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I received a download link today for the two KaraokeCloud Unplugged "discs" that Gretchen told us about.
First - Why the !@#$%^&* can't manufacturers settle on a track naming scheme that is somewhat standard? At the very least, do some QA on the naming structure of all the tracks made by the same company!!
Sorry, Gretchen. I know it isn't you, but this is a 25 year old problem and it seems it should have been figured out by now....
I had a chance to listen to each track this morning. I am going to list each track filename exactly as it was delivered to me (assume a .ZIP on the end of each one) and provide feedback on each one -
All tracks are 320kbps
To my ear, all of the tracks sound "muddy" when compared to the commonly played versions from other manufacturers (higher frequencies seemed muted....snares and cymbals seem blah and sometimes sustain longer than what feels normal)
All backing vocals seem to be male.
“Unplugged” is misleading. These are not “unplugged” tracks. Lots of electric guitar/bass throughout.
KC - C17492 - Nali, Anna - Breathe (2 AM)
Corrected artist name to be "Nalick, Anna"
Compared to the Sound Choice version which only offers a 3 beat intro, this version is a little easier to start. There is a 16 second piano intro leading into the opening lyric. The backing vocals are different.....as in the back up in places that there aren't normally backing vocals in the radio version or the Sound Choice version. The backing vocals are also all male where as they are female on the radio and SC versions.
Otherwise, it is a good mix and very singable. This song gets done at least once a month at each of my shows and sometimes more often. It is not a radically different mix so singers should be able to pick it up pretty easy.I believe singers will enjoy this track if they sing it a few times.
KC - C17494 - Day, Howie - Collide
About 30 seconds longer than the SC version. Due in part to a longer intro and slightly slower tempo.
Also one step higher in Key (C vs B (SC))
I have never heard this one done at karaoke though I have wanted to do it myself. I have practiced the Chartbuster version a few times which is my favorite version. The KC version backing vocals really seem to stick out. I think singers could actually get distracted by them though a good host will be able to help them manage it effectively.
Again, a good mix, very singable and one I would like to try at my own show.
KC - C17495 - Barenaked Ladies - One Week
(Interesting note - while poking around the versions I have for this one, I discover that the Pop Hits Today 9808-05 and Radio Starz 604-04 versions use an identical music track but different graphics)
I use the Chartbuster version of this when there are two singers and the Sound Choice version when there is only one singer unless otherwise requested. The Chartbuster version only has backing vocals in some of the harmonized chorus parts. Sound Choice version has the second male part throughout.
This is a very fun track!!!!
Twice as long as the common versions because of the slower reggae styling. I really like the change this offers. A LOT easier to keep up with!! How many horrible, albeit funny botched iterations of this have we all heard of the years as drunk people stumble over the lyrics.
This version is fun, has a lot of potential to be a crowd pleaser, and has a couple of nice guitar solo breaks for that are especially nice if you use props at your shows (I have a couple of broken Guitar Hero guitars at mine).
I have a buddy that I have done this track with a few times and I am going to get together with him to practice this one and have some fun with it.
This track is a definite WIN!
KC - C17496 - Mraz , Jason - Remedy (I Won't Worry), The
Corrected Artist name to drop the SPACE between last name and comma
I also dropped the “(I Won’t Worry)” from Title to match the rest of my versions of this track.
(Interesting note – Seems the Top Tunes 227-17 and Panorama THP 0305-07 use identical music tracks)
Common version are recorded on Bb. The KG version is in F#m. The lower key makes it more accessible to some singers out of the gate.
Another very fast lyric track. Not an easy one to pull off. I have only heard one person do this track justice and she (yes…SHE) should probably be a recording artist.
For songs like this, you really have to know the song or you will fall behind the scrolls during the page transitions. This version is no different. In fact, I like the page transitions better on other versions better. The KC version will be easy to fall behind on because of where they made the breaks at.
This song has several spots in it where the music stops and the singer is all that is heard. Most other versions kill off background music completely but the KC version has some odd music fills. Not really distracting but definitely noticeable and….different.
All in all not a bad version but I will probably stick to SC as my default track on this one.
KC - C17499 - Stealers Wheel - Stuck In The Middle
Not an “unplugged” version by any means. It is not all that different from the SC and CB versions except…..
About 1 minute longer than the SC and CB versions of this because of a rather long guitar solo (38 bars) that starts about 2:22 in to the track. I prefer the Chartbuster version of this track.
This is not a bad track, but it will not be my preferred version of this primarily because of the extra long guitar solo.
KC - C17500 - Stevens, Cat - Wild World
(Interesting note – I THINK the American Gold 1001-01 and the Party Tyme SY1042-01 are the same music track)
SC and CB recorded this in the Key of C. Party Time in Am. KC also recorded in Am.
I know this song but I have never heard it at karaoke. This is one that I just don’t think will ever see much play. It has always had a very Elevator Music/Muzak feel to me and the KC version really brings that out IMO.
I would love for someone with a James Taylor’esque voice to sing the KC version though. I think it would sound fantastic.
KC - C17501 - Withers , Bill - Ain't No Sunshine
Corrected Artist name to drop the SPACE between last name and comma
This is a song that gets sung at a LOT of karaoke shows. I have heard so many good singers do this song that I always look forward to people doing it.
This is my new favorite version of this track. It’s about 1 minute longer than common versions. The whole track is slowed down some and this gives lots of room for singers to improvise and have some fun with the track. Especially those that are good with vocal runs.
The backing “strings section” instrumentals are completely removed from this version. Heavier acoustic guitar, and bass and a great harmonica give this track the feel of being a truly unplugged live performance. There is even some bongo like percussion that really makes this track NICELY different from the versions we are accustomed to.
Major Kudos to DigiTrax and whomever arranged this one!! BIG WIN!
KC - C17502 - OutKast - Hey Ya!
I have never liked this song. But I do like this version better than any of the others simply because it is different and will make people think outside of the box a little when they sing it.
It’s all acoustic guitar until the first “Hey Ya” when they introduce what I think sounds like a very much like a Chinese pipa (lute).
Roughly the same tempo but because of the arrangement, it seems slower.
This is another one I will practice with some friends and see what we can do with it.
KC - C17503 - Jackson , Michael - Billie Jean
Corrected Artist name to drop the SPACE between last name and comma
For the Record – NOTHING beats the Pioneer LaserDisc version of this song. The video is the shiznit. End of Story.
This track is almost 90 seconds shorter than Pioneer, CB, SC, and other versions I have because they removed the long guitar break and repetitive ending lyrics. Great for folks like me that like to sing this song but can’t even remotely fake dancing like anyone, much less Michael Jackson.
All keyboards and other electronics replaced by acoustic instruments. Makes for a nice new version of a classic karaoke track.
Win!
KC - C17504 - Barkley , Gnarls – Crazy
Corrected Artist name to drop the SPACE between last name and comma
Love this track. Completely different mix from the original. Different Key and Key changes throughout. Simple acoustic guitar, bass, and percussion throughout. Good Singers can improvise all over this one. I am going to play around with this one a lot and I know a few singers in my area that I am going to ask to try this one out.
Big WIN!
KC - C17506 - Temptations, The - Just My Imagination
To quote Nancy Regan….”Just Say No to This Track!”
Okay….that is just my opinion. I am sure there are great ways to arrange this track with different instruments, but the banjo and guitar just don’t work on this one. Sorry.
Big Blah on this one.
KC - C17508 - King, Ben E. - Stand By Me
This is one of my favorite songs……let’s see if they did it justice….
Nope……sorry folks, but like the previous track, the banjo doesn’t belong in this song. But even removing the banjo the rest of the track just sounds too busy. The Mandolin doesn’t work. The beat scheme doesn’t work. The track just doesn’t work.
Big Blah from me…..
-Chris
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-Chris
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