Rate my singing, sock it to me...

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 24 Nov 2005 11:43 am

I haven't sung in 21 years, but I tried it again last week just to find out how bad I might be.

I put a couple clips of it in my website and a little mini-poll voting thing there for it. It's just one song, the old CCR song "Who'll Stop The Rain". There is a link to the complete song, which would be pretty slow to download if you're not with a high-speed connection, and for those with dialups or just don't have the time for the whole song, there are two short quick-downloading little clips taken from the same song.

I'd really appreciate anyone taking the time to listen and give your opinion in the mini-poll on the page. Please be totally honest about what you think of it.

It's more of a country-rock style than pure country, so please don't blast it just because it may not be the type of music you prefer... rate it for what it is.

There's also another poll for opinions about the tones of a couple guitars used as a comparision, it's below the singing clip. Ignore the actual playing, it's lousy, was just quick and sloppy to compare the guitars. If I'd known I was going to post it I'd have done better, but who cares..... ha!

To hear the clips and vote, visit my site at the link below and click on the word HERE where it says "Rate my singing HERE". If I give you a link to that page it'll cut off the top frame.... took long enough to make it, I want it there....

Thanks everyone for your time and opinions.

Click Here[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 24 November 2005 at 11:49 AM.]

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 24 Nov 2005 12:47 pm

Votes are coming in, thanks all.

Please feel free to post your comments here, including constructive criticism.

I'll reveal what the two guitars in the tone test are here too. after more votes.

Thanks again.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 24 Nov 2005 12:55 pm

Well Jim, the singing's not half bad! That's a good type of song for your voice, which is slightly weak in the lower registers, but sounds just fine when your "pushing it".

Guitar #1 is clearly the winner in that comparison of guitars.

In closing, I listened to your steel playing, and it's quite nice too.

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 24 Nov 2005 1:29 pm

Thanks Donny, I appreciate your time and comments.

I'm not satisfied at all with the sound quality of the vocal, I don't care for my voice anyway but that's normal I guess, and the only mic I've got is a Shure SM-57, I think I'd have gotten a better sound out of it if I'd been back farther on the lower-register parts, but I moved in close to it and back out on the higher parts. I think if I'd stayed back and sung louder it would have a clearer sound and not be as mushy-sounding. Recording vocals is something I have very little experience with. I did record a jingle for a radio commercial a few years ago using the same mic, and the female vocalist stayed back and it sounded clearer. Or maybe it was just her.

This isn't to say that doing anything better technically would make me sound great, but I think the recording could sound better if I knew what I was doing. Maybe not.

Thanks again for your comments.

[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 24 November 2005 at 01:56 PM.]

erik · Post by **erik** » 24 Nov 2005 2:35 pm

Everyone's afraid to comment on music I post but I'll tell anyone my opinion if they solicit it.

I played the whole song. I liked listening to it. I voted passable. As noted above your voice works good with that song. Thanks for sharing.

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-johnson

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 24 Nov 2005 5:58 pm

Erik, point me to your music, and I'll give you that critique you so staunchly request!

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 24 Nov 2005 7:10 pm

There you go, Erik! If you ask Donny, he will tell!

I don't remember seeing a post of yours with clips, sorry if I missed it or didn't get around to replying.

So far, for the singing, in grades ranging from Excellent, Good, Passable, Poor and Awful, Passable is in the lead.

On the guitar tone comparison, this is really something, at the moment we have an even number for each guitar! Plus a small percentage with no preference and one who doesn't hear any real difference.

So far I'm leaning towards the conclusion that this is a pretty good indication that no matter what guitar you play, or how you sound when you play or sing, some will love it and some will hate it... might as well just do it and not worry about it!

[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 24 November 2005 at 07:15 PM.]

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 24 Nov 2005 11:09 pm

Jim,
I voted passable also, the song fits your voice fine, also I thought a little weak on the lower end, but fine when pushing.

Sound like 70's country rock is supposed to sound!

I'll give a listen to the guitars later when I have more time. G'nite!

Larry

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 24 Nov 2005 11:47 pm

I really appreciate your votes and comments, all. This has been very educational and interesting.

When I can get to it I'll try another song and work on getting more punch into the lower notes, and of course just overall better control, pitch, etc. I'll post it when I have it.

As for the guitar tone test, its results are interesting too but I'll reserve judgement until there are more votes. So far it's very even. Thanks again everybody.

[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 24 November 2005 at 11:48 PM.]

erik · Post by **erik** » 25 Nov 2005 3:27 pm

I don't have anything in particular at the moment I care to have critiqued but next time I will be specific. Links I have posted in the past have gotten little or no notice. Thanks for the offer, Donny.

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-johnson

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 26 Nov 2005 4:42 am

Definitely, Jim, keep singing. I thought your version was quite credible.
If you keep singing you'll get better. If you don't, you won't.
People sometimes say I sound like Willie Nelson. I think I sound like that because I'm trying not to sound like Willie Nelson.

Unfortunately, I also use an SM57 for recording. If we had really good mikes, we'd sound better. I just know it.

Joy Wofford · Post by **Joy Wofford** » 26 Nov 2005 3:12 pm

Hi Jim,
Really enjoyed the tune. Well, I voted for guitar #2...guitar #1 wasn't quite as mellow sounding to me. I tend to like a little deeper sound. But that's just my personal preference. I'm sure others like the more "sharp" sound of the first guitar. What I mean to say is that basically, it's strickly a matter of personal preference...and not a question as to one guitar really sounding better than the other...just one guitar sounding DIFFERENT than the other one.

Of course, your playing was top-notch...doesn't matter which guitar you're playing for that to shine through.

As to your singing, overall I liked it. I find myself of a different opinion than the others posted. I think that when you're "pushing it", it sounds like you're pushing it. I sure hope I'm wording this so that you understand I'm not critisizing your voice! Quite the contrary, I think that if you tried this song PLAYED a key lower, but you sang OVER that...a stretch....you'd find the fix for what's been referred to about the lower registers on your recording. There wouldn't be such a distinct drop or fade when you go for the lower notes, and there wouldn't be a need for you to push so far for the higher notes.

At any rate, this is one of the most interesting threads I've seen in a while, and I sure admire you guys that post and ask for these kind of comments on your work. The mark of a true professional wanting to make your works the best that they can be.

Thanks for sharing this, it was really great.

Joy

George Redmon · Post by **George Redmon** » 27 Nov 2005 10:10 am

i sure liked your singing jim... but next time can you make it so i can hear your voice a little??? pardon??? say what jimbo???
steel#2. naw you sounded just fine good bud..gave ya a "Good". Watch out for ole Jennings Ward...he will come on here and Gong ya Jimbo.... i sure enjoy hearing all you guys post your singing and playing.