funnily enough, when i saw the programme, i assumed that paul had shared credits with the band as it was plainly stated in the prog that he had no concept or pre-written material before the sessions in south africa, and that he listened, cut and messed about with the tracks before writing words and melodies. it was a retrospective and there seemed to be no animosity between them.
i think it was a bit off of mr simon not to give credit to the guys as a jam session includes everyone, as everyone contributes to it, maybe he has compensated them since?

back to the original subject...

the use of FX during a session can be counter-productive, as once they're on they're on...
but surely FX like sustain or fuzz helps with the feel of the song during recording? i can't imagine "smoke on the water" recorded "dry" or the solo at the end of "romeo and juliet" [dire straits] with-out the echo.
as for bass...definitely in the mix

i like this discussion...i'm learning so much

phill

In case you didn't get it, this is about a busker, actually it's about me singing in pubs and clubs, it's all masked and double meaninged...[no such word?]

phill

should mai, buttie?

yeah i'm with you here, when they played back the track [obviously it was recorded 20? years ago] the reverb was there, it could have been recorded on but i doubt that as they normally like to add FX later in the mix, and it was on tape. any way if you've got sky have a look at anytime player, it should still be on there...

phill

hi alan,

i don't know if i was meant to laugh, but i had a little chuckle at this...in a nice way. it combines all the elements; a story, a romantic undercurrent, a scene and does it all with humour and fluidity, pity you had to be a rat at the end and tell her it was all just a memorable one night stand! but that's what it's all about...well done

phill

hi kbrassel [interesting handle]

my only advice is not to have a formula of any kind, granted the chorus must contain the hook [my downfall] but to start a song with a game plan...well!

when i got to the second verse [if your going verse>chorus > verse etc] of "god is it time" was a sort of continuation of the 1st verse which was a flash-back by the soldier out on the battlefield thinking about his wife at home, the chorus is how he pleads with god to let him survive the coming battle and to get home safely. the bridge talks of the battle itself and the fears going through his mind while facing the enemy. the last verse is post battle where he lies in the mud, blood mingling with the enemy's and friends alike, and his final thought before he dies, which are of his wife. then the prayer "god is it time" which i thought was a poignant statement so i used that as the title.

any way i've explained the story behind the song, the story [i think] is the important part of any song and it needn't be earth shattering or relevant to the world at large, but even "doo wha diddy" the manfred man song from the 50's had a story; girl walks down the street, boy chats her up, takes her out and they get married....how simple is that?

moral; don't lose sleep over not repeating the title 10 times in a song, make it sound good and have a catchy hook

phill

Hi Ken,

thank you glad you like it

Thanks to you too Helena, nice to see you back, I was beginning to think we'd lost you

If you'd like to hear this track, I've now up-loaded it onto my-space...click the web button, and before you start thinking that I've suddenly improved 2000% on my guitar playing, the guitars are played by Russ Harding, so big thanks to him for that plus his encouragement and mixing.

Phill

didnt want to say "bitch" on line

so who says you have to rhyme?

nice one...dont get wet

phill

hi peeps,

this is a sad song, i started writing it in November last year when i was quite depressed, then as Christmas approached i came out of it, till this week when i decided to finish it off now i feel down again as the hero dies at the end ooops i spoiled the story for you now!

any road, it's a waltz time [3/4] and it's very slow, takes about 5 and a half minutes, i'm in the process of recording it so it should be on my-space next week.
hope you like it.

phill

this is great!
do i detect a twist in the tale?  your friend just happened to be female too?

you've certainly got a way with words

phill