| Vulcan 29.09.2005 13:31 |
I thought it would be nice to start a topic about the SOG and what we think of the songs on there. For instance, my personal fave is Crossed Hearts - Long Away. Very true to the original, and extremely well produced! I also like everything Adam Steen has done - obviously a very versatile musician. Well done Crossed Hearts and Ads!! |
| Bohardy 29.09.2005 14:07 |
Crossed Hearts' Long Away is the only cover from the SOC that remains on my hard-drive and gets listened to from time to time. In fact I'm gonna put it on now... I absolutely love it. When a cover is an exact duplication of the original, it can usually only inspire thoughts as to how clever and well executed it is, and generally is lacking in any new emotional weight. Yet for some reason this version stands on its own, and somehow breathes new life into the song, despite being completely faithful to the original. Koolkikiland (if you're reading this!) I love your voice. I always like singers that sing very 'straight' and 'flat', and yet still sound engaging. And by straight and flat I mean that you use little or no vibrato, melisma or ornamentation to make the voice more interesting. To still sound great without any of those vocal tools means you simply have a nice voice. My ONLY gripe about this cover is that the glorious suspended-second in the harmony for "come let the new child PLA-AAY" is omitted? Why was that? It's practically my favourite moment in the whole (original) song. |
| Adam Baboolal 29.09.2005 14:32 |
Pretty much my fav as well! And I would have to agree that I miss that same harmony. But I'd also say I miss the sustained guitar note just before the breakdown in the song. Just thinking about that part reminds me of when I first heard ADATR and that song on the album. Ah... memories. :) Peace, Adam. |
| Koolkikiland 29.09.2005 23:18 |
Bohardy and Adam and y'all. . . man, those are super nice things you said. Bless you guys. . . . and I should have known better than to try and leave out those missing parts you mention. Queen fan's ears are too good. ;) The only excuse I have is that I was getting anxious and other work was piling up on me. But hey, I guess we can never expect a copy to be as good as the original, right? Maybe I'll go back and fix it. I'm surprised, though, no one's ever mentioned the slighly altered lyric too. ;) I have this fantasy of doing a full CD of Brian-May-sung Queen covers and giving it away for free. Someday, one day . . . when there's time. . . Peace! dave |
| Vulcan 30.09.2005 12:17 |
Wow, I never realised about the altered lyric! I just listened to your production again, and there it was!! :oD I particularly like the harmonies that you and Terri have sung on this track, and it would be fantastic if you could add in the "new child play" one. Have you any plans to cover another Queen track? Peace Out J |
| QueenNewcastle 30.09.2005 13:04 |
i think "Long Away" and "Doin' Alright" are cool. all other are shite! |
| Vulcan 30.09.2005 14:44 |
I can only get doin alright to play about 15 seconds :o( J |
| Adam Baboolal 30.09.2005 16:12 |
<font color=black>You Don't Fool Me wrote: i think "Long Away" and "Doin' Alright" are cool. all other are shite!Wowee... thanks for that... Peace, Adam. |
| Koolkikiland 30.09.2005 18:11 |
Vulcan wrote: Have you any plans to cover another Queen track?Hi Vulcan ~ Yeah, I've had an almost completed "She Makes Me" sitting on my hard drive for a while that I plan to finish. Not sure how to do the ending though. . . By the way, I added the "new child" harmonies to "Long Away" - the SOC file should play the updated version now. Oh, here's a free MP3 download of a Crossed Hearts original tune if anyone wants one: link Teri's singin' lead on it instead of me. Peace! dave |
| The Real Wizard 01.10.2005 21:01 |
Adam Baboolal wrote:Ditto! Adam, can you feel the love?<font color=black>You Don't Fool Me wrote: i think "Long Away" and "Doin' Alright" are cool. all other are shite!Wowee... thanks for that... |
| Suigi 01.10.2005 22:56 |
Long Away is my fave, too. Gotta give credit to the guy who did I Want It All. |
| Vulcan 02.10.2005 05:50 |
Just listened to the Long Away revised version....fantastic!! :o) Can't wait to hear "She Makes Me". I hope you can do a more inspired ending than Brian's fade out! I also love the track you posted in this thread! Does anyone have a link to the full version of Adam Steen's "Doin Alright"? Peace Jim |
| Zander05 02.10.2005 21:32 |
My favourites are Long Away and A Winter's Tale. Oh, and the Misfire instrumental is awesome as well! |
| YourValentine 06.10.2005 04:06 |
The revised version of Adam Steen's You're My Best Friend is now online and the complete Doin' Alright. Tomorrow comes something new, sorry about the delay. |
| great king rat 1138 06.10.2005 08:44 |
Barb, if we want to put something up on the SoC, do we still just need to send you a link to rapidshare or whatever, or is there a new system? |
| YourValentine 06.10.2005 08:50 |
You can send an mp3 to the contact email if it's not bigger than 6 MB - I think. But please announce it in advance, so I can make room in the mail box:) |
| john bodega 06.10.2005 09:30 |
Just heard Doin' Alright. Excellent work. The high guitar part is a little dodgy at the end (don't worry, I'm a guitarist and as such I like to nitpick about these things... your guitar sound is still excellent). The vocal harmonies are very precise, it's good work. I like your voice better in this than in You're My Best Friend, well done! |
| kweenqueen 06.10.2005 11:06 |
Thanks Zebonka12! Glad you like it! The bass and drums are REAL dodgy but that's another story (I used a midi file on soundblaster at the time!!!). Now I try sequence most of my work myself and use more pro gear. |
| Adam Baboolal 06.10.2005 12:28 |
Can I hear... autotune *shudders* Or something equally lifeless. Too much reverb on the drums in YMBF. If you can, email me the separate recorded drum parts, I can show you a way of mixing them differently. Btw, did you use a mic to capture the room sound? Nice guitar work on Doin' Alright. But I still hear something robotic and autotune-y in there too. I see what you mean about the last guitar bit, Zebonka12. Peace, Adam. |
| kweenqueen 06.10.2005 14:35 |
Adam, Auto-Tune seems to be a favorite subject of yours... I've said it before; I've used NO AT on the lead vox. And it was YOU who said that AT doesn't make recordings robotic (actually it was my words).Used some on the harmonies since it takes a looong time to do 7 part harmonies times 3 without using it (I generally use between 20-30 channels for vox to get as close as possible to what Queen did). But I really DO try to get as close as possible. AT works no miracles, one have to sing it good, otherwise it sounds like shite as you obviously know. Well, perhaps you just don't like my voice, and I can't change that (not in a New York minute anyway...) Well, you can't win them all...no problem. I've done the recordings in my livingroom on spare time (and they DO take a long time to complete). I suppose I'll improve by practise. Perhaps you should upload something with the vox actually IN TUNE for a change, (if you manage without AT). ;-) |
| Adam Baboolal 06.10.2005 21:54 |
Whoa dude, just saying, it really didn't sound like it was natural sounding. I'm pretty sure I'm not the first to say that as this is the second time these two tracks have appeared on Queenzone. As for the weird challenge you put up, I really haven't a clue what you're on about with the "in tune" thing. I really dislike autotune and it's funny to hear it on the radio as I can usually pick it out. Oasis' latest single with Noel on vocals was so blatently obvious. Yuck, I hate it. Personally, I used it for one line in MLHBS on "here we go" before it goes into the solo. That's the only time I've ever used it! I'll upload something when I get the chance to actually do something for myself rather than others. The bane of always working for others... Peace, Adam. |
| Boy Thomas Raker 06.10.2005 22:55 |
For us non-techies, does Auto-Tune correct out of pitch vocal notes, and Adam, how prevalent is it in manistream music? I'm sure that Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins uses something like that as he's absolute totally out of tune when he sings live. Thanks in advance. |
| kweenqueen 07.10.2005 02:29 |
Adam B, I supposed you've changed your view about AT a bit, hence what you wrote in an earlier message: "There's nothing wrong with an SM58. I've used my friends one and it's a good mic. And I've also used autotune a good few times. Only once on myself - the last "Here we go" line in MLHBS I did 3 years ago. So, I know it doesn't sound robotic/mettalic." ...and I was just joking about the whole thing when I challanged you. I was (tounge in cheek) hinting that your version of "A Winters Tale" actually is rather out of tune. But hey, I think we all do these song with love of Queens music and that should be enough a reason. Perhaps we could do something together in the future. //Adam S |
| Vulcan 07.10.2005 07:43 |
Adam S What stuff to do use to record your Queen Covers? I use Cubase VST with Reason and various VST instruments. I'm working on something which I can upload, but my voice is garbage! Someone has recommended Autotune or Melodyne to aid this, but it sounds like they are all frowned upon by music critics and QZ posters. I fancy doing Ride the Wild Wind, but it will probably take me a year just to sequence it! LOL Peace Jim |
| Adam Baboolal 07.10.2005 11:13 |
kweenqueen wrote: Adam B, I supposed you've changed your view about AT a bit, hence what you wrote in an earlier message: "There's nothing wrong with an SM58. I've used my friends one and it's a good mic. And I've also used autotune a good few times. Only once on myself - the last "Here we go" line in MLHBS I did 3 years ago. So, I know it doesn't sound robotic/mettalic." ...and I was just joking about the whole thing when I challanged you. I was (tounge in cheek) hinting that your version of "A Winters Tale" actually is rather out of tune. But hey, I think we all do these song with love of Queens music and that should be enough a reason. Perhaps we could do something together in the future. //Adam SHmm... I guess I have changed my tune(!) a bit. Personally, I've grown to dislike its sound. And as that quote you gave mentions, I've used it on others. The last band were adamant that I used it on them! That's something that doesn't sit well with me. I wish there weren't people out there that relied on that software. Are people really that insecure these days? If I'm wrong about you using it, then I apologise. There's just something in those vocals that's strikingly similar. You're right about the backing vocals on my AWT DEMO upload. I called it a demo because it uses things from when I first started recording/singing. So, rightly so, those backing vox are not that great. That upload was a demo because someone wanted to hear the cover that I had sitting in my archives. I decided to at least add a good lead vocal. And then I just mixed what was already there. Unfortunately, I didn't record anything new other than the lead vox. Shame... But I did promise myself that I'd return to that one one day and do it properly. But then, I say that about lots of Queen covers I've done! Anyway, history lesson over! Sure would like to colaborate on something. Maybe Let Me Live. There's a track I've been trying to do for a long time. Sharing vocals on that with someone else capable would be cool. And I'm sure we could get it done. Whadya think? Peace, Adam. |
| Adam Baboolal 07.10.2005 11:20 |
Vulcan wrote: Adam S What stuff to do use to record your Queen Covers? I use Cubase VST with Reason and various VST instruments. I'm working on something which I can upload, but my voice is garbage! Someone has recommended Autotune or Melodyne to aid this, but it sounds like they are all frowned upon by music critics and QZ posters. I fancy doing Ride the Wild Wind, but it will probably take me a year just to sequence it! LOL Peace JimHope you don't mind me chiming in here. My main stuff seems to have been, CubaseSX. Now using version 3. I discovered Reason3 earlier in the year and really like what it can do. Plenty of VST instruments, but my most used would have to be The Grand, Atmosphere, Collosus, etc. Waves Diamond Bundle for most effects. I also use URS EQ's now. And in general, just a bunch of other stuff. Peace, Adam. |
| john bodega 07.10.2005 13:29 |
"The bass and drums are REAL dodgy but that's another story (I used a midi file on soundblaster at the time!!!)" Hehe. I would say the bass was dodgier than the drums. Still - good stuff. I've got to get around to making something myself... it hurts only being good at guitar and not singing! |
| kweenqueen 09.10.2005 11:21 |
Vulcan, I use almost an identical setup as Adam B. listed above!! Scary!!! ;o) Really, you shouldn't use AutoTune or Melodyne to compensate for bad singing. It just wont work! These programs are actually good tools to fix small flaws here and there on an otherwise "perfect" take, but to fix a very pitched voice you will get a VERY strange sound. I agree with Adam B. on that. As for now, you really need to sing it to cut it (thankfully). Also, studios seem to use AutoTune a bit to often, I think. "Hurry, Hurry, Hurry so we can rip of the record buyers even more..." Melodyne is a good program if you want to change the timbre or pitch on for example a saxophone without destroying the natural sound TOO much. /Adam S |
| Vulcan 11.10.2005 06:07 |
Thanks to both the Adam's for the advice. ;o) I'll just have to make the best of the singing without Autotune, and I agree that it's obvious how much it's used on records these days. Fred managed without it :o) To both the Adams, are you planning to record/upload some more covers in the near future? Peace Jim |
| kweenqueen 11.10.2005 07:58 |
Vulcan, "Sail Away Sweet Sister" is already in the pipeline. I'm also working on "My Fairy King" and "All Dead, All Dead" and believe it or not "Hangman". The latter is a bit difficult to do because I obviously have to "ad lib" the vox since no one really knows exactly what Fred is singing. He seems to alter the lyrics from time to time. I've done the background and guitars + solo though. Rather fun to do since it's not been released by Queen, yet. /Adam |
| FriedChicken 11.10.2005 08:52 |
Hey Adam, would you like to do something together with me perhaps? mail me if your interested: innuendo65@gmail.com |
| FriedChicken 11.10.2005 08:52 |
The WWRY from Noorkuu is great. I like it better than the Queen version. Especially the backing track is great and very original! |
| kweenqueen 11.10.2005 09:21 |
Adam B wrote: "Sure would like to colaborate on something. Maybe Let Me Live. There's a track I've been trying to do for a long time. Sharing vocals on that with someone else capable would be cool. And I'm sure we could get it done. Whadya think?" Now, that's a real challenge! Especially the wonderful bit "piece of my, piece of my heart", with the harmonies spreading. I love that! I did a version of "Somebody to love" a couple of years ago. I managed to do all the harmonies (7 part)and music, "only" lacking lead vocals. Then, hard disk failure... Lucky me, I'm not sure I would've managed to do it justice... /Adam S |
| Adam Baboolal 11.10.2005 11:07 |
To Vulcan - I always plan to do some, but the time never seems to come up to get moving with them. Such a shame as I'm really wanting to do SOMETHING!! To FriedChicken - You should have email from moi, now. To kweenqueen - Sorry to hear about that hard disk crash. I had one of those 3 years ago and lost a lot of my own stuff. For some bizarre reason, I had backed up all my covers, but not all the original stuff I'd been doing! *Sighs* Anyway, if you feel like doing that, I'll be on-board. If need be, we might be able to reel-in some other worthy singer. Peace, Adam. |
| Koolkikiland 11.10.2005 11:36 |
kweenqueen wrote: I'm also working on "My Fairy King" and "All Dead, All Dead" and believe it or not "Hangman".Adam, I'd been planning on "All Dead" next. We should collaborate on it. Let me know. dave |
| john bodega 12.10.2005 03:53 |
Not that you guys need a guitarist... but if you ever need one, gimme a yell! |