picking the right cover

[vicky]

Is anyone going for this listing?NEW LISTING -- COVER SONGS THAT RAISE SOCIAL AWARENESS and/or make subtle political statements are needed by a Music Publisher who has signed dozens of TAXI songs/writers. These songs are for a Compilation CD designed to raise social awareness through music and it will be distributed by a Major Retailer, in addition to being utilized for non profit causes. The President of this company will be screening these submissions himself. He's referred to "Stand By Me" or Blind Faith - "Can't Find My Way Home" as great examples of songs that touch on society/war/politics without using an overt or overly persuasive approach. He's really looking for very creative song choices and excellent arrangements, preferably contemporary and unique in the production value/performance. He'd like to have some "hip" versions of songs that signify an important time in America's history, whether from the past or related to current events. He is not interested in an "in your face" lyric that shoves a viewpoint down the listener's throat, but rather a subtle yet emotional relating of a human experience that might revolve around politics/war/homelessness/poverty/abuse/etc. The bottom line for this one is a "real story" told by the common person experiencing life on a very raw, tangible level. You can get creative in terms of style and just about every contemporary/current genre and approach will be considered. I've been thinking one of these songs is right:Lean On MeShine on you Crazy DiamondI Believe I can FlyAnyone going for this listing? Do these songs sound like I'm on the right track?Thanks so much,vtbp

[byllsong]

Hey vtbpI think it's the right direction.Billy

[vicky]

thanks BillyI hope 'Shine on you Crazy Diamond' will work.....I don't hear that one covered too much...Thanks,vtbp

[silvercord]

oohh cool Vicky! im always down to hear what you would do for anything Floyd!how about parts 1-4 all with just different BASS parts!!!!it could be better and bigger than big bottom!hehe jokin', keep rockin' you diva! you slinger of bass, you painter, you poet you wild woman and SHINE!i cant wait to hear what you do!(and i never told 'ja that i was a fellow bass player did i;)a little history about your chosen coverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shine_On_You_Crazy_Diamondpoor, poor Syd...peacegeoff

[vicky]

Thanks geoff the bassplayer....I didn't know all that about the history behind the recording...isn't it crazy when you find out how certain things are recorded?.......For "Shine On..." the main guitar parts will be played on violin...I'm not going near a guitar sound like theirs either...don't want to mess with perfection.... the arrangement is changed...gotta get to the lyrics quick for the listing, I'm thinking.......since I won't even try to go their direction with the vocals (I can't), I'm using a series of modulations to capture the "I'm going to take you higher" vibe...Also have you ever noticed that it's in 12/8? I changed that by being dumb, and doing the drum tracks before I noticed....but I like it....All I can say is if I sing it everyday for a few weeks...maybe, maybe, maybe I'll get it professional enough...and if that doesn't work find a singer...Thanks again,vtbp...long winded...all amped up from my gig.....

[michael11]

Oct 2, 2008, 12:01am, vicky wrote:Thanks geoff the bassplayer....I didn't know all that about the history behind the recording...isn't it crazy when you find out how certain things are recorded?.......For "Shine On..." the main guitar parts will be played on violin...I'm not going near a guitar sound like theirs either...don't want to mess with perfection.... the arrangement is changed...gotta get to the lyrics quick for the listing, I'm thinking.......since I won't even try to go their direction with the vocals (I can't), I'm using a series of modulations to capture the "I'm going to take you higher" vibe...Also have you ever noticed that it's in 12/8? I changed that by being dumb, and doing the drum tracks before I noticed....but I like it....All I can say is if I sing it everyday for a few weeks...maybe, maybe, maybe I'll get it professional enough...and if that doesn't work find a singer...Thanks again,vtbp...long winded...all amped up from my gig.....Can Michael the Bassplayer join tooo

[devin]

(*Devin the bassplayer munches popcorn while reading thread*)Those are good examples Vicki...I was strugling to come up with some cool tunes to reference for that posting that weren't over the top lyrically. I'd love to hear your Floyd when done!I couldn't think past Bruce Cockburn......"If A Tree Falls In The Forest" or "Rocket Launcher" would be too strong, as would "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield.

[vicky]

Hey there Devin the Bassplayer.....I should encourage all the bass players to post here, so we know who each other is...plus I'm always thinking that piano players and guitarists have it easier when it comes to recording at home....I took the high and low strings off my guitar....and just play 4 string guitar when i do parts here at home....Big Brother by Stevie Wonder would be a great cover for this listing IMO...alot of Dylan songs work for lyrical content, too....I was checking out songs that seem to remind in history and are not covered much....My tracks are coming along for "Shine on...." but the vocals could be a problem....just don't know enough about vocals over all...that's why I started the listing with so much time....thanks everyone,vtbp

[flood]

Vicky,Those look like excellent choices.I Like Shine On a whole bunch for that listing.I also like Lean On Me, because it has not been a consistent presence the way Shine On is. I believe I can Fly is recent, so that may end up weighing against it.But any of them sure fit. Shine On is, my opinion, the most powerful by far, but Lean On Me is probably the most widely accessible in terms of audience.All my opinion of course, but that's what this is all about, I think.

[flood]

I just thought of a particularly powerful song someone may want to use for this listing.It is Open Letter (To A Landlord) by Living Colour. I am struck whenever I see the video, of the Twin Towers in the background of several shots. It wasn't about terrorism, it was about saving a way of life or an idea, the inner city neighborhoods that were being overrun by crime and drugs.Here are the lyrics:Now you can tear a building downBut you can’t erase a memoryThese houses may look all run downBut they have a value you can’t see...This is my neighborhoodThis is where I come fromI call this place my homeYou call this place a slumYou wanna run all the people outThis what you’re all aboutTreat poor people just like trashTurn around and make big cashChorus: now you can tear a building downBut you can’t erase a memoryThese houses may look all run downBut they have a value you can’t seeLast month there was a fireI saw seven children dieYou sent flowers to their familyBut your sympathy’s a lieCause every building that you burnIs more blood money that you earnWe are forced to relocate>from the pain that you createChorusWe lived here for so many yearsNow this house is full of fearFor a profit you will take controlWhere will all the older people go? There used to be when kids could playWithout the scourge of drug’s decayNow our kids are living deadThey crack and blow their lives awayChorusYou’ve got to fightYou’ve got a rightTo fight for your neighborhood!