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#319136 - 03/13/11 03:13 AM I'm a Believer
john smies Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 05/05/00
Posts: 1384
Loc: koudekerke, Holland.

A couple of weeks ago I acquired the latest Neil Diamond album called DREAMS. Now I like Neil Diamond though I am not a fan really. This particular album contains his arrangement of famous pop classics including one of his own, the famous I'm a Believer,as you all know a great hit by the Monkees in the sixties.
His interpretation on this album is phenomenal. He virtually re-invents the song. This is my approach to making music on my keyboard at home as well. To the performer out there with an audience, it should be a feast of recognition,but within the space of your own living room or studio one has the opportunity to experiment.....
First of all a link to the original Monkees hit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB9YIsKIEbA

Here is my arrangement done on the Korg PA-500:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X5qMRF0auY

And here is the staggering new version by Diamond himself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K22e3AcJe64

greetings,
John

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#319137 - 03/13/11 03:27 AM Re: I'm a Believer [Re: john smies]
Nigel Offline
Admin

Registered: 06/01/98
Posts: 6483
Loc: Ventura CA USA
The Monkees being a studio created band had some very renowned composers write their songs. I read an interview recently with Neil Diamond and even though he wrote one of their biggest hits he has never actually met them.

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#319144 - 03/13/11 06:19 AM Re: I'm a Believer [Re: Nigel]
kbrkr Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 11/19/02
Posts: 2866
Loc: Tampa, FL
The Monkees played a big part of my music career. I remember playing along to their albums when I was a youngster. It's all so very ironic that as a mature adult, I am still playing I'm a Believer in a Wedding Band. I also play Sweet Caroline..
_________________________
Al

Pa4x - LD Systems Maui 28 - Mackie Thumps

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#319145 - 03/13/11 07:38 AM Re: I'm a Believer [Re: kbrkr]
124 Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 01/01/09
Posts: 2195
Never been a Neil Diamond fan myself, either. But Sweet Caroline has to be one of the most enduring songs out there - a real crowd pleaser. Seems nobody can resist that "bom-bom-bom" bit and then all joining in on the hook.

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#319146 - 03/13/11 08:09 AM Re: I'm a Believer [Re: john smies]
SemiLiveMusic Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 08/28/04
Posts: 2206
Loc: Louisiana, USA
Originally Posted By: john smies

A couple of weeks ago I acquired the latest Neil Diamond album called DREAMS. Now I like Neil Diamond though I am not a fan really. This particular album contains his arrangement of famous pop classics including one of his own, the famous I'm a Believer,as you all know a great hit by the Monkees in the sixties.
His interpretation on this album is phenomenal. He virtually re-invents the song. This is my approach to making music on my keyboard at home as well. To the performer out there with an audience, it should be a feast of recognition,but within the space of your own living room or studio one has the opportunity to experiment.....
First of all a link to the original Monkees hit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB9YIsKIEbA

Here is my arrangement done on the Korg PA-500:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X5qMRF0auY

And here is the staggering new version by Diamond himself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K22e3AcJe64

greetings,
John


John, thanks so much for posting that. Now, this new version of Neil's is sensational. Wow! And yours is good, too. Korg sounds real good!
_________________________
~ ~ ~
Bill

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#319151 - 03/13/11 09:03 AM Re: I'm a Believer [Re: john smies]
lahawk Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 06/28/01
Posts: 2785
Loc: Lehigh Valley, Pa.
Nice rendition...

Sweet Caroline? Yankee fans love that song. NOT
_________________________
Larry "Hawk"

♫ 🎹🎹 ♫ SX-900




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#319152 - 03/13/11 09:10 AM Re: I'm a Believer [Re: john smies]
leeboy Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 10/09/04
Posts: 2580
Loc: Ocala, FL USA
John, Nice work....
I like a lot of Neil's work.
_________________________
Lee S.

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#319160 - 03/13/11 11:11 AM Re: I'm a Believer [Re: john smies]
Uncle Dave Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 12/01/99
Posts: 12800
Loc: Penn Yan, NY
Well, speaking or drastic remakes, check THIS out:

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%...eed&h=44c77
I have a new respect for Sarah, AND the songwriters who wrote this. It's fun and trendy in it's original form, but it's sultry and cool in it's new form ... I really like what she did with it.

(this is not a hijack, just sharing a similar story!)
_________________________
No longer monitoring this forum. Please visit www.daveboydmusic.com for contact info

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#319169 - 03/13/11 03:19 PM Re: I'm a Believer [Re: john smies]
Jerryghr Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 01/14/02
Posts: 1497
Loc: Buffalo, NY
Thanks for the Neil Diamond link.

I still like the old version to get the people up and dancing.

Check out the crowsd reaction in the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-Exm4K1ObQ&feature=related

Regards,

Jerryghr


Edited by Jerryghr (03/13/11 03:20 PM)
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#319186 - 03/13/11 06:53 PM Re: I'm a Believer [Re: Jerryghr]
SemiLiveMusic Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 08/28/04
Posts: 2206
Loc: Louisiana, USA
Originally Posted By: Jerryghr
Thanks for the Neil Diamond link.

I still like the old version to get the people up and dancing.

Check out the crowsd reaction in the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-Exm4K1ObQ&feature=related

Regards,

Jerryghr


Ya know what? Jerry, you are right. And the OP post is right. This is the mark of a GREAT song. That's it, it's just a friggin' GREAT song. Tear jerker or shake-your-ass.
_________________________
~ ~ ~
Bill

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#319196 - 03/13/11 08:44 PM Re: I'm a Believer [Re: john smies]
124 Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 01/01/09
Posts: 2195
Right on, Bill. Great songs sound good in any guise. Neil Sedaka's two very different versions of 'Breaking Up Is Hard To Do' for one example comes to mind.

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