The Wagtunes Corner

[wagtunes]

Another oldie. This one from 2010 from my CD "Welcome To Hell"

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim/killing-me

Sounds really good. except the highs a little over the top. did you play the guitar yourself? sounds much better than fake VST guitar.

Yes, I played guitar on this one. I sold it a long time ago.

And yes, the highs are over the top. In fact, the whole mix is a train wreck. I didn't really do any mixing back then. Just hit record and let it go.

How come you don't play anymore?

Long story short, when I was playing guitar I didn't do quantizing. Obviously, you can't with a guitar or anything analog. At least back then I didn't know how. As a result, my timing wasn't great and people criticized me a lot on it and rightfully so.

When I started ITB recording I still didn't quantize but eventually had to because my playing was actually getting worse with age. Trying to play guitar to a fully quantized track wouldn't sound too good. And while I had already sold my guitar anyway, playing anything free hand these days just sounds bad unless it's a pad which can be a little messy.

Bottom line, I was never a performer. I was a writer who managed to somehow plunk out a track on keyboard or guitar decently enough so that I could get my ideas across. With 1/4 inch tape, I didn't have much choice. It was either that or don't record at all.

Today, everything is on the grid and I would never go back.

And then, I was never a great guitarist anyway. I could play a few bar chords and 5 chords and some simple leads but that was about it.

Trust me, you're not missing anything not hearing me play.

[wagtunes]

So, David from my group kept emailing me about "The Only One" that he wanted to record it because he really loved that song. I tried to explain that I didn't have a MIDI file to send him but he wouldn't take no for an answer and asked me 3 times to redo the song. Reluctantly, I did. It didn't come out too badly but it's missing the magic of the original even though it's better recorded and mixed. That my voice isn't as good as it was 30 something years ago has something to do with that.

Anyway, here it is. You can tell me which version you like better.

NEW VERSION

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... -one-remix

OLD VERSION

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim/the-only-one-1

[CableChannel]

Trust me, you're not missing anything not hearing me play.

Ok if you say that your skills degraded then I can't argue that... But believe me, your playing on this record sounds way better than any VST. I know that audio quantization can be quite a pain, I don't like it either. Maybe you have a friend who can play guitar takes for you. But if your songs are now sold to a band to be performed, a midi mockup is certainly enough anyway.
BTW to my ears it doesn't sound as if the guitar is much off but rather your vocals. They tend to be before the time in general.

[jackoo]

<<snip>>

Anyway, here it is. You can tell me which version you like better.

NEW VERSION

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... -one-remix

OLD VERSION

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim/the-only-one-1

I like the old version more. Just a personal opinion.

[wagtunes]

<<snip>>

Anyway, here it is. You can tell me which version you like better.

NEW VERSION

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... -one-remix

OLD VERSION

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim/the-only-one-1

I like the old version more. Just a personal opinion.

Which goes to show you that a better recording and clean mix don't necessarily make it better.

FWIW, I like the older version much better.

[wagtunes]

2nd track from my upcoming CD "Short Takes"

Lyrics:

Be Good To Yourself

You only have one life
Only one trip around the world
So you better get what you can boy
Better go and grab that pearl

But don't forget to do one thing

Be good to yourself
Be good to the number one
Be good to yourself
Gotta go and grab your fun

The years they just fly by
And it goes faster than you think
So you better get what you can boy
Better go and grab that kink

But don't forget to do one thing

Repeat Chorus

No one else deserves the royal treatment
No one else deserves the pampering
No one else is gonna love you like you do
So don't forget to do one thing

Repeat Chorus 2x

Outro

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... o-yourself

[aaron aardvark]

wagtunes,
"Be Good To Yourself" has a musical theater vibe. Though it reminds me a little bit of E.L.O. (a compliment). Nice piano and melodies all around. Guitars sound pretty real if they are not. I like the way the song ends. Nice song, I like it!

[wagtunes]

wagtunes,
"Be Good To Yourself" has a musical theater vibe. Though it reminds me a little bit of E.L.O. (a compliment). Nice piano and melodies all around. Guitars sound pretty real if they are not. I like the way the song ends. Nice song, I like it!

Hey Aaron, thanks for the listen and the feedback. When will you be posting your songs for August? Should be any day now, right?

[dark water]

Hi Wags, Be Good To Yourself is a really good track. I agree much with Aaron's comments. I like the drums a lot in this one as well. Excellent effort

[wagtunes]

Hi Wags, Be Good To Yourself is a really good track. I agree much with Aaron's comments. I like the drums a lot in this one as well. Excellent effort

Thanks for the listen and the feedback. Took me a while to come up with this one. The ideas aren't flowing so much anymore.

[aaron aardvark]

wagtunes,
Yep, I posted a song yesterday on this Music Cafe.

[wagtunes]

wagtunes,
Yep, I posted a song yesterday on this Music Cafe.

That's an old tune. Anything new coming this month?

[aaron aardvark]

wagtunes,
I want to copyright a new batch of newer songs before I go public with any of them, which is kind of a hassle, and probably cost me at least $65 for probably ten songs. And I like to pace myself in releasing my tunes, so probably not until next month. So I listened to both versions of "The Only One": the newer one certainly has better audio quality. Either way, the song is pleasant and has nice melodies. Your real guitar playing sounds fine to me; so does the sampled guitar. By the way, I am not above doing a bit of Melodyne timing correction and pitch tweaks with my electric bass and guitar recording.

[wagtunes]

3rd track from my upcoming CD "Short Takes"

2:22 of syrupy pop goodness. LOL

The Last To Know

It goes on all around
Hidden from my view
I was such a fool
To ever trust in you
So please tell me why

Why am I the last to know
Why am I the last to see the truth
Why am I the last to know
Why am I a victim of my youth

They tried to warn me good
Life would knock me down
I was such a tool
And I feel like a clown
So please tell me why

Repeat Chorus

If there's a chance I can be saved
Please let it be before I'm in my grave

Repeat Chorus 2x

Outro

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... st-to-know

[wagtunes]

The title track from my 2010 CD "All The Kings Men"

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... -kings-men