I'm supposed to be on a break from Metafilter, but had to thank you for this - it's just wonderful. I love it just as much as another great cover of this song that's been making me and my 69 Love Songs-loving friend happy, here. I'll send her your cover too - I know she'll love it :)
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 11:57 AM on May 27, 2008

Why don't I learn to play the harmonica? Breathing problems - long, stupid story. So can't for now, as much as I would really love to. I just treasure this particular recording, because it's like I somehow managed to play an instrument I couldn't play - and improvised a part that I love and only wish I could reproduce and play better (with better breath control on the harmonica, and with better singing, on a better microphone, etc. etc.) Moving my mouth around, trying to... [more]
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 7:12 AM on April 11, 2008

sleepy pete: Thanks! It's not really so much Garageband, as me not really understanding anything about compression, trying to do without it, and recording too quietly. That's one of the problems anyway. I don't know how everyone learns all these things - books? Friends and mentors? Trial and error? Anyway, I'm sure I'll learn and get better with all that in time.

chococat: Yeah, spontaneity is often the best. You can't play the same piece of music... [more]
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 1:44 PM on April 13, 2008

I like it a lot! And find myself wanting your voice to be harmonized by a female one from "Burn incense before you go." :)
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 6:57 AM on April 11, 2008

I really like it - I love the way it develops! Though I have to say, I feel like I've heard the melody of the chorus somewhere before - it might be just me though!
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 6:23 AM on April 10, 2008

It's lovely kingbenny.
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 6:03 AM on April 10, 2008

Sounds great! Don't know where all the other comments are. Good luck with your RPM challenge!
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 6:21 PM on February 13, 2008

Really fantastic - I love it!
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 6:58 PM on November 20, 2007

Lovely - I really like your voice!
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 5:00 AM on November 5, 2007

Hey cortex - this is wonderful. Love it.
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 7:05 PM on October 11, 2007

Thanks - like it a lot! After having listened to cortex's version in major (also great!), I'm wondering how it would sound verses minor, chorus major - or at least parts minor, parts major. Maybe I'll play around with that this weekend :)
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 6:50 PM on October 11, 2007

Beautiful, but so short! Would've set it to play on a loop, if there were a loop button :)
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 6:09 AM on August 24, 2007

Really like it!
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 8:58 PM on July 15, 2007

Absolutely love when the flute comes in.
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 8:33 PM on July 15, 2007

Love it! The lyrics is perfect. So's your comment. And your tags.
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 12:39 PM on March 12, 2007

I concur with everyone above me!
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 8:17 AM on March 12, 2007

Lovely song, and great voice you have!
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 8:06 AM on March 12, 2007

I really like it - wish I understood Japanese! What's the song about?
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 8:00 AM on March 12, 2007

Yes, what you can hear at the end there is my clicking the mouse to stop recording. I'm professional like that.
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 4:39 PM on March 8, 2007

Yeah, that's charmingly lo-fi. Not so much the sound of the Mighty Mouse.
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 5:20 PM on March 8, 2007

danb: I know the Nickel Creek song - love the harmonies, but not the song itself so much. I thought I'd give it a go :)

TwoWordReview: THANK YOU! I totally forgot to ask about the harsh sss sounds, it hurts my ears, but I know little about recording and production and didn't know what the problem was. Maybe it was the microphone. Yeah, I know, it's terrible, but my flat has terrible soundproofing and it seems like this microphone reduces the background noise somewhat.... [more]
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 6:32 AM on March 9, 2007

Much thanks TwoWordReview - I think I understand what you mean now. But I can't really do any of this with GarageBand or Audacity can I? Don't think they have Q values. I could probably still boost different frequencies (in Audacity at least - GarageBand just gives you "Bass Gain", "Mid Gain", "Mid Frequency" and "Treble Gain") until the awful sibilance is most noticeable, then try to lower that and maybe the ones around it.... [more]
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 4:15 PM on March 9, 2007

Thanks everyone! That Blue USB mic looks interesting - I've never sung into a ball before. I'll also go learn what condensors and mixers are. Thanks again for the pointers!
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 7:20 AM on March 12, 2007

Really like it dobbs! It's a really good song.
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 6:32 PM on March 6, 2007

I like what your friend's done with the lyrics, but I like your version too. And I love it when musicians play instruments the way she plays her "horn" :)
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 5:29 PM on March 8, 2007

I can agree with the sentiment of the lyrics! Really like the music too.
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 5:15 PM on March 8, 2007

The drums sound so good - makes me wish it were just drums and vocals, like one of Scout Niblett's songs.
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 4:54 PM on March 8, 2007

Lyrics:

I'm not great to look at
by any stretch of the imagination
I don't know what I'm good at
that would be worth a mention
but I'll love you with all my heart
and I hope that's a start


I'd be lying if I said it wouldn't matter
if you don't love me
but I'd be fine sooner or later
I'd get over it

do do... [more]
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 4:43 PM on March 4, 2007

Thanks people! micayetoca: my main problem with singing is that I don't feel confident enough about it (and it shows in my voice), so that means a lot! And chococat: thanks for the advice - that is very much what I'll be doing!
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 5:53 PM on March 6, 2007

I like it a lot!
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 4:34 PM on March 2, 2007

That's so sweet of you nanojath - I have now rectified that situation :)
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 4:54 PM on March 4, 2007

Greatness!
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 5:33 PM on March 2, 2007

This is great! You really have a great voice - I think someone's already mentioned Horace Andy elsewhere?
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 5:26 PM on March 2, 2007

Love this - it's great!
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 4:21 PM on March 2, 2007

Really like this - definitely can hear the Counting Crows :)
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 4:00 PM on March 2, 2007

Thanks so much - this is absolutely beautiful.
posted to MeFi Music by Ira.metafilter at 8:11 AM on November 29, 2006