Machinegun Kelly (James Taylor) by Danny Kortchmar (cover)

[Glennwillow]

James Taylor's "Mudslide Slim and the Blue Horizon" album was released in 1971 and JT's friend Danny Kortchmar's song, "Machinegun Kelly" was on that album. I was somehow reminded of this song lately and decided to learn how to play it and then recorded it here.

My method of playing this song is not a carbon copy of James Taylor's playing but kind of a combination of the JT and Danny Kortchmar guitar parts put together. So the song comes out sounding a little different than JT's version. But after messing with this for a few days I found I liked this way of doing the song.

The guitar is my 1967 Martin D-35 in drop-D tuning. I tried every guitar I own on this song and nothing sounded nearly as good as this old D-35 to my ears.

I hope you like this -- thanks for listening! Hope you are all well during this crazy time!

- Glenn

[islandguitar]

Hi Glenn!!
Oh, Yeah, that was good!! Really enjoyed the whole thing and appreciated those guitar parts you developed for this. I can see why that big 'ol Martin D-35 made the cut! It brings a lot to s song like this.
My bandmate from many years ago had a D-35 from the same vintage years and I always liked how that guitar put out some great Martin tone for what we were doing back then.
Enjoy your weekend!
Fred

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by islandguitar

Hi Glenn!!
Oh, Yeah, that was good!! Really enjoyed the whole thing and appreciated those guitar parts you developed for this. I can see why that big 'ol Martin D-35 made the cut! It brings a lot to s song like this.
My bandmate from many years ago had a D-35 from the same vintage years and I always liked how that guitar put out some great Martin tone for what we were doing back then.
Enjoy your weekend!
Fred

Thank you Fred!

I'm glad you appreciate this cover!

Regarding the D-35, I normally keep that guitar in our house piano room, not in my studio. It's sort of like my comfort guitar, it's so familiar after all these years. I was showing my wife how this song was coming along and I realized how really good this song sounded on this guitar. I was going to play this on the Olson SJ, and that guitar certainly sounded good, so did the Gibson AJ and my Sheppard, but in the end nothing had that combination of bass and treble that the D-35 puts out.

In fact, when recording this I had to back way off while I was singing so that I didn't simply drown my voice out.

I'm glad you thought this was okay! I really appreciate hearing from you and knowing you like this! Have a good Memorial Weekend, Fred!

- Glenn

[Kerbie]

Glenn, I like that a lot! Nice tune and very well done. The 35 sounds great. That was fun.

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by Kerbie

Glenn, I like that a lot! Nice tune and very well done. The 35 sounds great. That was fun.

Thank you Kerbie!

How nice to hear from you! It's always great to know you are listening! I hope all is well for you!

- Glenn

[superbitterdave]

Nicely done Glenn!

The drop-D sounds great on those bass lines. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Cheers,

Dave

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by superbitterdave

Nicely done Glenn!

The drop-D sounds great on those bass lines. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Cheers,

Dave

Thank you Dave!

I appreciate your listening and your taking time to comment! That D-35 does sound wonderful in drop-D! I had to be very careful to hit that lowest string fairly lightly because the sound would otherwise be so big that my voice would be completely covered up by the guitar.

I hope all is well for you!

- Glenn

[Chickee]

Nicely done, Willow. That guitar(meaning you)sounds terrific. It’s clean and crisp as a mountain spring. That‘s a fun song, don’t know if I have ever heard it before. Thank you for sharing with us.
Chickee

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by Chickee

Nicely done, Willow. That guitar(meaning you)sounds terrific. It’s clean and crisp as a mountain spring. That‘s a fun song, don’t know if I have ever heard it before. Thank you for sharing with us.
Chickee

Hi Frank!

Thanks so much for listening! That old D-35 does have a fairly bright tone after 53 years of aging.

I don't think this song from James Taylor is terribly familiar to most people. Because I was always a JT aficionado, I remember this very well from his Mudslide Slim album of 1971.

Here is JT's studio recording:



And this is JT with Danny Kortchmar doing this live:



Take care out there Frankie!

- Glenn

[pickinray]

Great job, Glenn! Your D-35 sounds fantastic on that song. I really enjoyed it!

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by pickinray

Great job, Glenn! Your D-35 sounds fantastic on that song. I really enjoyed it!

Thank you Ray!

How nice of you to take the time to comment! I'm glad you enjoyed this, particularly that old D-35. It's still a joy to play after all these years.

- Glenn

[andre.g]

I remember listening to that album, but i don´t remember this song.
Your interpretation made me listen again.
You made a great version with a wonderful sounding guitar. Enjoyed it very much!

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by andre.g

I remember listening to that album, but i don´t remember this song.
Your interpretation made me listen again.
You made a great version with a wonderful sounding guitar. Enjoyed it very much!

Thank you Angre'!

I'm glad you enjoyed this! Thanks so much for listening and taking the time to comment! I hope all is well for you!

- Glenn

[started with 1]

Glenn, this is great. Fantastic. Now this one I do know. And love. We had this album in 1971 or 72.