Started working on this a week ago. I've heard a lot of versions and through a lot of trial and error, this is what I've come up with. It is pretty much Troy's version but changed just a little. As far as the backup rythm, it's what sounded right to me but I would welcome any advice. Not only on the backup but the song as a whole.

Saint Annes Reel

Not bad for just a week. But you want honest? You asked, right? Well tell me you do before I say any more. I will gladly e-mail you instead of posting. But remember what the hell do I know. Nada.

Edited by - Grizz on 07/22/2012 20:49:32

Grizz,

You can be honest here. I can take it like a man.lol.

You know I respect your playing ability as do many, many others. I will probably get beat up for this but here goes. First you took on something I am not even ready to attempt. I agree with Clint "a man has to know his limitations" and I do. Now, I do not think this is one of your better presentations. I can not put my finger on some things but it sounds to me that the intonation is off, and there is almost like an echo, overtone, or something that I am not quite sure if it is you or the recording. The picking sounds like there is apprehension in it. You have done outstanding things IMO but this one is not up to your usual standards, again IMO. I am far from an expert but I know what I hear. So everyone tell me what an a$$hole know it all I am. I can take it. I hope that someone with more playing knowledge than me will chime in. Hey, no guts, no glory fellas. Well I don't know so much about the glory part. I don't feel to glorious right now.

Hey Kim! Thanks again for playing another one of my arrangements, and adding your own touch to it as well. This is tough tune/ arrangement to play really clean at faster tempos. It's taken me awhile to get this tune to where it sounds clean and relaxed. You're doing a great job but, here are some things I might suggest:

1. Try re-recording, but this time put yourself in the mindset of playing it as a sweet Irish Ballad. It really has a cool sound when it's play slowly. Treat it kinda like you did Sheebeg and Sheemore. Then play it for awhile like that, slowly increasing your speed. I think it will sound beautiful and relaxed, and any intonation or clarity issues will work themselves out in the slower tempo.
2. Also, when playing faster tunes like this you may want to try lower the level of reverb. I love reverb, but on faster tunes especially it can kinda muddy up the sound. However, as a slow Irish Ballad it may sound awesome. Once again, like your Sheebeg and Sheemore.
3. This is just something I'm picturing, and that I tell a lot of students. I can almost picture your right hand fingers coming off the strings a lot in this. One thing to work on is to really keep those fingers close to the strings to be able to be used for pickblocking if you're getting some unwanted string noise, etc.
4. As far as the rhythm track goes, I would make the volume of your chop less. Keep it about the same volume as the rest of the jam track. With less reverb, a little higher volume of the track and little less volume on the chop, it will even things out a bit more.
5. I also heard alot of higher overtones. I'm wondering if it's either a technique thing or a mic placement thing. However, if you like that sound go for it. It's just something that I heard that I might re-possition the mic. However, tone is a very personal thing.

All of these are just suggestions. Great job though! You've really come a long way!!!

~Troy~

Well there we go. This is so ironic that Troy mentioned Si Bheag Si Mhor. I was telling him in a conversation we had that I was working on speeding it up and he referenced your recording. I listened to it and I am maybe a little faster but not at the speed of Troy and Troy said he thought he liked what you done with it even better than his own. Well that was enough for me,  my satisfaction with what I had done was complete. So now onward and upward, I now play it for my enjoyment and am not at all concerned with speed. And I do have to agree with Troy, i do like it at this tempo. Troy, being light years ahead of me, I hope helped you. Maybe my comment did help. It was never meant to be vicious, demeaning or anything else. It was I hope constructive criticism. Mama Bear asks me if I can take constructive criticism. I say yes and she tells me, "Shut Up!"   So I will now.

Kim.... lots of good suggestions... but again... we all play what the good Lord  gave you the ability to play and what you like to hear.   Yes recording does make the difference... it can make or break a song.   Even the master steel player JERRY BYRD.. put out tunes that didnt go over well.   The last song I submitted "Paper Roses".  I  was well pleased with the song and arrangement...BUT... Not received well by the majority.  Soooooo.   Preview the suggestions.... and let your musical innerself  be the judge of your playing..  If your happy....let it fly.   In the distant pass, I released songs I thought were OK.   And today I wish I could recall them....But once their recorded and released.......You have to live with it.   I liked what you did and with a few minor adjustments it should be a good song for you.  leegee

And I pre-warned him about the Cheyene Symphony but did he listen? Nooooooooooo.   WHY?  Hey Lee, maybe it didn't have enough ting-a-lings in it.

Edited by - Grizz on 07/23/2012 08:12:04

Enjoyed it...thanks, Kim :)

Thanks guys for replying and that is just what i was looking for. Especially Troy's suggestions. I will keep working on it and try what Troy has suggested, and thank you Troy for taking the time to help me out on this as I think this is the hardest tune that I've attempted and I knew it needed something. I think this will help alot.I know I had alot of trouble with the pick noise on the high strings and I can here it in the recording. I had planned on working on it more and doing my best to clean it up. The main reason I posted it was mainly to find out if I was actually playing the right notes and the proper chords in the backup. Also the proper rythm. on the b part of the song. I do appreciate your honesty and suggestions from all of you and will see what I can do with it.

Thanks guys, Kim

I have the utmost faith in you Kim. Rock on.

"In the confrontation between the stream
and the rock, the stream always wins
- not by strength but by perseverance."
- H. Jackson Brown

Edited by - Grizz on 07/23/2012 15:33:38

Thanks Grizz. I'm not giving up on it.

Hey Grizz..... On paper roses.... I've come to the conclusion that///////??????////////........... The part of the song where I had you play the Kazoo and the Tinwhistle... just didn:t  do the song justice.....Yaaaaa.... ha ha  leegee

    Well Lee,you should know by now you can dress me up but you can't take me anywhere.

Great job as usual !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Doug. I'm making some progress on it. I recorded it again yesterday and I think it's a little better.