Finally got some balls...

[Raif2032]

...and decided to record myself. I admire so many of you for your talent and your guile but have never posted my own work. It's something i've been meaning to do for quite some time now, but I never really put my foot forward and did it. I guess I just was never able to break the metaphorical seal.

Now, these are not recording i'm especially proud of, it's more a momentary lapse of sanity and i'm throwing them out there for all the critism you can muster.

That said, please follow the link for my first two recordings...

http://hosted.filefront.com/raif2032


and hey, now I have something to improve upon.


----edit----
Don't know if the files are hard to find, i'll make it easier.

All Along the Watchtower.
http://files.filefront.com/watchtowermp ... einfo.html

Don't Drink the Water
http://files.filefront.com/ddtwmp3/;479 ... einfo.html

Just click on "download now" and select one of the servers, let me know if this is too much trouble and i'll find another way.

[jaroben]

First off, congrats on finally posting a glimse of what you're about. It's when you actually pull off what you've been dwelling on for so long that you realize it is no big deal after all, and all that dwelling was just a waste of time and energy.

You've definitely got talent. Guitar wise you nailed it, I'd like to hear something more technical from you though. Your voice is a little bumpy at times. I like how it sounds, but I think you try to hard with the vibrato. I personally don't think vibrato makes a singing voice.. It can add to one person's voice, and destroy another person's. It didn't "destroy" your voice as I put it, but it didn't add to it. I would say use it, but not overly..only when you feel it comes natural. I don't have a good voice by any means, nor have I had a single voice lesson, so don't take my words and enscribe them into stone.. this is just my humble viewpoint. Take it as you will.

Nice job overall.

[Raif2032]

*busily inscribes words into stone*

wha...oh...right.

Heh, Wow, thanks a ton man, you're far too kind. When it comes to my voice, i'm kinda like a sponge right now and I try to absorb whatever I hear. Lately i've been listening to some janis joplin and howie day, both people use vibrato a lot, so that's where that came from. Just be glad you didn't catch me in my gavin rossdale/ bush phase.

We're on the same page, i've never taken any kinds of lessons or ever told a living person i'm a "good" singer. Thanks again for the imput, it's inspiring me to put some real honest effort into my next attempt.

[dmb_rulz]

Hey I loved it voice wasnt to bad. Also guitar was right on. I hear ya working on my voice as well I sound kind of monotone with my singing. But am working on it. But you have a good voice work on it some more and it will sound great.

[mangold]

excellent first recordings, most of us would be glad to have this kind of foundation to built on. i only listened to aatw. my suggestions would be to try and take a smidge of the expspression out of the vocals as weird as that sounds... like the yeah yeah yeah after el chorus, sounds pretty cheesy, and youre capable of making it sound good.
ya had some flat notes too but thats to be expected. keep working and for gods sake keep posting.

[Raif2032]

Yeah, I can see what you're talking about. I really appreciate the imput guys, thanks so much

C'mon, pile it on if anyone else has listened and can offer and comments.