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Topic: "Imagine" (Lennon) -- the Unimaginable |
Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 12 Feb 2013 9:26 am |
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The one song I said should never be recorded as a steel instrumental (and I probably still feel that way) because the lyrics are too important....
I recorded this over the last few days (a few minutes here and there) as a remedy to rid myself of an earworm. Today, I laid down the solo section complete with some Eastern sounds (all courtesy of the Clinesmith) and just had a little fun with it. I used to listen to a lot of middle eastern music back in the 90s and somehow it came into my head today. Whether or not it works is up to your ears.
Anyway, I hope John wouldn't take to too much issue with my changing the chords a bit (and my pretty bad playing). I originally heard as being tempo-less, like a free jazz thing, but I don't have any free jazz loops.
Feel free to hate on it if you so wish, I'm a big boy:
http://soundcloud.com/mdneer/imagine-lennon-mike-neer
(Had to remix it--wasn't happy with levels)
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links
Last edited by Mike Neer on 12 Feb 2013 12:13 pm; edited 4 times in total |
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Niels Andrews
From:
Salinas, California, USA
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Posted 12 Feb 2013 9:56 am
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I really liked most of it! Guess I don't have the ear for it, but nice job. 
_________________
Die with Memories. Not Dreams.
Good Stuff like Zum S-12, Wolfe Resoport
MSA SS-12, Telonics Combo. |
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Tony Lombardo
From:
Alabama, USA
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Posted 12 Feb 2013 10:09 am
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| I truly loved your recording of this classic. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 12 Feb 2013 11:13 am
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| Niels Andrews wrote: |
| I really liked most of it! Guess I don't have the ear for it, but nice job. |
That's cool, Niels. I appreciate you taking the time to listen.
This was just something I was hearing in my head and I had to lay it down. I also have a version of My Sweet Lord that's been swimming around upstairs, but I'm going to save that for my record.
When I first approached the solo section, I played a simple bluesy solo, but in the context of the song and its meaning, it just seemed too small. My instincts took me global, for better or worse.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Stephen Abruzzo
From:
Philly, PA
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Posted 12 Feb 2013 5:20 pm
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Very nice playing on this Mike. You went from the chords into the Middle Eastern-tinged solo. I think it's great that you're willing to take "chances" and expand the boundaries of steel playing.
I enjoyed what you did with the tune. Keep up the good work. |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 12 Feb 2013 8:33 pm
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| The mid eastern part was my favorite....a nice contrast...... |
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Bill McCloskey
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Posted 12 Feb 2013 9:26 pm
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Mike,
You always amaze. I like the muted guitar strum effect. This struck me as a work in progress. Lots of great ideas here, and some noodling that sounded like you were still working, trying to resolve ideas.
Great work as always. |
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Bill McCloskey
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Posted 12 Feb 2013 9:28 pm
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Mike
When you are working these up are you working them up:
1 for a recording?
2 for performance
3 for material for a teaching product
4 to further your own knowledge
5. all of the above
6 none of the above. |
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Kelvin Monaghan
From:
Victoria, Australia
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Posted 12 Feb 2013 9:40 pm
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Nice playing and tones,but you said it yourself some songs are untouchable,Imagine is one for sure.
Cheere |
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Bosse Engzell
From:
�ppelbo, SWEDEN
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Posted 13 Feb 2013 1:21 am
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Very nice, like the tone and touch.
Bosse in Sweden |
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Bud Angelotti
From:
Larryville, NJ, USA
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Posted 13 Feb 2013 5:09 am
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Sounds really nice Mike. Don't let the nay-sayers stop you ! Another one to do in this style is "Time After Time".
_________________
Just 'cause I look stupid, don't mean I'm not. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 13 Feb 2013 6:13 am
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Thanks, guys.
Bill--I guess anything I do is to further my own knowledge of the instrument. My goal is to be able to create an arrangement of a tune on the fly. Instead of practicing other stuff, this is pretty much what I do when I practice--I play tunes, some of which I will never play again. I must have done at least a hundred tunes, very few of which I can even remember let alone write down. I'm pretty sure I'll never play Imagine again.
I hired a great jazz drummer/compatriot of mine to produce my record when I get around to it later this year. It's just going to be a live trio recording, very ECM-ish. In the meantime, I'm just trying things out.
I have to acknowledge the steel player who has had the biggest influence on me: Susan Alcorn. When I first thought of trying to play pedal steel, I really got into what Susan was doing and my intentions were to go in that direction (sharp left!). When I realized I couldn't play, I spent the next bunch of years learning by going back to the beginning. I'm now at the point where I can start making that left turn. I don't have any obligations musically, so I can freely go wherever. It's a good feeling!
It's also liberating to know that you do whatever you want with a tune--you can change the chords, the melody, the structure, anything you can "imagine".
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Bob Stone
From:
Gainesville, FL, USA
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Posted 14 Feb 2013 6:05 am
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Hi Mike,
Another great piece. Thanks for all your contributions.
I have begun working my way through your BeBop book and really enjoying it; learning a lot about phrasing.
Keep 'em coming.
All the best,
Bob |
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Dale Rottacker
From:
Walla Walla Washington, USA
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Chris Templeton
From:
The Green Mountain State
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Posted 14 Feb 2013 2:00 pm
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Yes, I'll second that. As, the title implies, it's a personal song and I think its the best interpretation I have heard of that song.
You also have to hand it to Mike for picking that song to work up an arrangement for.
I would probably pass that song up as a potential steel instrumental because the melody is kind of limited and what Mike did to work within the confines of the song is fantastic.
I'd love to hear his treatment on a tune like "Dock Of The Bay", which has somewhat similar limitations.
_________________
Excel 3/4 Pedal With An 8 String Hawaiian Neck, Sierra Tapper (10 string with a raised fretboard to fret with fingers), Single neck Fessenden 3/5
"The Tapper" : https://christophertempleton.bandcamp.com/album/the-tapper
Soundcloud Playlist: https://soundcloud.com/bluespruce8: |
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James Knox
From:
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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Posted 14 Feb 2013 4:38 pm
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| Chill... Loved it! |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 15 Feb 2013 7:01 am
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Very nice, Mike. How could there be any "haters"?
I like the Flamenco vibe in part of the improv section.
Have you heard Bill Frisell's Beatles cover record with Greg Lesiz on steel? It's excellent.
http://tinyurl.com/a6syod9 |
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Dan Schwartz
From:
Bloomington, MN
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Posted 19 Feb 2013 5:38 am
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Really nice Mike. I appreciate you sharing as much as you do - it is always inspiring. I like your approach you mention about practicing by just playing tunes - I need to do more of that. I'm looking forward to your ECMish record. I have to second Andy's recommendation for the Bill Frisell record - I love that recording.
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TheNeighborhoodTrio.com
DanSchwartz.net |
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 27 Feb 2013 3:35 pm Knock-out interpretation
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| Wow, that is an elegant interpretation, Mike:I really like it. I agree with Stephen and Howard, R., that Middle Eastern bit also really grabs me. Is it possible to download it or it it not meant to be downloaded? What tuning are you using? In some strange way it reminds me of something Curley Chalker would have done on pedal steel, so more power to you for "playing outside the box" and giving us a refreshing interpretation of a great song. I don't think John Lennon would have minded your slant( pun intended) on his song. Thanks, for putting it on The Cloud. stevet |
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