Mixing getting all mixed up ...

I am currently helping out with feedback for the release of an album from Ryan McDowell, a young talented singer songwriter from Glasgow. Though Ryan has recently played support for Admiral Fallow and has been twittered by BBC as a new hot talent he is currently unknown. His label has politely declined Radio 1 from playing his demo material preferring to release things properly. Promising!!

Ryan's album has now been recorded in the Amazing Gorbals Sound (5M UK pound studio which he shared with Susan Boyle for the week) and is partly acoustic and partly with a full band. The first song to be released has now been mixed by Gordon McNeil and also by the amazing Chris Potter whom has worked with artists like Pink, Sarah McLachlan, Brian Adams & Annie Lennox to name a few.

I already have Gordon's take and yesterday I received Chris's version. It took me twenty seconds to decide I liked Gordon's better simply as it was easier to follow, in less of a rush and though much less complicated or polished  ... like the artist ... it just made more of an impact, was catchy and quite bold!

Chris's job to represent Ryan with the piece is made so much more difficult when he has never met Ryan and doesn't know Ryans background. The songs delivered to his computer appear to be from a young enthusiastic musician starting out. Gordon on the other hand has known him for years, knows he's not ''that innocent'', knows he has an eye for the girls and sees himself as pretty cool. Gordon is therefore in a easier position to represent the artist with the music.

This is a very interesting twist for the use of LINN's 'Tune-dem'' method but actually it's perfect if it wasn't for all the other variables of making a record ... is the goal record sales and/or artist integrity? Which piece is easiest to sing along to is easily overshadowed by trends, how is sounds on the radio/iphone (NOT HIFI) and believe me so much of the result of the record you buy lies in the hands of the producer. The two versions are miles from each other, almost two different genre I would say!

To simply disregards Chris's work as the weaker of the two could be jumping to conclusions we are less qualified to make. Ryan wants to be cool, wants to be modern but Chris knows about the bigger picture.

Gordon's mix will be released as the single and Chris's probably as an extra version attached to the download for the album.

Think about all the great versions that are out their of classic albums ... all the amazing interpretations that were thrown away because the people making the decisions were inexperienced ... tailored solutions for UK but missed opportunity in the USA.

My last comment is that a mix can make or break a song, it's like taking your work of art that was 90% finished and picking from a bunch of other artists whom should finish it AND YOU ONLY HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO LET ONE DO THE JOBB ... EYHEKKKESSS!! The music business is crazy!!