Watchtower 2020:

Inspector #20

Inspector #20

Ambassador of Tone
Fallen Star
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A few years ago, I recorded my own version of "All Along The Watchtower," a song that had fascinated me for half a century. I was floored when I saw Hendrix playing this live on TV and listening to the recording with headphones was like watching The Wizard Of Oz for the very first time. This song remained on the 'Bucket List' for years because I just didn't feel like my playing could even do a cover of this song due justice. My hard rock background "bleeds through" everything that I do.

Enter Axel Rudi Pell...

When I heard his version of "All Along The Watchtower," I was again mesmerized. His recording is a musical journey full of interesting sounds and arrangements. That experience inspired me to records "Watchtower" back in 2017. Although I posted a version to my Soundcloud, I felt like there was something missing.

My goal with this song was to make it punch you in the face like a hurricane. A lot of work went into creating sonic easter eggs, such as string slides, Wah effects, twin guitar harmonies on the rhythm sections, and doubled solos in real time.

Recently, I started going back through this song. I changed some guitar parts, EQ'd the bass with more mids, changed guitar EQ's, moved things around in the background, punctuated string slides, and tried to adjust the rhythm in such a way that it would be audible and engaging, even during the solos.

The result is here for your enjoyment.

I encourage and value your opinions.

I invite you to find the easter eggs...and the nod to Axel Rudi Pell's version.

- Rob

https://soundcloud.com/id%3Drobert-h-herndon%252Fwatchtower-2020-jimi-hendrix-cover%3Btrack_id%3D860334526
 
May I introduce you to Axel Rudi Pell. One of the most underrated and under-discovered guitarists of our time...


Another phenomenal performance...

 
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Kerry Brown said:
You're welcome. One of my favourite songs and one I am afraid to tackle myself. You have done it justice.
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I seldom tell anyone this, but there is a zone that I sometimes fall into, and when I am there, the tears stream down my face and I cannot make them stop. There is something that reaches me sometimes and it happened during the recording of this song...in my mind, I saw a movie of Jimi's life flashing past, and my only thought was, what if he saw me, listened to me, would I have the strength to give him my very best. It was a very emotional song for me...even though I am sure this sounds strange.
 
Robert Herndon said:
I seldom tell anyone this, but there is a zone that I sometimes fall into, and when I am there, the tears stream down my face and I cannot make them stop. There is something that reaches me sometimes and it happened during the recording of this song...in my mind, I saw a movie of Jimi's life flashing past, and my only thought was, what if he saw me, listened to me, would I have the strength to give him my very best. It was a very emotional song for me...even though I am sure this sounds strange.
Click to expand...
Whew..... thought I was the only one that gets emotional playing and/or listening to music. Nothing strange at all Rob.
 
Did Jimi proud. I’m thinking he’d have given you two thumbs up.

Edit: just listened thru my better headphones. My first assessment was spot on. Awesome.
 
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We were working until about 10pm last night...Tow cans of Miller High Life down. Can you find them???

The JCM800 did a Puff The Magic Dragon imitation about halfway through the first track, and I had to replace it with my DSL40C. Funny thing, the DSL40C sounds so much better than the JCM800. The JCM is just very one-dimensional.

Recording software by Cubase...

Rat's Nest Studio.jpg
 
After listening to this, i feel like the vintage-esque drum tone is wrong and somewhat out of place, in this modern version.

I also think the hollow, mid-rangey bass is likewise, a sonically mismatched effort.

I'm talking with my drummer and i expressed the desire to have a more modern drum sound. That is now in progress.

I am also going to re-record the bass lines with a much heavier bass tone.

I believe this will dramatically improve the song.

Thoughts???
 
Ok,

After spending some time listening to this track, I realized there were a few shortcomings. The bass lines were very mid-rangely and did not jive sonically with the rest of the track. So, Tuesday night, I re-recorded the entire bass passage in this song. I cut 2 separate bass lines, in unison, (doubled like Rhoad's) and panned them left and right at 40% to add "sonic spatiality" for the listner.

I also blended the high and low octave rhythm guitars, and brought up the volume levels on the 12 string acoustic rhythm guitar tracks on the intro section. I brought up some volume levels on some of the nuances, so they could be heard more clearly.

We are currently getting rid of the "Mitch Mitchell" style drum tracks and shootiing for something fuller...more of a Rick Allen style and tone.

Here's the first version before the bass was re-recorded:

https://soundcloud.com/id%3Drobert-h-herndon%252Fwatchtower-2020-jimi-hendrix-cover%3Btrack_id%3D860334526

Here's the 07/31/2020 Re-Mix with re-tracked (doubled) bass, volume level adjustment and basic mastering:

https://soundcloud.com/id%3Drobert-h-herndon%252Fwatchtower-2020-07312020-remix%252Fs-smfjNSK53UL%3Bsecret_token%3Ds-smfjNSK53UL%3Btrack_id%3D867917248

Tell me if you can hear the differences.

All critiques are welcome...

- Rob
 
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