Song Reviews
Brother how Art thou!
Began with a flute a bit World Music like but the music seemed to change genre to go into a southern country rock feel. The chorus then brought luscious vocals paned left and right, kinda "Brother Where Art thou" feel and then the rocking solo keeps your hooked (maybe would have shortened the end a bit). In the next verse, came in an interesting organ which could have been weird but still brought renewed interest to the song. The whole song ends with a light a refreshing flute solo after the last chorus. I enjoyed the tune, growing on me each time I listened and also enjoyed the melody. The length was just right and left me wanting to hear more.
United States, New York, Brooklyn
Damen Black
If this doesn't get you dancing, please give your family my best as you have obviously passed away in your sleep. This is a fantastic song from top to bottom. What a story to pen and make into one of finest songs on N1M. The musical arrangement is top drawer as is the guitar and flute solos, but the fruit in the bun is the great delivery of vocals. The phrasing accompanied with layers of harmonies are truly great and make this track fly out of your speakers. Amazing job guys ! Peter
United Kingdom, Jersey Channel Islands
Great melody, wonderful flute
Great Flute work. There's an air of confidence that's quite refreshing that extends into the vocal which is well backed up by the harmonies. The melody moves really well with the melancholy in the minor chords displaying a keen sense of longing that makes the guitar lead work very well indeed
United States, Texas, Houston
I like it
Love the flute intro. (very ethnic, recorder timbre). Chord progression reminds me of old Outlaws (Souhern Rock) tune. Interesting disonant organ solo. Nice guitar. Vocals hard to understand ... more so in the double voicings. Overall this is a very nice piece. Seems like a potential carrer here if this genre hasn't died out.
United States, Florida, Clearwater
John Wessel - Damen Black
Damen Black by John Wessel has a toe tapping backbeat some great guitar, organ and flute work all set to the story of Damen Black. I am not clear if Damen Black is simply a western character or more interestingly a play on the term Daemon Black or Black Death as it is more popularly known in Europe. The track would have benefited from some better production as it is a little muddy but it is a fine melody. It has echoes of Ireland's the Waterboys, Jethro Tull and of course country and western. Well constructed, well played and definitely worth a listen. With better production this would have been a 4.8.
United States, New York, New York
Good old Honky Tonk
This alternative country song combines the traditional lifestyle of a whole generation. The music reminded me of good old Honky Tonk, with drums and electric guitar. At the beginning a beautifully played transverse flute solo. The song is written in 2/4 tact, which gives the typical groove. This is a perfectly well composition with many additional instruments. But why do I tell this? The text deals with everyday problems and is unsophisticated and direct. He has a lot in common with the folkloric and homelike contents. It´s a quintessence of Southern music. This song is not far away from normal radio hits and this one is an original. Listen to the music and if you like add him. Let others know your recommendation.
Germany, Hamburg
well done John
There are songs you like two seconds after they have started playing on your stereo.. Damen Black is one of those : nice rythm, nice melody, good backing vocals, good chord changes, good solo (soli). I would call the genre more 'acoustic rock' than 'alternative' because it is not very original or weird, but it is an effective tune, with a country music feel you cannot ignore. The whole thing is quite catchy, it is a great song. If you want to find flaws, you can, but they will not change your overall opinion ! Yes, it is a bit long and the beat / arrangements lack changes -personally I would have increased the tone half way through the song (one semi tone at least) to renew the interest, and would have suppressed one solo (there are three !). But let's not fuss about that : JW has a very good song there;congrats !
France, Castres
Damen Black Remasterd
Hi das Intro mit der Flute is very inspiring und der Track beim weiterhören Lädt zum dancing ein Die Instrumente sind sehr gut im Mix untergebracht Guitar gefällt ebenfalls. Leider finde ich die Lead voice etwas zu weit im Hintergrund. Alles in allem eine gelungene Produktion Greats from Germany G.W.Scott
Germany, Petershagen
Good stuff
Sounds like some true southern music mixed with some blue grass flavor.. not bad looking forward to seeing what else you guys come up with.. Maybe mix in a little devil went down to Georgia kinda thing..but hey it works so keep it up
United States, Mississippi, Pascagoula
Nice song
Hi John. Nice song. Musically well done. Good musicians. I like the distorted guitarsolo and the flutepart. The song is a story which I like; a song with a story has something mystifying I find. It's a bit like the Beatlessong " Rocky Raccoon", if you know that one, White Album. The pace of the song is superb, and the fade-out at the end gives the impression of a great ride on a horseback. The composition though, the chord-scheme is not too elaborated. I like elaborated compositions 'cause it gets the tune more easily stuck in your head. A good example of a really elaborated composition is e.g. " Feels like heaven" by Fiction Factory. But hey, it's a great song, really mystifying, and I'm truly keen on listening to more of yours. Check out my music on N1M, search: spiceypete. Greetings from rainy Ghent, Belgium. Pieter B.
Belgium, Ghent
Refreshing
If you ever wondered what Ian Anderson would have sounded like playing outlaw country music this song will show you. Brilliant flute playing accompanied by a outlaw country beat works better than I ever would have thought. Great beat great background singer's enhance the tone color. There are a few things that could be better. The organ solo needs a better beginning it goes against grain of song for a few measures but than really connects. The guitar solo is good but I would have preferred more flute. The lead vocals tend to get a bit lost in the reverb. The tai end of the reverbl is probably to long due to the quick beat of the song, and it phases out the notes.
United States, Illinois, Aurora
review of 'Damen Black Remastered'
Interesting enough in the beginning, doesn't sound like much other stuff that is around. I'd say a mix of country, peruvian pan pipes, Jethro Tull but with a keyboard playing the drums. I really didn't like the drum & keyboard sound, I thought it ruined what could have been a great track. Good guitar solo, accomplished playing on most everything else. With a good remix and some real instruments, this could be a really interesting piece. The idea is excellent but the execution, sounding a little too homemade, good do with some work in my opinion. Good though, liked it...
Italy, Calcinaia
Damen Black Remastered
Hello, Let me start by saying that I'll be reviewing Damen Black Remastered as to how viable the song might be for placing with an established artist. I'm of the opinion that you review material either for commercial viability of as a Artistic statement...(Do you like the song or not?) ..... which is not much help with the craft of songwriting The overall feel is nice and the use of varied instrumentation works. Having said that there are a few things I might check into if it were me. The bass and drums feel buried in the track...hence the bottom end of your song is lacking... I might investigate other alternate ways to address this issue... always good to use a favorite song or artist as a comparison benchmark when mixing. Along those lines the main vocal splitting to the sides during the refrain to my ears is distracting.... It takes away from the lyrical content at the time when you'd like folks to be focusing in on the hook of your song. Guitar solo is fine but eats a lot of midrange when it enters the mix offsetting the overall balance of your composition. I hope this is helpful in some way... and Keep Writing! RW
United States, Kentucky, Fort Thomas
Rocking
I really like and enjoy your music keep on making great music and never stop creating Growing up as a little kid I use to listen to all types of music keep on going God bless you in all your endeavors.
United States, California, Every Where
