Who koo koo choo?

fluffy · Post by **fluffy** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:10 pm

j$ wrote:Fluffy - Been listening to a lot of Blancmange? Glenn is right, your voice is sounding thicker and richer than previous recordings. new mic? i like the backing vox a lot. I don't think I know the original though.

I don't even know who that is. And, on that recording, EVERYTHING was new. New mic (MXL V63m), new recording interface (that ginormous Yamaha mixer thing I bought a couple months ago), new recording space (tiny office alcove with thick walls), and new outlook (do stuff, let it come together). It also helps that I've been practicing my upper vocal range a lot.

The original is a waltzy thing which sounds very similar to "This Boy." Whenever I think of "Yes It Is" my brain keeps on snapping over to "This Boy." Incidentally, both songs were only ever released as B-side singles (both are on Past Masters, Volume One, as well as Anthology 1). I was surprised (and maybe a bit glad) that Glenn gave me something so (relatively) obscure to do.

Once I have a working MIDI setup again (my stupid MIDISport is backordered!) I'll try to do a better version of that, as well as some of the other songs I've been wanting to do.

j$ · Post by j$ » Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:14 pm

They were an early 80s synthpop duo, and the lead singer sounds a bit like you / you sound a bit like him. They did a totally top version of 'The Day Before You Came' if you can track it down. (http://www.affleckonline.co.uk/blancmange/ is the rather creepy fansite deluxe) The comparision is meant as a compliment.

It's weird you mention 'This Boy' - I love that song. OK maybe not that weird.

fluffy · Post by **fluffy** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:16 pm

Thanks, I'll check them out.

fluffy · Post by **fluffy** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:17 pm

Christ, Realaudio? How old is this site?

anti-m · Post by **anti-m** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 4:00 pm

j$ wrote: Anti-M - ....At 1.22ish I wanted a swelling drawbar organ kicking in and an instrumental section.

I know, right? That original harpsichord solo is so good that when it goes missing, you really feel the lack! I think it was their super-producer George Martin who lent that little gem to the piece.

And, yes, I hate that falsetto bit I did at the end. Uck!

Märk · Post by **Märk** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 4:21 pm

Actually, it was a piano sped up to double speed, not a harpsichord.

Ross · Post by **Ross** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 4:26 pm

j$ wrote: Ross Durand - haha. I was watching 'The Other Side Of The Mirror' the other day so this is pretty apropos! Even the harmonica is suitably in the wrong key! Though your voice is too rich to do a truly convincing Dylan, and you shouldn't sing over the harmonica if you want it to be real pastiche

Thanks for the review, The singing over the harmonica was conscious - the harmonica is, in fact, backwards and swirls left to right in order to at least gesture at the production of the original tune.

Thanks for the review. I better get listening

PS- I'm not familiar with "The other side of the mirror."

j$ · Post by j$ » Wed Oct 17, 2007 4:26 pm

sven wrote:too much beatles knowledge

nerd.

j$ · Post by j$ » Wed Oct 17, 2007 4:28 pm

rdurand wrote:PS- I'm not familiar with "The other side of the mirror."

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bob-Dylan-Newpo ... B000W1V5TM

really good at getting across to a non-60s american the sheer beatles-like adulation the folkies gave Dylan right up to the Judas moment ...

Ross · Post by **Ross** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 7:41 pm

j$ wrote:
rdurand wrote:PS- I'm not familiar with "The other side of the mirror."
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bob-Dylan-Newpo ... B000W1V5TM

really good at getting across to a non-60s american the sheer beatles-like adulation the folkies gave Dylan right up to the Judas moment ...

Thanks - "Don't look back" is good, too. I don't know this one, I'm sort of surprised, causeI think I'm a pretty big fan. Looks like it isn't released yet, either.hmmm...

Dan-O from Five-O · Post by **Dan-O from Five-O** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:05 am

j$ wrote:Dan-O - digging that percussion. Is this slower than the original, I don't recall? Campfire Beatles - Are you Peter, Paul & Mary? Good stuff.

This is funny. I guess I would be Peter, Paul is actually Paul ( a.k.a. LMNOP) and Mary is now my new nickname for Dave. The "campfire" reference is exactly how Paul described it when he heard the mix as well. The tempo probably is a tick slower than the original, an old habit from playing live and having my butt chewed out for rushing things. The original only had the tambourine, but I had tracks to burn so I threw in the shaker and some drum machine congas played by hand, not programmed. There's also a timbale toward the end that I hit by mistake while doing the congas that I didn't bother to edit out.

anti-m · Post by **anti-m** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:35 am

Sven wrote:Actually, it was a piano sped up to double speed, not a harpsichord.

Holy crap, I never knew that! I'm going to have to go home and listen to it at normal speed.

--Em

roymond · Post by **roymond** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 3:14 pm

Märk wrote:Actually, it was a piano sped up to double speed, not a harpsichord.

With thumbtacks stuck in the hammer felt, no less. Yes, Mr. Martin played it.

I'm working mine...these challenges don't expire, right?

roymond · Post by **roymond** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 3:17 pm

The Weakest Suit wrote:i don't know if it's my favorite cover project ever, but this guy named hideki from japan re-recorded the whole revolver album and released it as revolvah. he came to america and performed the entire album with a full band in 4 or 5 locations (which was even better than the cd). my recording business was able to record 2 of the shows. hearing a rocking version of tomorrow never knows live was pretty incredible.

anyway, you can check out 5 songs from revolvah on musicalfamilytree's site, specifically, here:
http://www.musicalfamilytree.com/bands/hideki
love you to, for no one, and tomorrow never knows are my favorites, but the whole cd is pretty great.

enjoy.

I finally listened to this and it's awesome. Will buy the album tonight. Awesome. How can I get a copy of the live version you speak of? Hint...hint...