Ladida // Tweaked mix, dropped half the strings and added a bit of piano

[Nelson]

 Hey guys
I know you're about as tired of this song as I am. So this the last version, for now. I've heard guys say they mess with a song for a few hours or a day then they move on, I haven't mastered that yet. LoL..
I'm sitting hear listening to it as I write and trying to find words to express my feelings on this part of the process. When is enough, enough. When do you go from correcting flaws to adding and subtracting over and over.
Well I wrote the song for a family member about a year ago after having a serious conversation about a rough patch, she was going through, in her life but this week I've been so deep in the technical part of the process and I listened to it so much, that it lost all sentimental value to me.
Every time I listened to it all I heard were the flaws, so how will I decide when the song is complete.
Well I'm sitting here thinking about my cousin and listening to it and you know what I don't hear much any more... me. Other then the 1st part of the 1st verse, I've sort of disappeared... and I can feel the emotions of the song again. A biggest flaw in the song was me getting in the way of the song's ability to express itself. Whether it's my inexperience at singing, playing,  recording, mixing or songwriting, I now know to use the technical part of the process, like an eraser, to slowly  remove myself from the picture, as much as possible and allowing the song to breathe and fully express it's self. I'm not totally discounting the fact that I wrote the song but I am of the belief, that we create the songs emotional direction, then we must listen to what the song wants to say or how it wants to say it.
The only way I know to do these is of course to get the opinions of knowledgeable folks "like you guys" then just sit back and imagine a friend brought the song to my attention, and asked me... "What do you think?" What would be my first impression of it?

For those of you, who've heard it already 1000 times, thank you 2000 times, for all of your helpful suggestions, tips, opinions and technical advice.
And for the lucky ones that haven't and would like to hear the contrast, here are the links.
2nd version = https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?topic=6734.0
1st version = https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?topic=6701.0

-Nelson

[OsCKilO]

Nelson Bro....

I Could Listen to this tune all day.....


It is great that you took the synth down in the mix....

The Piano is great! The Patch sounds Real!



Superb


Peace

T (OsCKilO)

[Oldrottenhead]

it's a great song nelson and i will be listening to it again and again, that voice of yours carries so much depth and emotion.

[Bluesberry]

I think you have it Nelson.  This is so good it hurts.  You have a ton of emotion here, your vocals cary so much weight and soul.  I like everything about this.  The piano was great, subtle, moving line there. I know the feeling, I get like that when my songs get close to being done, I tweak and add stuff and fuss about and mix and re-mix until I am not sure if it is any good or not.  Thats when I post it up and let the comments come in.  Once I read the comments and re-listen a few times I can start to hear it again for what it is.  Its funny isn't it, this songwriting business.  You are the real deal, this is a very excellent song, you have touched me with it big time.

[alfstone]

Nelson, my opinion, if you don't mind.

The song is well built, you communicate emotions, your singing is inspirated, but I would cut off completely those synth strings. This way, IMHO, you would give more importance to the lyrics and to your voice in the first part of the song, while in the second part the arrival of the piano has instead a real sense, it fits very well.

This, considerating too your general way to sing (I've listened to your MySpace). I think you are very strong when using your "natural" sounds, I mean your voice, your guitars.

I mean, I think you don't need any synth strings in this song...have you tried instead, for instance, some slow notes on a slightly overdriven or slide guitar?

Of course, please excuse my English...

Ciao!

[Nelson]

Nelson, my opinion, if you don't mind.

The song is well built, you communicate emotions, your singing is inspirated, but I would cut off completely those synth strings. This way, IMHO, you would give more importance to the lyrics and to your voice in the first part of the song, while in the second part the arrival of the piano has instead a real sense, it fits very well.

This, considerating too your general way to sing (I've listened to your MySpace). I think you are very strong when using your "natural" sounds, I mean your voice, your guitars.

I mean, I think you don't need any synth strings in this song...have you tried instead, for instance, some slow notes on a slightly overdriven or slide guitar?

Of course, please excuse my English...

Ciao!

Alfredo,
I most say I have not considered the slide guitar, for that part on the song. That sounds interesting.
Alfredo, Please don't ask me to excuse your English... until I learn to speak Italian.
If it wasn't for your English we wouldn't be communicating. Your English 1000 times better then my Italian.                 And yes I am ashamed.      But I will try to work on it.
Ciao!
-Nelson

[alfstone]

Nelson, my opinion, if you don't mind.

The song is well built, you communicate emotions, your singing is inspirated, but I would cut off completely those synth strings. This way, IMHO, you would give more importance to the lyrics and to your voice in the first part of the song, while in the second part the arrival of the piano has instead a real sense, it fits very well.

This, considerating too your general way to sing (I've listened to your MySpace). I think you are very strong when using your "natural" sounds, I mean your voice, your guitars.

I mean, I think you don't need any synth strings in this song...have you tried instead, for instance, some slow notes on a slightly overdriven or slide guitar?

Of course, please excuse my English...

Ciao!

Alfredo,
I most say I have not considered the slide guitar, for that part on the song. That sounds interesting.
Alfredo, Please don't ask me to excuse your English... until I learn to speak Italian.
If it wasn't for your English we wouldn't be communicating. Your English 1000 times better then my Italian.                 And yes I am ashamed.      But I will try to work on it.
Ciao!
-Nelson

Dear Nelson, you don't have any reason to be ashamed.

Listen, even if I use lots of synth sounds, there are situations where they are the very last thing to use. My idea is that your Ladida is just one of these "stay-away-synth"  songs...keep going "natural", my friend!

Hey, just my opinion, OK?

[launched]

Well, I have not had the chance to listen to the two previous versions, but I like this one a lot. A very peaceful and smooth flowing song.

I do agree with Alfredo's comments regarding the strings, though - Your enviable vocal delivery and rhythm guitar deserves some kind of lead. Slide seemed like an interesting idea to me, or maybe some wispy Stratocaster soaked in reverb.

I think you made a great song! And it's your song, too - Definitely pay no attention to me! I barely hang on myself!

Peace!!

Mark

[OsCKilO]

You are an artist Nelson Bro....

This is a Great Journey to watch....



Slide is Always Good.....

[Gary F]

 I really like the feeling that you put into your vocals and songwriting! The piano sounds good in this version!
Really nice work Nelson!!!

Gary