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Stoneman
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1/30/2016 2:16:33 PM
Let Your Hair Down Baby-Stoneman
This R&B love song is all about doing the grown up with some that you love. After working hard all day and playing the corporate game, it is nice to just spend a romantically enticing evening with the one that you love. I really enjoyed putting this together as I went back to some of my old school in regards to the production. Spent a lot of time on the Sax solo so I hope it is adequate. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts about this song.
Much Respect,
Stoneman
<<>>Let Your Hair Down Baby<<>>
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2/16/2016 8:36:24 AM
top notch intro, classical guitar arpeggio's introduce the chord progression right off the bat. Reminds me of quality 90s hip hop. Cool vocal tone before the beat, builds nicely! Chorus drop with the beat is a fresh structure decision. Love the vocal melody on the bridge right before the sax solo, which sounds like an alto? either way great timbre and melody :) really dig this tune! A+ -DJH
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Stoneman
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2/16/2016 9:14:55 AM
I had kind of given up on anyone reviewing this song. Then you come along and make my day with a very insightful and encouraging review. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen and for your kind words about my work. Oh, and no that is my Tenor sax. Alto is on my wish list though!
Much Respect And Thanks
Stoneman
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LyinDan
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2/24/2016 4:17:12 PM
This is a well-done tune, and does indeed invoke the 90's, and very well indeed.
The only critique is not really a critique, if you're trying to invoke the days when vocals sounded like real people. Yours do, here. It is a critique if you're using the standards that are current in 2016. And that critique is the lack of Auto-tune-Melodyne in the background vocals (your solo too, really, but that is more flexible. A tuned vocal is always a plus today, for today's audience, because the youngun's don't know any better, and everything they hear today is tuned to perfection, so they assume it). The vast majority of vocals on mainstream productions today are tuned to inhuman perfection. In the case of background harmonies, a human harmony untuned sounds sloppy, nevermind the fact that that's what they usually sound like in person. The sound of lockstepped tuned background vocals is the sound of today. If you do that to what you've got here, you will achieve that sound and make this "sellable".
Just a note.
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Stoneman
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2/24/2016 9:55:53 PM
Thanks Dan,
I'm not a fan of autotune for R&B music. I know a lot of them use it but there are also a lot of R&B artists that don't use it. Those are the R&B artists I listen to as I prefer a more organic sound on soul music. However, I do use autotune on my EDM and some some Hip-Hop songs. I used it a lot on last years EDM CD. It is a definite standard for that kind of music. But even then I use it on the lead vocals only. I just like harmony to be real and sound real. If real means it is a bit sloppy compared to autotune. So be it! By the way, according to the data I have on my last 3 CD's, my primary fan base is the over 40 crowd and that is the crowd that the label will continue to market me to. Teeny boppers would never like my stuff because I look like someone's grandpa (which I am) and I'm too real. :) Your suggestion is duly noted though.
Thanks for listening and for your kind words about my work.
Much Respect,
Stoneman
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LyinDan
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2/25/2016 3:41:05 PM
Ya know, Autotune first came out as a fixit for vocals, to hide the fact that most singers aren't perfect. It was meant to give the impression that the vocalist was more tone-perfect in execution than they actually are. It could kinda do that. Then it got applied to live performance, a situation in which MANY popular singers FAIL. It's hard to hold pitch when you're yanking yourself around on stage.
THEN, the studio goobers producing Cher's "Believe" got carried away with themselves and kept in the mix an effect they got by pushing Autotune to stupid limits (they deny this to this day, as far as I've seen. They claim they did something else, but no one else believes it either). So, Autotune became an "effect", not something that's supposed to give the sound of a naturally great singer. Hip Hop (and a bunch of modern Soul music) took it up with a passion. So much so that half the stuff (or more) out there doesn't succeed without that unnatural sound.
Actually, I much prefer Melodyne. That french guy who developed it is a fucking genius. With Melodyne, you can actually sound like a naturally great dead-on-pure-pitch singer without sounding unnatural like some kind of spectre.
If you're over 50 (I'd say, more so than 40), you actually remember what real people sound like. Like before Autotune. There have been some GREAT pitch-on singers, but not the majority that us over-50's remember. There have been A FEW modern singers that have great pitch, mostly black soul singers that can handle very high notes and trills without breaking a sweat. Although...sweating women are pretty sexy. Hmmm...
OK, now I've officially lost track...... . ... ......
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Stoneman
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2/26/2016 11:03:04 PM
Yeah, I agree that the original intention of Autotune got lost in the fad shuffle to have that sound on records. Hip-Hop and Rap embraced it mainly because most rappers cannot sing. Take the effect off and they sound as flat as they really are. Of course they took it beyond pitch correction and into a more alien sound form. But I disagree about it being a standard in Soul music. As a matter of fact, Autotune has a very negative stigma amongst Soul, Neo Soul and R&B artists. If an R&B/Soul artist uses Autotune on an entire album, the rumor mill starts to report that they really cannot sing. Thus, most of the major Soul and Neo Soul artists shun that effect because of the negative perception of the industry and the fans. I think the problem is that so many people get the genres and the effects confused. Soul/Neo Soul/R&B is not Hip-Hop/Rap music. It is not unusual for them to have a song or two on their CD with the effect. But that is usually when they have a guest Hip-Hop/Rap artist on the song. Tyreese, Kem, Joe, Raheem Devahn, Miguel, Charlie Wilson, Neyo, John Legend, R. Kelly, Jodeci, SWV, Vivian Green and many others have all embraced a more natural sound on their recordings. Some do it just because it is too difficult to reproduce the Autotune sound live without having anomaly issues and others because they don't want the negative stereotype that they really cannot sing on key. I have seen several interviews where artists sing accapella just to prove that they really can sing and they are not Autotune artists. I read this stuff in all the R&B mags and even the music industry trades will say looking for new R&B artists that can sing on key without Autotune.
Now, artists like Chris Brown, Jason Derulo and Trey Songs use it a lot but they are not really R&B artists. They are Pop artists as their music is centered between Pop and R&B. Just because they are Black, they get credit as R&B artists. Respect in the music business is a serious thing to lose and hard to gain back. So, many R&B artists just don't use Autotune or try to conceal its use. But the proof is in the pudding. Live concerts are where you find out if an artist is a Autotune artist or not. I have been to a myriad of R&B concerts in recent years to see headliners like Jill Scott, Angie Stone, Anthony Hamilton, Mary J.Blige, Eryka Badu, Deangelo and Maxwell. All top drawer R&B/Soul artists and none of them are using Autotune on their records or live. Their background singers sound crisp and clean because they are real singers with real talent.
But when it comes to Pop, EDM, Rap and some Hip-Hop artists, Autotune is a given. It is expected because that is the sound of today for those genres. Artists that are caught in-between the genre gauntlet tend to go 50/50 on their albums in regards to Autotune. They want the Autotune crowd but they also want the R&B crowd. Then there are folks like T-Pain and Lil John who have built their entire careers around the Autotune sound. For some reason they get a pass from the Autotune critics.
Another thing of note is the fact that in step with the American tradition, there are now countless programs that mimic what Autotune does. Some even do it better than Autotune. Most producers keep their methods very secret as they don't want copycats or biters doing what they do to make vocals or music sound a certain way. So, what a lot of people are calling Autotune is not even Autotune. There are many ways to achieve that sound or effect and not all of them are pitch correctors. Some of them are just other effects that sound similar. There are literally thousands of vocal effects. I have about a 500 myself in both hardware and software. I like having choices. But I tend to use the same 20 or so effects on all my recordings because I am old and those are the ones I remember to use. I also like to experiment with non-traditional v=effects on vocals like guitar pedals/effects and weird Foley devices. I used Melodyne in college as it was required in the recording engineering curriculum. I was not impressed by the navigational aspects of it. But the pitch correction and editing features definitely rival or surpass Autotune. One thing that people don’t talk about much is the instability of Autotune on some PC’s. It wasn’t until I got my Mac that I actually used it extensively on my EDM songs. Before then, it was constantly making my PC crash. This was especially evident in Pro Tools. But Melodyne seems to be compatible with both. I have a copy of it loaded on my computer but I haven’t even opened it in years. Thanks for the reminder. I should check it out again when I am doing some EDM work.
The bottom line is that any good producer can make a bad singer sound good. This was a fact long before Autotune or Melodyne were invented. The question becomes whether you want the “good” to sound natural or manufactured. I prefer natural. However, I have the luxury of not being concerned about selling anything. If my music sells (and it has in the past) cool! If not, oh well. I move on to the next project and genre. But young artists trying to get in the game to secure themselves financially have to consider these things important.
I also agree that sweating women are quite the turn on! Yumsters! By the way, The Temptations, Delfonics, Dells, Dramatics, Supremes and a host other artists from the past who sang and did dance steps, did it regularly and didn't have any problems holding pitch. It kind of makes you admire their talents even more when you think about the fact that they didn't need or have any pitch correction at all.
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LyinDan
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2/29/2016 2:48:41 PM
Yeah, we're all lazy nowadays when compared with the 60's 70's peeps. :)
However, I disagree that MOST successful big league soul artists don't use some form of pitch correction.
Here again, I cite Melodyne, which can sound VERY natural. Melodyne does not process like Autotune. Again I say, that french guy (Peter Neubäcker) is a true fucking genius. It's THE most natural sounding form of pitch correction. I would challenge you to be able to identify it when it is used as it's supposed to be.
True, no artist wants to be identified as using it. But artists don't rule in recording, producers/engineers do. Even behind artists backs.
Particularly if you haven't messed with it in years, I implore you to check out it's more modern incarnations.
Sincerely,
Dogbreath.
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LyinDan
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2/29/2016 3:01:42 PM
---- Updated 2/29/2016 3:05:45 PM
It's also possible that I've lost the point. :)
And I'll give you the point that MOST top tier artists can sing on pitch.
With exceptions.
BTW, Taylor Swift cannot. No matter how you class her.
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Stoneman
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2/29/2016 8:43:56 PM
Ouch! I gather that you are not a Swifty. Me neither...............
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Richard Scotti
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6/26/2016 3:11:26 PM
---- Updated 6/27/2016 4:16:37 PM
You certainly have perfected the "Stoneman Sound". I love the drums especially that phat sub-bass kick. It's so physical! (hehe, I guess that's the point!) I dig the great elec guitar fills too. What's not to like? When u gonna do another rock track? You're so good at that genre too.
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6/26/2016 9:51:39 PM
I thought it was a very pro performance and production - it was also very sexy, too sexy perhaps for me because hearing about 'sticky, smelly' goings on just made me chuckle - I think Soul souls will get it and love it however.
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The Rhythm Kings
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6/27/2016 8:25:35 AM
When we did our EP in a real studio (Drum Farm) Everything got pocketed and tuned - it is simply the way of the world these days.
As for your song, the production is flawless and a perfect vehicle for your great singing. The sax solo isn't merely adequate, it smokes!
I can't dance, but you make me want to.
Don
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Stoneman
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6/30/2016 2:00:14 PM
Richard,
Thanks for the kind words brother. I won't be doing any Rock projects for a few more weeks as I am ass deep in the Funk project right now. But yeah, I do miss doing Rock music. I have lots of ideas stored on my hand held recorder. My guitar chops have been failing ever since the accident. I pick up my guitar and it all seems like I am reading a foreign manual. I don't remember how to play the way I use to. Bummer! But hey, I am alive. Gotta be thankful for the more important things right? They warned me that my memory may take some hits from the brain surgery. Overall, I cannot complain too much as I can still play my horns, keys and sing. But my voice is very weak right now because I have not been exercizing it like I should be. You can't sing Rock music with a weak assed voice. So, once I get myself back up to 100% of my abilities I will think about doing some Rock music. But right now I am going to stay with the Funky Crunk stuff and slowly work my chops back into shape. I have learned that recovery is a slow process. My doctors seem to think I have made amazing process. Of course, they are comparing me to previous patients with similar injuries. But yeah, I am looking forward to doing another Rock project when my chops are back up to speed.
Much Respect Man!
Stoneman
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Richard Scotti
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7/1/2016 6:24:06 AM
---- Updated 7/24/2016 3:47:11 PM
@Stoneman ~ I admire your ability to be so positive in the face of such difficult circumstances. Musically and in every way you have nothing to prove. You've done it all and you've done it well, but its great that you continue working on your craft with such a great attitude. You don't seem to take anything for granted and you count your blessings. That's a great way to live. You have an amazing body of work and your legacy is strongly intact. I'm still in the process of making the music I've always wanted to make and the way I want to make it. It's very rewarding but keeping up with the technology can be very stressful. Backing everything up on multiple storage devices, updating the computer, constantly buying new accessories, dealing with technical glitches, losing data, retrieving data. keeping track of hundreds of songs and different versions of songs, and on and on. It's almost like a 9-5 clerical job!!! Except it's much longer the 9-5! It's all worth it but I'm working a master plan to try to phase out the way I'm doing things and get into a whole new way of doing things. I've very happy with the results of my hard work but I want to streamline things so that I'm not steeped in the mire of managing such a big work load. I want to spend more time with family and friends and being out doors. What a novel idea! ;-)
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Stoneman
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7/1/2016 7:15:16 PM
Yes, that is a great idea Richard. One that we all should be working towards. When I retired from my day jobs I thought I would have unlimited time for everything I want to do in music and otherwise (I also like to write). Turns out that being retired is a job in itself. Seems like I work harder now than I ever did when I was working the day jobs. I often worked 2 or 3 jobs a day. Hey, I was young and full of energy. Plus, I always did everything I could to squash the stereotypes that certain people continue to perpetrate about people who look like me. I wanted people to know that I don't need handouts from anyone and that I am a hard worker. My music career has always been secondary to taking care of myself and my family. It takes a lot of hard work to make a living in music. So, I can relate to what you are saying. Positive thinking is essential because positive results can be far reaching and at times impossible in this industry. So, I kind of came by that attitude by force as it was the only way i could stay motivated in the music industry. You have to visualize success and believe that it is possible while being thankful for whatever you have in the meantime. This is the tried and true formula so many successful artists site when asked how they made it through the lean years.
Yes, I have accomplished a lot in spite of the dire states of the music industry. I consider myself to be very fortunate that way. Yet, I still have many more goals that I am pursuing. Some are close to being attained and others seems like I am reaching for the moon or trying to build a space rocket on a plastic Rocket model budget. But I am trying to knock them down one at time. It is encouraging that there has been increased interest in my work from industry execs and A&R folks.
I believe in myself and that is the only reason i am still doing music. Otherwise, I would have given up many years ago. The vision and know how is there. But the actual boost to achieving my goals will have to come from someone else. So, actively pursue and seek out the resources I need to make it all happen. That requires a lot of positive thought as you get told no a lot in this industry. I have been told no so many times that I feel like a music industry virgin. But recently there have been some maybe's (which is a welcome change from no) and I am excited about that. However, losing some of my skills due to the accident is very scary. I worked a lifetime teaching myself how to play instruments and write music. Now, some of my skills are being tested due to the brain surgery. So. I have been breaking out the old music theory books from school and working hard on rekindling my knowledge of stringed instruments. The good news is that I may not be able to remember how to play them but I can still relearn how to play them. My ability to learn seems to be up to speed. God is good all the time. All the time, God is good. I have faith that i can get back up to speed. Maybe I can get even better than I use to be. You never know. Right? Thanks for being such a good example of what IMP is all about Richard. In my mind, you are a living legend and worthy of my sincere thanks.
Much Respect,
Stoneman
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