Green Grow The Rashes

[The Babel Fish Project]

This song is the first finished work (and planned to be the first release) of a new Babel Fish Project collaboration between myself (Derek) on guitar and vocals, Anni Coyne (vocals) and Mark Taylor (12-string and bass). I'd love some feedback on it from the collective. Hope you enjoy it.

[The Babel Fish Project]

By the way, there's no need to download this rather large file, the song is first on the player on my page, but if you do want a free copy of the highest quality mp3 I can manage, this is it. The file is so large because, a) it's 320Mpbs, and b) it's 5.45 long. The other attachment is a mock-up of the cover art.
The song is of course by Robert Burns, and our version is currently being used as a promotional tool by a lady who has a screenplay for a movie about the life of Burns. A group of people are supporting it, they want Gerard Butler to play Burns. If the film ever does get made I'm hoping to sneak into the soundtrack!

[Tim 'tbone' Tapling]

Hi folks ...
nice version , hope it makes it into the soundtrack !

I found the snare part to be a bit out of kilter ( & a wee bit distracting against the vocals )
and think it could be pulled a bit further back into the mix and be an almost subliminal sound
and / or if you want it that forward ... if you know a pipe band snare drummer ..
I think it needs to rhythmically .. flow more ??

The next track Hush / Anvil ... works beautifully with the shaker part .. try that approach maybe ?

I didn't think it was needed to be honest .. the rest of the song stands up when its not there ..
sorry
:-0 tbone

[The Babel Fish Project]

No need for apologies, I figured honest feedback was kinda the point of this group.

A pipe band snare drummer - that's exactly what I thought! Unfortunately they're a little hard to come by here in Australia. Oddly, during a recording session one day we stepped outside for some air and heard a pipe band playing in the distance. We combed the neighbourhood, but we couldn't figure out where the sound was coming from.

There was an 'unplugged' version, without percussion or bass, but it was at an earlier stage, didn't have the final vocal mix etc. We might do an updated version of that too.

Thanks for the input,

Derek.

[Emberto Groucho]

I think Tim's asessment is spot on. The "drums" were too intrusive for me and stole a bit from the nature of the song. But I am a fan of "raw" music so I may be biased. The second song that began playing was more my flagon of cider and had an earthier feel for me. Are you familiar with the work of your fellow Australians Kate Burke and Ruth Hazelton? I like their take on a lot of the older songs...

[Tim 'tbone' Tapling]

Google for pipe band Australia ?

[The Babel Fish Project]

Not a bad idea! If I could get hold of a side snare I'd do it myself. I was in the Singer Pipe Band, back in Clydebank, for a year or two in my teens. I was learning pipes. We used to call our drummers "pipers' labourers," but don't tell them I said that!

[The Babel Fish Project]

Thanks for the input Emberto, looks like the straw poll so far is saying drop the percussion, so unless I get any strong opinions to the contrary perhaps that's what I'll do. That second track (Hush/Anvil) is over five years old and I think that shows in the production values. I also reckon my singing has improved quite a bit since then. Having said that, you're not the only one who's commented on it, I think it appeals on the 'raw' level because we recorded it 'studio live,' ie performed it live in the studio, 60s style. We had a lot of fun doing it and I think maybe that comes through a bit. Not familiar with Kate or Ruth, but I'll check them out.

[Tim 'tbone' Tapling]

Great this internet thing .. ?!
I think the percussion is a good idea .. just it's execution needs appraisal .
If you can't do the side drum thing because you haven't access to a drum or drummer ..
use shakers and create an illusion !?
:-)

[Stoo Nicol (DJ Profile)]

this is the worst song I've ever heard in my LIFE!! ha ha, nah just jealous guys,

really like the arrangement on this one, I agree that the percussion is a bit distracting, I think it detracts from the really well done vocals.

As a vocalist thats the part that drew me in first about the song, really good tone and depth to the vocals!

This will be a definate favourite on the playlist on my show, I think this is a winner.

[The Babel Fish Project]

Aw thanks Stoo, too kind as ever!

Not really surprised at the comments about the percussion, I hadn't really 100% signed off on that anyway.

As for my vocals, I think they're the best I've ever done, so that's very satisfying. As for Anni, well, she's brilliant, easily the best singer I've ever met who wasn't already famous, and she'd probably sound great singing underwater! Check out her myspace page and you'll hear what I mean - http://myspace.com/annicoyneclouds - we're lucky to have her, and it was her suggestion that we work together, which did my ego no harm at all!

My favourite bit of the song is Mark's lovely Suzanne Vega-esque 12-string solo, completed about 5 minutes before Anni walked in the door to do her vox. She heard it and immediately improv-ed that soaring vocalisation around it - gorgeous! Weird thing - when I mentioned to Mark about Suzanne Vega he said, "Suzanne who?" Bugger's 10 years younger than me!

Things I learnt working on this:
1) A really good quality condenser mic is worth its weight in gold - 1st time I've listened to a playback of myself and thought, "That's how it sounded in my head!"
2) Once I'd overcome my rock/pop inhibitions, singing in my own accent was fantastic, really sort of freeing. Especially with such a great lyricist!
3) If you're going to do a Burns song, get into the spirit of it (literally, I did the vocals with a glass of single malt in my hand, sipping between verses)!

Anyway, thanks again for your encouragement and support, it's well and truly appreciated!

Derek.

[Djay Buddha]

3) If you're going to do a Burns song, get into the spirit of it (literally, I did the vocals with a glass of single malt in my hand, sipping between verses)!
ha ha Classic
I admire your attention to detail :)

[Jo2]

Personally, I like the snare. I do feel that it could be set back in the mix a bit, however, and it does seem to be a bit out of sync in a few places. But to me, it gives it that extra little bit of Scottish militant attitude. :)

Beautiful song, well-done. :)