Tara London

Guest Judge Comments on:
Tara London's
Bitter Sweet

8 point(s) for Composition / Songwriting
Nice simple, classic feel to guitar riff and melody line and the lyrics economically expressed. Sounds like a Bettye Lavette number.

8 point(s) for Performance
Fine, husky soul voice, with elements of diva/musical theatre 'belt', though could rein in the vibrato a little, and the growl at 1.48 didn't quite convince. In Duffy territory, but with her own individuality. Well-performed musicianship, though synth strings need work.

7 point(s) for Capture
Very nice 'retro' feel to the production work. The dynamics are handled with real skill. But the moment where the backing vocals first come in need a re-think – sounds a bit half-hearted, and the track outstays its welcome by about 20 seconds.


23 Total Points
Try and explore own niche rather than following any template.Don't be afraid to throw in something oddball. There's bags of good stuff here.


joecushley
Sat Dec 26 18:41:57 2009

Guest Judge Comments on:
Tara London's
Bitter Sweet

10 point(s) for Composition / Songwriting
The 60's at it's best. Peggy Lee could never have written a better song. Fantastically written lyrics.

10 point(s) for Performance
What can I say, the girl can sing. I rest my case. I wanted to hear more and more. Made me cry. Oh so bitter sweet. Fabulous chorus. Like a sweet chorus of birds. Fantastic performance, knew when to put the emphasis to make the song work.

10 point(s) for Capture
Oh the intro is soooo bitter sweet. That guiter and then when her voice came in, was goosepimply (if there's such a word)!! What a smokey rendition with those the electric guitar and the quality of the recording and mixing is done ever so well. Smoking!!!!!


30 Total Points
When is the album due out??? You do not need my input how to improve. Just be yourself and sing and continue to write fro m the heart like Bitter Sweet Tara


valeriemaxfield
Sat Dec 26 18:41:58 2009

Guest Judge Comments on:
Tara London's
Bitter Sweet

9 point(s) for Composition / Songwriting
This is such a beautiful song. I love the arrangement and it's right on time. This is well written and in my opinion an example of "good ole soul" music.

10 point(s) for Performance
Your voice is soulful. It's clear your an artist who knows her stuff. Impressive performance.

8 point(s) for Capture
The reverb on this sounds like you recorded live. Good choice in your mixing.


27 Total Points
Your style may not be unique but,you need to be heard.


ebony-burks
Sat Dec 26 18:41:56 2009

Guest Judge Comments on:
Tara London's
Bitter Sweet

8 point(s) for Composition / Songwriting
Good song musically, Lyrics cool. I'm sure a lot of people know the feeling of bittersweet love.

Then again if love is too bittersweet text 'em to get lost. ;-)

9 point(s) for Performance
Soulful, natural, effortless, strong voice. Guitar playing and strings also great, bass perfect, BVs great.

A very subjective point of criticism is that I am not sure about the loud, almost shouty bits in the vocal performance. Although very accomplished there is a fine line between true emotional expression and "showing off". Where that line is is up to the individual listener. As a producer I would have chosen vocal takes that may be equally strong but wouldn't have given me the borderline-showing-off feeling. A roomier (i.e.you feel you're in the room with the singer) more retro vocal sound might have been cool too. But in any case I do think Tara is a very good singer with great dynamic range who would probably appeal to a mass audience.


9 point(s) for Capture
Courageous arrangement, Who said there have to be drums in every effing track, Sonically perfect.
Production captured the song well, Congrats for not giving in to temptation to put lots more stuff in.
I would have not been able to resist a reverby tambourine on the 2 and 4 from 2nd verse on.


26 Total Points
This one is in my top 5
One thing: As much as I love the crackle of authentic vinyl I'm not sure about the vinyl crackle in your track. Sounds dated. It's usually a plug-in and has been used too much over the last few years. Even if the crackle has been recorded from a vinyl rather than a plug-in I'm not sure. If however you guys have pressed the track on vinyl only and digitized it from your vinyl for web purposes, hence a natural crackle, than I think it would be very cool.


alexmcgowan
Sat Dec 26 18:41:55 2009

Guest Judge Comments on:
Tara London's
Bitter Sweet

3 point(s) for Composition / Songwriting
A very derivative composition. Its not really saying anything new and doesn't really have an engaging progression or arrangement. The bar is VERY high in this genre!

4 point(s) for Performance
The vocal performance is pretty good. More attention to the ends of words would be welcome. Some unfunky tuning issues too...

2 point(s) for Capture
An 'added record crackle' 'fail' off the bat...

Its quite clumsily assembled and the sampled strings dont really work sonically!!

This is a case of being sonically dull rather than warm!! A lot more attention to the balance would really help suck the listener in!



9 Total Points


emreramazanoglu
Sat Dec 26 18:41:57 2009

Guest Judge Comments on:
Tara London's
Bitter Sweet

8 point(s) for Composition / Songwriting
Spanning jazz, pop and blues the composition is original. Loved the sparse arrangement. It feels classic yet contemporary.

9 point(s) for Performance
Passionate and accomplished. A strong individual style with excellent vocals. Is it me or is there a touch of Dusty Springfield here?

8 point(s) for Capture
Powerful vocal performance. Instrumentation just right. String section please!


25 Total Points
Classy voice Tara


patfulgoni
Sat Dec 26 18:41:57 2009