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Joined: Jul 2005
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Hi Everyone: Another baseball song - this one not quite as cheerful as the last. I'm probably going to have to re-record some of the harmonies - think I'm getting some distortion in the vocals. So before I do that and a final mix, I thought I'd put it up here and see if anyone had any suggestions. The song is called "The Sun Field". That's baseball language for whatever part of the outfield has the sun in the fielder's eyes. It's first up at: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=377550 Lyrics are below. Thanks! Scott The Sun Field (c) 2006 by S.W. Campbell I grew up in a tarpaper shack A baseball bat in my hands I get my pitch and that ball ain’t comin’ back You’ll never see it land At seventeen, I hit out on my own And tried out double A Another year and I made it to the show That’s where they had me play… In the sun field You can get caught by surprise Every time you think you see what’s comin’ The sun gets in your eyes MVP and rookie of the year The green began to flow My agent had the owner by his hairs Who knew how far I’d go? I burned my way through the league by day And through the town by night A daily fifth and doin’ a line before the game Ain’t gonna keep you right In the sun field You can get caught by surprise Every time you think you see what’s comin’ The sun gets in your eyes There was a time they were talkin’ hall of fame But now I’ve been ten years outta the game And there’s nobody even speaks my name In the sun field You can get caught by surprise Every time you think you see what’s comin’ The sun gets in your eyes Every time you think you see what’s comin’ The sun gets in your eyes [This message has been edited by scott59 (edited 04-20-2006).]
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Hey Scott! You are blowing me away with those harmonies......I didn't expect to hear that! Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young like. You really sound rich with yourself.
60's style song I think.
You're in a baseball frame of mind lately huh?
Cool song.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Very nice production. Harmonies were super, that organ sound was cool,, I remember going to Cardinals games and they played one at certain times during the games.
http://www.soundclick.com/louistwinn"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." Thoreau
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Hey John: Thanks! Glad the harmonies worked for you. A compliment from you about harmonies is a compliment indeed. Opening day was written early last April and this one, this month. Must just be April that brings the baseball out of me! Actually, this one was inspired (loosely) by a newspaper article about a famous major leaguer who never reached his full potential because of drugs. Hey Louis: Yeah, nothing like those ballpark organs. You've given me an idea for an organ intro on my next baseball song - which I reckon will get written next April Thanks! Scott
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Scott--Good song and well done I must say. I do hear a C/S/ and N harmony. This must be the Darell Strawberry story if I were guessing. Your productions are improving every time my friend. Way to go. Bob
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Scott, this is excellent. You have been hiding your vocal light under a bushel - that high harmony is right on. You just keep getting better by leaps and bounds. I'm not a spectator sports fan so can't comment on the lyrics, but I can say I really like the song and the production.
-- Clint
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Hey Terribob: Thanks! I'm starting to put more work into production. This one had about 18 tracks - a record for me. Since my software has only 8, I have to make submixes. Not about D.S. but doesn't matter - not supposed to be about any one person. Hey Clint: Thanks for the comment about the vocals. Have a short story about them, if you'll indulge me. I was laying on the sofa about 11 pm with a bad cold last week. Was planning to sleep there because I didn't want all the tossing and turning to keep my wife awake. And I'm thinking - man I wish I had the voice to sing this song - but it's just too bland. Then I think, "Maybe right now (because of my cold) I DO have the voice to sing this. Might have just enough grit in it to pull it off. But what if I wait until tomorrow and my throat feels better"? Maybe you can see where this is going . Problem is that the lyric wasn't done and I didn't have any instrument tracks laid down. So I spend two hours finishing the lyrics, half an hour to lay down a rough scratch track to sing to, and half an hour singing 4 takes of the main vocal part. I was pretty happy with the sound of them. So I sack out on the couch about 2 am - having to get up at 6. When I told this to my wife she said, "You DO realize how completely insane you sound". I thought I was taking unique advantage of an unpleasant situation! Did the high harmonies later, after the cold went away Sorry for the long story. Thanks Again, Scott
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Yeah, that's a fun song, especially for baseball fans. You asked for suggestions, can't comment on the mix too much cause I'm only on lo-fi ( sounds pretty good though), but perhaps tighten up that "line" line? Other than that, a well crafted tune, IMHO. ------------------ Peace, Ed http://www.soundclick.com/edbilleaud
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Joined: Aug 2005
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That's a great story, Scott. I'll have to try that next time I have a cold .
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Hey Ed:
Appreciate the listen and comments. The last song I posted was a bit different in that it was a finished product. By and large though, including this song, I post them at a halfway point so that I can benefit from people's advice and suggestions. So thanks! Agree that that line can be improved. I'll think on it.
Hey Clint:
Yeah, my technique works if you want a deeper voice. I have heard that there is a different technique if you need a higher voice - but I'll never try that one. I may be crazy but I'm not insane!
Scott
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Hi Scott,
This is my first post at JPF!
Anyway nice job. Very pleasant tune. I'm a baseball fan too, although my team is the much maligned SF Giants!.
To me, mix-wise the drums seem way too quiet and the vocs seem too loud. I realize the drums are not the greatest, but I'd still bump 'em up in the mix a bit.
I suggest rolling maybe even a lot of low end off your vocals. I think you might be able to get the vocals more 'in the pocket' that way.
Ian
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Hey Ian: Thanks for the suggestions. I do generally like the vocals up, it's true - but maybe I'm overboard on this one. I'll play with the levels and EQ as you suggest. You busted me on the drums Probably subconsciously keeping them low in the mix. Will play with them too. Many thanks, Scott
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Good advice from Ian on rolling off the bass a bit on the vocals. That always makes sit a little better in the mix.
Scott, good work buddy. Wow there are a lot of nice things you got going on here. Those harmonies are really nice and tight too.
I like the story, Micky Mantle type thing. Though he did make the hall. But he cut his career and a number of his team mates career short.
The only nit I have is as much as I like the harmonies on the second line of the chorus it seems to stop the groove you got going.
But all in all your songs and production are really improving.
Tom
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Hey Tom:
Thanks for the words of encouragement - much appreciated. I'll take a look at EQ'ing the vocals.
Kinda agree about those harmonies breaking the groove. Was kinda done in a purposeful way - wanted to break the flow to support the feeling of getting caught by surprise. Course just cause it was done on purpose doesn't mean its a good idea!
Scott
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Hi Scott,
I'm trying to listen & type with this root canal gone wild in my mouth.. 3 days of non stop pain.. I'ts a good thing I'm used to not sleeping..
You surprised me to a bit with these vocals.. I will have to listen again without holding the side of my head..
I like the production you have going on here alot.. the song has a very 60's pop vibe going on.. so does the production. Don't make things to heavy and lose the charm..
lets talk soon.. Peace Sub
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by substudio: I will have to listen again without holding the side of my head.. </font> You have no idea how often I hear that, Sub Sorry for the joke, probably not too funny when you're in such pain. Thanks for the comment on the production - I'm still sucking up info like a sponge. Oddly enough, I'll be happy as long as I cringe when I hear something I recorded a year earlier! Will be in touch soon.... Thanks! Scott [This message has been edited by scott59 (edited 04-22-2006).]
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Hi Scott, Nice lyric (although what I know about baseball could be written on the back of a gnat's eyelid), catchy tune and sweet harmonies. This is so reminiscent of the sixties West Coast poprock bands like the Seeds and Beau Brummels with that laid-back sunshiney feel to it and the gentle harmonies. You're out of your era, man. This could have been a hit when I was ironing my mind to make it expand (we couldn't afford drugs!). Enjoyed it! Cheers, Bob
Bob Leslie
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a great moral to this story.
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Hey Bob:
I am out of my era. If I wait long enough, maybe it'll come back. Glad you enjoyed it.
Hey Michael:
Thanks. Would probably be a stronger song if there was some redemption in it. Just didn't pan out that way.....
Scott
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