Thanks for listen, and the kind words Tod. Much aappreciated.
Cheers, Shane
G’day mate 
Glad I stopped by for a listen- haven’t heard this song in ages.
I know I’ve often commented on the progress in your guitar chops (which is the point of this site) but as someone who prefers to hear the actual words rather than interpret what the guitarist is trying to say, I’m a big fan of vocals in the mix.
This was a very enjoyable, smooth, laid back listen 
I’m a lazy, low-hanging fruit guy. I like to get the most from what I already have.
Now that you’ve stopped coating your pipes with tar, you need to get in the habit of wobbling that larynx (warbling?) at every opportunity. It’s another tool in your box that brings your music to a higher level.
Regarding the grim Reaper’s post-mortem- well, it’s another skill to learn, which simply takes time. It’s only worth it if you want a recording to be as good as possible. For most of us here, not worth it beyond the enjoyment it brings us.
A hint more or less delay/reverb/compression will go completely unnoticed compared to getting the volume right, and I’m with Rogier on that. The vocals just a hint too prominent for my taste. Still that’s just personal taste.
You’re flying man. Keep ‘em coming
Edit: Forgot to mention. I often forget to pay attention to my enunciation. At 2.15 I heard:
When I’m feelin’ blue…
Tories comin’ through to soothe me 
Some might suggest EQ first to get the best value from compressor. I think you may be able to swap reverb and delay. I’m not an expert so take this with a pinch. I think it may depend on how those effects are setup. I’m think for example if the reverb is subtle and the delay quite pronounced, it may sound better not to be feeding all the delayed notes into the reverb.
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Thanks David. Its certainly a fascinating subject, and to be honest, my return to doing some vocals has both reawakened my curiosity, and my drive, to upskill in this area.
Been researching quite intensively, and I’ve ‘rediscovered’ that mixing is as much, perhaps moreso, an artform, as it is a technical endeavour.
How to order my signal chain? Well it depends on what I’m after. And I suppose that’s the crux of it right there for me. Gaining enough experience and insight into these tools, so I can then manipulate them to reach a specific goal.
Thanks again for your highly valued input.
Cheers, Shane
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WATERMELON MAN - Herbie Hancock
Well here’s a take on Watermelon Man, a 1962 jazz blues standard by Herbie Hancock. Its a one take, mostly improv, but obviously some pre planning. Very glad I stumbled upon this classic tune, which is super fun to play over, plus it’s been a great teacher; two elements I especially look for songs.
Its a 16 bar blues in F, with the basic 1-4-5 structure. Its a piano driven song, with sax, horn, etc, but many have adapted it to the guitar over the years, which it seems to suit really well. Most of the tune you make your own, and this is where the fun, and learning is. Its been great fun learning the history, to see it played by dozens of great players, as well as learning the basic hook, chords, and rhythm. I’ll likely be playin’ this one for years to come.
Welcome any comments, and suggestions, tips etc.
Cheers, Shane
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Shane, that was brilliant. Guitar sounded sweet and what a great song. Never knew it was a Herbie one.
I always look forward to what you share, you are where I want to be.
Thanks for the listen, and the feedback Stefan.
Yep, it’s a great one to learn, and play along to. The possibilities are endless.
Cheers, Shane
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Awesome Shane.
That’s one of my favourite jazz songs (can’t play it of course) and your take is fantastic!
Thanks for the kind words. Yep, it’s a great tune - one I’m keen to develop as I improve.
Cheers, Shane
Ahh!!
Awsome Shane!!
Sounds great!
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Sweet as Shane, that was ace. I’m curious, I think you retired recently, how many hours a day are you playing these days? Because your playing is so accomplished. And any inclination or plans for real life jams?
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That was sweet Shane. You really have developed some great skills.
That was great Shane. A pleasure to watch, listen and learn from your playing.
Me too
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Hey JK,
Thanks for the listen mate, and the kind feedback.
Retired? Not quite, although I’m not fully engaged in the workforce in recent years. So there are times when I have the opportunity for more guitar, health permitting. In general though, it is about an hour structured, and possibly another hour unstructured, depending.
Re playing with others? I don’t really have the inclination to be honest.
Cheers, Shane
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Thanks fellas for taking the time to listen, and for the kind words. Its certainly a fun tune, that anyone can have a crack at, as you can put your own spin on it.
Cheers, Shane
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That was so sweet, Shane. One more time a tone that was just so good, just right for the song and your play.
So much good play on display … technique, licks, lines, variety … could have listened on and on.
Only one moment that didn’t seem to go with the flow for me at 2’21’. I expected some repetition and further development of the idea. What you played was good, just no further development that made it seem out of place.
I also thought you could have faded the ending after the ‘that’s a rap’ gesture. I was scanning the comments at that time, so thought the ending cut off abruptly mid phrase. Of course that has zero bearing on the quality of your play, just me being super picky.
As for not playing with others, you could certainly play for others. I’d be happy to pay for the entertainment in a quite bar or restaurant if you were performing, either singing and playing or instrumentals like this.
Keep doing your thing and I’m glad you choose to continue to share here.
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OK I did not want to do this, not at all after reading the previous comments but I am sorry I am just having to jump on the Sweet band wagon coz boy that was SWEET for sure. Very well played Shane with some nice hybrid picking along the way. One of those songs I instantly recognise (as an old git !) and never call artist or song title and for some reason think of Booker T. Shoot who cares sounded great sir. You have improved in leaps and bounds this year, long may it continue !
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Thanks very much guys for the listen, and the kind words. It’s certainly a fun tune to learn and experiment with; and I now have a couple more tools in the back pocket after this, so a win/win.
Blues/ jazz is such a rich learning environment, with seemingly endless great tunes to play and learn from.
Cheers, Shane
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PERFECT DAY - Lou Reed - 24.11.23
Hey Guys,
Heard this one a couple of weeks ago, and it brought back a flood of memories ( both good and bad) from my very different life around the late 80’s / early 90’s. In those days, my motto was “Good drugs and bad women”. How things change.
Anyway, I’m in a bit of Lou Reed revival, and have learnt a couple of his songs in the last week or so; this great melancholy tune, Perfect Day, and another favourite, which I’ll be recording soon.
For this one, I’ve just selected some triads that seem to voice lead well, and just hybrid pick em for the verse, strum the chorus, and add in a couple of bass lines here and there. Pretty easy to play, on the surface,but it does take a pretty delicate touch to make it sound good. In that respect, its a great teacher, which I always look for in songs.
Anyway, hope you enjoy, and I welcome any feedback. A couple of flubs here and there, but hey, I’m not fussed anymore. (Sounds much better on proper music devices. Phones always seem to wash the body out of my recordings. Any tips in that regard would be good).
Cheers, Shane
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Another stonking track Shane. I loved it. The phone may was out the body but it leaves in the magic. Bravo my friend.
I only know one more of his and I’m hoping it’s that.
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