Traces of You by Brenda Ribeiro

CD REVIEW

10/14/2010

******INFORMATION******

Name of Artist: Brenda Ribeiro

Album Title: Traces of You

Album Title: Songs From The Soul

Genre: Easy Listening

Label: Indie (Brenda Ribeiro)

Produced By: Gary Long

Manager: Scott January

Recorded/Mixed/Mastered By: Gary Long

Studio: Nomad (Carrolloton, Texas)

Arranger: Timothy Ayers

Co-writer: Timothy Ayers

Studio Musicians:

Eric Tolliver

Denis Campos

Mike Smith

Tim Ayers

Paul Wiggins

Links: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/brendaribeiro

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/brenda-ribeiro/id393463452

Reviewer: Lee Alford

Company: KleerStreem Entertainment

CD REVIEW

First things first. Yes, this review is off it's original schedule. Why, I noticed Brenda's Birthday is today....it's late because I wanted it to be my birthday present to her. So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRENDA!!!

This album, as I understand, remains a work in process. It currently has 3 songs on it with more to come.

I first heard Brenda sing a few years ago and her passion combined with her wonderful voice caught my attention, even though it was at a Karaoke event.

After I received these 3 songs, I did what I always do with new recordings; I listened to them to get a feel if I wanted to listen to them again. After the first one started, I had to stop what I was doing, because of the 'connection' it made with me through a beautiful strong voice endowed with soulful passion.

Now, after listening to all 3 songs with and without headphones, I give Brenda's 3 song CD 4 ½ Stars. I am tempted to go 5 Stars, but, I don't want her to get a 'big' head. :) However , I did rate one song 5 stars...the highest rating I give anyone.

Song #1....TRACES Of YOU

Listen here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/brendaribeiro or here http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/brenda-ribeiro/id393463452

This is the song that stopped me. It's that captivating. It reminds me of that EF Hutton commercial that says: When EF Hutton speaks, everyone listens. When Brenda sings everyone listens. Brenda's voice combined with her beautifully written lyrics comes from her soul.

My feelings during this song were real with that great connecting feeling we cherish with all songs. It's soulful and I felt very truthful.

The best songs, as we all know, are based on one's life's experiences. Traces made me feel I was being told about Brenda's life experiences through her beautiful vocalized lyrics.

The choice of instruments are superb!

Not a complaint, but, this song at 6 minutes and 6 secs should be reduced to under 6 minutes for royalty reasons, if possible.

Song #2....TRENCHES

Listen Here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/brendaribeiro or here http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/brenda-ribeiro/id393463452

Easy listening on this song in a bluesy real to perfection way.

Conveyance of how deep one must go to connect; a sort of protection from all the hurt in this world. But, the one real connection is with God.

Instruments are awesome, with keys in step with lyrics.

Rating 4 ¾ Stars out of 5

Song is 4 minutes and 18 seconds.

Song #3....LOVE YOU BACK

Listen Here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/brendaribeiro or here http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/brenda-ribeiro/id393463452

All of us search for everlasting love, at first, through mortals here on earth. To me, this song, is Brenda connecting with an unwavering love that will never forsake her, through good times or not so good times. To me, this song states clearly, God's love is the 'perfect' love that never fades or fails us, even if we do HIM occasionally.

Brenda nails all the lyrics and gives this song passion extraordinaire!

I love this songs arrangements and instruments are awesome.

Song is 4 minutes and 19 seconds.

My rating is 5 BIG STARS

FINAL THOUGHTS

Pick this CD up....it's great....and one you will treasure forever!!!

Additional Information about Brenda

Bio

Brenda Ribeiro was born in Turlock California and exposed to music at a very early age. Both of her parents were Christian Music Recording Artists who taught her and her sister to sing and harmonize as a family group. Her first public performance was at the age of two and she began writing songs at the age of 14. Spending part of her childhood and young adult years in Northern Nevada, she was involved in musical theater and also performed as entertainment for venues such as MGM Grand Reno, The Nugget and The Miss Nevada Pageant. She was well received for some of her original Gospel and pop material by secular audiences but her heart belonged to the purposes of God and His calling upon her life. She attended Capital Bible Institute in Sacramento California to prepare for ministry at the age of 20 then soon made her first move to Southeast Texas. After returning to California she served in music and worship ministry for fifteen years, which remains her most, beloved musical expression. As a professional jingle singer, and TV spokesperson, she has a heart for taking the Love and Light of Jesus into the market place where it needs to effectively be seen. Having also had a career in the modeling industry while secretly hiding the physical and emotional effects of domestic violence, Brenda has a passion for helping those who suffer from a broken identity and the devastating effects of abuse in the lives of men, women and children. Her journey has led her to discover who she is and the faithfulness of an ever-present God. The heartbeat of her message is one of hope to encourage those who hurt or hide behind a mask of perfection allowing the perfect love of Christ to minister grace, healing and restoration.

Behind the Tunes & lyrics

These are three of many songs I wrote during a cocoon season of healing from trauma due to life altering tragedy brought on by the mental illness of a loved one and the tragic death of a very close friend which followed. It was during my darkest and loneliest days that I discovered the presence of God to be what the scriptures describe as "the lover of my soul"...I developed a sort of "Love Affair" with my creator and wrote these songs to reflect my passionate desire and heartfelt thanks for His healing presence that has changed me from once being a victim of abuse to a strong, well equipped woman on a mission to help others to believe in themselves and the God who loves them so much!

Her unique style is derived from diverse musical influences that range from Linda Ronstadt, Dan Fogelberg, Johnny Cash, Faith Hill and Gospel roots.

Finally, Brenda runs a very successful Decorative, Art, and Design Business.

http://web.me.com/pjvideo3/Decorative_Art_and_Design/by_Brenda_Ribeiro.html

Recording Live vs Overdubs

When I’m hired by a band to produce their album, it’s often up to me to decide the best approach to take in the studio. The principal choices are live (all the band members at the same time giving a “live” performance in the studio) versus overdubs (creating a band sound by tracking members of the band separately and then putting all the instrument parts together in the final mix). By reading a little about the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches, hopefully you will be better able to decide which one will be best for your band.

Advantages of Tracking “Live”

If (and this is an important “if”) the band coming into the studio is well rehearsed and experienced, a “live” studio recording can be a great approach. I put “live” in quotes because the recording studio (whether everyone plays at once or overdubs one or two at a time) is seldom a truly live experience. Part of the reason that studio recordings sound as polished and detailed as they do has to do with the fact that the studio is a very controlled sonic environment. There are isolation booths so that individual parts can be fixed without having everyone redo their parts and even if everyone is in one primary room to record, it’s not often set up like the stage of a local club or venue with an audience, applause and general room noise. All this to say that what “live” really means is that the members of the band are given the opportunity to listen and respond to each other while they’re all playing together in the studio. If, as I said earlier, the band is well rehearsed then this arrangement can produce excellent results.

Disadvantages of Tracking “Live”

The studio is, by its very nature, an intense and often stressful environment. By tracking a band all together and hoping for a perfect (or almost perfect) take, you’ve added a lot of variables that wouldn’t ordinarily be present in an overdub scenario. For example, if the drummer is having an off day, it could color everyone’s performance. This is why I brought up the well-rehearsed and experienced qualifier in the earlier paragraph. The more rehearsed the band members are, the less likely one member won’t be able to hold his or her own when the light goes red. There are, of course, ways to minimize the risks in a live tracking scenario including isolating each instrument in its own room or booth so that individual fixes can be made after the keeper take is selected. Also, by using a click track while recording, the engineer and/or producer can create a composite (or “comp”) performance by splicing together the best parts of several performances.

Advantages of Overdubs

Using the overdub approach, the band has the option of tracking different instruments separately. This allows the band, for example, to get the drums and bass parts exactly right before overdubbing electric guitars or keyboards. It also allows the producer and/or band members to focus on one thing at a time and get it the way they want it before moving on. The way I generally approach sessions like this is to track the drums and bass with a scratch version of one additional instrument and a rough vocal so everyone knows where they are in the song. It’s also useful to have a click track running in these sessions as it provides a common rhythmic link that everyone in the band can use to keep him or herself in time. Then, when the drums and bass are solid and provide a good foundation, we add acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards and finally vocals and harmony vocals. This lower pressure and increased focus on individual parts can lead to tighter arrangements and performances.

Disadvantages of Overdubs

The risk of tracking one or two instruments at a time is compromising the overall dynamics and feel of the track. In other words, unless the musicians and singers have enough studio experience to be comfortable in what is a rather unnatural musical environment, the performances can sound lifeless and disjointed. The way to combat this is to make sure that if your band isn’t overly experienced in the studio you use a producer who is. A good producer will help guide the band members through the process and their performances to help capture the spontaneity and energy of a live performance in a less-than-live environment.

No One Way To Do It

There is no correct way to record a band. There are multi-platinum selling examples of both approaches. Ultimately, the decision should come down to what approach leaves your band the most relaxed and focused in the studio which will almost always lead to the best-sounding results. You may need to try both approaches to see what works best for your band. No matter which way you go, there is never a substitute for rehearsing your band as much as you possibly can before you start the actual recording process. Going into the studio confident and well rehearsed will make the whole studio experience easier and more enjoyable for everyone involved. Good luck!

By Cliff Goldmacher

Cliff Goldmacher is a songwriter, producer, engineer and the owner of recording studios in Nashville and New York City. When he’s not writing songs, Cliff is also a regular contributor to EQ Magazine and Pro Sound News as well as a number of online blogs. He can be reached at cliff@cliffgoldmacher.com