Well, here we are at lucky week #13! For those new to the party, my resolution of 2011 (along with nixing fast food) is to learn or write a new song every week. So far I've been successful, even with being a full-time college student and working part-time.
For this week I decided to do something a little more recent by tackling this little tune "If it Hadn't Been for Love". It was written by The SteelDrivers, a Nashville-based bluegrass band. The song comes from their 2008 self-titled debut album.
Recently, British singer-songwriter Adele covered this song and released it as the b-side to her single "Rolling in the Deep" which appears on her 2011 album, 21.
My cover is mostly based on the Adele version, but I've darkened it up a bit to better match (IMO) the story in the lyrics. The song was just about beyond the tip-top of my vocal range, so I tuned down a whole step to make things a little more comfortable. I'm not exactly pleased with the quality of the recording, but it's all I'm able to work with at the moment. There's quite a bit of low-end nuances I'm playing that just didn't come in very well, but trust me, they sound pretty cool, especially tuned down.
Same setup as always; Taylor 716ce, Motorola Droid X smartphone cam, and Mr. Frog. I've concealed my face to protect the innocent and to let you see my guitar.
Bel isi,
-kyle
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
These Days - SOTW #12
I think this makes week 12! Moving right along in my new years resolution. How about you? ;)
In the mid-1960's, a young Jackson Browne penned this tune at only 16 years old. In 1973, after Browne became a succesful recording artists, the song was included on his second album, For Everyman. That same year, Gregg Allman, a good friend of Browne who assisted in the arrangement of the tune, included a version on his solo release, Laid Back. The song was initially recorded by German singer, Nico, in 1967.
It has since been covered by other musicians, such as New Grass Revival, 10,000 Manics, Glen Campbell, and Annie "St. Vincent" Clark.
My rendition features my Taylor 716ce-LTD, recorded on my Droid X smartphone. I plugged in my guitar to my Roland AC-60 to boost the guitar in the mix (still not great, but you should get the idea), since the smartphone is the only mic capturing the audio. There's a few wonky notes that jump out here and there, but I decided to keep it real and use this take anyway. The room is dark, so use 720HD playback to get the clearest video of my silly guitar-playing faces.
Mr. Frog wanted to bring his lighter, but he's flammable, so I nixed that. But feel free to flick your bic, or uhh... cellphone....
Bel isi,
-kyle
In the mid-1960's, a young Jackson Browne penned this tune at only 16 years old. In 1973, after Browne became a succesful recording artists, the song was included on his second album, For Everyman. That same year, Gregg Allman, a good friend of Browne who assisted in the arrangement of the tune, included a version on his solo release, Laid Back. The song was initially recorded by German singer, Nico, in 1967.
It has since been covered by other musicians, such as New Grass Revival, 10,000 Manics, Glen Campbell, and Annie "St. Vincent" Clark.
My rendition features my Taylor 716ce-LTD, recorded on my Droid X smartphone. I plugged in my guitar to my Roland AC-60 to boost the guitar in the mix (still not great, but you should get the idea), since the smartphone is the only mic capturing the audio. There's a few wonky notes that jump out here and there, but I decided to keep it real and use this take anyway. The room is dark, so use 720HD playback to get the clearest video of my silly guitar-playing faces.
Mr. Frog wanted to bring his lighter, but he's flammable, so I nixed that. But feel free to flick your bic, or uhh... cellphone....
Bel isi,
-kyle
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Summer Breeze - SOTW #11
Week 11 is here! The Song-of-the-Week ordeal continues...
This week I'm helping you beat the late-winter blues with a warm little tune by American duo Seals and Crofts. "Summer Breeze" was the title track of their 1972 album, and has become one of their best-known songs. It reached #6 on the pop charts, and #4 on the easy listening charts. It has seen many covers, from the lieks of The Isley Brothers, Type O Negative, HJason Mraz, George Benson, and the Three Tenors. It was also featured in the film Dazed and Confused and its sequel.
My cover is, of course, played on my Taylor 716ce-LTD and recorded on my Droid X smartphone (use 720HD for best playback quality on Youtube).
Sit back, grab a cool, summery beverage, and join Mr. Frog for a relaxing look into the sunny future. Conicidentally, I'm grilling out for dinner this evening. Steaks are in the fridge, ready for action!
Bel isi,
-kyle
This week I'm helping you beat the late-winter blues with a warm little tune by American duo Seals and Crofts. "Summer Breeze" was the title track of their 1972 album, and has become one of their best-known songs. It reached #6 on the pop charts, and #4 on the easy listening charts. It has seen many covers, from the lieks of The Isley Brothers, Type O Negative, HJason Mraz, George Benson, and the Three Tenors. It was also featured in the film Dazed and Confused and its sequel.
My cover is, of course, played on my Taylor 716ce-LTD and recorded on my Droid X smartphone (use 720HD for best playback quality on Youtube).
Sit back, grab a cool, summery beverage, and join Mr. Frog for a relaxing look into the sunny future. Conicidentally, I'm grilling out for dinner this evening. Steaks are in the fridge, ready for action!
Bel isi,
-kyle
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Say You Love Me - SOTW #10
The exodus continues, it's week 10! This week's hit parade features the tune "Say You Love Me" from one of the great multi-decade rock groups.
Back in 1975 (ten years before I was born!) Fleetwood Mac released this song on their second eponymous album. The song was written and sung by Christine McVie, the keyboardist for the group at the time who is considered among the greatest living songwriters. It reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976 and has become one of the bands better-known songs.
I recorded this acoustic cover on my Taylor 716ce-LTD using my Motorola Droid X smartphone, so bump the quality up to 720HD if you'd like and say "hello" to the frog as you listen. I'm just getting over some nasal congestion, so forgive any gasps for air as my passages aren't clear. Thanks for watching!
Bel isi,
-kyle
Back in 1975 (ten years before I was born!) Fleetwood Mac released this song on their second eponymous album. The song was written and sung by Christine McVie, the keyboardist for the group at the time who is considered among the greatest living songwriters. It reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976 and has become one of the bands better-known songs.
I recorded this acoustic cover on my Taylor 716ce-LTD using my Motorola Droid X smartphone, so bump the quality up to 720HD if you'd like and say "hello" to the frog as you listen. I'm just getting over some nasal congestion, so forgive any gasps for air as my passages aren't clear. Thanks for watching!
Bel isi,
-kyle
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Come on Get Higher - SOTW #9
We're up to week 9! For those unfamiliar, every week for 2011 I'm trying to either learn or write a new song.
So far I've kept things relatively classic with tunes from past decades. However, I'm bringing out a bit more recent tune in this week's video with Matt Nathanson's "Come On Get Higher". The song comes from his album Some Mad Hope, which was released in 2007. "Come on Get Higher" was Nathanson's first single ever to make the Billboard Hot 100, coming in at #59 in 2008. Notable covers include Sugarland and American Idol contestants.
My cover is played on my Taylor 716ce-LTD, and recorded on my Motorola Droid X smartphone. Use 720HD playback for best results, and say "Hello" to Mr. Frog!
Thanks for watching!
Bel isi,
-kyle
So far I've kept things relatively classic with tunes from past decades. However, I'm bringing out a bit more recent tune in this week's video with Matt Nathanson's "Come On Get Higher". The song comes from his album Some Mad Hope, which was released in 2007. "Come on Get Higher" was Nathanson's first single ever to make the Billboard Hot 100, coming in at #59 in 2008. Notable covers include Sugarland and American Idol contestants.
My cover is played on my Taylor 716ce-LTD, and recorded on my Motorola Droid X smartphone. Use 720HD playback for best results, and say "Hello" to Mr. Frog!
Thanks for watching!
Bel isi,
-kyle
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)