Here's one of my original songs - Steal My Heart

[OcalaMusician]

First anyone reading and listening should know that this song was recorded almost 20 years ago.  So the only master copy I had was on cassette and the transfer from cassette into my computer really trashed the sonic quality.  So yes I know the entire recording sound extremely "tinny".  Please try to excuse that part and make your thoughts known if you wish to share any.  I'd be interested in anyone's feedback, comments, critique, be as honest about any part of this song as I will read all posts and hopefully try to make a new and better product next time.  Thanks for your time.

Take care, Neal

[Tricia41]

are you singing? Cool song. 

[OcalaMusician]

Thanks for the kind words about my song, but heck no - not me singing.  I had a 4,000 sq ft recording and rehearsal studio back in NJ for over 25 years.  I was lucky enough to have tons of singers - both male and female - coming through all the time and when I heard a voice that I thought would fit a song I wrote I would ask and some were kind enough to sing the melodies I had in my head along with my lyrics.

I'm hoping to start up doing things like that again but now using the internet to find the right singer for my originals as well as offering my playing abilities to other people's songs.

[McLovin]

Hey Neal,

It's a great song,..melodically and structurally.  It could have definately competed with anything that was out there in the late 80's early 90's.

What instrument were you playing in the song and,.. did you create the words and the vocal melody??

It's good to get some of your stuff posted,..gives people an idea where your heads at,.. and where you've been musically.

Cool

[OcalaMusician]

Hi HDA - If this sounds pompous or egotistical please excuse it.  I'm NOT that kind of person, but I AM proud of what I have done and can do.  Plus it's simply the accurate answer to your question as well.

I composed both the music and the lyrics, I played ALL of the instruments, I recorded it myself in my 4,000 sq ft pro recording rehearsal studio I owned and operated for about 20 years back in NJ.  I used Tascam 24 track 1inch tape machines in those days and mastered onto DAT tape.  No one made CD's at home in those days or did any computer recording unless you had some MAJOR bucks.  Unfortunately I can not find a DAT player for a very  cheap price to take the much better sounding original mixes to transfer onto my computer, so I had to use my cassette tape copies and the overall sound got butchered badly in the transition.

I've always been able to write my own or produce other people material but although I might hear melodies in my head, I can't sing them and have to reply on other male or female singers to understand what I'm looking for and then they can adjust it any way they wish to suit their voice best.

Do you really think my song is that dated?  I hardly ever listen to the radio and anything I might see on any talent show usually makes me ill with what is considered to be good these days. I thought in this day and age of such a huge amount of remakes that anything I brought up would certainly sound "retro-ish", but I am not sure why it would not work in today's music world.  I remember when Guns N Roses first came out and I thought - "Cool, a band that sounds like the bands I grew up with."  Am I way off, but isn't a good song always a good song no matter when it was recorded?

None of this is arguing - I'm just curious as you are the first person to take the time to make a comment.  I appreciate it, but if I'm going to have any kind of shot at working in today's market, I need to know if I'm just too "old school".  Thanks again and take care.

[McLovin]

"Do you really think my song is that dated? ....None of this is arguing - I'm just curious as you are the first person to take the time to make a comment.  I appreciate it, but if I'm going to have any kind of shot at working in today's market, I need to know if I'm just too "old school".  Thanks again and take care."

Dude,.. no worries,...all personal opinions on here are just that,.."personal".  I can't claim to know anymore than the next guy about what would be popular in todays market.  The song that you posted to me sounds like something that was written when Tesla,..Mr Big,..or Slaughter were making tons of cash,.. that's all I'm really saying.  I happened to really like those bands.
Also,.. hearing only one of your songs,.. doesn't neccessarily show the full spectrum of anyones creativity and I get the sense that you are not a one trick pony.  Most of us on here do this for our own enjoyment and alot of times the results really shine,.. whether the song would appeal to masses or not.

BTW,..it doesn't sound egotistical at all to say that you wrote and recorded everything yourself.  Lots of people on here work that way.  It's really cool.

Comments on here sometimes sift in really slowly,... all of this happens in everyones spare time.  Sometimes when we post songs,.. it feels like forever till someone notices,...or cares,..then ya wake up one morning and 10 people from the UK have made comments or posted auditions

I look forward to working with ya in the future.  Dive in!

Jay

[groverk]

Cool Tune Neal

What part of Jersey are you from ? I grew up in central Jersey and played alot of the clubs in that area .

Now I play the biker dives in Orlando .

See Ya ,

Ken

[detune]

Hi Neal,

I live in South Jersey now, not far from Ken's hometown. 

I really dig that solo!  As far as your song sounding dated, I think the vocal stylings give it away more than anything, but there's nothing wrong with a "retro" sound.  And you're in good company here -- lot's of 80's style material being pumped out of here lately. 

Mark

[AndyG6508]

Hey Neal,

Nice tune - great playing as well. You are quite versatile. The sound does have a late 80s - early 90s rock vibe to it, I enjoyed listening!!

Cheers
Andy

[NickT]

Neal,

Welcome!

Cool tune. Jump on in.

I was in Vineland over the weekend. 

Nick

[Paulo]

I like it too... Dig that pumping bass in the verse while the guitar is riffing. I've always loved one note bass pumping while the rest is drifting  The vocals fit perfectly. Guitars and drums are just the way they're supposed to.

Great Neal, looking forward to listen to what you have new.

[OcalaMusician]

To all those Jerseyans on here....I had my Merlin Music studio in Whippany, NJ with a quick two years in East Hanover before coming back to Whippany when I found the 4,000 sq ft space I could afford.  Thanks for welcoming me to this community and the kind words written about one of my old songs.  I look forward to working as much as possible on here since the live music scene where I live now in Ocala, FL seriously sucks.  Take care all!!