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Re: Please critique my performance
Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:33 am
by gjm
yearlongyeti wrote:Hi mate, sounding good. One small critique. It is like you are trying too hard to sound like Kelly Jones' vocals, forcing your voice to break and consequently singing from your throat rather than the diaphram. Used to be an obvious problem in the Eddie Vedder days with everyone singing through their teeth. Relax make the vocals your own voice (you have good one), people will appreciate it, and your voice will last longer as well.
All the best
Thank you, and yes, some work to do yet.
Cheers.
Re: Please critique my performance
Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:28 am
by Keyser Soze
I'll give you my honest opinion Of what I think of your music from a "pro" perspective. Yeah, I know no one really believes I am a pro and that I am just some 14 year old Bulgarian kid who misbehaves on the net while his parents aren't home.
I just tell it as it is (or as I see it) and it is my honesty that pisses people off.
Anyway, I'll comment on the performance and not the song.
To me you over sing. It's like you are trying too hard to be soulful and meaningful. Particularly during the chorus bit where you sing, "you make me feel like the one". You over emphasise. Sing from the diaphragm not the throat. The guitar playing is jerky and lacks a smooth groove. Relax with the singing and playing.
There you go. Short and sweet. Take it or leave it.
Re: Please critique my performance
Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:45 am
by gjm
Keyser Soze wrote:To me you over sing. It's like you are trying too hard to be soulful and meaningful. Particularly during the chorus bit where you sing, "you make me feel like the one". You over emphasise. Sing from the diaphragm not the throat. The guitar playing is jerky and lacks a smooth groove. Relax with the singing and playing.
There you go. Short and sweet. Take it or leave it.
Thanks for your time KS. You are spot on. Rusty old parts need lotsa TLC to get back into shape, and even then they are not the same.
Cheers
Re: Please critique my performance
Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 1:36 pm
by UKRuss
Pretty sure I posted here...but cant see it now. Spot on it is Greg, no need to change anything, think that'll blow most peoples away in the arena you're going to be performing.
Re: Please critique my performance
Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 6:47 pm
by evernaut
I think your performance there is fine. Sure, you can hear some red-light nervousness in the delivery...a bit self-conscious of the recording I'll bet.
But I actually really like your rhythm guitar strumming. Nice and clipped with all the accents in the right places. The chorus and the DI-ed signal make it sound horrible, but you already know that, eh.
You have a great voice & the Kiwi accent puts a personal stamp on your cover version ( I'm a big Don McGlashan/ Neil Finn fan).
I've been playing acoustic gigs for the last 15 years btw, all over the world ( including Auckland & Welly) and I'd tell you if you were crap.
Re: Please critique my performance
Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 7:17 pm
by gjm
evernaut wrote:I think your performance there is fine. Sure, you can hear some red-light nervousness in the delivery...a bit self-conscious of the recording I'll bet.
But I actually really like your rhythm guitar strumming. Nice and clipped with all the accents in the right places. The chorus and the DI-ed signal make it sound horrible, but you already know that, eh.
You have a great voice & the Kiwi accent puts a personal stamp on your cover version ( I'm a big Don McGlashan/ Neil Finn fan).
I've been playing acoustic gigs for the last 15 years btw, all over the world ( including Auckland & Welly) and I'd tell you if you were crap.
Thank you. This recording was done start to interweb in 20 mins. No editing. Yeah, nervy it was. As a base to work from though, a starting point, I am very happy. Everybody has given good feed back for me to work with. I am gonna give recording this another go taking into consideration every bodies helpful input. I did whack a chorus on there but I actually in hind sight prefer the dry recording.
Funny you mention Don McGlashan, I was thinking of adding 'Anchor Me' to the set list. I have tried a couple of Neil Finns tunes, 'Weather with you' and 'Better be home soon.' but I have to be careful with his tunes cause he is so well known here I run the risk of the 'nobody but he can sing those songs' reaction.
Thanks again for your valuable feed back
Cheers.
Re: Please critique my performance
Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 7:18 pm
by gjm
UKRuss wrote:Pretty sure I posted here...but cant see it now. Spot on it is Greg, no need to change anything, think that'll blow most peoples away in the arena you're going to be performing.
Thanks man

Re: Please critique my performance
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 1:50 am
by mikemc
[quote="gjm Do you have tips on how to incorporate Looper into a solo guitar based very average covers act?[/quote]
That's a good question. There is that "Live on Letterman" thread going on about Imogen Heap, and the video shows her doing an intro that features some layered vocal harmonies. If you are doing covers, then if you have a verse that repeats and builds with harmony, then it might fit there. Also for doing multiple rhythm guitar parts, or putting down a rhythm guitar and doing a solo over that.
It seems to me that it's much easier to use when you are improvising and making stuff up with a vague idea of where you are going, rather than being 'locked in' to a song where you have a finite number of bars to build the loop in a way that fits. But if there is a jam portion of a tune it might be very fun to do and to listen to.
Re: Please critique my performance
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:12 am
by Pitch Black
gjm wrote:I have tried a couple of Neil Finns tunes, 'Weather with you' and 'Better be home soon.' but I have to be careful with his tunes cause he is so well known here I run the risk of the 'nobody but he can sing those songs' reaction.
I respectfully think thats rubbish, sir!

I can't imagine anyone reacting badly to a cover of anything by anyone, Neil included,
if its done well - especially in a fresh style or delivery. Twist 'n' Shout was a cover for the Beatles y'know...
I really like your voice and playing - I personally really like the super wide panning of the gtrs bouncing off each other - very "electronic"-ish.
Re: Please critique my performance
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:33 am
by gjm
Pitch Black wrote:gjm wrote:I have tried a couple of Neil Finns tunes, 'Weather with you' and 'Better be home soon.' but I have to be careful with his tunes cause he is so well known here I run the risk of the 'nobody but he can sing those songs' reaction.
I respectfully think thats rubbish, sir!
I can't imagine anyone reacting badly to a cover of anything by anyone, Neil included, if its done well - especially in a fresh style or delivery. Twist 'n' Shout was a cover for the Beatles y'know...
I really like your voice and playing - I personally really like the super wide panning of the gtrs bouncing off each other - very "electronic"-ish.
Thank you for challenging me on this ... I will find a way.
And thanks for the encouragement
Cheers