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Reviews for "French Cigarette"

French Cigarette
by TheJoe
Recommends (19)
Sun, Jul 6, 2008 @ 5:56 PM

Uses samples from:

 
spinmeister
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permalink   Sun, Jul 6, 2008 @ 6:15 PM
cough, cough, … :-)

What a great idea to put the song into the 1930s. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers are dancing, while Vox is singing, and TheJoe plays the grand piano. — All in black and white of course!

Love your piano playing! And the idea of going half time / double time is a really good one, too! The strings, brass section and the synth solo are great!

Thanks TJ!!!
 
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permalink   TheJoe Tue, Jul 8, 2008 @ 3:45 PM
:-)

Glad you like it! I hope Vox is not offended that I did manipulate his vocals that way!
duckett
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permalink   Sun, Jul 6, 2008 @ 6:20 PM
Sweet, but with just the right amount of personal edge.
 
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permalink   TheJoe Tue, Jul 8, 2008 @ 3:47 PM
Thanks duckett, I was really in trouble of having made it probably toooo sweeeet.
So I bite a sour apple to compensate a bit? :-)
Anchor
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permalink   Sun, Jul 6, 2008 @ 7:25 PM
J -
the wonderful romantic piano music… and the old-timey all girl harmonies really conjure up a mood…warm tropic nights, nightclub singer, a red hibiscus behind an ear, that lady in black…very dramatic…just grand and well produced with aplomb!
 
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permalink   TheJoe Tue, Jul 8, 2008 @ 3:55 PM
Thank you Anchor!

It seems I have sort of calm and romantic phase now in my musical life. As already mentioned to Spinmeister, I hope the vocal treatment of Vox (AMT) isn_t too much as you called it old timey all girlies harmonies.
But at least it was exactly that I did intend.
radiotimes
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permalink   Sun, Jul 6, 2008 @ 8:14 PM
It’s not so much laid back as laying down!

Very nice use of all the samples and the piano works very well in the context of the mix.

Fred and Ginger is a good analogy. Shiny shoes for a shiny mix!!
 
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permalink   TheJoe Tue, Jul 8, 2008 @ 3:58 PM
Thanks RT!

Always nice to get a comment from you as well as the compliment for the piano. But it was the bass lines that I needed a lot of time to play and to edit. I wish I could play any string instrument! :-)
colab
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permalink   Tue, Jul 8, 2008 @ 10:50 AM
I definitely echo the comments about going into two-step at the half point - very successful.
Musically, I think this is a very good version - a lot of fun to listen to and really well crafted - lots of small touches that I really like.

My few negative comments would be about the reverb - right now it sounds a bit too “floaty” and could be grounded more with a bit more dry sound. Also, I can’t put my finger on it, but the backing vocals don’t work as well for me as the lead vox (pun intended).

Those minor things aside, this is a great collaboration - really enjoyable listening.
 
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permalink   TheJoe Tue, Jul 8, 2008 @ 4:02 PM
Thank you Colab!

As for the reverb, you are probably right and for sure this can be discussed as most musical things.
The background was pitched like the main vocals for one halftone upwards which caused another artifical effect, which was intended but I admit this is another discussible thread or just a matter of taste.
Kaer Trouz
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permalink   Fri, Jul 18, 2008 @ 8:00 AM
This, to echo the sentiments of many above, has a real nostalgic feel, yes, but at the same time is tres moderne. The piano, obviously, is first rate. Very smooth.
 
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permalink   TheJoe Fri, Jul 18, 2008 @ 3:47 PM
Kaer,

thank you very much for the review.

After a period of old school/nostalgic remixes I am about to leave this behind me and go to new challenges. But if I think about it twice, I probably come back to this style for remixing one of your wonderful a capellas! :-)
Mindmovie
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permalink   Sat, Aug 16, 2008 @ 4:00 AM
another trademark of the instrumental and arragment skills skills you have got my friend. Love this one a lot
 
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permalink   TheJoe Sun, Aug 17, 2008 @ 12:25 AM
You know, a review coming from you is an honour!

Especially regarding that you are one of the most professionals that I know.

Cheers to you!
essesq
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permalink   Mon, Sep 22, 2008 @ 10:12 PM
Hey Joe, very slow to the party here, so sorry about that. Really nice effort here. Like everyone else I love the piano work and the feel of it. I will only critique the pitch shifting. I like my guys to stay masculine ;-), unless their voices go up on their own.

Nice work TJ, and sorry for taking so long to comment.
 
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permalink   TheJoe Wed, Oct 8, 2008 @ 12:25 PM
hello essesq!

No worry about being late, you know it_s never too late! But take my apologize for a late thank you! I have been in vacancies and so I will be online now on ccmixter again. re:-pitchshift, yes I know, this is a discussable point. When I played to the original I had to realize that Spinmeister took again one of his difficult keys. When pitching it one half tone it was more easy to play on the keys. Simple but effectful! :-)
So I do agree with the masculine effect even if I can_t promise not repeat this procedure if it helps.

However I was very pleased to read your nice comment! Thanks again!