Audio Book Job

anumber1 · 07-02-2009, 08:46 PM

Here's a chapter from "Bass Reeves American Hero" by Barry Brierley. Born a slave, Bass Reeves was thought to be the first black US Marshall to work West of the Mississippi. He arrested over 3000 fugitives, and the undisputed winner of at least 14 gunfights.

Scott Pollak · 07-04-2009, 08:48 AM

Mike, it's really good to see and hear you here again. You've been too absent.

I really like this. Your voice is extremely pleasing and appropriate for this. I love the points where your voice relaxes here and there, drops a bit, and you allow a touch of 'gravel' to eep in.

You know who you sound like to me here? The guy that used to voice the VISA spots some years ago. That's a compliment, BTW.

John Bigl · 07-04-2009, 09:17 AM

yup, good to see you on the boards again, Mike ...
nice job, man

Jon Morss · 07-04-2009, 11:33 PM

Nice work Mike. I certainly envy you guys that are able to do the long form stuff so effortlessly.

Thanks for sharing.

Jodi Krangle · 07-05-2009, 07:57 AM

Great stuff, Mike! Glad to see you around here again. You've been missed!

Mike Sommer · 07-05-2009, 01:15 PM

Mike

Your voice is made for the American west. Nice job over all.

Since you did not post in the "hot seat" I wont critique, but I think there are a few things
that could be ironed out that could make this spectacular.

anumber1 · 07-05-2009, 09:57 PM

Thanks guys,

This book isn't cast in stone, so would be thankful any critique.

Mike Sommer · 07-06-2009, 12:10 AM

One of the first things I noticed was there are some articulation problems. This could be for a number of
reasons: unsure of how to approach the story, breath control and or not being warmed up properly are just a
few. Understanding the story is very important, and reading aloud will help iron out the rough spots. Also
warm up your mouth, and vocalcords , and relax. Don't worry about the voice or how you sound. Again relax,
let the words flow out of you as a constant stream of air. Don't try to develop your voice in your abdomen,
speak through your "mask" or as some say, through your "eyes." And let the words live in front of your
mouth.

Your read at times is also a little staccato. There needs to be more legato. This again may be from not being
familiar with the story or what words to emphasize. There are also times you make ends of sentences sound
like questions. Don't let the written words get in the way of the story. Mark your copy and make notes,
understanding the what you are reading, and lots of practice will smooth out the telling of this story.

Your voice reminds me a lot of Rex Allen. I would get some of the narrations he did for Disney and study his
story style.. "The Legend of Lobo" is a good example.
Rex Allen

anumber1 · 07-06-2009, 09:08 AM

Hi Mike,

Thanks so much for the help. My recording was my first read of the book. I'm going back and redo some of, if not all of the chapters.

Thanks again.

PS

The entire book is here Wimpy Player

07-04-2009, 08:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
Scott Pollak Warm, Real, Natural Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,889	Mike, it's really good to see and hear you here again. You've been too absent. I really like this. Your voice is extremely pleasing and appropriate for this. I love the points where your voice relaxes here and there, drops a bit, and you allow a touch of 'gravel' to eep in. You know who you sound like to me here? The guy that used to voice the VISA spots some years ago. That's a compliment, BTW. __________________ Scott R. Pollak Warm, Real, Natural... The Voice of NPR Atlanta www.voicebyscott.com

07-04-2009, 09:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
John Bigl ancora imparo Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: the puckerbrush of new hampshire, usa Posts: 655	yup, good to see you on the boards again, Mike ... nice job, man __________________ "the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best"

07-04-2009, 11:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jon Morss Jon Morss Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Antelope, CA Posts: 643	Nice work Mike. I certainly envy you guys that are able to do the long form stuff so effortlessly. Thanks for sharing. __________________ Jon Morss "You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." -- Zig Ziglar

07-05-2009, 07:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jodi Krangle Voice Overs & Vocals Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greater Toronto Area, Canada Posts: 1,622	Great stuff, Mike! Glad to see you around here again. You've been missed! __________________ Piece of Cake Voice Overs and Vocals SaVoa #08018 - www.savoa.org My Voices.com Profile My Songwriting Resource, The Muse's Muse

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07-05-2009, 01:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mike Sommer User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,164	Mike Your voice is made for the American west. Nice job over all. Since you did not post in the "hot seat" I wont critique, but I think there are a few things that could be ironed out that could make this spectacular.

07-05-2009, 09:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
anumber1 Mike Vendetti Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 129	Thanks guys, This book isn't cast in stone, so would be thankful any critique.

07-06-2009, 12:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mike Sommer User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,164	One of the first things I noticed was there are some articulation problems. This could be for a number of reasons: unsure of how to approach the story, breath control and or not being warmed up properly are just a few. Understanding the story is very important, and reading aloud will help iron out the rough spots. Also warm up your mouth, and vocalcords , and relax. Don't worry about the voice or how you sound. Again relax, let the words flow out of you as a constant stream of air. Don't try to develop your voice in your abdomen, speak through your "mask" or as some say, through your "eyes." And let the words live in front of your mouth. Your read at times is also a little staccato. There needs to be more legato. This again may be from not being familiar with the story or what words to emphasize. There are also times you make ends of sentences sound like questions. Don't let the written words get in the way of the story. Mark your copy and make notes, understanding the what you are reading, and lots of practice will smooth out the telling of this story. Your voice reminds me a lot of Rex Allen. I would get some of the narrations he did for Disney and study his story style.. "The Legend of Lobo" is a good example. Rex Allen

07-06-2009, 09:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
anumber1 Mike Vendetti Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 129	Hi Mike, Thanks so much for the help. My recording was my first read of the book. I'm going back and redo some of, if not all of the chapters. Thanks again. PS The entire book is here Wimpy Player