http://www.soundclick.com...dmusic.htm

Nevergonnaletyoumakemehatemyselfagain
The timeless innner struggle of guilt over a failed relationship versus hatin the bitch for doing you wrong.

I had the hook for about 6 months but never got the right music for it. I heard funkoholic's killer track "Dreams" and the line fell right in there so sweetly.

Originally, I was going for some sort of George Michael meets George Clinton thing, but in the end, it sounds like St. Paul meets Prince... oh wait - they DID that, in THE FAMILY.

So, yeah, I might be pushing the commercial cheese sellout on them sweet harmonies and cheesy "Oh girl/Oh Baby" lyrics, but hey, I dig this song.

Oh - lastly - this is the first time I've messed with a hamonizer on the guitar - it really gives the tune a N.E.W.S. feel - I dunno why I think that, but I do. And like my signature says, I could be wrong - often am.
[This message was edited Tue Sep 30 20:12:00 PDT 2003 by otan]

The Funk Shall Be Funked!!! Givin u my review when i DL it!

why my hearing Average White Band...hahahaha.
Love it.

Coo. First impression... Guitar is too loud right off the bat. (The part that starts at 20 sec.) Give me a chance to enjoy the nice chords on the keys! When the line comes back at 1:50 its coo though. Vocals are great. Love the harmonies, and the effects you have on the main vocal sound sooo professional. Sweet.

MAN. I hate my voice! This always happens. I mix a song, then come back an hour later and wonder what the HELL I was thinking. So, there's that.

I can go back and drop the leadline guitar a little bit to give the keys more room. Good call. you know how it is - I play guitar, so I mix it to hear the guitar.

otan said:

I know, you crazy gee-tar man!

Your voice is fine. It's really nice and smooth. You sound good when you sing high on this one. I know I once told you your falsetto was tripin but this is perfect. Well, close.

Otan, what is this??? Publishing our collaboration without letting me hear the results first? You are lucky that I like the results, otherwise I would have jumped onto a plane to the States to kick yo butt! You damn funky bastard!

I have to give it another listen when I'm at home because I've listened to it at work, where my PC has one built-in very sucky speaker and I can't play it loud. But like I said, from what I hear now, I think it sounds excellent. I'll get back to you later after I listened at my home system!

funkaholic1972 said:

oh man - I'm sorry. You're right - I'll take it down til you hear it. I totally forgot to run it by you - I was all excited that I'd NOT made it sound like ass.

otan said:

Don't take it down man, it sounds great as far as I can hear at work!

funky stuff

I think you quite a good voice dude.

cloud9mission said:

Thanks man - but you know how it is - sometimes we're our own worst critics. Well - except for the occasional lurker round here.

ANYHOW. I redid the song this morning - changed the drums slightly (sounds more old school now), changed the mix so the guitars are less prominent and totally redid the lead vocal. NOW I'm happier with it - it's less demo and more polished.

WHAT? YEAH that's RIGHT! MORE polished. Pretty soon you'll be hearing Janet Jackson singing this song on her CD.

Well. shit. I wish.
[This message was edited Wed Oct 1 6:21:54 PDT 2003 by otan]

This is GREAT!

I love your guitar tone Mr. Beau.
You been workin' on it?

NFO said:

Actually, on this track I went against everything I usually do - instead of shooting for a Stevie Ray tone, I went for something more effected - more like Prince/Santana (at least that's how it sounds to me). I spent a LOT less time fiddling with the gadgets and just dialed up a tone and started playing.

Thanks man.

So. heh. get this. I burned a copy of the two versions to listen to in the car on the way to work this morning, and uh, the CD is now stuck in the player. Oh MAN I bet I'm gonna get sick of that song lickety split.

otan said:

Or make it better?

It is DOPE! I was thinkin "17 days" remix at first (with guitar lick), but then i was like, this is it's own thing once Otans lyrics and stuff came on. Yeah i was jammin in the kitchen havin it loud! . Thanx 4 sharin the funk u guys!

Kinda gotta "Dont Walk Away" (Jade) vibe 2 it 2!

yeah - I noticed the 17 Days similarity this morning. Last night I didn't catch the run at all, but on the way into work, as I was listening to the song over and over and over, I kept hearing the guitar line and then I'd sing "SEVENTEEN DAYS!"

WOW!!!

Beau, your contributions push the song in a complete other and (for me) unsuspected direction. You've turned this mellow groove (that was meant to be some kind of soul ballad) into a very catchy, funky pop song with a guitar edge. I absolutely love it!!!

I like the "En Vogue: You're Never Gonna Get It" cowbells and the extra snare. They add to the groove and give the beat some extra energy. Energy that is needed for the excellent guitar work you laid down. You are a great guitarist in my opinion!

And the vocals, MAN, the vocals: how the fuck did you come up with a catchy refrain like that?!

The endresult sounds like a very catchy, quality Top 40 hit to me. In fact, when I listened to it, the "dollar signs" lit up in my eyes, LOL!

By the way, please take these last remarks as a compliment, otan. Maybe I'm wrong, but I really think this song might have some commercial appeal. I wonder if it's just me or do others hear this too?

Anyway, I love the way this song turned out and I hope we can do a final version soon. I could send the original wav file of "Dreams" to the NFO, so you can make a high quality version? Let me know...

Yep - I'm hearing the $$ too. I spose I gotta come up with more verses or something more. If I had the time last night, I would have copied your version and pasted it twice, but I'm lucky that the drums lined up so well as IS. (if you listen, they're just slightly off at the very end).

I've sent the song to a coupla folks around here to get their opinion on it as well. While it sounds commercial and super tight, etc, I wonder if I'm creating something that will just blend into the usual pop fluff mush.

Which COULD be good - hello TV soundtrack? YEH! Dawsons Creek!! I wouldn't turn that down.

Ok, this kicks so much ass that I hate you now! Why can't I make songs like this?

artist08 said:

edit: THANKS for the praise man. I really appreciate it all.

that said -- come on yall. SURELY some of this sucks. The girl I work with says that this version is over the top easy listening "quiet storm" shit. And I agree. I'm really liking the previous version more now - except for a few sour notes.

So - Vina and Funkaholic - sorry but - the keys may have to go back to the background to rawk this sucker up - it had a bit more "Hall and Oates" kind of soul to it. Now it sounds more like some vocalese band. I cant be having that!! (well, unless it sells lots o records).

Thanks for the praise y'all. Come one - tell me where it falls short. SURELY there's SOMETHING in there that is weak. It's not finished. I'm in re-build mode now.
[This message was edited Wed Oct 1 13:40:31 PDT 2003 by otan]

otan said:

I haven't heard the newer version yet, however, I meant to roll the guitar back for the first minute only. The rest of it was fine. It's like my boyfriend says, "It's like making love, you have to ease into it, otherwise it's just fucking." Dig?

hey that's right your voice is very good, cool song guys
the melody of the chorus reminds me of prince very much something from crystal ball i think. but that's a compliment, eheh

otan said:

First of all, note to self; Don't read everone's opinion before listening. All I could hear the first tim I listened was 17 Days.

Beau, you are getting better, period. This song is awesome and in my humble opinion, is one of your best I've heard so far. I knew it was for you when I heard the Funkaholic original too.

Specifically if I was trying to improve something that''s already good, just one.The harmonizer is cool but when you play the first riff the notes sound like they "trip over" themselves. (at :42?)

The high note you sang at 1:14 was fuckin sweet. I've never heard your range go there before, awesome. Between the beautiful harmonies (How are you doing that?) and just the soul in your voice, don't ever sweat your voice, you've got it.

Just my

Thanx 4 Sharon

otan said:

Uh uh, you are NOT going to turn my baby into a total rock song!!! But then again, I didn't hear the first version.

If I was in total control I wouldn't make the song longer, its perfect the way it is. And I know this is going to hurt you, otan, but I would even turn the guitar further back in the mix, LOL!

The good thing is we can both mix a version of the song which suits our personal wishes. We'll be needing different remixes for the CD single anyway!

By the way, I saw this producer guy I was talking about on some other thread tonight and he really liked your voice. And so did my (ex?)girlfriend. So don't worry about your vocal capacities, man!
[This message was edited Wed Oct 1 17:03:32 PDT 2003 by funkaholic1972]

I'm totally frickin torn on this.

Rawker version: http://www.blindslim.com/tunz/never.mp3

When you hear the rawk version (just different drumkit, louder lead vocals and guitars), you'll understand my motive - it kicks in harder, a LOT less "ez listning" - not that this one is like that, but, the harmonies are mixed too high in this one, so the lead melody is totally lost.

I'd like to bring up the rhythm guitar a bit and the lead guitar down a little more.

And dammit. That lead guitar line just sounds MORE AND MORE like I was totally rippin off 17 days, and I'm telling you, no, I didn't. So, I might go back and just re-do that line.

What do I know.
[This message was edited Wed Oct 1 17:08:16 PDT 2003 by otan]

otan said:

Well you got more guts than me, I havnt even tried to lay down my own vocal on my tracks. I should because I did everything else but I cant sing like I can play

Yeah, I agree, 17 days, prince wanabee. No offense. Sounds good though.

zachypoo said:

Ain't offended - but curious what part of this song sounds like a Prince wannabe, BESIDES the similar guitar line? I mean, shit, I'm heavily influenced by the man, been listening to him for almost 3 decades, but I wouldn't say I'm exactly a Prince wannabe.

otan said:

I thought it sounded very original, fresh & inspired but not obsessed