My Friend Ben

[TripleM]

I did this one a couple of years ago. I listened to it a few months ago and didn't like that mix. So I redid it. I lost touch with the drummer on the original, so I put in fake drums.

My Friend Ben
CHORUS
My friend Ben
He's still dead
He knew William Penn
So read your history books again, and let's all sing
My friend Ben
My friend Ben

His friend named Thomas "The King of" Paine
Said, "Ben it's Common Sense to stay out of the reign
"But King George Jetson doesn't see it that way
"He's got a thousand troops that he's sending my way
"But I think it's too late - I've stepped in the goo
"And now I'm afraid Ben, what'll I do?" And Ben thought, and then he said...

"Six hundred years of inbreeding's gonna have an effect
"But that's how we get the kings we select
"It's gonna take a revolution to cure this ill
"And if they won't help here, perhaps Virginia will
"Anyway I don't want to discuss it here
"Let's go Sam Adams' pub and drink beer"
Tom said, "Great." took care of the fee
He paid him in whiskey and he got a receipt from...

CHORUS

Young Mr. Jefferson wrote him a letter
He wrote it to Ben 'cause Ben'd probably know better
He said, "Mr. Franklin you're a pretty smart fellow
"Should I release all the slaves I have at Montecello?
"Except there's one named Sally that looks kind of nice
"If I kept her around, would anyone think twice?" And Ben thought, and then wrote back

"I know it's taboo to put white on black
"But you wrote the Declaration, can't they cut you some slack?
"I saw this once back in my days in Kent
"You'll grow up and become the third or fourth president
"So the only advice I can think of for you
"Is to ask yourself, 'Say what would Jesus do?'
"Because even St. Peter interprets things loosely."
So Tom said "Terrific!" and gave thanks profusely to

CHORUS

The father of his country stopped by for a stroll
And said, "Ben, these war games are taking their toll
"You live out of crates, and your affairs are ephemeral
"And life gets lonely on the road as a General
"I need to find a young looking woman who's stout
"And get me some comfort without Martha finding out
"So I'm asking you if you can help me out in any way
"And hurry up, 'cause like I need it yesterday." And Ben thought, and then he said

"I appreciate your problem keeping things in their sheath
"But face it George, you got wooden teeth
"And even the comeliest lass will be hostile
"But I can set you up in Boston's finest brothel
"Where they'll be discrete, and keep your name in the clear
"And give a new slant to the term 'Washington slept here'"
Then Ben said, "Watch out!" But George did what he pleased.
He paid the lowest price and caught a nasty disease. Despite...

CHORUS

Mix #1

MyFriendBen1.mp3

[vomitHatSteve]

I like it.

Maybe bump the bgvox down a touch. But maybe not.

[Lt. Bob]

nice .... everything sounds good and especially like the harmony sections

Good tunage sir!!

[Armistice]

I'm with @vomitHatSteve on the BVs... I'd just knock a couple of dBs off them, especially the second batch - I think you'll still get the effect you're after but it'll sit in a bit better. Otherwise, all good!

[Lt. Bob]

I'm with @vomitHatSteve on the BVs... I'd just knock a couple of dBs off them, especially the second batch - I think you'll still get the effect you're after but it'll sit in a bit better. Otherwise, all good!

I dunno if I agree with that.
listen to Manhatten transfer ...... those harmonies are often mixed at equal levels with no vocal taking precedence ..... it's more like you're playing chords on an organ ..... they're all gonna be the same volume ..... they're not background vocals so much as the vocal is all of them ...... yes you could decide to give one part the designation of lead vocal and push the others back to be background ..... but I listen to a lot of vocal groups and they often mix things pretty equal.
Listen to the Andrews sisters or any of those ......

Anyways I like it ....... maybe I'm just old.

[rayc]

The bvpx seem fine to me.
Starts Like Mickey after me sing Mt Frend Stan in my head as I reached for the link.
Fun song well played & recorded.
there were a couple of moments in the solo that seemed hesitant.
The verses were Beasty Boy ish...I don't know if that's a good thing but it works.

[musicturtle]

@TripleM really cool tune man.

I really have zero nits sorry.

It's like the Beatles meet Beasty Boys...or maybe call it the Beastles

[Armistice]

The Andrews sisters were three people and Manhattan Transfer were four, whereas I suspect this is just Trip on his own.. tracking very accurately (to his credit) and so there's no individual variation in voices that makes for interesting group singing. I think it would sound a bit better with just a bit less of the BVs for that reason ... personal opinion only. YMMV.

[stratmonkee]

As usual, your stuff is tight...love it! Clever lyrics, dig the bass guitar fills around 3:26, very cool, nice job!

[TripleM]

Thanks to everyone: @vomitHatSteve, @Lt. Bob, @rayc, @Armistice, @musicturtle, @stratmonkee.

I appreciate everyone's ears. I think I like the harmonies where they are, but I haven't listened in a couple of weeks. So I'll listen one more time, taking everyone's comments into account. In any event, I think we're all talking about pretty small changes.

Thanks again.

[JD01]

Great vocal performances MMM.
I think the vocals are bit loud actually, then can probably come down a bit across the board.
Two things though, the lead vocal is little harsh sounding in the verses where you're almost screaming it. Great performance, you should be able to dip it out with a touch of EQ. It also sounds really dry - give it a touch more verb, its right on my forehead!

[TripleM]

Thanks @JD01.

I lowered the lead vocal a db or so and I could still hear it clearly. So I think you're right on the level. I'm already cutting the heck out of it at 2.5k and I'm not sure I can cut any more.

I also lowered the BGVs singing the 7th notes a db or so. But I think I'll leave the overall level where it is.

[WhiskeyJack]

Dude this was such a great listen. I like the lyrics you did a great job writing and singing this bad boy.

I got nothing at all bad to say about this. Fantastic.

[TripleM]

Thanks WJ. I'm glad you liked it.