
 
1.  The bells sound fine and add to the song.
2.  I would opt for something other than playing the melody for the guitar solo. 
3.  I see that you have the song listed as World: reggae on the SoundClick site.  I am not sure that I would classify it as such.  I had expected a more African sound to this number but it has an almost pop sound to it (IMHO).
The only other suggestion is that overall the song could use a bit of punching up.  The vocals are great sounding as they are but the instrumentation seems to be way in the background.  I would love that guitar playing in the background to be brought forward a bit.  I have heard guitar settings that make it sound like a Jeli Ngoni which would be interesting for this number.  This is a joyful song and that emotion needs to come out.
 
You have a good number going here and I look forward to hearing the finished product.

From my end....  I like the vocals, piano, drums and bass.   The bells don't stand out but perhaps that's a positive?
 
As others mentioned I also think the guitar solo needs a bit more emotion/variation to draw the listener in.   And the organ could perhaps use a little more meat and a little less of that upper stops "whistle".
 
Overall though it sounds good.   Like Afro-Pop?  
 

1. I would keep the bells and hold off on the vocalist in that beginning.  Didn't seem to fit for me.  That is , of course, personal preference.
2. I would probably go for a more impactful lead.  It is a short segment.
3.  I would not know what to classify it as.  I think it's great tune and in between genres or inclusive of several.  I think that's a good thing.
So, I like the song a lot and can't wait till you do your masterful engineering thingys to it.  
 
 

I couldn't really hear the bells clearly, but they did add a punch to the organ a bit.
 
The guitar solo is not good. It's too high and weak sounding.  Play it an octave lower ...perhaps even 2 octaves lower.....and have the guitar player put some emotion into it.  I don't think the melody currently being played is necessarily a bad thing... it's the tone and lack of emotion that makes this less than good.  Lower it and put a grittier distortion on it... not the high-gain distortion that one sounds like it has.... let it growl a bit.
 
Genre/style:  typical pop CCM although dated a number of years. (maybe 15 or so)   Something about it kinda reminded me a bit of  some of Linwood Cooley's music..... which was phenomenal at the time.
 
 
BTW: Good to see you back with new music