Only If I Could

[Farrell Jackson]

Credits: Carol Sue Kirkpatrick - songwriter. Joseph Rodriguez - all the music. Farrell Jackson - all vocals.
Carol Sue asked Joseph if he would re-record, arrange and produce her song. Joseph asked if I would sing it. This song is a tribute to Carol Sue's mother that past away a few years back. I was happy to be part of this project.

One point of interest is that I used a MXL R40 ribbon mic for the vocals. It's not expensive as far as ribbon mics go but I thought it did quite well for a $160 mic. Ribbon mic characteristics are they are dynamic (no 48V power required) very smooth, dark and detailed. They don't color your vocal sound at all and resist any room ambient sounds. This is how I hear my un-effected voice but I did add some slight reverb. They don't have a lot of output so you need a very clean preamp to get them up to a decent recording level. They also have a figure 8 pattern which is sort of like how your ears hear things. I liked the results and will use this mic more often. Ribbon mic technology is quite old and they were used on a lot of recordings in the 40's, 50's, and still are today.

Only If I Could
1. Every day I pray, for the right things to say.
Every day I pray... over you.
Time and time again, can't seem to catch my breath.
I'm feeling...so blue.
What can I do...... what can I do?
(Chr) I'd be your knight in shining, armor if I could
I'd take away the bad and leave you with the good
I'd end your every pain, with each drop of rain
I'd make another day, for you.
Only if I could...... only if I could.
2. Every night it seems, I would just settle in
And every dream I had, it's like it would never end
Every breath I take, reminds me in every way....of you...of you
What can I do....... what can I do?
3. Every day I pray, for the right things to say.
Every day I pray.... for you....
Chr) I'd be your knight in shining, armor if I could
I'd take away the bad and leave you with the good
I'd end every pain, with each drop of rain
I'd make another day for you......Another day for you
Only if I could.....only if I could......Only if I could..................

© Carol Sue Kirkpatrick

[BerryPatch]

Great vocals Farrell. Excellent lyrics from Carol and a very cool 80s rock sound from Joesph. Awesome solo at the end as well.

[pjd1]

Thats so ferkin good Farrell , pro sounding on every level , superb vocal performance from you brilliant !!! and the music wow just on another level again ,  totally music at its best , and that guitar lead break , the hairs on the back of neck stood up !!! stunning piece of work from you all

Dunny

[Bluesberry]

yes, your vocals sound great ... that is a deep groove of a song...quite the power balad

[Pine]

Holy moly man...this is KILLER!!! Rock solid bass and drum track...excellent lyrics and really cool guitarwork all thru...but that outro solo is supersweet! Can't say enough good things about your vocals here Farrell. One of your best i think. Spot on phrasing and pitch. Takes alot more than a good mic to end up with a vocal track of this quality. Hats to off to you all for an excellent song, top to bottom!

[StephenM]

this is gorgeous...in every way....love the vocals...the music is stellar...very 80's and just great...everything i love...the crunchy guitars... the drums....the lead...the keys.... it's just great... and your voice just sounds like it belongs to a superstar band....
nice lyrics from the heart....and thanks for doing it and sharing it....it's great...

[StephenM]

this has a cars feel to the music to me...very much and I just love that...

[TPB]

The ribbon mic did you justice and the whole track is spot on outstanding job by all
Tim

[Greeny]

This is SO tasty. Brilliant new wave 80's vibe and everything perfectly performed and placed. Great job on the vocal too. Very, very cool. The mic sounds fantastic, but it's only as good as the (excellent) vocalist, lol.

[Ray Brookes]

Super-duper track, Farrell! Great vocals and the backing track is just fantastic. Brilliant guitar work from Joseph as always and your vocals on this are totally stellar, man.