A Nightingale Sang in Barkley Square

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Here's a little chord melody thing I just worked out in C6th. The idea was to play it like a solo jazz guitarist would. Played it on my son's VOX with almost no bass and a semi blown speaker and once the red light goes on I always tend to lose about 20% of the swinging quality I had before hitting "record" but hey, we all keep working on our deficiencies and hopefully in baby steps, we're getting better year by year.

http://www.reso-nation.org/audio/andy-volk/lap-steel-a-nightingale-sang-barkley-square

or

https://home.comcast.net/~aevolk/music/BarkleySquare.m4a

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Anybody have thoughts, constructive criticism? As a musician, I'm a good writer. Smile

I'm trying to improve. Thanks.

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

I'm not that familiar with the song, but it sounded pretty good. If it were me, I'd try to slow down a little bit and swing it a bit more.

It's a very good example of the chordal possibilities the C6th tuning provides.

What guitar are you using? I'd like to hear a mellower tone - the tone you got is a bit too trebly for the song, in my opinion. I'd expect a more jazz guitar tone would work better for this type of music.

Thanks for sharing!
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Mitch Drumm · From: Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake

Andy:

I just took a quick listen to versions by Anita, Sinatra, Joanie Sommers, Nat Cole, and Bobby Darin.

Darin is the only who tries to sing it mid tempo, similar to your version. The others seem to follow Anita's lead from the early 50s and keep it in a slower ballad style.

Maybe you can get an idea or two by listening to Bobby try it out.

Here is Berkeley Square a few years ago; maybe it will inspire you;

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Thanks. I need all the inspiration I can get! Brad: yeah, wrong guitar, wrong amp - I agree. The Asher's lower mids would have killed on this. Clinesmiths sound like great axes for jazz as well.

Bill McCloskey · Posted 15 Jun 2010 1:04 pm

Andy,

As with all your stuff I listen to, I just can't help thinking you would benefit so much from working closely with a metronome. Your biggest weakness, in my humble opinion, is your lack of rhythm. I think working with a drum machine, band in a box backing track, or just a good old fashioned metronome would improve your playing 1000% . Also, I think you have a tendency to try and hit too many full chords: let the song have some air and space: single note melody lines mixed with tasteful chords might be a good direction to head to.

Bill McCloskey · Posted 15 Jun 2010 1:05 pm

The clinesmith is a great jazz steel.

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Bill, when I listen to my own playing I'd have to agree almost word for word about my time. Ironically, I produced & directed a DVD devoted to working with the metronome but somehow never got around to doing it. Anyway, appreciate your comments very much.

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