Yep. It all seems to land on my driveway and to top it all off, the plow come and make a huge 5 ft pile at the end of my driveway. We got 19 inches of heavy wet snow. It took about 5 hours over two days. I'm about half way between Boston and Providence near Guilette Stadium.

Now I get to spend the next week or so scooping the damned water that puddles up at the end of my driveway. Luckily I turn it into my daily workout. Scoop, walk around the block, Scoop etc.

Well, It seems like I must be the only one who thinks that this could use a little polishing............
 
Nah, just kidding.....
 
Outstanding Geno. Give up now while the going is good ! Going to be hard to top the quality here, you've obviously put an incredible amount of work into this. Never heard of the tune before, so can't comment in relative terms, but I can't imagine that the original was really any better.

So a forum member demanded I come and check this out...and I'm so glad he did. (thanks philz!)

Geno, this is fantastic. I wanted to just say "wow" and go, but I can't bring myself to do it. So you''ll need to sit through a long post from me here. LOL!

The good stuff: Your musicianship and performances have always been top notch...from the first day I met you and was turned onto your music. This of course does not disappoint.

You can now also add "production" to your list of fantastic talents. I remember when I first met you and we worked together on a few things production wise. Well young grass-hopper, you don't need me or anyone else now. This is not a mix you do 300 times and get lucky with on try 301. This is a mix that shows you "get it" now brother. I'm so porud of you, you have no idea.

I'd bet this mix took way less time than people may think where as when I first listened to your stuff a few years back, something like this would have taken as long or longer than the actual recording/performance. See how much easier it is when you know what to listen for? One question...where's the sub low in the bass? Hahahaha! Right....it's totally not there anymore because "you get it" now. See how much that stuff can help when you know how to listen to things? Seriously brother, you kept my interest the whole way through and I loved every minute of this and I can't even tell you how happy I am to see you deliver this form of production and execution. If I could hug you, I truly would. So here's a virtual tour hug from afar my friend! :)

The one iffy thing: I have no problems with this mix at all. However, those drums are still not quite behaving like I would have hoped. I'm wondering if it may be the drum module you're using not having enough hits to where it's re-triggering the same ones a bit too often? I'm still hearing a little roboticism on some of the snare and tom hits. It's not bad, but it's still there and was the only thing that lept out at me.

I have a theory I'd like to try with you so we can test how these drums are really translating. I'm going to email you a midi of me playing my V-Drums kit. I'd like to have you add your drum module you used on this with the same kit to it and send me an mp3 of it back so I can hear what it's doing with real human hits being done.

From there, if by chance it IS triggering as it should be, we know that this artifact is coming by way of how things are being programmed. To fix this issue...well, let's just say I have the fix for it and will send it to you if we find out your issue is due to how things are being programmed. I have to get to bed now as I have a big show tonight in one of the Casino's in PA doing our VH tribute set....but when I get home, if I'm not too beat up, I'll jump on my kit and send you something. If I have something here already, I'll send that...which I just may, I'll check. But you'll definitely hear from me in a day or so with a file. If you're interested in doing with me that is?

From there, once we know the source of the problem, I have an idea on what will fix this for you once and for all. Excellent job Geno...this was definitely one of the best songs on the forum and your best ever in my opinion. Incredible guitar playing, vocals, orchestration, arrangement, execution and of course, a mix to die for. You're one of the most talented guys I've ever met and I hope one day I'll be able to tell you that in person. :)

-Danny

The only way this could have been better would to have been an original tune.  Impressive work.  I wish I could become bored with guitar for awhile so I could learn jazz fusion keyboards as well, I didn't know it was that easy.   Vocals are killer, as is the guitar and just everything about the mix.

Inspiring work for sure!

Daryl

Geno, this is amazing and an incredible piece of work.

Your production skills and musicianship are right up with the best on this forum and that's saying something.

You are indeed a musical genious. 

paulo - thanks a lot!  The original was done back in the 70's - they didn't have much technology back then, but Kerry Livgren (the writer) more than made up for that.  He is a great musician and composer.  Kansas was like the first progressive rock band that had a ton of top 40 rock hits.

Danny - I'm so glad you stopped by!  (thanks philz!)  Thank you for your very kind words.  It means a lot to me.  You helped me immensly in developing a good mix.  If I hadn't gotten help from you my mixes would still be mediocre and I would still be fumbling through forums trying to pick up pieces of the puzzle. 

I'd love to do the midi drum experiment.  I've got to go to California this week, so I may not get a chance until I'm back on the weekend.  Just send me a file whenever.  It should prove to be an interesting exercise. 

Daryl - Thank you!  Yes - I've got to get back to writing originals now.  It's funny because I took to jazz fusion Keyboards way easier than guitar!  I still can't consider myself a jazz guitarist.  I wish I could but I don't think I will ever have the time to do it properly.   That kind of time is now a luxury with 2 kids in grade school!  By the way - I love the tone you get on guitar.

blipp - Thank you!  Nice comments coming from a talent like you.  No genius here though.  I just work hard to make up for my own inadequacies!

This is one of the best songs on the forum right now? 

Hi, Geno,
 
Absolutely PHENOMENAL job on this amazing Kansas cover!
 
I can only imagine how much work went into that fantastic orchestration, and your guitar work and vocals were truly spectacular.  The mix is totally pro sounding and sounds dynamite on my system.
 
I always loved Kansas and saw the original lineup twice back in the 70's and also the mid eighties version once.  I've been seriously thinking about making the six hour drive in August to see the fully reunited lineup with the 35 piece symphony orchestra for the 40th anniversary reunion concert that was announced last week.  Here's a link to the news article if you want to check it out. http://www.classicrockmag...unite-original-lineup/ .
 
Anyway, spectacular work on this Geno, this was breathtakingly good! :)
Bob

 Awesome, as always guitars are top notch, but wow so is everything else. Top shelf sounding production

guitartrek


Danny - I'm so glad you stopped by!  (thanks philz!)  Thank you for your very kind words.  It means a lot to me.  You helped me immensly in developing a good mix.  If I hadn't gotten help from you my mixes would still be mediocre and I would still be fumbling through forums trying to pick up pieces of the puzzle. 

I'd love to do the midi drum experiment.  I've got to go to California this week, so I may not get a chance until I'm back on the weekend.  Just send me a file whenever.  It should prove to be an interesting exercise.  

No problem G....stay safe in Cali. Email me when you get back and we can work on this. We may need to compare mapping notes though so we have the right stuff firing. I'm just interested to see/hear how your drums respond to real human playing. Like even if we only share kick, snare, snare rim, hats and tom notes. Or maybe...I just play kick, snare, hats and toms...and when something sounds weird to you, you just move it and I can tell you the midi notes I used or something. Whatever way works easiest for you...but I have a feeling if I send you a drum midi with my TD-20 default, it's probably going to misfire on your end unless Addictive gives you a TD-10/12/20 map? That's the only drum module I don't have currently. Anyway, mail me and let me know and we'll sort this out brother.
 
-Danny