Virtual Open Mic - The VOM Archives

Credit to:	Traditional
URL is:	http://vom.infocusreviews.com/index.php?p=play&id=garthman/O_Come_O_Come_Emmanuel.mp3

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An Advent carol. The words are a mid-19th century translation by John Mason Neale of the Latin text 'Veni, veni, Emmanuel' thought to have been written in the 12th century and set to a melody of a 15th century French proccesional hymn but many authorities believe that both the words and music originated in the 8th century.

Played on my Yamaha Pacifica 112 into a single, small (20w, 4' woofer, 1' tweeter) powered speaker and recorded in one take with Audacity via a computer microphone.

Posted: 11-08-2009, 01:06 AM

Verdi Cries

#10

garthman

Credit to:	10,000 Maniacs / Natalie Merchant
URL is:	http://vom.infocusreviews.com/index.php?p=play&id=garthman/Verdi_Cries.mp3

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Comments

10,000 Maniacs arrived on the music scene of the mid 80's like a breath of fresh air. Excellent, well-played music with the enchanting vocals of the young (17 when she joined the band) and beautiful Natalie Merchant who also wrote most of the (often socially observant and occasionally biting) song lyrics.

The song 'Verdi Cries' (Natalie's vocal originally accompanied by piano and viola) appeared on their 1987 album 'In My Tribe'.

Here is my humble offering picked on my 12 string and recorded with Audacity with a touch of reverb via my computer mike in one take.

PS. For anyone who missed them here is a link to an early live vid of their song 'My Mother The War'. Enjoy (especially Natalie's sassy performance)!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CI7IuB8ZUY

Posted: 10-11-2009, 03:06 AM

5D (Fifth Dimension)

#11

garthman

Credit to:	The Byrds
URL is:	http://vom.infocusreviews.com/index.php?p=play&id=garthman/5D_Fifth_Dimension.mp3

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Written by Jim McGuinn and the (trippy) title song to The Byrds' 3rd album - it was also released as a single.

Posted: 09-13-2009, 01:09 AM

Play With Fire

#12

garthman

Credit to:	The Rolling Stones
URL is:	http://www.box.net/shared/uq2ga1bjfp

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'Play With Fire' first appeared as the B-side of the hit single 'The Last Time' released in early 1965. In fact the only Stones members who played on the song were Mick and Keith.

Here is an excerpt taken from the Wiki entry:

' . . 'Play with Fire' is credited to Nanker Phelge, a pseudonym used when tracks were composed by the entire band, even though lead singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards are the only Rolling Stones to appear on the track. The song was recorded late one night in January 1965 while the Stones were in Los Angeles recording with Phil Spector at the RCA Studios. Richards performed the song's acoustic guitar opening while Jagger handled vocals and tambourine (enhanced using an echo chamber). Spector played bass (actually a tuned-down electric guitar), and Jack Nitzsche provided the song's distinctive harpsichord arrangement and tamtams . . .'

As usual, recorded in one take with Audacity and my computer mic.

Posted: 08-09-2009, 01:09 AM

I Want You

#13

garthman

Arglwydd, dyma fi (Lord, I come)

Credit to:	Bob Dylan
URL is:	http://www.box.net/shared/qkvd0nas2k

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A garthmanized version of 'I Want You'.

Actually recorded a couple of months ago - been busy this week and I'm going to the Brecon Jazz Festival this weekend - but this is the way I do the song and, of course, the usual one take with computer microphone and Audacity.

Posted: 07-12-2009, 01:02 AM

#14

garthman

Credit to:	John Roberts/Lewis Hartsough/William Arnold
URL is:	http://www.box.net/shared/gpqadfv1oe

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This song (described as Traditional) was recorded by Cerys Matthews (ex Catatonia vocalist) on her debut solo album.

When I heard the song the tune was familiar and when I looked it up I discovered it was a Welsh hymn so it's likely I sang it in chapel as a child.

Research showed that it was written by John Roberts (who sometimes wrote under his bardic name 'Ieuan Gwyllt') who lived from 1822 to 1877 and who was an influential figure in the 19th century Welsh non-conformist movement. . . . .

. . . or so I thought. A little more research revealed that a very similar song called 'Welcome Voice' was written by a gentleman called Lewis Hartsough in 1872 for 'a revivalist meeting held at Epworth, Iowa.

Hmmmm . . plagarism at work it seems but by who? Further research seemed to indicate that Hartsough was the original author a fact confirmed by another famous contemporary hymnologist named Ira David Sankey (American but working in England) whose journals say of Welcome Voice: 'The words and mu�sic of this beau�ti�ful hymn were first pub�lished in a month�ly, en�ti�tled, 'Guide to Ho�li�ness', a co�py of which was sent to me in Eng�land. I im�me�di�ate�ly adopt�ed it, and had it pub�lished in 'Sac�red Songs and So�los' . . . .

So, there we are! Words and music by Lewis Hartsough, translated into Welsh by John Roberts . . . .

. . . or so I thought. It turns out that the music was not written by Hartsough at all. It stems from around 1810 and is a tune called 'Sarah' written by William Arnold (1768 - 1832) who is thought to have lived near Portsmouth in England.

So . . . . shall we just be kind and say that there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing amongst UK and US non-confromists in the 19th century?

Mi glywaf dyner lais yn galw arnaf fi
I ddod a golchi �meiau gyd yn afon Calfari.

Chorus: Arglwydd, dyma fi ar dy alwad di,
Canna f�enaid yn y gwaed a gaed ar Galfari.

Yr Iesu sy�n fy ngwadd i dderbyn gyda�r saint
Ffi dd, gobaith, cariad pur a hedd a phob rhyw nefol fraint.

Yr Iesu sy�n cryfhau o�m mewn ei waith drwy ras;
Mae�n rhoddi nerth i�m henaid gwan i faeddu �mhechod cas.

Gogoniant byth am drefn y cymod a�r glanhad;
Derbyniaf Iesu fel yr wyf a channaf am y gwaed.

Translation:
I hear thy tender voice calling me
To come and wash my sins in the River of Calvary

Chorus: Lord, here I am at your call
Wash my spirit in the blood that flows from Calvary

Jesus invites me to receive with the saints
Faith, hope, pure love and peace and all of heaven�s honours

Jesus strengthens me in his work through grace
He gives strength to my weak spirit to beat my hateful sin

Praise be forever for the atonement and the cleansing
I will receive Jesus as I am and be washed clean in the blood

Posted: 06-15-2009, 04:47 AM

Love My Way

#15

garthman

Credit to:	Psychadelic Furs
URL is:	http://www.box.net/shared/dpzxnavfgt

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Comments

Well, better late than never as the saying goes. Or maybe not - who can say.

I have mixed feelings about the 'anthem'. The formula is straightforward: verses that are largely incomprehensible; a simple chorus, oft repeated, which can mean anything to anyone; and, of course, a catchy tune. Are they milestones in popular music? I don't know - but they certainly fall into the category of 'play something we all know' so it's handy to have one or two in your repertoire.

So, this month's submission is 'Love My Way' by the Psychadelic Furs. The song featured in their 1982 album 'Forever Now'

Played on my Ovation Applause into a computer mic approx 18in in front of me with the guitar also piped to a small acoustic amp about 4ft behind me. Recorded in one take with Audacity.

Posted: 05-10-2009, 01:03 AM

Make You Feel My Love

#16

garthman

Credit to:	Bob Dylan
URL is:	http://www.box.net/shared/p7ut2z696a

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Comments

And the man is still No 1

Posted: 04-12-2009, 01:05 AM

Two Soldiers

#17

garthman

Credit to:	Traditional
URL is:	http://www.box.net/shared/8vyfnrgqn8

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Comments

I was trying to decide which of three or four songs I've recently recorded to submit to this VOM when I noticed Stack's 'on this day' list mentions the start of the American Civil War in 1861.

Completely by coincidence, one of the songs on my list was this one. "Two Soldiers", a song from that turbulent time in America which has been recorded by several people over the years including Mike Seeger, Jerry Garcia, Dylan and Cowboy Junkies.

It is a shortened version of a much longer ballard named "The Last Fierce Charge" that appears in "Ballads and Songs, Belden" collected by Ruth Sedwick in 1912 with the notation that it was "learned twenty-seven years ago in the Tanet County hills".

Posted: 03-08-2009, 01:02 AM

Famous Blue Raincoat

#18

garthman

Credit to:	Leonard Cohen
URL is:	http://www.box.net/shared/u71ufdh9ab

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It's been a few months since I've done a song by Mr Cohen so here is an attempt at Famous Blue Raincoat.

Played on my vintage BM Espana classical guitar tuned to standard D and recorded in one take.

Posted: 02-08-2009, 01:01 AM

Cold Blow & Rainy Night

#19

garthman

Credit to:	Traditional
URL is:	http://www.box.net/shared/77lub5n8qx

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A traditional song containing some cautionary advice for young ladies on a cold night.

Usual one take with my computer mike via Audacity. Played on my Crafter and sorry for the odd string buzz - cold hands, brrrr!

Posted: 01-12-2009, 05:09 PM

Kathleen's Song

#20

garthman

Credit to:	Roger McGuinn & Jaques Levy
URL is:	http://www.box.net/shared/fu4lfxmv74

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Comments

Late again as usual, sorry.

Here is an attempt at an old Byrds song. Written by Roger McGuinn & Jaques Levy and featured on the 'Byrdmaniax' album ~ 1975 (I think).

Posted: 11-09-2008, 05:31 AM

Lisa Lan

#21

garthman

You're A Better Man Than I

Credit to:	Traditional
URL is:	http://www.box.net/shared/b71r2km0d1

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Comments

Lisa L�n (Traditional)

Posted: 10-12-2008, 10:06 AM

#22

garthman

Credit to:	Mike Hugg
URL is:	http://www.box.net/shared/tjjcirsi6r

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Comments

This song was recorded by the 60's band 'The Yardbirds' - it was the B- side of their 1966 hit single "Shapes Of Things". The song was written by Mike Hugg (who was one of the founder members of the band 'Manfred Mann').

The Yardbirds are best remembered as being the launch-pad for the careers of Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page - all of whom played lead guitar with the group at some time or other - but it was the other group members (Keith Relf, Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty and Paul Samwell-Smith) who provided most of their songs and innovative music.

Posted: 09-14-2008, 01:17 AM

Stories of the Street

#23

garthman

Credit to:	Leonard Cohen
URL is:	http://www.box.net/shared/0609hxymx4

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Comments

This month's contribution is "Stories of the Street", by Leonard Cohen.

Posted: 08-10-2008, 02:03 AM

Is Your Love In Vain

#24

garthman

Credit to:	Bob Dylan
URL is:	http://www.box.net/shared/6yh3egeefx

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Comments

Ovation Applause fitted with nylon strings. Recorded with Audacity via computer headset mic as usual. One take, also as usual - I lack the technology and knowledge to do it any other way.

Posted: 07-14-2008, 05:18 PM

Run

#25

garthman

One Of Us Cannot Be Wrong

Credit to:	Snow Patrol
URL is:	http://media.putfile.com/RUN-71-17

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Comments

Late as usual, sorry. Here is a short acoustic version of "Run" by Snow Patrol. Lyrics by Gary Lightbody, music by all the group. A bit different for me - I have to go into falsetto to reach some of the high bits.

Posted: 06-08-2008, 03:03 PM

#26

garthman

Credit to:	Cover: Leonard Cohen
URL is:	http://media.putfile.com/One-Of-Us-Cannot-Be-Wrong-68

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Comments

An attempt at "One Of Us Cannot Be Wrong" by Mr Leonard Cohen. Played on my BM Espana classical guitar in standard D tuning. Recorded with Audacity via my trusty headset mic.

Posted: 05-11-2008, 01:04 AM

I And I

#27

garthman

Credit to:	Bob Dylan Cover
URL is:	http://media.putfile.com/I-and-I-19

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Posted by proxy

Garthman is doing some reconnaissance work for BAGWIPS, TX, this weekend and asked if I'd post this for him. "I And I" by Bob Dylan. First two verses only. Nylon string dred in standard.

Posted: 04-14-2008, 05:19 AM

Signed DC

#28

garthman

The Great Silkie of Skerrie ACS

Credit to:	Arthur Lee Cover
URL is:	http://media.putfile.com/Signed-DC

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Comments

Sorry I'm late. Sunday is the day when Garthwoman and I do things together so sitting in front of my computer playing my guitar would doubtlessly provoke retaliationary measures an some future time. Anyway - you good folk across the pond, who seem to be the main contributers to VOM, are still fast asleep, hopefully dreaming nice dreams. Here is a stab at "Signed DC" by the late, great Arthur Lee. Played on my 12 string.

Posted: 03-10-2008, 08:13 AM

#29

garthman