Cover: "Sign Of The Cross" by Iron Maiden

[napoleonboot]

As usual, constructive criticism is welcome.

Recorded by myself and my friend Tony Rhodes. I did vocals (including choir) and bass, and Tony did guitar, drums and keyboards. I did the mix.

George

[ronws]

Fantastic. Your mid-range has really blossomed and this is where 98 percent of Bruce's singing is. Kudos for singing like he does without trying to sound like him. Does that make sense? That is, you have the full voice sound without trying to sound like him. Always keep that Midlands sound (not that you would try to get rid of it. )

It would be easier to critique you if you would do something wrong. But don't worry, I suppose someone will come along and pick one vowel sound to death. (Doesn't matter which vowel sound. The key to critique sometimes is just finding something and suggesting it a different way.)

George, surely doest though rock.

[slstone]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Bruce didn't sing this one on the album. He had taken a leave of absence from Maiden. Blaze Bailey was the singer on the X Factor album.

[Slow Start]

I really enjoyed your singing. Well sung.

[napoleonboot]

Thanks all.

Yes Blaze Bayley sang the original on the 1995 album "The X-factor" (which came out before the TV show of the same name!), although Bruce Dickinson also sang it on the later "Rock In Rio" live album in 2001.

This was a monster song to mix. Lots of work - and fun: I did vocals, bass, and choir. The choir on the oiriginal studio version is a specialist choir singing a gregorian chant. I made up my version of the chant more inspired by the original, than copied from it, as it wasn't very easy to hear what was going on. I created 9 separate vocal tracks!

George

[DJDeth]

Killer choir, very impressive low note in the intro - even Blaze doesn't do it this way, he just whispers. You darken the tone in a similar way he does it in the verses. The higher notes (chorus) don't sound as good though. I think they need more power. Anyway , I'm impressed as hell.

[Jugulator]

Awesome cover. Your higher notes sounded absolutely like Blaze. The lower range impressed me.

[napoleonboot]

@DJDeth - I am never happy with my own singing. I often re-track several times to make small improvements , but generally give up when it stops improving! That doesn't mean it's perfect, just that it's as good as I can get it. That's why I hate it when people post their stuff here front-loaded with excuses. LET ME HEAR YOUR BEST SHOT! Sorry, ranting there. Anwyay, I do find it hard to do the higher notes as well as the mid-range, regarding vibrato etc.

@Jugulator - thanks I surprised myself with the lower range :)

[slstone]

Hey George, I couldn't agree more. I have said the same thing before, but there are those who game me grief for that view, so good luck. I have said I don't want to hear people at their worst, show me your best. So somebody may give you crap for expecting better performances.

[TonyRhodes]

I personally believe that George, sang this better than Blaze ever could. I think the Gregorian chant at the beginning was spellbinding. I really like his voice ss it fits the music perfectly

[ronws]

I agree with George and would add one proviso to my brother's statements.

No excuses. Especially don't say "this was my best take." Or, "this was a crappy take but it was better than the others."

None of that. Keep your mouth shut and let others judge. Why?

Back when I was recovering from my self-induced injury, I did a cover of "Heaven and Hell." My fine control was gone. And my high notes sounded like a raspy howl. And shared the link, with no excuses. And someone really liked my "metal scream" up there. Only after did I say, "with any luck and a lot more smarts about my voice, I will NOT be able to do that again."

So, there it was, technically not the best my voice is ultimately capable of, though it was the best it was capable of on that exact day that I recorded it, resulting in a take that someone liked.

So, to agree with George, in so many words, shut up and sing. And then, follow that up with the shut up some more thingy.

And, to my brother, yes, do the best you can. I would add that I don't give a flying rat's posterior whether you are at the level of this or that singer. You do the best that you can. And then, shut up.

And I agree with Tony. Cool chant, nicely done. Don't care about how difficult it was to record. That's what neat about digital multi-track recording. You don't need a tape-cutting machine. Unless you just like doing it old school.

[ronws]

In fact, to commandeer your thread, George, just a little more, newbies coming in who offer a litany of excuses and humility, some false, some genuine, are by that very act, showing that they don't know what it means to be a singer. But after some training, their submissions improve and, hopefully, the excuses decrease.

Although I do get your point and that of my brother. You, George, don't ever put up a truly live take. You will work on a recording for however long it takes to have it cd perfect. And that is art, in and of itself.

Whereas, I am on of the original bad boys. I was reigning king of the click and record, let the chips fall where they may. If you only knew how many of my recordings (editing quality aside) were literally first and only take, simultaneous guitar and singing (my campfire editions, as it were.)

I still think those are valuable, too, in the long run. I know we should strive to do the best we can and put that forward. And sometimes, it is needed to put it forth, even if it's not the best you will ultimately be capable of. Why?

It's like the car making a funny noise. Then you get to the mechanic and the noise is not there. Maybe because I consider myself a "live" singer. Live, there are no edits, no do-overs, no month long process. You have to make it work now, in real time. In that arena, I am totally comfortable. It's the "red light" of recording that throws me off.

Note to self, get rid of the lights.

[napoleonboot]

Ron

actually, although I do several takes, I often regret trashing my first couple, thinking I would get better. Sometimes those early ones are just as good

George