| Author | Message | ||
     Chris McKenna Member Username: Maccattack Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2005 |
I thought I’d share this with you guys. It’s a song I wrote shortly after Grant left us. Like most people who visit this forum I never met Grant but he impacted my life greatly and in a very positive way. His and Roberts music has been on high rotation in my head and heart for as long as I can remember. A love of The Go-Betweens was something that bound us from the start and now our two little princess’s are fans. The next generation! Ive posted 2 versions of the song on a myspace page for a side project I’m working on. The full band ‘electric’ version is the original way the song was conceived. The electric version you’ll hear was recorded at a rehearsal with my band ‘The House Cat’. The song was very new at that stage and we were all still learning it. Including me. Most of the mistakes are mine. It’s a rough and rushed version so please be gentle with your criticisms. We were just trying to get through it. Ive put it on this particular page as opposed to The House Cat page as the standard isn’t up to scratch. We will record it properly sometime soon. The ‘acoustic’ version is something I’ve recorded on my own (well almost) in the last few days. Acoustic is probably a more appropriate way of presenting the song given the subject matter. This version features my 9 year old angel on back up vocals. You will probably need to read the lyrics while listening. You can do that by clicking on the ‘lyrics’ tab on the standalone player that holds the songs. Please let me know what you think of both these versions. I’d really appreciate some feedback. So to listen go to: http://www.myspace.com/urbanplan Chris | ||
| Chris McKenna Member Username: Maccattack Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2005 |
I take it from the lack of replies that you guys dont think much of it  I should have added that I'm not a singer, although that is obvious from the recordings. Maybe thats why nobody has commented. Maybe youre all too kind. We are waiting for our new singer to return from Oz so we can get a decent vocal performance down. Both these versions are works in progress. Somebody please comment! Good or bad its ok. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 501 Registered: 05-2005 |
Its shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You need to sort out the drums man! (only joking! - well done mate) | ||
| Cichli Suite Member Username: Cichli_suite Post Number: 130 Registered: 08-2004 |
Hi Chris, The board is awfully quiet at the moment so maybe that's why you are not getting much feedback. Everyone's on holidays, maybe. I'm afraid I wasn't too keen on the song. I know you are not the singer in the band so that has a bit to do with it. You are way of key for a lot of it. And it wasn't good in the Robert Forster out of key way - sorry, man  I think the song needs working on from the point of view of melody. Grant was such a melodic singer song writer, I'd expect a song about him to be more tuneful. As for me, I couldn't write song to save my life! Good luck to you. | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 82 Registered: 04-2006 |
maybe the song is a little bit to long, chris. but i think i like the main melody of the song. and the last sentence of cichli's posting is valid for me , too. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 386 Registered: 04-2005 |
First, I'll qualify what I'm about to say by agreeing with Cichli and Andreas--I'm no songwriter, so I'm not claiming I could do better. But I've heard enough songs to have opinions on what makes a good one. I think tribute songs are generally a pretty dicey category. It's hard to do one without seeming maudlin, overly sentimental, or even preachy (you know, the "world didn't understand you" kind of thing). So you're working in a tricky genre to do well. Big points for attempting it! I think a stronger tribute to Grant would be a song that is a musical/melodic homage to his style, with more minimal, less specific lyrics. No offense, but I think your song has too many (and sometimes awkward) words, which gets in the way of the melody. Specific lyrics about what Grant did and why he was great aren't as interesting as an overall sound that evokes a feeling that reminds the listener of Grant and his music. And to repeat myself, I'd suggest trying to do that with the melody and by using a few of those "striped sunlight sound" chords Grant employed so masterfully. Good luck with the song--please keep us posted as it evolves! | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 334 Registered: 08-2004 |
Honestly I can't bring myself to listen to it. Just one of those things. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 507 Registered: 05-2005 |
Chris, at least you have done something you believe in for better or for worse. Only thing I would say you could be lining yourself up for the firing line if you ask for coments, best to leave people to 'have a peek' rather than get them to comment. I always love the critics, coz whatever they say, it doesn't matter, I say to them: I did you didn't I do you don't I will you wont End of... | ||
| Chris McKenna Member Username: Maccattack Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks for the comments guys. I appreciate your honesty. |