Ole Chicago (Paul, James, Todd, Henry, Steffen)

[stoman]

When James suddenly reappeared at MCS after a much too long absence, I immediately took the chance and recruited him for this song that I had composed based on a nice lyric by Paul. I'm so glad he agreed to do the lead vocal, as it suits the song perfectly.

Henry added some guitar magic and he also did the vocal backings. And since nobody else could be found for the bass part, he also volunteered for that job. Well done, dottore!

Needless to mention the importance of Todds drumming. Fortunately he didn't shoot me for making his drums sound like pop drums.

While this won't be the absotuely total final final mix, it's acceptable as a "final-for-the-time-being" mix, I think.

The thread in Studio "A" :
http://www.musicianscollaboration.com/forum/index.php?topic=9854.0

Edit 10 Oct 2013: New mix posted

Enjoy!

OLE CHICAGO
(Paul Dempsey)

Vocals: James Ryce
Lyrics: Paul Dempsey
Backup Vocals, Bass, Guitars:Henry Mittnacht
Drums: Todd Vierra
Keys: Steffen Offermann
Composed and mixed by Steffen Offermann

I've been away a long, long time
And I've gotten a lot older
Now it's time for me to head back
To that city of big shoulders

All those miles are behind me
With worn out heels on my boots
I'm in the need of another taste
Of my mid western roots

If she should ask
Tell her I'm coming home
To where the lake winds blow
Yeah, tell her I'm coming home
To good ole Chicago

Now, it's not the snow that I miss
Or the winters that test the soul
It's a certain part of me that's missing
She's a part that makes me whole

I hope she still hanging around
Still living in the old neighborhood
Coz I need a dose of yesterday
And I know it will feel oh so good
 
Tell me I can still have yesterday, today
Tell me she remembers the good old days
Tell me she still remembers me
Like I remember her
After all we've been through
Tell me, tell me it's true

Regards,
  Steffen

[rightonthemark]

and another professional sounding collaboration from MCS.
so many usual suspects I've come to expect great collabs from & this is no exception.
nice one gang.

[PVD]

Everyone:

This turned out so well Steffen, it just seemed to click.  This is a very catchy song and James' vocals are a perfect match.  Tks, Henry and Todd for your involvement, you guys enhanced it well.  One of my favorites.

Paul

[Thunder]

Thanks to everyone 

[Casia - lyricist]

Hi all:

I agree with Mark, it is hard not to get a good collab. with these players. 

James always has wonderful vocals, very easy and enjoyable to listen to.  It works for the style so well.

Paul's lyrics always tell a story with an emotion that you want to listen to the very end.

Henry's backups are very subtle but add the ambience of a real band.  I actually wouldn't mind hearing the backup vocals brought forward a bit as I'm straining to hear them.

The music is great.  I would have personally preferred to cut the second chorus' and put in a wonderful solo with horns as I find the song a bit too wordy for some reason, even though it isn't really but it feels that way to me.  The mix of coure is great to my ears.

Overall, everything works really well together (drums, guitars, bass, et al)

[stoman]

Thanks, Cas!

I love working with these guys. They always add much more character to the songs we work on together than I would ever be able to do myself. That's what collaboration is about IMO. And that's why I usually want to get rid of my initial synth parts once real musicians join the band.

Regards,
  Steffen

[James Ryce]

I always find it amazing to go back and listen to the first rough drafts as a song is started (even with my own), and then to hear how it ends up.  Thanks to all for bring so much life to this great song!

James.

[catfish]

great tune guys.....sorta like a jimmy webb production...

Al....

[stoman]

Thanks, Al!

James, that's so true - many a great song started out as a very rough, unattractive draft. But if the right people see the potential and team up, the results can be very pleasing.

I hope we'll soon give another proof.

Regards,
  Steffen

[docmidnite]

[docmidnite]

Henry's backups are very subtle but add the ambience of a real band.  I actually wouldn't mind hearing the backup vocals brought forward a bit as I'm straining to hear them.

[stoman]

Jajajaja ... !

I'll consider that when I remix the song. I'm not satisfied with the mix anyway.

Henry, are you still interested in redoing the harmony part?

Regards,
  Steffen

[Zax]

Congrats and very well done to all involved!!
Great production!!

Frank

[CosmicDolphin]

Really nice song guys, James' vocals are terrffic 

Everyone played great parts that fit together well.  As a mix it seems to be missing some of the lower frequencies, might want to check out those HP filters ?

I can hear someone like David Soul performing this in the 70's

CD

[stoman]

Thanks for listening and commenting, guys!

This is an attempt at remixing the song after a little pause. The material is difficult to handle, and I'm not sure if I improved it. What do you think?

The master is intentionally hot! I wanted to see how far I could push it.

EDIT: I attached a second master of the same mix that has 2 dB more of dynamic range, so you can compare. Usually I'd aim at even more dynamic range, but it seems to me that the song works at that level.

... and another mix/master that I like best of the three. It has more dynamic range and is a little more transparent.

Regards,
  Steffen