Fast Car (Tracy Chapman / SCGC RS 1929)

[JoeCharter]

Originally Posted by double G

Joe this was an awesome arrangement of one of my fav TC songs. Have you tried recording it just a touch faster? I think it would even be better. that ax of yours really has a killer sound for bluesy stuff like this. The mid section really sings when you play some of the melody on the second and third strings. I would have never guessed you had your strings capoed!

Thanks for listening!

I did try to play it faster but it made the melody sound "choppy", at least to my ears. There's a lot of the same notes over and over -- and without TC's beautiful voice and her lyrics, it became a challenge to make it sound interesting beyond the first couple of verses.

[JoeCharter]

Originally Posted by Glennwillow

Hi Joe,

That was really very sweet and pensive; wonderful sound from that guitar and your playing! My wife was in the other room and heard this and knew right away that it was your playing she was hearing. She already has a handle on your playing style. How cool is that??!!

Great job!
- Glenn

Hi Glenn,

I gather your wife must've recognized my slowed down, reverby performances of three-chord pop tunes... I'll try to come up with something uptempo next time!

Seriously, thank you for the compliment. These are on the fly arrangements of mine and it's very cool indeed that your wife would recognize my playing.

Joe

[JoeCharter]

Originally Posted by mustache79

Wonderful! I enjoyed that very much.

Originally Posted by gibbyguy

Love this offering Joe. Thanks for sharing your talent here. Really enjoyed the sound of your SC. Beautifully played, very nice and clear tone. Loved the blending of sustained notes throughout.

Originally Posted by Cheetotoe

Man I LOVED that!!!

Originally Posted by stevejazzx

awesome!
Well done man...such a lovely version

steve

Thanks so much, guys!

It's a great feeling to receive such positive feedback from all of you.

[Bob1131]

This is a great song and I'm really pleasantly surprised how it sounds as a guitar instrumental. Well done, Joe!

[SmokySeagull]

Very nice, I love that song and you played it so well!

[Mr Fixit eh]

gorgeous. Love the great groove, combined with a lovely sense of flow.

Steve

[rmyAddison]

Joe,


I really like your playing style, it's always very expressive, you respect every note and get a great tone!!

Well done my friend!!

[HolyRoly]

Beautiful song done with some classy playing man, well done!

[Steve Berger]

Sonically Stunning! You have the Midas Touch Joe - I loved everything about it.

[JoeCharter]

Originally Posted by Bob1131

This is a great song and I'm really pleasantly surprised how it sounds as a guitar instrumental. Well done, Joe!

Thanks so much for the listen, Bob! I'd much rather listen to Tracy Chapman myself but appreciate the kind words...

Originally Posted by SmokySeagull

Very nice, I love that song and you played it so well!

Thank you! I play the main lick as it was originally played and the rest is just my messing around by ear -- everything pretty simple.

Originally Posted by Mr Fixit eh

gorgeous. Love the great groove, combined with a lovely sense of flow.

Steve

Thanks for taking the time to post, Steve. Groove (or lack thereof) was what I was most concerned about, so I'm glad to read your feedback.

Originally Posted by rmyAddison

Joe,


I really like your playing style, it's always very expressive, you respect every note and get a great tone!!

Well done my friend!!

Thanks, Rich! I've only recently started to really listen to my acoustic tone -- and doing casual recordings has been of great help.

For each individual tune I choose the guitar, the ideal playing position for the right hand (whether closer to the neck or the bridge), and the type of attack (whether played palm down with anchor, or classical style).

This is something I hope to keep improving over the next little while.

Originally Posted by HolyRoly

Beautiful song done with some classy playing man, well done!

Thanks for the listen, HolyRoly!

[JoeCharter]

Originally Posted by Steve Berger

Sonically Stunning! You have the Midas Touch Joe - I loved everything about it.

You're too kind, Steve. Thanks so much for the encouragement.

[rick-slo]

Nicely done and one of my favorite tunes. Watch the reverb though.

[JoeCharter]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

Nicely done and one of my favorite tunes. Watch the reverb though.

Thanks Rick.

Yes I am guilty once again of applying too much reverb (and not even a good quality one, I reckon that)...

I've come to the acoustic guitar world listening to guys like Tommy Emmanuel and Pierre Bensusan -- and my ears have always preferred "wet" recordings.

Of course things are different when it comes to classical guitar, where I like things as pure and clean as possible.

I'll try to reduce the reverb and listen to the impact -- but most importantly I'll find a better quality reverb for more "serious" recordings.

[rick-slo]

Originally Posted by JoeCharter

Thanks Rick.

Yes I am guilty once again of applying too much reverb (and not even a good quality one, I reckon that)...

I've come to the acoustic guitar world listening to guys like Tommy Emmanuel and Pierre Bensusan -- and my ears have always preferred "wet" recordings.

Of course things are different when it comes to classical guitar, where I like things as pure and clean as possible.

I tend to notice reverb and other details since I am frequently trying to decide how much and what kind of reverb to use. There is no one right answer for everone. Send or link me to a dry version sometime and I will play with it reverb wise.

[JoeCharter]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

I tend to notice reverb and other details since I am frequently trying to decide how much and what kind of reverb to use. There is no one right answer for everone. Send or link me to a dry version sometime and I will play with it reverb wise.

Here you go: http://soundcloud.com/syndicatedarts...n-scgc/s-tQIA6

I appreciate your advice on this matter.

Cheers,

Joe