I'm Stronger Than Your Whiskey

[TonyB]

I co-wrote this with the singer.

EDIT: UPDATED SONG IS BELOW (dated July 2nd). RE-TRACKED VOCALS.

Acoustic version also included for S&G's ("AC" in filename).

[frshtrx]

that's some squeaky clean and spacious stuff Tony.
are the vocals slightly to the left on purpose or is it me?
nice violin -
how were the drums done?
what's the vocal room like/ what mic? very hot
good song - I like the rock up section at 3:10 and wish it came in earier

is there a technical solution to a singer who is a touch nasally?

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by frshtrx

that's some squeaky clean and spacious stuff Tony.
are the vocals slightly to the left on purpose or is it me?
nice violin -
how were the drums done?
what's the vocal room like/ what mic? very hot
good song - I like the rock up section at 3:10 and wish it came in earier

is there a technical solution to a singer who is a touch nasally?

Thanks.

Vocals are center. probably sounds to the left, because the fiddle is on the right (for right now). I'm going to pan the fiddle L and R (not 100%).

The drums are natural (in a big room; my ceiling is 60 feet high) except for a blend of the kick with Drumagog. NT-5s for the overheads; 57 on the snare; MD421 on tom; AKG 112 inside kick; Beta52A on beater side of kick.
That's it, except I manually go into some of the tracks and clean out some bleed).

Vocal space is on my live stage with a vaulted 60 foot ceiling. About half of her verb is from the natural acoustics.

I don't know if there's a technical solution to a nasally vocalist, but nasally works for Jennifer Nettles (Sugarland).

I need to fix the fiddle on it though. Also working an acoustic only version, then pitching it in Nashville.

[frshtrx]

wow...you know where the money goes in that big room...something about the duller natural reverb just sounds so great.
thanks for sharing that - I'd be very curious to hear more about the 'pitching in Nashville' comment, not sure if you've got some related links to share?
can't wait to hear the acoustic version too...

[garageband]

My only real quibble is the gal singing through her nose. Man, there are just so many reasons to cut that crap out. I'm not sure of your standing and relationship with the singer. The best reason, rather than all the voice teacher finger-wagging my wife is capable of, is: Everyone sounds the same singing through their nose. I think we can agree that this a bad thing.

The "So-and-So has such-and-such bad habit and they do just fine" argument isn't very strong. I'd be willing to bet you don't let your boys get away with that one.

The song? Excellent, salable hit song title. It's a good, solid example of what they're doing up the road from you and right in line, artistically. They should outta buy it, it's better than most of what's coming off the assembly line these days.

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by garageband

My only real quibble is the gal singing through her nose. Man, there are just so many reasons to cut that crap out. I'm not sure of your standing and relationship with the singer. The best reason, rather than all the voice teacher finger-wagging my wife is capable of, is: Everyone sounds the same singing through their nose. I think we can agree that this a bad thing.

The "So-and-So has such-and-such bad habit and they do just fine" argument isn't very strong. I'd be willing to bet you don't let your boys get away with that one.

The song? Excellent, salable hit song title. It's a good, solid example of what they're doing up the road from you and right in line, artistically. They should outta buy it, it's better than most of what's coming off the assembly line these days.

True. But that's the habit she's in and it's working for her, which is why we're in the position to pitch it; got some notice from Nashville folks. Her style is pretty much the same as Jennifer Nettles (but Nettles' is even more through the nose).

Uploading the newer version with the fiddle track aligned (I'm mustive accidentally moved the track about an 1/8th of a measure....oops...blush blush).

[TonyB]

Updated song

Attached an acoustic version (recorded this with my new Midas Venice 160).

Thanks to garageband for steering me toward the Midas.

[paul999]

Well I'm glad it took me a while to get to this one because the acoustic post in my opinion makes this song feel so much more sincere. I personally would prefer the acoustic one and have drums come in for the chorus. Nice job recording the violins! Of course as usual you made clear mixes and I am not fighting to hear anything If you are pinning hopes on this one I would be concerned with the song writing. The lyric's and concept are stellar I found the drums when they came in not tight enough and a bit distracting. The acoustic version with simpler drums entering at the chorus feels like the right combo to me.

I really think you have something special here.

[TonyB]

Paul,

Thanks. I appreciate the comments. You hit a good point about the acoustic over the electric version, which is why I went and did the acoustic...more personal and fitting for the song's concept.

[tolo]

Hey Tony,

Listened to this a few times now - no doubt that the accoustic version has more integrity (not to mention clarity and quality)......but her performance and tonal quality really bugs me....especially on some of those longer, higher notes. Sometimes drifting off a tad too.....its almost like she is fighting with the tune to its detriment. Too many words at times too..... A promising song in essence however, but it needs a different vocalist to make it really hang together....(difficult if she wrote it!)

I love the new guitar piece at the front of the song - played very delicately and beautifully...

Tony.