"Been Here Before"

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srvblues17
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2010/08/12 20:46:40 (permalink)

"Been Here Before"

Let me know what you guys think of this one. Recording quality, song structure, lyrics, etc. or anything else you care to comment on. Thanks....

http://jonesfire.com/songs/BeenHereBefore.mp3
post edited by srvblues17 - 2010/08/12 20:49:39
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    4partmusic
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    Re:"Been Here Before" 2010/08/12 22:43:27 (permalink)
    I liked the recording.  Vocals and guitars were clear.  A couple of thoughts:
     
    1. What is it you want this song to represent?  Who is your audience.  It starts out with what I think is the chorus and moves into a long verse followed by a very long instrumental solo.   In some cases it almost feels like two different songs.  Just something to think about in regard to the song structure.
     
    2. If you have V-vocal I might set it to the right key and run it through some limited pitch correction.  Your vocal tone and quality is very nice.  It is just you are pitchy in a couple of places.
     
    3. Just an idea on the vocal for the chorus you might want to put some effects on the vocal to make them a little breathy.  It might add some interest to the vocal or maybe a little reverb.
     
    4. When you come back in after the instrumental you need to decide if the vocal or the guitar is featured.  The way it sounds right now they are fighting each other for the front spot.
     
    I always hate giving suggestions because I don't want to offend.  I know you have probably spent some time on this tune.  I really did like the panning of the guitars during the instrumental part as it provided a bit of interest to the track.
     
    Good Luck,
     
    Terry
     
    #2
    Scottytunes
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    Re:"Been Here Before" 2010/08/13 06:41:31 (permalink)
    The music bed sounds great. Same vocal observations as above.

    String Jammer
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    peggysuechan
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    Re:"Been Here Before" 2010/08/13 18:03:42 (permalink)
    Good, even voice for rock, tight vibrato.

    The solo was masterful--great artistry, ability, and control showed in it. That solo was so entrancing that it was enough without any instruments joining to break monotony. 

    The accompaniment for it though, broke from anything you'd played prior in the song. That was a little jarring. I was expecting the solo to back up--in a variation, of course--what we'd heard in the main body. And what were these new, dark chords we'd never heard before? And why did we never hear them again? Strange....

    The song ended with the same electric guitar line as in the beginning. That was satisfying.

    When the voice joins the electric guitar still continuing what it came out of the solo playing, we can't hear the voices well anymore, the guitar is so loud. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful guitar, and to me it's the star of this song, but it overpowers the voices.

    I can't ever remember hearing such a gorgeous guitar line and solo. You're voice was just an incidental instrument compared to it's depth of beauty and power. 
    post edited by peggysuechan - 2010/08/13 18:05:48

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    srvblues17
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    Re:"Been Here Before" 2013/09/09 21:55:20 (permalink)
    Wow....I really appreciate the feed back, compliments and constructive criticism.....constructing a song is sort of difficult for me. So I will take those comments to heart in the construction of the next one. Thanks again.
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    clintmartin
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    Re:"Been Here Before" 2013/09/09 22:25:39 (permalink)
    Once again very good mix. Your producing style reminds me of old Tom Petty stuff.

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    theguitarplayer
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    Re:"Been Here Before" 2013/09/09 23:40:02 (permalink)
    Nicely constructed, but do listen to all comments above, as they pretty much cover everything that needs covering. You could shorten the lead a bit or break it up to two leads within the song. Vocals should always stand out in front, where vocals are used.
     
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    Guitarhacker
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    Re:"Been Here Before" 2013/09/10 09:03:16 (permalink)
    Still listening as I write.
     
    With rock, the structure is not as critical in many respects like it is in country music where you are expected to have a solid structure of verses and choruses and maybe a bridge.  However.......
     
    Here's my take on the structure.  
     
    A > pc  > A > pc > Br > solo > ad lib  (translation)  Verse (A) starts out and hits what feels like a pre-chorus.(pc)... the pre chorus is the run up to a BIG chorus..... BUT....then it stops and goes to another verse (with the same lyrics.... not a good idea)  followed by another PC run up....... but the BIG chorus never comes. It heads into a bridge (Br)  that lasts too long. It is essentially as long as everything that has come before it to that point.  The bridge in a song should take it in a different direction and add interest ... if it's done correctly. The bridge is usually a short part, a few lines to maybe 4 at the most. It only takes a few seconds in the song to employ the bridge. The bridge is normally found further back in the song AFTER the second chorus or in that general area. A proper bridge gives the listener a different view on the song topic, introduces new information, or puts a twist on the plot. But like a real bridge, it connects the parts together in a way that makes total sense after you hear it. (it could be that "ahh haa!" moment in the song)
    Coming out of the bridge somewhere around the 2 minute mark, you launch into an extended guitar solo that finishes the song for 3 minutes (give or take) with some vocal ad lib that is not easily understood. Nice guitar playing.... but to me, this part is entirely too long and should be shortened considerably. Ideally, a tasty shorter solo and back into the CHORUS.... would be a good ending to the song.
     
    My observations: You start off well. Nice first verse & pc..... the second verse needs different words from the first verse. the verses are short so writing different lyrics for V2 should be easy....the 2nd pc can be the same or different.... but at the end of the the second pc (1:03) you need a chorus that "delivers the goods" .... something that brings everything you said in the first 2 verses into the proper context and delivers that emotional high point. This is the reason for the song, the core of the message or statement, and where you will find the hook, and usually the title of the song in in the chorus.
     
    Of course, this is all my opinion.
     
     
    post edited by Guitarhacker - 2013/09/10 09:05:02

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    #8
    Lynn
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    Re:"Been Here Before" 2013/09/10 11:56:42 (permalink)
    I can't tell you how much I like this song.  The feeling of deja vu all over again.  To me, this song sounds retro in a good way, with the arrangement and panning.  I suspect that you're getting so many comments because listeners like what they're hearing, but want to apply "modern" techniques to this mix.  I've recently heard a number of comtemporary songs that aren't even close to this quality, yet they're on the radio.  Of course, there's room to experiment here, but if you didn't make another change it would still sound good to my ears.  Sometimes it's alright to let preconceived notions rule our actions, and sometimes it's best to throw them out the door.

    All the best,
    Lynn

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