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Post by vikingblues on Jan 15, 2015 21:04:00 GMT
..... "Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation". No - I'm NOT going to try to sing it. Absolutely not! Steeleye Span covered that idea rather well! Am I right in thinking it is a piece that would be best not being over complicated by too many instruments and tracks? I've tried to keep it fairly simple in this early draft attempt and all parts are the Lowden in some shape or form. Bear in mind this is attempt # 1 and I only started trying to piece something together tonight. Though I have been playing just the solo guitar part on and off since Saturday. Mainly not playing during the weekdays this week though .... too tired after work. Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation - Draft week 1So it's got its creaky moments and the timing is variable! This is what you get multitracking someone whose sense of timing could be better. Maybe this is a piece that could work with some mandolin / octave mandolin / tenor mandola contribution of some sort. I did find quickly that tapping the soundboard of the Lowden in some places sure crashed the recording level into the red - talk about resonance! I'd be very grateful for any suggestions / advice. Mark
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Post by ekhohead on Jan 15, 2015 22:46:42 GMT
My initial thoughts are that yes, keep it nice and simple. I really like your version so far so don't change it too much. Do you know any cellists? I would love to hear a cello playing a drone in the bass when the tune is played for the second time.
Very nice song though, I don't know it...I'm guessing Scottish traditional?
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Jan 15, 2015 23:42:11 GMT
Nicely done Mark - certainly agree that simple is good, and I'd say that you don't need to add anything else to what is there at all - I enjoyed your recording a lot - the tune is a beauty, and shines through in your elegantly simple setting. ekhohead - Jethro, the words to the song Parcel of Rogues are from a Burns poem condemning those Scottish parliamentarians who signed the Act of Union with England in 17?? As for the tune, I don't know if that came from Burns too or not - anyone know? Keith
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Post by vikingblues on Jan 16, 2015 8:37:51 GMT
Thanks Jethro & Keith. Glad to get second opinions that simple is good. Certainly two of the versions of it I've liked the most have had that simplicity idea - Steeleye Span and the Corries - though both are vocal arrangements and the qualities of the singing on the Steeye version are not simple to my ears. I could not sing this to anywhere near the required standard, so it's instrumental only for me. I guess I nicked the "drum beat" idea from Steeleye - but I do think it adds a lot to the mood. I like that idea of a drone - I enjoy listening to music that has that. But I know no cello players! Scottish Traditional - yes. It does appear though that it's one of those that has been maybe linked too strongly to Robert Burns. He did have it in his writings, but I believe he did not credit himself with its writing, and Robert Chambers included it in his collection of Scottish Songs Prior to Burns. Apparently the manuscript of the song in the Scottish Music Museum bears no mention of Robert Burns name. The tune is even more obscure. Possibly "borrowed". I've seen "The Boyne Water" being mooted as the basis of the tune for example. There are examples too of teh song being set to a different tune - the Dubliners for one if memory serves (and it often doesn't ). Mark At the risk of making my own attempt at this seem diminished, here are those two versions I mentions as liking:-
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on Jan 16, 2015 8:44:12 GMT
Can't see what's wrong with what you've already got, Mark.
I'd leave it be, meself.
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Post by creamburmese on Jan 16, 2015 17:02:59 GMT
I like it and would like to learn it! Some rolls would be nice on the long notes...
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Post by vikingblues on Jan 22, 2015 7:28:30 GMT
Sorry Leo and Julie - missed out on remembering to respond to your comments. Thank you for your kind words. I think I will probably follow your advice Leo and leave it, at least for some time. I'm on a diet so I'd better avoid those rolls Julie but one day I'll maybe feel more prepared / confident to give it another try. The basis for the recording was the Tab in Jim Toziers book - "Acoustic Masterclass - Celtic Guitar Solos". I have not seen any arrangements of the song on any free sites online, just the melody line on it's own. Mark
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Post by andyhowell on Jan 27, 2015 9:50:57 GMT
I agree with those who say leave it! There is a tendency when recording at home to keep going and to add stuff. These days I force myself stay with guitar on songs for example. I do love to add other instruments and virtual instruments but the core just gets lost in a mess if you are not careful.
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Post by 007 on Jan 27, 2015 10:00:50 GMT
I think the expression is more is iess
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Post by vikingblues on Jan 27, 2015 13:02:26 GMT
Thanks Andy and Paul. A sort of final confirmation there for me as I've recently put this version on Soundclick. I think I'd be in danger of losing the atmosphere / mood with extra layers. I've always been keen on the "Less is More" (the refuge of a player who can't play fast ) and "More is Less" is equally true and appropriate. Thanks to all for helping me have the courage of my (shaky) convictions. Mark
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