JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback MP3 Feedback Forum All Smoke and Mirrors. New mix.

Ok I know you heard it before, but not as much as I have, lol. I've mixed this again with different drums and backing vocal and tried to balance Zeeks nylon strings better.
Comments will be appreciated.
http://tinyurl.com/cl5gqww
Thanks,
Vic

Hi Vic & Zeek
Like it like it. That instrumental has worked wonders to an already good song.
Wish I could say you have a hit on your hands but we all no the chances of this happening, regardless of the songs obvious merits.
Great number all round.
Best of luck with it
Travis

Hi Vic,

I enjoyed the listening very much. Haven't heard the previous version, but the nylon string guitar does a perfectly good job for me. Best of luck.

Yann

I think the guitars are fighting each other. Better if only one guitar was playing a riff at a time.

Vic and Zeek, I really liked hearing both guitars, but Colin is right. Maybe just a little bit of "play nice, children, take turns."

Pam

Hi Vic:

I really like it - the nylon sounds very cool.

Colin has probably forgotten more about guitars than I will ever know about them so you might want to give his opinion more weight. Myself, I think it's a little busy but I'm not positive yet that it is because the leads are competing with each other. Might be something else getting in the way - possibly the rhythm guitar. I do like how the leads are panned and the parts seem more complementary to me than competing - at least most times.

Or, might just be something as simple as bringing the nylon down a little in the mix.

I found it a little distracting to have the harmony vocal and harp panned so far to the side.

Well, you'll figure it out. The hard part of getting a cool song and cool musical parts to go with it is done.

Scott

Hi Travis.
I wish you could say that too.
Maybe one day I'll be in fashion lol.
Vic

Thanks for taking the time Yann.
We have something else in common btw. France.
Vic

Hey Vic,

Great song, especially like the vocalist ( is that you ? ) good contrast with the guitars.

This song reminds me of something out of "Natural Born Killers" or perhaps "Pulp Fiction". Written in an older style, but because it's done in a timeless way with effortless vocals, it just works.

Random thoughts.....

* Intro works well, and provides interest before the song begins
* Once into the first verse, the guitars get confused. If there's a vocalist and 2 guitars, one guitar plays rythem whilst the other plays counter melody to the vocalist. Maybe try pulling up just the vocal and acoustic, ( or the vocal and electric ) and chop the acoustic track to only play where the vocalist is not singing....... except for the last line of the phrase, where both can play in unison, and give lift to the next musical phrase, eg....

Vocal cut with acoustic
Vocal cut with acoustic
Vocal cut with acoustic
Vocal in unison with acoustic

* The drum track has a way over done reverb put on it, it's annoying and not needed.
* Needs proper drums. ( If you want an acoustic drum map done, and know the BPM, I'd be happy to do a mock up for you )
* Vocal EQ needs sharpening, the phrasing is almost spot on, but needs more depth, and the reverb is too high, and the presence needs accentuating. The opening lines of the chorus need to be strong and well stated. ( A bit wobbly at present )
* Harp is great in the chorus, and really lifts the song
* Needs bv's in the chorus, perhaps female 2 part
* Lyrically, it tells a great story in a very cool and laid back way

All in all, I reckon it's a "classic" song which if worked on, would work up really well.

cheers, niteshift

I think it sounds great. I would bring the vocal harmony back to the center some.
I love the two guitars.

Sounds like a winner for sure.

Hey Vicarn, I love nylon and it works here with some of the suggestions you have been offered, I love the song and once the smoke and mirrors are cleared, the nylon ought to dazzle us all.~~~~MFB III

Hi Nightshift.
Thanks for the in depth suggs and I'm working on it.
I didn't put reverb on the drums at all so can't alter that.
They came with Sonar(Session Drummer)so maybe the reverb's already on it.
Vic

Vic, you and I and a few others are in fashion the other buggers who dictate what is in vogue haven't a clue lol
John er Travis

Thanks Nelson. I'm remixing this.
Vic

Thanks for listening MFB 111.
Vic

Hey there Vic...I sure like the songwriting....the music sounds a bit congested, however....I do really like the nylon strings that Zeek is, now, plucking!!
I like the harmonica....there is a lot of great ideas in there!!
Good luck with this....I hope to hear a re-mix from you on this.Great stuff.... -Tom

Really fine song with some great lines in there Vic. The arrangement sounds a bit thin to me though. Like there's something missing. Maybe the lack of a bottom end. If there's a bass in there I'd bring it up. If not I'd definitely add some bass. But other than that, as to the song itself, you really have something good going on.

Stevie

Thanks Tom,
I just finished a new mix.
I think it's better now.
Vic

Hi Stevie
Yes there is a bass there. Should be better now in the new mix.
Thanks for listening.
Vic

Hi Vic and Zeek,

Zeek, you have nilon strings Really? Now I wonder why I'm torturing myself with steel strings! Actually I can finally say it doesn't hurt anymore but still I wonder why I put myself thru that. Of course the guitar sounds AWESOME I'm SO jealous.

Vic, I always loved this song. I still wonder how you got that Texas accent that we all love so much.

I can't offer you a critique just praise you know I'm a fan.

Dottie

Dottie
I was born in Texas in my other life.
Strangely when I was a teenager in a band my stage name was Zeke.
Don't ask why.
Thank you for listening
Vic

Two of my favorite musicians in one place, can't get better than that...it is your usual great song and it belongs on my i-pod for sure.

Tammy

Tammy!
You know how to make old men happy.
Thank you

Very, Very nice guys.....Wow, too bad Johnny C. isn't here to pick this one up...this is right down his alley way.
A great mix, here, too.
It is officially teriffic!! Good job guys. -Tom

Thank you Tom. That's reassuring.
Vic

YOUALL--

IT'S A WINNER--LOTS OF SUGGESTIONS FOR YOU TO CHOOSE FROM--

WRITE AND PLAY ON--GOOD LUCK!

Mackie

Mackie.
Thanks for the support.
Vic

Vic and Zeke, I liked the redo too.

Pam

Thank you Pam.
So far so good.
Vic

Great song Vic. The mix is sounding good. Good tradeoffs between guitars.

I would recommend placing the bass in the center though. That is what we are all used to hearing.

Colin, you have sharp ears. Not like Dr. Spock but you picked out the one sided bass before me.
I recorded it on a stereo input but from a mono source and didn't realise it until you pointed it out. I have rerecorded it now and will upload it tomorrow maybe.
Thanks again.
Vic

I think this is my favorite of yours Vic! Great lyrics, good hook, very classic country, fantastic picking and vocals. I can't add any mix suggestions, all I can say is it is very, very good!!!
I could hear someone like Waylon would have sung this...man, I miss those kind of country songs..

Keep it up

Kim

Hi Kim.
Well, I thank Zeek for some of the picking here.
I like the idea of Waylon doing it. I miss his stuff too.
Thanks for taking the time.
Vic

Hey Vic,

Yeah, it's all sitting really well. Nice job with the mix. It's crisp and clean.

Only one small nit, there's no cymbols or drum fills. If they were added, it would just phrase the song off properly and also give it a bit more lift.

Nice work.

cheers, niteshift

Zeek is one fine fella, first class, good and kind. That is for sure!


Kim

A lot to like here. Very nice write and well performed with solid production. Can't ask for much more than that!

Tom W.

Thank you for the advice nightshift.
Cymbals are there but I can never get them sounding great on mp3. Maybe I'll try to fit some fills in there.
Vic

To Colin and Nightshift.
Fills and bass corrected now.
Hopefully,
Vic

Thanks Tom,
Much appreciated.
Vic

Hey Vic, this has a real Dire straits feel in the verses to me. Between your voice and the guitar, thats the vibe I get. It turned out nice. I don't remember hearing it before but I haven't been here in some time. NIce work, you and Zeek seem to work well together.

Todd

Hey Todd!
I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Thank you.
Vic

Hey Vic,

Eek ! I'm not too sure about those added drum parts Vic....... I'd probably ditch them, and go for a more realistic drum patch.

Still coming along really well though, I bit more tidying up, and it should be done.

cheers, niteshift

Thanks for the suggs niteshift.
I think I pushed this one enough for now.
Maybe I'll come back to it at some time or maybe just leave it a little messy or au naturelle.
Vic

Wow.....loving this so much....glad I stopped by...my favorite now....

glyn

Not heard the original one Vic but this is sounding pretty good to me. The nylon does sounds a bit hot to my ears but my ear are shot after to many years playing far to loud. Also some of the phrasing that Zeek is doing could be a bit smother but I get what he's trying to do and it sounds cool. Might be better with a Start sound.

Smoke and mirrors is a great title. I think you could go for a Chris Rea style tune with this rather than a country vibe. Like the Road to Hell tune.

Andy

Hi Glynda
I'm glad you stopped by. Thankyou.
Vic

Hullo Andy
Not sure what you mean by "start sound".
"Chris Rea" sounds interesting.
The song already has three versions now so maybe I'll do one more.
Thanks for the idea.
Vic

Hi Vic,

COOL performance & GOOD writing & tasty guitar .

Ch.
Because it's all smoke and mirrors
And it's all invisible wires
There's no one left out there to save us
When you're crawling out of the smoke and into the fire


Maybe I'll meet some superstar magician * nice
Who'll show me how to live through the tricks of his trade * nice


Calvin


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

Hullo Calvin.
Now that's encouraging.
Thank you.

Vic

Must be a hit Vic! That's if ther's any justice in the world.
Travis