I don't often post but have been a member for many years. I mainly live on the Red-Special.com forum. However, I have posted up various Queen covers I have created over the years. The songs created over the years include:
- If You Can't Beat 'em (2007)
- It's Late (as part of the web based band, M.A.D.)
- We Believe (as part of my Queen covers band Scaramouche in 2009), and live versions of Keep Yourself Alive, Under Pressure, Hammer To Fall and I Want It All all recorded in 2010)
- Small (2012)
- The Wedding March (2012)
- Sleeping on The Sidewalk (2012)
- I Go Crazy (2013)
- White Man (2013)
- The Hitman (2013)
- Sheer Hear Attack (2013)
and most recently 'March Of The Black Queen'.
I'd be interested in feedback, especially on the last. I'm not a singer (as you can probably hear!) but a guitarist, so please bear this in mind.
More songs are available on: link
Many thanks.
Hi Mike
Havent had the time to list to all the songs you put online, but I choose one of them being considered very difficult to re-record (The Hitman).
I have to say: WOW, you nailed it pretty well with the drums, guitars, and the vocals (and harmonies) are pretty spot on. As I am a musician myself as well (for over 25 years) , I do have to give you a bit of constructive criticism on the mastering of the track. The bass and the low-end of the guitar get muffled in a way, that you can't extinguish either the bass guitar or the low-bass notes of the Red Special.
I am not sure what software you use (Mac or PC), but I would really advise you to remaster the track. If needed, I would love to help out (been a musician myself for 25+ years).
PS: your version of ”We believe” is just absolutely awesome. The vocal is very very very impressive and the song is beautifully mastered (panning of the acoustic guitars, spacing of the instruments, background vocals, the drum sound). This songs belongs on iTunes (I would pay for it!) it is absolutely excellent! link
PPS: The version of the March of the Black Queen is very impressive especially the vocals and background vocals , the panned guitar bits, the way it sounds (it has ”space”) but also the fact that it is rhythmically spot on. Also the detail (I did notice the ”double claps”). My critizism: The piano sound though should really be sounding a bit more classical (as in the sound should be a bright type of Steinberg sound, not the piano you used in this version which is not right).
Conclusion: you really are a musical magician and I would love to get in touch with you. (my email is thereason2 (at) yahoo (dot) com link
Thanks for the feedback and constructive citicism.
Others have also mentioned the piano sound in MOTBQ. It's a difficult one to sort. I tried to get a real piano part made from the MIDI part. However, since the part was 'constructed' as opposed to 'played' there were issues that would have made putting it through a real piano (equipped with MIDI) a lot of effort; i.e. overlapping notes and the need for pedal events to be added throughout.
Do you have any suggestions for an inexpensive software piano?
"You have 'created' these songs?"
Yes! Created... recorded and played/sung each part, mix and produce. Written? No! ;-)
Thanks for the encouraging feedback. These songs are really a labour of love and I've learnt so much from recording them. I've been a Queen fan since the mid-70s and I'm also a collector. Although I've been a musician (and Queen collector) for 35 years, it only in the last 10 years that I've become a dedicated Red-Special anorak (although I've always had an RS interest)! These songs give me an opportunity to try out the RS gear I've invested in over the years and to try and replicate Brian's tone.