'walk Away The Winner' - Mid 70's Philly Style Composition

[Guest Carl Dixon]

Hi everybody -

When I did the two US sessions last year, I was mindful how the songs were were written in the first place in London, and then how some ended up on my YouTube account as demos. There, they acquired some good and bad comments, but in essence, two of the Detroit tracks were cut soley because of demo airplay on Harry Grundys programme and YouTube responses. I would guess that feedback was critical to my decission making about which songs could be worthy of doing for real and I felt it was worth the risk. The Philly scenario was slightly different, as I took ideas and some incomplete demos Stateside, but nevertheless, they were the ideas that got things moving.

The feedback from anybody on YouTube or indeed a forum is important and if the song is enjoyed, commented on and 'hit' many times by potential listeners, I ultimately value the process and its worth. On saying that, one of my recent compositions is now at demo version 30 and on YouTube. It is something I would very much like to record with vocals, but by all account could stand up as an instrumental, according to one comment. I set the scene at somewhere in the region of 1977 where there is a cross between MFSB & Salsoul. Horn stabs and counter melodies throughout with strings, electric piano and a sweeping harp every so often. I am not proficient with the wah wah, but that is me playing it in the background. I would like to do a Vince Montana style vibe solo but have not quite got around to doing it yet. Please take a listen and comment if appropriate. I am looking to see if the track is enjoyed, and would be a possible contender to cut somewhere! I have my eye on a studio in London this time, but recording here is 3 times more expensive than the States, and why would I really want to cut Philly based music here! The simple answer is I want to control the song and see if I have gleaned any production skills from the sessions I have been involved with. Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.c...h?v=_N-5jWFC1Z8

Cheers

Carl

Edited December 10, 2009 by Carl Dixon

[Swifty]

Carl , I think you are achieving what a lot of people would only dream of doing, I have nothing but admiration for you mate

'cause you're doing it for the right reasons (maybe the Bank manager would'nt agree )

but you are actually doing it for the 'Music' and if you cover your costs I'm sure you would

be more than happy. I think some Vince Montana vibes would suit imho , hey but who am I !

Keep it up mate and I haven't forgotten about the 'Spyder' Single whih I wll order at the weekend.

Keep on truckin' mate - as they say in little old Louth , Lincs - Not !

Cheers

Swifty

[Guest Carl Dixon]

Thanks Swifty. Your comments, as usual are very encouraging.

The news is today that my sales are just over £1000 for Pree's and Spyders releases (but that incudes postage). It means that I am nearly 50% of covering the production costs of the vinyl in Detroit, shipping, duties and taxes etc. I will be paying the featured artists a royalty no matter what. It's the right thing to do with this project. As soon as these two records earn more than it cost to press up, I will consider pressing up another Spyder Turner track called 'Glory Fleeting' I have. There is a short segment on my 55motown YouTube if anybody is curious. The studio production costs I have written off as such, because of the nature of what I did. But....I know if income is steady and I see light at the end of the tunnel, I would really love to do more. In fact I have just been invited back to Detroit to maybe collaborate with somebody, but I am not quite ready yet, plus I do not have the funds. I need to get my teeth in to publishing because of something that has recently happened. It's the next learning curve and hoop I have to jump through.

Don't worry about Louth, in Lincs! I am from Hull and I swear the soul of that city is partly responsible for what I have done. So much so, it maybe where I record the horns, strings, vibes etc on 'Walk away the winner' if I do it over here. Again, I need income from the other stuff to pay for this, but the local music college are extremly interested in contributing, so I may check out the students and see if they can do the rhyhm as well. There I go...dreaming again!

Edited December 16, 2009 by Carl Dixon

[Swifty]

nice one Carl , will be in touch

Cheers

Swifty

p.s. If you ever need any artwork/Graphics for labels etc. let me know ( at no cost)

I work for a graphics/Repro company so no problem (I'll even tell the gaffer!)