JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback MP3 Feedback Forum Stand By Me Acoustic Cover

Hi all,

It's been a while since I posted any songs so here goes.

My band were asked to do an acoustic cover of the song 'Stand By Me' by Ben E King to potentially be used for a charity video. It's a recorded version but here is our first draft. I would be very very grateful if you could give us some feedback on our interpretation. I can imagine lots more in it but we're keeping it simple for the time being.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13524799/Stand%20By%20Me%20Acoustic%20V1.mp3

Thank you so much

James

WOW...this is great, is this you singing.. love it...what else can I say......WOW again..really enjoyed listening to it, and i'm listneing again....


glyn

Oh wow thanks Glyn you sweetie. Yes that is me on the vox. I really want to add some BV's soon to it to lift it a little more. Does it sound to you like it needs it?

A very nice version of this classic song. Lovely voice, and nice guitar work. I do think some nice backing vocals could really provide a nice little kick to it. Great job.

Hi James

I would like to feel the guitar drop a decibel or two when the vocal enters... it's minor but it got in the way a wee bit ----well maybe in general the guitar feels a bit too loud --- but I'm listening on a poor source ---- so keep that in mind

jm

Really nice cover! It's fresh and contemporary singer/songwriter sounding, I think.

The acoustic guitar is overpowering the vocals as is. You need to get it behind the vocals. Maybe add more reverb to it (than the lead vocal), take it down in volume, or sidechain compress it to the vocal, so when the vocal is on the guitar is pushed back.

Maybe I would have liked to hear some additional instrument of some kind to sweeten the track up a little more. Just about anything would do. How 'bout a Kazoo?

Some BV's would be nice and would put the finishing touches on it, still WOW....and I love your voice on this.....

glyn

Great passion in your vocals. I was waiting (and kinda hoping) for a band to kick in on the second verse. As an acoustic version I can't imagine anything much better than this one. It's your voice that makes this song what it is. I'd love to have your voice on one of my demos, that's fer shure. Good luck!

@Phillip. Thank you. I really appreciate your thoughts.

@Joice. Ha I actually added a few db to the guitars right at the end. Perhaps I shouldn't have. I'll revisit. Thanks

@The Songcabinet. Thanks fella. I'll certainly reduce the volume of the guitars. I'll look at reverb as an option but I think side chain will be a little too much for this.

It would be lovely to add BV's and strings and a whole band experience but I'm at this time I'm waiting on the charity to get back to us to see if they have any preferance.

@Glynda. I did do some so I think i'll post up a slightly fuller version. And thanks again

@Duncan Wells. Thank you so much. That's very kind of you to say. I guess if anything is going to sound good on a two track song it will have to be the vocals cos otherwise no-one will listen lol. The guitar is pretty consistant without much flair so gave me room to have some fun. I have a version of this song where I hit a top C toward the end but not sure if it fits with the vibe of this so left it out.
Next year once I've completed my album I'll probably post my free/cheap vocal services so watch this space.

Cheers

Jim

I've always liked this song so had to listen and you did a great job. I always like personal interpretations of certain covers and their artistic license to take the song in different directions. I would've liked to hear a shorter intro and steady drums coming in around the 1:50 time till the end. Great voice and passion in your delivery which is critical.

Best,
Lynn

James,

The vocal on this is amazing, I really felt this and enjoyed it, great delivery and fresh take on this song!!

Tammy

Very lovely, James! You always do a superb vocal! I, too, thought the guitar was a tad too loud, and that the intro was a tad too long, but that may just be me. There was also a place nearer to the end when I thought the song was over, and almost clicked out of it, but then the vocal came back in again.

Some BV would be nice, but you sound so great as is, too! Thanks for sharing this one!

--Jen

@Lynn. Thanks for taking time to listen to this. I'm really pleased that you have enjoyed our interpretation. Totally agree on the intro. We are going to reduce that. It is so tempting to add percussion and a full band but I'm not sure we're going to. We may add something at the instrumental section.

@Tams. Thank you sweetie.

@Jen. You're too kind. Hehe I must admit I always wonder if people will stop the song then. Apparently so I've got some BV ideas so I will give them a go. See if we can give the song a little more bite.

Thanks all for your time and kind words x

James

James,

This is great! I think everyone has made some good suggestions and another simple instrument or backup might be nice. I LOVE your vocals and style on this though...not what I expected but happily surprised.

JAMES--

Got that KILLER SOUND--GREAT!

Mackie

James, don't waste your talent doing covers.
Your voice has pathos. You feel every word. I love the simplistic guitar backing. Who is he or she?
Good stuff. Nice to know you are from UK.
Vic

I don't usually listen to covers here at JPF, but I am glad I broke my rule for this one. You are some kind of singer. I hope you do super well with your band and any CD's that you decide to produce.

I would sneak in some piano, bass, drums and backing vocals as it goes along.

Have you seen this video? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM

Enough said Kevin
Vic

Yes, don't forget to post that cheap demo service once you get it up and running.

@Jen. Hehe thank you very much Jen. I think after all the suggestions we will add a few little bit at least to raise it somewhat.

@Mackie. Thank you. Really appreciate your kind words.

@Vicarn. Cheers that's nice of you to say so. We didn't plan to do this cover but were requested by a charity (Veterans Aid) do this. I don't plan anymore covers. We have an album to produce!
The guy on the guitar is my long standing friend and Co-writer Tim Widdup. He's got about 10 years on me so I'm lucky to have got to know him but we work so well together.

@kevin. Haha I know exactly what you mean. Covers are usually awful or boring. I'm so glad you liked this version. The charity i mentioned above actually were inspired by the video that Kevin posted but they asked for an acoustic version. So us being us we didn't want to go anywhere near the normal Dum dum, der der dum, dum approach so we did this.
It would be great to add more and more to it but I'm waiting for the charity to get back to us.
As for our CD's I only have one song on the boil that could be produced like this. All the others are rocky but I look forward to showing it to all next year.

@Ducan hehe

Cheers guys

Had to click on this, as it is one of my all time favorite songs.

I would not have thought it was possible to give it a contemporary feel and still retain the emotional feel of it. But you pulled it off. In fact, I'd say you owned it.

Nice one, James!

Scott

Hi Jim

Very very nice... This song as always been known partly for it's backing vocals so adding nice ones will never hurt it or you. Love your feel and the way you sing and play. Yes full band will work on this nicely as well.

Getting more familiar with you and your band now. You's have so many key important elements and positives. Your vocals are wonderful and you have STYLE and soul. Style is a huge factor for any music, band or artist.
I want to keep an eye and ear open for what you guys have under the hood, the depth and the substance. A song or two that could put you on the map so too speak. One that makes every or any writer say, Oh man and why didn't I come up with that? and every musician especially cover bands,say "we are doing than song"

I hope all these things can come together for you guys. I'll be rooting for you.
All the best
Mike

@ Scott. Blimey wow thanks fella that compliment has made me smile like a crazy man! Really appreciate your thoughts.

@ SuperMike. As always super kind. Thanks Mike. I'm really pleased you like it.
From the very early day that you wrote us up a very positive report as if you were a record label with regard to our song "Let It Go" I knew you were the kind of guy I'd really get on with. Such a shame we live miles apart cos I'd love to have worked with you in your studio.
As for our band style/plans we've written a lot of new songs this year and we seem to be sounding like a British rock band now but with a few twists. I'm very excited about our album of which I hope we can record at least one of the songs with you. Tim & I have been writing for ten years and this year we feel our songs have gone from good to very good. I have a few tracks that I really am hoping will set us apart.

Thanks for your support. It is so greatly received.

We will be emailing you soon.

Cheers

Jim

Jim

You have lots of good going on, but it's your GREAT attitude that makes me want to help you more & more.
Keep it up man!

Mike

Thanks Mike.

James , this is fab .
I really enjoyed the perfomance !!!

Keep up the good work !!

All the best
Jan

Thank you Jan. Cool sounds yourself on your page.

I think this is great man!
Everything that has been said so far is pretty spot on about the guitar volume being a tiny bit loud. but that no biggie to fix.
i too on the 2nd verse wanted to here a band kick in, now i know this is an acoustic version so i of course am referring to a appropriate band...like an acoustic bass and maybe some raw percussion instruments like a snare played with brushes...or shakers. and it would be cool to hear BV's on the chorus. at first it was hard to tell if you had any FX on the vocals, but then when you got louder on the chorus i heard the FX. The vocal would sound good on the upfront a little more wet. but that is only my opinion as a producer.
bottom line for me is, great song, music and your vocals are freakin' great!
Great Job!!!! loved it.

PC

Cheers PC. I like your input. It would be nice to do something like that.
I've got reverb, eq & Compresion on the vocals. If I reduce the guitars might not need to do much else. I will look at it though.

Thanks for your overall comments. Really appreciate them.

Cheers

Jim