In The Nick Of Time - AndyR Original (Remastered)

[AndyR]

(Remastered 22/10/2021)

Okies, here's my new one.

As some will know, I'd been considering a move away from my trusty Boss BR1600 on which I've recorded and mixed nearly everything I've posted on here.

It was a wrench to stop using the Boss, but I've managed it. I'm a full convert to PreSonus's Studio One DAW via a PreSonus interface now.

It's taken me longer than I planned. I had this new song ready some time (months!) ago, but I found that I'd got caught up in my own private loudness war on my previous posts.

That caused a bit of a problem with how the songs are presented on Alonetone - the last one, Silver Pillow, would have pierced your eardrums if you listened to it immediately after (and this one sounded extremely weak in comparison).

Because of this, there's been a "remastering" exercise - I'm remastering all my old ones in Studio One (and fixing an horrendous up-sampling error I made on EVERY mp3 I've ever posted).

I've learnt an awful lot about mastering, how and why, LUFS numbers and wotnot.

It also forced a remix or two on this one - which is a LOT easier to do in Studio One than it was on the BR1600! I was expecting it to be... but not as smooth and groovy as it turned out to be.

My final production decision on this song was earlier today: "OK, this is an utterly AWFUL bass part - and I've known for weeks - but I just can't be a*sed to try and redo it" ... time to move on (I've got several new songs written, and there's always the shoebox full of stuff - some of which will be SO much easier to achieve now with the new studio arrangements).

(Now I've finally got over this hurdle I'll start listening and commenting again - I've been a bit lax, but every time I've had the computer turned on and NOT working it's kind of been this and the mastering stuff that's going on)

In The Nick Of Time

Words & Music AndyR
--------------------------------
This isn't like her
To be so late
It isn't like me
To feel so great
Being on my own
With you alone

So I talk about her
About her laugh
I talk at you
In paragraphs
About how she is
And how I feel

I wear out her name
As if you've not heard it before
I'll wear out her name
Until she comes in through the door

If you do the gravy
I'll do the wine
You keep to your side
I'll keep to mine
She'll be here
In the nick of time
She's always here
In the nick of time

Let nobody ask and nobody wonder
Nobody try to see what's under
The nervous smiles
Oh, but she's been a while
If all that we want is all we wish for
And all that we catch is all we fish for
Then maybe we won't
We won't let her down...

So switch on the light
Draw back the blind
Open the doors
We'll be fine
She'll be here
In the nick of time

I didn't ask but maybe I wondered
You maybe had a glimpse of what's under
My nervous smile
Woah, but she's been a while
If we get caught is that what we wished for
Trapped in a net is that what we fished for
Maybe we don't
Have a chance at all...

If you do the gravy
I'll do the wine
You keep to your side
I'll keep to mine
She'll be here
In the nick of time

She'll be here
In the nick of time

She's always here
In the nick of time

Copyright (C) 2021 A A J Russe. All Rights Reserved.

Time:

0:00

Volume:

50

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[Ferryman_1957]

Wow, quite magnificent Andy. I'm afraid I can't help but get a huge dose of Aztec Camera (that descending sequence just won't let me forget Somewhere in my heart...) and that may not be what you intended but it's a big compliment in my book. Mind you, the dynamics in the chorus take it in a whole different direction. It's a lovely song, really endearing lyrics and incredibly catchy. The arrangement is superb and the acoustic lead melodies work really well. Your production is always top notch but I think I can hear the extra quality that your new approach is bringing to your work. It's so crisp, clear and beautifully spread across the stereo image. Superb, just superb.

Nice to have you back. More please!!! 

[Zoltan]

Wow, what a song! The performances are stellar. The songwriting is ace. The vocals are character filled and make the lyrics to come alive. The instrumentation is spot on. I'm in awe There are so many great small details in the arrangement and the performances. It's impossible to digest everything on a first listen. 5/5.
Time to hit the download button...

[StephenM]

You are 100% wrong about your bass part imho...
I never even thought much about it while listening and reading your comments.... lol...you actually write more than I do....but I write much more often...
Once I started listening to the bass I have this to say... it's great actually... simple and elegant...supportive...so what if it ain't Jaco Pastorius?  It's very good..
One thing I like alot here is the vocals don't overpower the music...acoustic guitar is great too..
I've learned alot from you and I appreciate it a bunch...

[Oldrottenhead]

i got one of those reminders from alonetone that someone you follow has posted a new tune. Oh Mr Russell,  i had better check that out.

That chorus has the hairs up on the back of my neck.

FMGWABP
This should be on the radio.

Andrew you have surpassed yourself.

This is off the scale goodness.

[Groundy]

Love this Andy, so professional, well done pal.... Alex

[guitarron]

Fantastic job. Bass sounded fine to me. Terrific hook. Vocals and instrumentation are tracked and mixed perfect to my ears
 When it comes t mastering, I totally get what you've been doing. I want to revisit anything I've ever done. Because I've been learning so much lately.
DAWs afford us so much more flexibility we never had when it comes to mixing. Nice work Andy

[Geir]

Whenever I see a new song from you I've learned by now I might as well push download first, because I know I will anyway.

You are such a talented man my friend, and this song shows it in bundles. The production is to die for. But that wouldn't matter if the music wasn't interesting. But your talent have no bounds when it come to music. This is such a lovely and melodic song, and with a fabulous performance. Especially the vocals stand out for me, your dynamic range is outstanding.

Love it !!

putting it on repeat ..... back later ...

[BerryPatch]

Wonderful gem of a track, totally pro. Perfect structure, production, melodies, you name it. I love the little things you add into the mix that catch the ear, such as the bass fills in there and the brush drum sound was a great choice. I can't wait to hear what else you've got cooking with the new system

[Bluesberry]

son-of-a-gun Andy...have you outdone yourself here....is this the peak of Andy perfection?.....I can't wait to hear what's comming down the pipes next...because this song is brilliant perfection ...so good ....I cn't even imagine improving on this right here...but somehow you will...its what you do....so glad you shared this