I am finally back to making some music after a year of settling in to the new house. In a bold move on my part I mentioned to Mary Lynn (my SO) that I had written a song for her (stupid move, I know).  For as long as I have been messing with music, I never wrote anything “for someone” - however, once I mentioned it, I was committed.
 
Being that I wrote this “for her”, it seemed logical that I should be the one singing it ( yeesh) .
 
Because I envisioned this as some form of an R&B song (whether or not it is), I decided to channel my inner Curtis Mayfield and give it a go. After an hour of attempting to get a decent vocal, I realized that Curtis was not available for channeling (when I ran the V-Vocal over it I got a pop-up message that said “WTF?”). While I as at it, I tried to channel Joe Morello as well - apparently he was nowhere to be found in my world either.
 
Although I‘m very aware of timing problems, bad singing etc. I would still appreciate any pointers on the mix - what needs to be pulled back, brought forward , eq’d better  . . . that kind of stuff. I do hope to make a little video for ML with pictures and drop this track underneath as the music.
 
So, here it is, written for my Mary Lynn who I always refer to as ML. It’s called it Emelle.
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http://www.onlytheunusual.com/MannyYtuarte/Emelle/emellemstrx.mp3
 
Lyrics:
Well I get these blues now and then, but I get them mostly when I’m missing you, yes it’s true
And I get this ache in my heart every day that we’re apart, I guess you know, I love you so.
I’m talking about you woman, woman, woman.
 
Well the sun seems to shine a bit brighter and the sky’s a deeper blue, when I’m with you.
And those stars way up high write your name across the sky . . . well if they could, I know they would.        I’m talking about you woman, woman, woman. Woman, woman, woman.
Bridge:
Let’s get away for a while. Let’s drive that moonlight mile.
We’ll chase the stars all the way through the loop to Hampton bay. Then a detour at the seashore for the day.
 
A bit of guitar
Bridge again:
Last verse
 

Yeah... I get those WTF signals all the time...
 I love the song... love the chord progression, vocals, guitars, feel, everything... it's a very cool, sounding song/arrangement...  there are a few timing issues that could be tightened up... and some breathing artifacts from maybe too much compression... easy fixes... I'm really diggin' the song and I'll bet Emelle is too... well done Manny...

I like the fact that it sounds both familiar and wonderfully original at the same time.


I really like the song movements... the way you are led through so many perspectives of the main motif is both entertaining and impressive.


I would love to hear a real horn section backing you up.


Thanks for sharing.



best regards,
mike

Hi Manny, long time no see!

This is a nice song, well written and arranged. Good performances too. As a preference I would probably back off the compression on the drums, and lose some of the reverb. It's fine as it is, but to me it sounds a little '80's in style, like a Kenny Loggins tune from that era.

I love your into paragraph. Made me chuckle. Inner "Curtis Mayfield" eh? . I also know what you mean. I felt really bad that I was never inspired to write a song for my (now ex) wife. I have been inspired by a real person only once, and that was in a 1 page short story called The Muse (she was exotic, erotic and deeply troubled - I saw destruction in her and wrote about it). I guess I should listen to the song how eh?

Huh - I like this. Beatles/Lennonesque, but still very original. Well done. I am not terribly fond of the tone of the lead guitar, especially at the beginning. It is too mono and low-fi IMO. I mentioned in another song that I think it would work better panned and balanced with something else and the same apply here. JMO - Shad

Frank – thanks for the positive comments. Yes, some tweaking would be a good idea once I figure out how. The drums are DOD with me doing live fills - this might explain  why it sounds not quite right. The breathing – a byproduct of having no voice and no vocal control – I need to redo with a real singer eventually (once the novelty of “hey, honey – here’s the tune” wears off). ML hasn't heard it yet – I will wait until final mix.
 
Mike M – sounds “familiar” – sure hope I didn’t subconsciously rip something off. That’s always one of my worries. Fortunately you also said “original” – so I am hopeful. Thanks for the listen and kind comments. Real horns – while I am at it I would throw in a real singer, drummer and piano player.
 
James – thanks for your time – the drums – as I said, DOD. Didn't think of it as 80 but now that you mention it – I agree. Wish I could sing like Kenny L.
 
Shad – comments are much appreciated. The guitar is a strat just going in direct. I know it can seem a bit lifeless – I kind of like it that way (reminds me of my ex-wife) but I will experiment with some plug-ins and see if I can liven it up.

Manny,

 Just wanted to let you know that I came back and listened to this tune a few more times yesterday.

 The song has gotten under my skin.

 Awesome.



 all the best,
mike

Manny, count me as one of your fans.  I like this song, and you've gotten some good ideas on how to make this a stellar production.  Best of luck!

 Awesome tune, I enjoyed a great deal.