On The Way Home (Buffalo Springfield cover, by way of Rainy Day)

[cuthbert]

Originally written by Neil Young and performed by the Buffalo Springfield in a sort of upbeat Northern Soul style, but I went more for the ballad-style cover done by David Roback on the Rainy Day album back in 1984. Roback went on to make the music for Opal and Mazzy Star.

New Ricky out in a (rare) January midday sun...

This is the first song I've recorded with the new Rickenbacker, second take done live in the living room. I also added one more guitar part and doubled vocals later the same day.

I want to say up front that this isn't the sound I usually associate with Rickenbacker guitars - there's very little jangle here (although it can also do the jangle just fine). I used the neck pickup on the Ricky, which surprised me with its bassy, jazzy tone. This song seemed suitable because there are several major-seventh chords.  

I set up the Micro-BR to record both the GTR & MIC inputs (with AmbCrunc effects patch on guitar), so that I could sing into the little shiny box while playing the guitar. The on-board mic of course also picked up the acoustic sound from the guitar, and it all got recorded together when two inputs were selected on the MBR. I didn't have any control of the balance of the two inputs, but I kind of like how it came out - some darkness along with some pick-clicky high-end shimmer.

Then I recorded another track of Rickenbacker straight in with the same patch, this time with some treble on the guitar rolled off, and without the microphone. You can hear the 'ambient crunch' better in that track, I think. Finally, plugged in a condenser mic and doubled the vocals.

Because I had originally recorded two tracks while recording live (hoping for some form of stereo audio), I mocked stereo by delaying track 2 by about 50 milliseconds in Audition. I also fattened the vocals tracks up with some reverb in Audition.

Thanks for listening,
cuthbert

On The Way Home
w/m Neil Young

performed by: cuthbert
instrument & gear used:
Rickenbacker 330 (neck pickup, along with MBR onboard mic)
Behringer B-1 condenser microphone (doubled vocals)
recorder: BOSS Micro-BR

Mixed and mastered in Adobe Audition

[64Guitars]

What a lovely song and so well played and sung. The Rickenbacker sounds great. Although, in this recording, it almost sounds like an acoustic to me. But that might be because of the strummy, picky-clicky playing style which I always associate with acoustic guitars. Sounds great though. It has a warm, clean tone that really suits this song.

I'm not familiar with the original but this recording has got me curious. I think I'll have a look for the Buffalo Springfield original as well as the David Roback cover.

Love the picture too. That's a gorgeous guitar!

And congratulations on your 6,000th post! What a great way to celebrate it with this excellent recording.

[The Gobi Desert Canoe Club]

Always been a fan of Buffalo Springfield and still listen to them on a regular basis. You've done a great job with this and I'm really surprised at the warmth of the Ricky the're certainly not noted for it but it really is gorgeous and they certainly are a joy to play. Yours enviously.   Willie

[bruno]

wonderful sounds and great recording. Stripped back and bare, and better for it!
B

[kenny mac]

Excellent sound mate,brilliant investment.
I'm not up on my buffalo Springfield but that's a lovely song.
Looking forward to the jam one 👍
Well done on a great performance.

[Groundy]

A lovely song and well performed Cuthbert,
What a beautiful guitar.
Really well done...

Alex

[Redler]

I'm not familiar with the original either. You've performed this really well! Rickenbacker sounds like a dream and your voice is excellent here.

It's always a pleasure to hear about recording process, thanks! I'm loving "The Cuthbert"-producing - it sounds so dynamic via phones!

[thetworegs]

A beautiful song beautifully sung beautifully played

[IanR]

Cuthbert,

Congrats on the new guitar. It's a beauty and it sounds great here. I love the stripped back performance of this song. Great all round.

Ian

[Hook]

Alright my brother, that was sweet! Love the acoustic sound you getting out of that beautiful instrument...I'm not jealous at all! Love your take and always love your recordings. More...more often!
Rock on!