For Brad Delp (of Boston)

[Mikem]

Thanks, guys!

[retropete]

Absolutely wrenching performance. So poignant in light of how it all ended for Brad.

Wonderful tribute.

[greatgreatriver]

I dig your voice man - the music is too nice for me and I don't like how the 12 acoustic guitar sound and the midi piano sounds too fake and plastic. Still cool song I would love to hear a naked version with only guitar or piano - I also think you have cut the low end out too much on your voice . I would warm it up a bit. The strings are also destroying this song - I'm not a synth sound lover.

Again great performance on the vocals -

[Mikem]

Originally Posted by greatgreatriver

I dig your voice man - the music is too nice for me and I don't like how the 12 acoustic guitar sound and the midi piano sounds too fake and plastic. Still cool song I would love to hear a naked version with only guitar or piano - I also think you have cut the low end out too much on your voice . I would warm it up a bit. The strings are also destroying this song - I'm not a synth sound lover.

Again great performance on the vocals -

Well, I guess I was due some negative comments. Like I said in my first post, I'm well aware of the shortcomings, although I disagree with some of your assessments. And in regards to the arrangement and virtual instruments, I apologize for not having a real grand piano and orchestra in my project studio.

[Mikem]

Originally Posted by retropete

Absolutely wrenching performance. So poignant in light of how it all ended for Brad.

Wonderful tribute.

Thank you kindly!

[greatgreatriver]

Originally Posted by Mikem

Well, I guess I was due some negative comments. Like I said in my first post, I'm well aware of the shortcomings, although I disagree with some of your assessments. And in regards to the arrangement and virtual instruments, I apologize for not having a real grand piano and orchestra in my project studio.

I guess you could find a good upright for the price you payed to have a virtual piano and a midi keyboard...

I just wanted to give you honest feedback - I'm not here to put you down in any way...

[Mikem]

Originally Posted by greatgreatriver

Hey, thanks for that. Really in keeping with the spirit of this thread and tribute.

[Mikem]

Any other comments? I'd hate to end such a positive thread on a sour note.

[diatonic]

...

[DamnYankee]

Originally Posted by Mikem

*snip*

I never really liked the Boston ending. That organ seemed excessively loud. I would have preferred a tasteful guitar solo, probably.

You're blessed with an incredible set of pipes and I personally think you did an outstanding job! If you practiced, you could easily mimic Brad Delp's voice - like this guy: SoundClick - Tommy DeCarlo - MP3 music downloads on SoundClick (check out Long Time, R&R Band, & Amanda in particular)

As for this particular song, I've never cared much for it but if you look at it, it's brilliantly crafted from a musical & mixing perspective:

The soft parts (intro, verses) is about the character's true opinion (low self esteem) of himself: "If I said what's on my mind, you'd turn & walk away"; "I can't get any stronger, I can't climb any higher...".

The song crescendos to forte each time the character wants to be the man she thinks he is: "If only I could find a way..." and decresendos when his low self-esteem affects their relationship: "To hide behind, this dream you see, a man I'll never be".

The fortissimo ending (with the organ) creates a sense of dissonance when the conflict within him comes to a head.

The very soft & somber piano ending is the resolution. Was he able to overcome his low self-esteem? Or, did it destroy their relationship...?

It's really a brilliantly crafted song.

[DAWgEAR]

I really enjoyed that, mikem. Great singing on a great song. Thanks for sharing. I'd love to hear more of your work.

[stagefright13]

Mike has a very gifted voice that much is certain! And his mixing job I thought was very commendable. I sent a mastered copy to 2 of my friends studios in Long Island and LA. And they are WAY higher end than me. And got rave reviews from them. Great job I say! And it was meant as a tribute to someone lost. I don't think anyone could have a done a better service to Brad ever. I am happy Mike did it. And I enjoy listening to it.

Thanks!!!

[stagefright13]

Hopefully Mikem won't be mad at me for posting this but figuring it is actually a cover song i may let it it out.


http://stagefrightrecords.com/Mike.mp3

[Mikem]

Thanks for the kind comments, guys. And thanks to John for giving the mastering a go and sharing that link!

-Mike

[crmt19]

those backing harmonies are top notch. great song great voice great cover/tribute..... A+

[Mikem]

UPDATE:

I have it on good authority that because of this thread (in a roundabout way), and the efforts of some close to Boston family and friends, that Tom Scholz and his wife heard this song and "liked it."

I also got an email from Brad Delp's best friend thanking me for it, and telling me that he'd be forwarding it on to Brad's fiancee, friends, and family.

How cool is that?? So amazing.

Other than my sister, the originally designed recipient, those are the people that I most would have wanted to hear this. It's so crazy that it happened!

Thanks for helping keep the thread alive long enough for it to get noticed.

-Mike

[MadGuitrst]

Simply awesome.....dripping with heartfelt emotions........

You know, due to the spirit in which you did this work - and it goes without saying your amazing talent - you should be the next singer for Boston.

I think it would probably make Bad Delp proud to have you follow in and continue on in his legacy. IMO he was the best rock vocalist ever, at least my favorite (Steve Walsh is second for me). You come as close as anyone could ever want to......which is saying a whole lot.

[Mikem]

Originally Posted by MadGuitrst

Simply awesome.....dripping with heartfelt emotions........

You know, due to the spirit in which you did this work - and it goes without saying your amazing talent - you should be the next singer for Boston.

I think it would probably make Bad Delp proud to have you follow in and continue on in his legacy. IMO he was the best rock vocalist ever, at least my favorite (Steve Walsh is second for me). You come as close as anyone could ever want to......which is saying a whole lot.

So very kind of you. And I agree that Steve Walsh is also up there somewhere with Brad Delp on the amazing rock vocalist list.

[garysjo]

WOW! just WOW!

As a native Bostonian and someone who grew up with Boston playing continously on the high school cafeteria juke box, I was quite struck by Brad's untimely death. Quite a tribute Mike..... You are a gifted vocalist. I hope your sister is doing well.

[lukejs]

I posted yesterday ... a post about how they recorded Bradley Delp vocals.. I didnt know he committed suicide in March of this year..... this really is a shock to me..... A man I{ll never be.... what an ironic song..... a true man....who has kids.... doesn{t commit suicide..... this is so focked up.... So many people looked up to this guy.... thought he was such a great vocalist.... ONly losers commit suicide...what a waste of talent... I[m pissed because he did this..... Boston was my favorite group..... For all of you who are saddened by this... I think you should be maddened by this..... life is a gift.... your time here should be governed by God....

[drakewire]

hey only losers commit suicide hjghfg g
how about depressed people commit suicide

[lukejs]

this life sucks allright... but... if we have people who love us... we stick with it for them......suffering.... cleans our souls..... the easy way out is for cowards....

[garysjo]

Lukjs....very unfair and dare I say cruel comments! Do you know what it's like to suffer from severe depresssion?

[lukejs]

Yes....I do...... I've had friends commit suicide... It's a sickness... I did come across a bit too cruel...and I'm sorry for offending anyone.... who suffers from depression... It's just that... for anyone who think they have life bad....come down to Mexico and see kids living in cardboard boxes, so you can get a different viewpoint on your life........ you think you have it bad......... Most depressed people get that way from not opening their eyes and seeing all the blessings they have..... and how much they're contributions to the world are important, and make a difference to others.

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by lukejs

Yes....I do...... I've had friends commit suicide... It's a sickness... I did come across a bit too cruel...and I'm sorry for offending anyone.... who suffers from depression... It's just that... for anyone who think they have life bad....come down to Mexico and see kids living in cardboard boxes, so you can get a different viewpoint on your life........ you think you have it bad......... Most depressed people get that way from not opening their eyes and seeing all the blessings they have..... and how much they're contributions to the world are important, and make a difference to others.

[garysjo]

Originally Posted by lukejs

Yes....I do...... I've had friends commit suicide... It's a sickness... I did come across a bit too cruel...and I'm sorry for offending anyone.... who suffers from depression... It's just that... for anyone who think they have life bad....come down to Mexico and see kids living in cardboard boxes, so you can get a different viewpoint on your life........ you think you have it bad......... Most depressed people get that way from not opening their eyes and seeing all the blessings they have..... and how much they're contributions to the world are important, and make a difference to others.

Yes indeed it is a sickness, one that knows no cultural or class boundaries. I have not been to Mexico but am well aware of the poverty and struggles of children and adults there and elsewhere. Unfortunately people afflicted are often not comforted by the good things in their life, be it family, affluence or otherwise. I am fortunate not to suffer from depression, but have acquaintances that do.

Now to get Mike's thread back on a positive note.....Man he smoked that tune!!

Best regards!

Gary

[Mikem]

Forgive the long ramble, but...

In a way, I think Luke's reaction encompasses a lot of what most of us probably felt when we heard the news. The fact that Luke's just now learning--it's still pretty raw, obviously. I don't fault him for feeling some anger--that's always going to be a part of the equation when trying to sort out something so tragic and unexplained.

I had a lot of confusion and sadness when I heard about Brad, and chose music as an outlet to try to sort of diffuse it a bit. I think it was especially hard for me, because I have had depression issues myself from time to time, and seeing someone so beloved make the decision to end things just left me feeling pretty hopeless.

I remember the day I learned Brad's death was a suicide, my wife and I were in the car with our new baby, and I played, "More Than a Feeling" off my iPod. I just remember sobbing, saying out loud over and over again, "Why does it have to be sad??" Meaning, why could a song that brought me so much joy for most of my life have to be tarnished this way? I have a sister named Marianne (not the same sister I recorded this for), and that song (MTAF) always makes me smile and think of her. She was probably in high school when it came out.

I'm sure his family and friends are still grappling with what happened and why, so I wouldn't expect me, someone who only knew him through his music, to resolve that question with any kind of satisfaction. But at some point, you have to put the pain behind you and celebrate the life and the music. That's what I'm trying to do.



-Mike

[roxxon]

Stellar vox!
Besides having a great voice...
You have a lot of soul when you sing.
Kudos.

[mikeg]

Mike
A tip of the hat. Well done.

I've thought about when I heard about Brad and hearing about Danny Gatton too.
Mike