JLSC INTRA-FORUM CONTEST #6

CRITIQUES OF JAMES' PERFORMANCE OF

I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU by THE TEMPTATIONS

 

JUDGE

COMMENTS

Iggy James had a lot of fun doing this song and it comes through, loud and clear. This song was the first one I heard after uploading mine. My first thought was "man I'm in trouble!".
First off, James' playing and recording of this song is excellent. The entire mix is right on, never missing a beat. From keyboards to guitar, James pulled this one off quite nicely.

The decision to chose this song demonstrated James's outstanding musically abilities, however, vocals didn't match the songs energy. Nothing wrong with the vocals, mind you, but, for me, they just didn't match with this style of music.

In summary, a great rendition of a great song that got me moving and shaking!
Christina Whoeee! Back to the disco! This is so much fun! How different this is from the original which was more soul, Motown-like stuff! Good job, James.
Kneena It sounds like you really did enjoy creating this version. I enjoyed hearing it! I think its a terrific song choice. You sounded like you were having so much fun and that really came through. Made me want to get up and dance! You did a great job on this!
Nigel Wow...way to change up the styles. It really goes to show you that a good song is a good song is a good song no matter what genre you put it in.

This is a personal preference thing, but I don't really care for the 80's synth sound. Maybe a Hammond part would work better?

Your voice really suits the rock arrangement. Nice BGV's as well...

I like the riff and clean ending. Nice job. Very creative approach.
EED (Emily) James! This is crackin' me up! I started listening before I read your note at the bottom and my initial thought when the synthesizer kicked in was "Holy 80s Wedding Band, Batman!" And I say that with nothing but admiration for the arrangement, musicanship, vocals and love of the 80s. I LOVED this. Truly original. A total REinterpretation of the song. So well done. This rocks.
David T Fantastic! I loved it! Great guitar playing and vocals, and a superb interpretation. The transition from Soul to Rock/Pop was done brilliantly! I can't say enough good things about this song.
Tim W James
Great production work on the guitar, keyboard, and percussion. I was toe tapping within a measure or 2. I loved the solo guitar in the middle. It rocks! The arrangement is almost as good as the motown original. Regretably, it isn't possible to rival those motown vocals on the original, though your vocals served quite nicely for your arrangement. I love your rock and roll, even when it's laid on top of a motown classic.

Nancy G Hey James, I dig the beat you got going here. You make me want to move! My sound is so tranquil, it is good to listen to your sound because it is up beat and groovy! Your guitar work is great. Some of the high licks on the guitar lead reminds me of Vanilla Fudge's song..."Keep Me Hanging On". Super song you have chosen. Your voice compliments the song as well. Thanks for sharing. I love the beat..
Todd Sweeeeet. Sounds like Morris Day and the Time. This song is movin, and gots tuns of energy. Liked the guitar solo, very frenetic. Vocals work it good. God I love motown! Thanks for posting!
Markus Excellent performance, excellent recording, great song, great
interpretation. I love the off beat phrases at the end. You really made this song your own!
Kris S James: After listening to entries like your, I realize how much I have to learn when it comes to playing guitar. Your smokin' on this tune. You quite obviously have a lot of skill when it comes to mixing, because this little number sounded as though it was done in a studio...and perhaps indeed it was. Still I have to think most of us are jamming away in our homes...and if that's where you made this little number....I'm in awe of your expertise.
Hoaby I wrote a song in 1988 called "I can't Get Next To You"...and took a different route then the Temptations. But I did think about them when I recorded it. So, this song has a little history with me. Everthing about this song was done great! The vocals are out there where you can hear them, and done very well! You must have had the "feeling" when you recorded them! The band sound was great as well! I bet it was fun to do! Great job!
Meikow Nice guitar stuff here. A hard song to sing and you did a real nice job of it. A real toe tapper and I enjoy listening to this.
Solpig the most up-tempo of all the entries so far.Good agressive approach.Wish the vox were a bit louder,but overall a great rendition of a great song.Great assembly of the music!
good work! pig
Dave C I enjoyed this version. I did not get the 80s retro - disco vibe you were shooting for, I really liked the vocal but I hear a certain 70s thing going on there (when I can think of who or what it is I will post it on jlsc). The production was nice and clean (i.e. it was eqed nicely for .wma encoding). This is awful on my part bit I used to do this song with a blues / rock band and I did not know it was a Temptations song.

Hazelglow Good solid mix, where everything comes through at the right level; makes it easy (and hence immediately more enjoyable/accessible to listen to). This shouldn't be underestimated, 'cos it's very hard to get right! Good strong voice which I thinks suits the style of this arrangement well. Would've liked to hear something a bit more feral going off solo guitar-wise in that last minute, I think the song could've used the energy boost.