This is a song I have been working on for a while. I posted it awhile back. Most of the comments revolved around the singer sounding like she wasn't into the song or was reading the words. 

Original song version here>>>>>  http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=12024993

I had the chance to play this for the president of Nashville Songwriters Association and then to discuss the song in detail . His comments on the original were very similar to the comments by many here. 

So, taking his advice, I reworked the song dropping the  unneeded solo, and recorded it again, this time with a different singer....and in a lower key.

I have done very little to the vocal track other than melodyne on a few notes that were only a few clicks off...and adding eq and verb. 

I would appreciate the viewpoints and commentary on this "newer" version on both the overall mix as well as the vocals specifically.

New version>>>>  http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=12024980

Thanks for your time.

Hi Herb. Nice song and pristine, very polished sounding on the crappy speakers I'm listening on. Great performances all round. 
The vocal is too loud for me though and doesn't seem to be sitting in the mix.

Daryl.... thanks... I thought it might be a few db too loud but for now, I wanted the vocals to be clearly audible.  That was the sticking point on previous versions.

I will back it down a few db in the final version headed out the door. 

Herb, this has that "radio ready" sound that Nashville likes.  As Daryl said, the vocal is very present, but that's the way it has to be to be taken seriously in Nashville.  I'd leave it alone for a while and see what transpires.  All in all, this is very professional sounding.

Thanks Lynn.... 

  I remember hearing this the first time. The second mix is way better than the first mix. The vocals are a real improvement as well over the other one. I thought the first vocalist was ok too  maybe just needed a retake or two to shape things up. No doubt about the second vocalist though.

Hey Herb

Very Nice Song.

Im on my earbuds cause Im too lazy to get up and go to the real speakers

I tried to listen to it as far as singing (emotions, dynamics, etc...)  
I loved her voice and how it goes with music.

The only thing I could get out of it thru these tiny things stuck in my ears was - I really would love to hear more driven emotions as it goes into the chorus sections slowly drifting back to how she is singing in the verse parts.

I try to listen to the story (with the way emotions and feelings are delivered) as it is sung but slightly get the feeling she is still unfamiliar with what shes singing to us (Make sense?)

Overall I really enjoyed what you have so far

starise.... I agree, Cassie is good but needs to learn some more things.... Stevee rocks this tune.

Mike: listen on some good cans or speakers. Make sure you are listing to the correct version as well. 

This is a really good recording. Instruments are perfectly mixed and everything is clear. Your singer sounds better towards the end of the song than at the beginning and middle. Almost like she got more confident as she went. She has a great voice!

Also, I don't think her voice is too loud in the mix, especially for country tunes.

Regards,
Dan

The song is crying for a vocal harmony arrangement...

That said, this is a wonderful arrangement of a very good commercial sounding song... killer production Herb... I know you're proud of this... great singer too...