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'One Minute With Dec'

The widest read, 'delivered to your Email box', weekly music Ezine on the Music Net.

The Archive

A service from 'The Serious Writers Guild' at MAKEHITS.COM

Written by Dec Cluskey

This Email first mailed to all Members of 'The Serious Writers Guild' and subscribers to 'One Minute With Dec' on 21.08.02

Latest success in 'The Serious Writers Guild'? 

A very unusual success story this week:

"My name is Laurie Evans, songwriter, avidly following your advice, currently
on Neophyte Grade.
Although this had nothing to do with music it shows that the datums are all
encompassing in any aspect of life.  Take squash -

Today I applied the datums of "Be" the winner before you`ve won the game.

My power to play and win easily, increased immensely, I had more energy, more
space, more time and more beingness.

Warm Regards

Laurie Evans  (Suddensongs)"

=================================

"One Minute With Dec"

"My Emails are written in good humour, and should be read with a smile"

Again, gotta keep it short this week...now don't complain.  Some joker Emailed me to say he read my 'One Minute' in 53 secs.  He must be a lawyer - specialising in 'speed reading' techniques!
 
No, I'm still in the middle of a heavy recording schedule.  I achieved a milestone last night.  I actually got 100 [yes, one hundred] voices on a track.  Using multi-tracking techniqes, obviously.  Took quite a while but the result was a bit amazing.  It's a cover of 'We are the Champions' for a project by my band.  
 Always do it better:
 Whenever you are asked to record a cover or maybe you think it a good idea to do one to get a deal [excellent idea, as it happens] make absolutely sure that you bring 'something new to the party'.  In other words, there is no good just recording the piece using all the same sounds and and the same voicings...the record buyers might as well stick to buying the original.  In fact they will be very quick to say that...and so will the DJ's.
 
My band did a heck of a lot of covers through our career but every single one had my stamp on it.  You know immediately when you hear a track performed by my band.  Destinctive harmonies [I devised a style of three part, which is much immitated today] and destinctive arrangements.
 
Pick the best bits:
 
Always be aware, however, that certain parts of the original arrangment must be in your version.  I call it the 'Singing in the Rain' syndrome.  If you don't have that repetitive introduction lick, in a 'Singing in the Rain' arrangement, then the punters will think it odd!  Understand?
 
That is why I used the huge voicing in 'We Are The Champions'....without those huge vocals the punters will be dissappointed.  But then I add our own destincive harmony style in parts and use a Novation sound module as a 'cool' sound giving it a 'today' feel.  Folk always forget that the guys [Queen] recorded that toon in 1977...that was 25 years ago!!!!!!  Equate that to someone in the Sixties listening to an Al Jolson [who's he?] record during The Beatles era.   Same time difference.
 
So, always bring something new to the party....and whatever you do make your new version of that cover more desirable than the original.
 
Compressors:
 
I just have to say this whenever I am in a heavy recording schedule.  Think Compressors, compressors and more compressors.  Of all the CD's I get sent, there is not one that has the amount of serious compression that we use in commercial recording.   Consider that an SSL desk, a Calrec desk will have a compressor/limiter on each channel.
 
Now ask yourself the questions:
 
a)  How many compressors have I got in my studio [or the demo studio you hire]
 
b)  Do I REALLY know how to use compressors? [all Members of 'The Serious Writers Guild' get a mountain of info. from me on their use]
 
I raise a smile when I quote the famous Norman Cook line "Everything I do is C.T.F."  Just to remind you, the first two words are Compressed To ****.
 
I had an excellent CD through, in the post, this week...the main criticism?  Not an obvious bit of commercial, buyable, money making compression on it.  And I can never understand that statement: "great compressor, does the job but you can't hear it working!"  Hmmmm!  $3,000 for a bit of kit you can't hear?
 
Check out TLA valve compressors at the moment...serious kit!  Hard as nails...and certainly know they are working!
 
 
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCMENT - 'CLICKBANK' ADDED:
 
We have now added 'Clickbank' payment facilities for all our 'PDF' books and materials that are delivered to you electronically by Email....it's in addition to our normal super-safe secure facilities.  Some folk love 'Clickbank' more than any other - so go to www.makehits.com here is the link:
 
 
Atomic Kitten prove my info is correct:
 
Big troubles for Atomic Kitten at the moment.  I always advise my Members to learn this business inside out and backwards.  And learn it from me, the correct way.  Sadly Atomic Kitten didn't....so now they are paying the price.  They are trying to get a larger share of the record writing royalties after the money has been made.  Impossible!  They should have known to negotiate properly in the first place [and don't think that a manager will do that for you!  They have one of the best]
 
So now it looks like they have lost the friendship and respect of Andy McCluskey and Stuart Kershaw, the two guys who gave them the massive Number Ones.  It will all end up in court and cost all sides a double died fortune.  My members know much more about it than the girls...eh guys?  And I am always on the end of the phone to advise my Members.  I call it 'management without the percentage'.
 
They got caught in the Limo and Video trap!
 
Yep, one of the oldest contract tricks on the book...and they fell for it.  Now they are paying fortunes for making the videos that make the money for the Record Company. [Innocent]

YOU WILL LIKE THIS:

The Paradox of Our Time by George Carlin:

 The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less; we buy more but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life, we've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.

We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; big men and small character; steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say "I Love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it.

A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to Love, give time to speak, give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

To all my family and friends in my life, thanks for being there..........

 

"One of the first duties of the physician is to educate the masses not to
take medicine."
Sir William Osler



R
egards

Dec

"It doesn't make a difference what temperature a room is, it's always room temperature."
Steven Wright

 


Tip of the week:  When recording multi harmonies with, say, three people, instead of trying to get the three to sing three different lines together, perfectly [could take all day!] get the three to sing one line of the harmony together.  Then double track that...so now you have one line sung by six voices?  Yes?

Now, do the same with the second line of harmony [or maybe unison or octaves].  Now you have two lines done.  Then do the third line [fourth and fifth if you have the musical knowledge] and Voile - you have stunning harmony, the way Dre does it, R Kelly and Dec Cluskey [ although I vary my techniques for different vocal arrangement sounds].

============================================

 Gag of the Week: 

"An artist asked the gallery owner if there had been any interest in his paintings on display at that time.

"I have good news and bad news," the owner replied. "The good news is that a gentleman inquired about your work and wondered if it would appreciate in value after your death. When I told him it would, he bought all 15 of your
paintings."

"That's wonderful," the artist exclaimed. "What's the bad news?"

"The guy was your doctor."

============================================

One Moment with Stuart Goldsmith

 "I believe it is important to strive for excellence in everything you touch.  Your hand print should be one of quality and caring.  I admit that I have not always achieved this in my life, but I do strive for it.

Do you?"

http://www.medina.co.uk 

the website of my good friend - Stuart Goldsmith

=====================================================


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Dec Cluskey
The Serious Writers Guild,
Stanton Prior,
Darley Road,
Meads,
Eastbourne BN20 7UH in the UK
Email: dec@makehits.com
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