Busking Leonard Cohen

dennisg
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Sat Feb 12, 2011 3:01 pm

Well, after watching your version, Tony, I'm absolutely convinced that Travis picking is the way to go on that song. Considering how early it is in your learning curve, that was really a top-notch effort. Good on ya, mate.


thereshopeyet
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Sat Feb 12, 2011 3:17 pm

Thanks


Craig
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Sat Feb 12, 2011 3:41 pm

Tony,
I really enjoyed that. Great job. This song is right in your vocal range so your voice sounded relaxed. Another solid post.
Craig


lil40
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Sat Feb 12, 2011 3:44 pm

That was a beautiful rivetting performance which had me glued to the screen!

I've always loved LC, what a voice! One of my all time favourite songs of his is this one, do you know it?:




Very nice travis picking, I find that I still lose it half way through...


tovo
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Sat Feb 12, 2011 3:52 pm

Early Sunday morning here, where does that weekend go?!

Shel - I'm glad I could introduce you to what I think is a beautiful song. The beauty I think lies in its simplicity. Thanks my friend.

Pete - Thanks buddy. Looking forward to your next effort.

Bud - Thanks for the comment on going to a new level. I have definitely noted that from you, particularly your singing.

Bob - Thanks muchly mate. (Don't think "muchly" is a word but you know what I mean)

Jim - Thanks mate.

Cori - Cohen and Costello eh?! You have some taste there. I'm a huge fan of Elvis Costello. I know you are working on Allison and I'm so looking forward to seeing your next version. "Pump it up" was an anthem for me as a kid, I would dance with Elvis' "feet-turned-in" style and think I was pretty cool. Thanks for your generous comments and I think you are right, the casual observer wouldn't pick the faults we do as a group.

Mike - Given you didn't know the tune I'm glad you liked it mate. Sorry I didn't show more of the Taylor! I noted that when I played back the video but given it was busking I didn't bother to redo it. Yes I love my Taylor, played some Martins in my music store yesterday....nice but nothing to make me yearn. It truly is love.

Suzi - I know you are a Cohen fan and I'm real glad you liked it. Regards your question, no I didn't feel I had any breathing difficulties, I did wander a little bit with the lyric at times, almost losing them once or twice, but that is because they are complex lyrics (I think they are anyway) rather than difficult to phrase. Do you know what I would like to see from you? An update of "Circle Game". I think it was great when you did it and I think you would rip it up now. I know that's out of the blue but it occurred to me yesterday.

Pierre - Mate thanks for that history, something I didn't know about Cohen and Montreal. I live in a port also and it's still a working port, there are some characters in this district for certain. There's something about the water that I love, although I was never a sailor. I'm real pleased you liked this Pierre.

Chas - Mate with your excellent musical knowledge I'm a little surprised you didn't know this as a Cohen tune. I'll check out the video and see what I think. I have really appreciated your constant encouragement over my time here at TG. Thanks mate.

Den - Firstly old mate you need to get down to Oz, I'm dammed impressed with your evolving grasp of our language. Good on ya mate! Yes I thought it seemed to fit really well the Travis picking style. It's a real thrill to try a tune out for the first time and have it work reasonably well.

Dermot - Man I don't think Leonard is too worried about tovo but I sure appreciate that compliment. Cheers mate.


MarkM
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Sat Feb 12, 2011 4:57 pm

Tony I just got a chance to watch this and really haven't gone through all the replies so sorry if this is a bit repetative.


DUDE...................

Wow. Very nice. Very very nice. I didn't see any of the issues that you mentioned. I think that I was so focused listening to the lyrics that if you did hit a "clanger" in there I didn't notice at all. I must say apart fromt the great picking you managed to master that change to Bm and didn't miss a beat. Not at all. I did a song awhile ago with a similar change and didn't make that change as nearly as fluently as you did. To your other post.. You have become quite the guitar player and I've enjoyed watching you progress over this past year. Great job!!!


MarkM


jayswett
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Sat Feb 12, 2011 5:08 pm

I watched your video, then listened to the original. Your version was very true, and I think with a little more work will be one for your open mic night.


tovo
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Sat Feb 12, 2011 5:16 pm

Craig - mate you posted as I was replying. Thanks mate, always appreciate your supportive comments.

Lil, yeah Joan of Arc, epic tune! Thanks for the generous remarks.

Mark thanks a lot buddy. Funny the picking comes easier to me than strumming. Not saying it's great, but I feel more comfortable with picking from the get-go. The worst clanger was where I missed a change, but it came out OK. I think we are all improving, a great advertisment for TG.

Jay, thanks. I think it would be an interesting open mic choice. Not everyone is into LC and those who aren't wouldn't know the tune. I guess that's not a bad thing eh? What I'm thinking is that going with a tune that everyone knows is probably a good idea, get them singing along with luck! Thanks for the comment Jay.


suziko
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Sat Feb 12, 2011 5:24 pm

Do you know what I would like to see from you? An update of "Circle Game". I think it was great when you did it and I think you would rip it up now. I know that's out of the blue but it occurred to me yesterday

Tony, that's really kind of you to say. The problem is that Circle Game is played in some sort of wacky tuning, and I kind of stopped practicing it after I posted it (because of said tuning) and I don't think I can play it anymore! The one downside of alternate tunings, I guess. It's easy to let them drop by the wayside.


thedancer
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Sat Feb 12, 2011 5:32 pm

HI Tovo

The first thing I will say is I love the hat.

The travis picking really suits the song. Great voice and you look as if you are enjoying yourself.

Is there a section on TG that shows us how to Travis pick.
Dancer


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