Anyone care to critique some live recordings?

[John Suitcase]

I've posted a few mp3s I did recently, and I think they sound good, but I'm always open to creative criticism.

http://www.suitcaserecordings.com/livereels.html

Thanks, look forward to hearing some feedback!

[MusicSh*tty]

Good job.

Lot of good things could be mentioned.

Things I'd attempt to change (and maybe you did): A little less of the room mics. A tad too live for me due to crowd size. Almost crossing over the line that leads toward empty-hallish. If there had been larger or more vocal audiences those room mics would have had to come way down. Maybe the audience size is the weak link.

Another way of sayin' what I'm tryin' to say is: It didn't feel intimate enough with the bands/music. I felt like I was at the live show (which is the lofty goal), but I felt like I was standing nearer the back by the restrooms instead of upfront in the sweetspot. I'm thinking less room mic would go a long way.

All of the above is subjective production taste and things that take it that last 5%. Would not have even chimed in if it wasn't real good.

Vocals are very prominent. During the Matt Beem song I was really wanting to hear more of the guitar; seemed a little vocally.

The last one with the horn is terriffic. Did good on the drums.

[John Suitcase]

Yeah, the vocals are a bit prominent, the room is pretty small, very live (art gallery with high ceilings, brick walls, and polished cement floor), and the vocals and acoustic guitars were running through the pa system. If I bring the direct vocals down, the PA vocals become rather obvious.

On the Matt Beem tune, I brought the guitar up a little bit into the track, if you listen further you can hear it.

I probably have a bit too much room mic, I always lean towards sounding more live. I guess it's because I've heard so many board recordings and they don't sound like a show at all. I really wanted it to sound like a live recording, not a studio recording that wasn't perfect.

Thanks for the tips, I'll keep those things in mind!