The Sun Was Brighter Back Then
My home studio is full of fun gear...but I let my perfectionism get the best of me sometimes and worry that I won't be able to make use of it all to convincingly tackle larger projects. So I devised an exercise to nudge me in that direction: write a simple instrumental piece featuring acoustic guitar, bass, and drums. The bass could be quarter notes. The tempo could be slow. Those details didn't matter. What mattered is that I simply completed a fuller-band project. And I did! It wasn't always smooth sailing, but I proved to myself that I could manage it, and I created something different from my usual content.
Support and follow!
Patreon: / carsonmckee
Instagram: / therealcarsonmckee
Watch more videos!
Originals: • Colorado Soldier - Ori...
Covers: • Don't Let Me Down (Bea...
Acoustic Guitar: 2013 Martin 000-17SM
Bass: Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass 77
Kick drum: 1960s Ludwig 20"
Snare drum: Pearl Modern Utility 8x14"
Rack tom: 1970s Slingerland 14"
Floor tom: Pearl Export 16"
Hats: 1970s Zildjian New Beats 14"
Ride/crash: 1970s Zildjian A 20"
Acoustic guitar mics: Warm Audio WA-14 stereo pair, Audio-Technica AT813a room
Bass DI: Pro Tools Carbon
Drum Mics: sE X1 R overheads, sE V7 snare up, Audio-Technica AT813a snare down, Warm Audio WA-14 tom mics, AKG D112 kick in. I placed an AT813a as a kick out mic and failed to arm that track to record...
Interface: Pro Tools Carbon
Camera: iPhone 15 Pro Max
Пікірлер: 62
Always a brighter day when Carson McKee posts 🌞
Dude this is beautiful. Thoughtful, colorful and deliberate instrumental choices. And your mixing and production is gorgeous too. Your audio translates so well, it's insane.
@carsonmckeemusic
3 ай бұрын
Thanks so much!! This one was a challenge to mix and wrangle, which was kinda the point, I guess. Appreciate you!
We needed some brightness in rainy Chicago today!
That is a great little tune, Carson. It is technically simple but moving, ear catching and soulful....Like the best of songs. You could flesh that out with lyrics and a melody and have a hit in the best tradition of rock/folk/songwriter ....The title itself is a perfect basis for a chorus with each verse recounting different 'back thens': child hood, lost love , even climate. You have a powerful sense of harmony, melody and motific development. If you build on this great foundation you will have one heck of a great song.
Love the clarity of the sound. Lovely song, gives happy vibes.
Always a pleasure. May life always be good to you and your loved ones.
Yes! Your updates certainly brightens everyone's day! Thanks!
Lovely. It's always nice to take a little time to push the edges of the creative habits/practice every once in a while. It's certainly gotten you good results this time.
Lots of freedom here. My dobro harmonics fit perfectly. Nice arrangement. 👏
Thank you Carson.
It’s pouring like crazy here in Josh’s old stomping grounds in Indiana. Thanks for some sunshine 🌞
It's very inspiring and humane to learn that even high caliber artists like Carson also have painpoints and fears. KZread makes a false impression of ease and perfection sometimes discouraging mere mortals. Thanks Carson.
@carsonmckeemusic
3 ай бұрын
Thanks for saying this! I still feel uncertain letting my guard down sometimes, but you make a really good point…a lot of content is the end result of many hours of work, sometimes even frustration, and those bits don’t always make the final cut. But I’ve found that learning HOW to create, including how to acknowledge and cope with the less comfortable feelings, can sometimes be just as valuable for us creative folks as whatever we’re making, if that makes sense. Not that I’m an all-knowing expert. Anyway, thanks again!
Carson, wonderful stuff. Thank you.
Letting the creative process flow is what it’s all about, eh. You sound great. Looking forward to whatever else your process allows. Wishing you all the best, and thanks again for sharing your talents. ~ Mark
I kept waiting for a lead break...... Nice piece. Thanks.
Very nice Carson! Always a pleasure.
Wonderful.
Really nice vibe, keep on pushing boundaries you might enjoy it. I missed the instrumentals on the Beach Boys later albums the early ones were surf guitar, the next were very mood oriented. Let yourself Feel Flows
Sounds great!
More, please.
2 minutes of peaceful bliss. A nice surprise Carson. Thank you. Cheers\=/\=/
Exercise and mission accomplished, sounds/looks great!
Beautiful, Carson, thank you.
Love how you experimented with color grading and video editing! Really added to the enjoyment of an already wonderful little tune ♪
Yes lad, big Cars with another banger
THANKS Makes my day
Beautiful. Thank you.
Simple and lovely I liked the mix and sound of it.
Nice presentation! 👍
Sounded great!
Nice! Sounds like the first steps of an awesome journey of self-discovery - you are multitudes in music. Keep it up!
Nice! Mellow and easy to listen to. Another home run, Carson!
That was reminiscent of 2000s Tweedy melody. World is your’s
Upload this on Spotify! Great instrumental, well done!
This is great Carson! I'm new to your channel and love what you do! I appreciate your transparent description of pushing through the perfectionism to get a smaller goal accomplished. Sounds fantastic!
awesome
Like it. Thanks! Love the long bass notes and drums.
WOW ! Just WOW ! What doesn't challenge us doesn't change us.
Smooth perfection 👌
So good! Its just begging for the perfect lyrics and your voice. 👍🏼
Great job with the recording and mix! Nice and warm sounding!
Nice job guys.
Beautiful! I am becoming such a fan.
Very good Performance great Sound
Good job.
nice one
Beautiful! Sent an email your way. Best, David
Excellent work, as usual. I can imagine it being used as background music in someone else's video, or on a TV programme.
Well, I thought you were playing drums, but it seemed like at the end someone wearing nail polish that was different colors was playing drums and somehow I didn’t think a guy from North Carolina would be wearing nail polish different colors. Maybe it was an optical illusion. Maybe this means I need to listen to this pretty song again! Yeah, that’s the ticket . It’s a very nice tune. I have worn out two iPads listening to you and Josh over here in New Bern..
@carsonmckeemusic
3 ай бұрын
Thanks so much!! Probably just the saturated color grading of the video - it's me, with no nail polish...not that I'm categorically against wearing it. Just not typically my vibe ☺
Nice teaser...more please! And while you're at it, please do more with Josh and Elle and Toni. There's been a real lack of content from all the other Favorites lately and I'm going through withdrawals...😘
Takes a lot of talent to pull that recording off. I just can't do it lol
It's the chemtrails Carson LOL.
Please lyrics to this :-) Btw, did you get the inspiration for this title by watching "The Lion In Winter" movie?
Who was playing drums/?
@carsonmckeemusic
3 ай бұрын
I was! I'm on all instruments.
@kathousel
3 ай бұрын
Well, I was wrong about the nail polish.now that I have watched it again. I do have a bit of a brain problem going on, so I’ll just blame it on that. I love the tune, , I have yet to hear you do anything I don’t like. Same for your favorite compatriot. you and Josh, are indeed the best music makers in the entire world as far as I am concerned and I’ve been watching you for years. I am almost 78 years old so I have heard a lot of music. I just love hearing your renditions of all the great songs. I’ve loved over the years. Are better than the originals. I will now die happy.
Carson lets make a cover together for my KZread channel please 😭😭❤️
You ARE a "good enough" musician to write/perform your own backing-tracks! (This song is PROOF!) prooph? prough Prwwvh ...how to hell do ya spell it? lol
X