Stop...

I'm usually a rock musician, mainly behind a drum kit, or on guitar/bass. I've only ever fronted a few times in my years of live performances, I've done all the lead vocals on my studio stuff but am never happy with the sound of my voice.

Now, I went to Wales over the weekend as you know, and did some Karaoke at this girls 21st birthday party. She's a local singer from Wrexham, very talented, has her own live gigging equipment, I think she has a CD out too, maybe several. We did a duet together, and when I got home I realised I had the backing track on a CD. So, out of sheer experimentation, I have produced a cover of the song, featuring myself on leading, and backing vocals.

I've uploaded a copy to get feedback. It's not usually my type of music, and I'm never usually a lead singer, since I'm not all that great at it.

Have a listen anyway, and tell me what you think. It's a very cheesy love song written by Lionel Richie, and performed with him and Diana Ross, so that says everything. Click the link below:

http://www.nevetsweb.com/hosted/steve/E ... 20Love.mp3

You've got an excellent voice. Nice job on the overdubs too. Very clean and suddle, and not over exaggerated. Ever try heavy music using your voice? It's a different ballgame, because it can require you to have to push out with the abdomen a little harder to gain volume and emphasis. You should test your vocal range. Good singers to sing along with are the lead singer from Alice in Chains, Geoff Tate from Queensryche, or Robert Plant of Led Zepellin.

I enjoy all forms of music: classical to rap to death metal to folk. I started writing death metal music and was heavily influenced by Chuck Schuldiner from Death. After awhile I began to explore bands like Led Zepellin, Peter Paul & Mary, and Pink Floyd. I picked up an acoustic guitar and found a peaceful writing style, which I enjoy tremendously.

Check out 3 of my songs on indie911 at:

http://www.indie911.com/index.php?cID=28550

That's me playing guitar and singing.


-Witch (uh oh you're going to find out my real name)

Cool. I usually do rock. Your songs remind me of Marissa Nadler

http://www.myspace.com/steveblues2

Stood Up is the heavier song on that site, both written, performed, and produced by me.

Erm, well it's obvious you're out of tune from the start... *BUT*
Your voice kinda reminds me of Lionel Richie, and if it were more on tune - and had a girl singing in there - might just be listenable.

I also think the music needs a bit of tweeking, along with maybe a little changing to the notes sung (Ie - different from the karaoke and the original).

The harmonies were OK, but two guys (even if they were both you) didn't set the song off IMO.

Overall, nice, but not my cup of tea..

I'll listen to yours WW when I have time.

(this was to the orig post)

Mind you, the following review is relies upon a listen I experienced using my old crappy laptop with tinny speakers.


Stood Up: I like the overall theme of the song and aire you're attempting to achieve. When you sing the main verses, as the one guitar rhythm goes diga dig dig dig dig da digga dig dig, another track of a thick and distorted guitar holding power chords slightly louder than the track already recorded would add emphasis and pronounce the character of the lyrics. But to achieve total effect, you're going to have to "up" your vocals in personality and emotion (I'm thinking voice like Nirvana, Bush, Disturbed, etc.). A lot more rocking. I can hear that you're aiming for this quality when you climb the pitch of your voice while repeating the same words as right before you go into the guitar solo. It sounds to me that you're not getting enough air into your lungs and not pushing out hard enough with abdomen to gain volume and emphasis to stress the emotional character when you climb pitch; in fact, your voice slightly squeaks. Your voice is also somewhat weak, it sounds like you sing through your nose at times, and sing at throat level, which are indicators of not allowing enough air into your lungs and/or pushing with your abdomen correctly. This is why, to me, your softer songs, sound better, because you can get by by not having to utilize as much air or muscle.

I like the songs. But I believe "Stood Up" will rock harder once you stand up and shout the song with unyielding certainty. Aaaaaarggghhh!
Just to give you a notion, a comparison, of the level of intensity the song is at now, I would say the overall aire of the tune is a notch below Creed's "Higher" (regardless of what one thinks of Creed) and a notch above Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down." I feel the song, and would love to hear it rival Nirvana, Bush, or Fuel. If you make it rock as hard as a Disturbed intensity, then I want a copy (not that I have any Disturbed albums... or Nirvana, Bush, or Fuel for that matter).

If I'm missing something, you're going to have to buy me a better laptop.


-Witch

Zelimos,
Good job on the vocals.

Syco

Aye, I've always wanted to be a front singer, since I've spend the last 8 years behind a drum kit, doing the odd backing vocals.

This is something I truely will have to work on since my next duet project will involve mostly singing.

Well done Z

Zelimos wrote:Aye, I've always wanted to be a front singer, since I've spend the last 8 years behind a drum kit, doing the odd backing vocals.

This is something I truely will have to work on since my next duet project will involve mostly singing.

What kinda of kit you play on usually? I have a Tama Rockstar 5 piece with teh omini lock system. Zildians all around...

I only sing if absolutely necessary.... prefer to play guitar..

I've often used other peoples kit. I just have a Peavey IS 2, no additions or changes.

didn't know peavey made drums interesting. I want to upgrade to the cage set with the rocktagon cymbals. Ever see them?.. look like stop signs.

Zelimos wrote:Cool. I usually do rock. Your songs remind me of Marissa Nadler

I checked her site out and listened to a few of her songs. She reminds me of Mazzy Starr; alot, in fact. Thanks for the comparison.


-W.W.

witch wyzwurd wrote:
Check out 3 of my songs on indie911 at:

http://www.indie911.com/index.php?cID=28550

That's me playing guitar and singing.


-Witch (uh oh you're going to find out my real name)

I enjoyed the guitar work. you've got talent.

witch wyzwurd wrote:

"Zelimos"

Cool. I usually do rock. Your songs remind me of Marissa Nadler

I checked her site out and listened to a few of her songs. She reminds me of Mazzy Starr; alot, in fact. Thanks for the comparison.


-W.W.

She's pretty good if I'm in the mood for that kind of music, I think she's in a band aswel, can't remember the name.

Sycophant wrote:didn't know peavey made drums interesting. I want to upgrade to the cage set with the rocktagon cymbals. Ever see them?.. look like stop signs.

Peavey pretty much do everything. I have Peavey Millenium bass too, and I used to have their Classic Chorus Stereo amp, very loud indeed. But yeah they do all sorts of things. I think Marshall do drum kits too, not sure on that one but I originally thought they only did stack amps and normal amps (The stack amp was Marshall's invention)

Zelimos wrote:
Peavey pretty much do everything. I have Peavey Millenium base too, and I used to have their Classic Chorus Stereo amp, very loud indeed. But yeah they do all sorts of things. I think Marshall do drum kits too, not sure on that one but I originally thought they only did stack amps and normal amps (The stack amp was Marshall's invention)

I have a Peavey Milestone guitar. I dont think that they make that line anymore. I mainly play my custom Carvin.