Most of the time, when I record a song, I just do it while on the job, plug in the Zoom H2, then play back the entire job while driving home so I can determine what I did right, and of course, what I did wrong.

When I recorded Merry Christmas Darling, I did it at home, and while in my head I was hearing Karen Carpenter, of course, my vocals and chords were doing something else. Uncle Dave, who is among my many mentors here, hit it right on the money when he listened and commented on the recording. IT WAS AWFUL! At least, IMO. I had an opportunity to listen to it today while on the way to a job and the first thing that came to mind was "Damned, that's just awful. Why in the Hell would I ever post a song without listening to it first. - My mistake!

The chords were right, but my vocals just plain sucked! No question in my mind, and obviously Dave's as well. But, he was just too diplomatic to use those words.

Thanks Dave, I've since cleaned it up, got the vocals down to where they sounded good to me today, and my audience loved the rendition.

Thanks again,

Gary

Gary are you going to post the corrected version for us again now?

Maybe tomorrow when I get the keyboard out of the van.

Gary

You Da Man!!

Hi Gary. That is a very hard song both in chord progression and vocals to sing. Of course, Karen makes it sound easy. That's why she was as good as she was. Her voice made every song seem like it was a part of you. I'm impressed you even tried this song. I haven't tried to sing it for years just because I think of her rendition as the only one. Kudos to you for trying.

Merry Christmas,

Joe

Sure wish I could sing with the voice quality of Karen Carpenter, but this old crooner has to live with the cards that were dealt to me. I trudged through the snow this morning to pull the keyboard out of the van and do some things to get ready for tomorrow's jobs. Yeah, I'm still doing doubles once in a while, but I try to avoid doing a second job, even when they're not a long distance apart.

Uncle Dave, here's the redo from an old sailor who's freezing to death in his office today.

Merry Christmas Darling

Happy New Year everyone, and as always, constructive criticism is always welcomed. And, yes, I do read your comments and often take your advice and use it wisely.

Gary

Beautiful, Gary. I knew you had it in ya!
Now, as for the chords ..... well, they're closer! There are so many altered chords and "/bass" type chords - it's a tough one, but you made a very recognizable, and really smooooooth version that I'm sure everyone enjoys as much as I do.
Love ya., man.

Just gave it a 'quick listen' Gar and thought it sounded much better - very good ...
As we know, one problem with 'iconic' songs such as this one, is that people's minds will automatically revert back to the original (and I am not referring to Uncle Dave here) ... that is not to say that yours or anyone else's version isn't good, it's just not the 'original', ESPECIALLY when the original is done by a beautiful, 'lilting' female voice like Karen's and then covered by a bass/baritone voice such as yours ... it is like the comment Ian made about my version of the Michael Franks' song "The Lady Wants To Know" - there is a big difference in the 'type' of voice and the delivery ...
We are fortunate that at 'our age', we can do what we do in 'our style' ...
That being said, I still think the chords from Wikifonia (RIP ) give the song more 'meat' ...

PS ... when I hit 'submit' I saw that UD had similar comments ...

When I was learning this tune by ear, I had a quite a time getting the chords right...the on-bass chords are tricky, but, they are what gives this song it's mood and without them, it will be harder to capture it.

As been said, Gary, this last one is much closer.

Ian

Yeah, the wikifonia chords were dead on for the original, but I kinda liked the Chordie version a bit better, and for me it was easier to play. Thanks again guys for the comments, and I really appreciate you taking the time to listen again.

Tony, you're right, we should be very thankful at our advanced age that we can still carry a tune in a 5-gallon bucket, let alone keep the ladies and gents of our audiences happy. Yesterday was a real eye opener for me when I did the job and noticed that two of the people in the audience looked very familiar. One I went to school with, same age as me, early onset of Alzheimers, while the other person, whom I knew from when I had a fishing tackle shop many years ago, has stage-4 lung cancer and the family dumped him there to die. It really tore at my heart strings to sing for them, knowing that it won't be long before either one of them is gone. I managed to keep up a good front, kept the pace upbeat by singing my crazy versions of traditional Christmas songs, and some oldies rock and roll. Before heading out I talked with both of them, introduced them to each other, and gave them both a CD for a Christmas present.

Thanks again for helping me make this song better,

Gary

Uncle Dave is ALWAYS Right!!

Yup ... just ask my ex-wives!

Dave, it's never a one way street man! So I've been told. IMO everyone should be married a minimum of two times.
With the first one you at least learn to put the toilet seat down and which way to squeeze the toothpaste. I've always stayed away from Redheads and I advise you to do the same. They all just look like trouble to me. I think Brunettes are the way to go, Try it you'll like it.

Hey Boo - Brunette, 'eh? Well, maybe after this current "project Ginger."

Anyway ... I'm stuffed, tired and listless - what better time to record a song for everyone to critique, right? I know I missed 2 pretty chords that I love to use, so be kind ... I just wanted to throw my musical hat into the pool for Christmas.
PA900 - 100% live
LH manual bass, RH Rhodes, upper accpmt from Standard 8 beat and 2 voice harmony added - one above, one below.
Enjoy ...

One to add to my collection, I really enjoyed that, your phasing is spot on the harmony section great

All the best

Col

Thanx Col ... I know it's not a studio recording, and I'm a little embarrassed about missing those two great chord changes, after I made a stink about them, but .... it's Christmas - my house was quiet ... I felt motivated! (back to my long winter's nap ...)

Hi Dave

I just felt the vocal was a touch light.

I was following it on the chart as you sang it and to be honest (I'll probably be shot for saying this ) I felt the song flowed better with your chord changes than the Carpenter's version. There seemed to me one or two places in the Carpenter's version which didn't quite ring true, maybe it's my old ears.

All the best

Col

Beautiful! I just wish that the bass was more pronounced, because I am sure that you, being a former bass player, did a great job with your left hand, just like you did with the Rhodes sound in the right.

Great comments .... The vocals probably ARE light - I was listening to the KB speakers and a large part of the tone was my acoustic voice, so it's not really a correct blend. Here's another one .... just Rhodes and voice. Better?

Yup, probably right about that too - I just love that Rhodes sound, and I take my bass hand for granted .... I was paying more attention to the chords than the mix. My bad - BASS RULES!

You sound much more comfortable and relaxed on this one. This is ready to go on a CD; on the whole, I would say that you really made "Chestnuts" yours.

Love the second recording ....much better ......only thing I hear to talk about is that the Rhodes is
a bit over powering the overall mix & vocal in places.....
otherwise As Usual My Uncle Dave Killed it & put his stamp on it too!!

thanx for sharing.... now Dave what about doing
"Mary Dont You Know"?

You guys just need something to compare to....

Uncle Dave taught me this song back in the 80's..After a few years I found out he played the wrong chords....His peers called him "Bad chords Boyd"..

Vocals are GREAT, but man, you out to dump that ratty old Rhodes. Where the hell did you get that piece of junk?

R.
Actually, there are tunes that quickly separate the men from the boys. This, done this way, with these delicious alterations to the straight lead line is certainly one.

Pretty neat...three of the best recordings of the year posted today by Dave, Chas and Ian.


GREAT!


Russ

Everyone knows that I am a major Kenny Rankin fan. Dave's phrasing reminds me of Kenny. Even his voice tone is similar.
This is proof that he's the real deal. And, guess what? NO ARRANGER! Just the way I like it!

R.

WOW! Now I'm jealous. Of course, I'm still learning from Dave. Been that way for more than a dozen years now.

Cheers,

Gary

Peers, HA! That was one guy, and he was the most ornery old codger we knew.
I always say "if I'm the only one on stage then I CAN'T play a wrong chord!"
As long as what I play matches what I sing ... There are no wrong notes.

Russ, I'm with you on Kenny Rankin. Loved him for years. So sad when he passed.
I'm sure I model some styles from him without even knowing it.

Dave ... balance issues aside, you've done a GREAT job on both of these songs ... were they recorded ON the Pa900 - does the Pa900 support vocal recording? ... did you use the on-board VH? ... right hand VH control? ... inquiring minds want to know ...
thank you ...

I thought that was the Pa900 NOT the Rhodes......
it does sound amazing!!

Yes ... apparently it WAS the Pa900 ...

Tony,(et al)
Both recordings were made in one pass directly to the USB stick on a PA900 yesterday. I use RH arranger mode and turn OFF the auto bass, then use a LH sound for manual bass. This allows me to trigger the built in harmonizer from my right hand chords, which is my method of preference.I do so many more embellishments to the chords with my RH, nd it makes for more interesting harmonies. If I wanted to make a recording more "studio balanced" I'd shut the speakers off and monitor through headphones ... I just wanted a scratchpad version to share with the zoners. Someday, if I ever stop or slow down teaching ... I'll make album after album ... promise!

Awww .... I was expecting to hear Kathy! Grrrr .... Your voice sound better than usual, but that midi file is choppy and not so smooth. I'd rather do it live and miss those few scripted notes that are in the file. Even the sax solo left me kinda yawning .... sorry.
So - AC tomorrow then breakfast with my BOYZ on Monday!!!! Yay

I am getting "good"...in 20 more years I will be better than you..

I was spoiled by all the great gals that sang for me..

After I pass you, I will go after Joe Liptock

Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but my niece, Megan Sheehan, posted a link to her own version, in honor of Karen Carpenter's birthday today. She has the pipes to do it!

http://www.reverbnation.com/megansheehan/song/19979957-merry-christmas-darling?1336410755

Fantastic, you are a lucky man to have a niece who sounds sooo good, not only that but she looks wonderful too.

Col

Wow!!!

WOW!

Gary

EXCELLENT!!! A beautiful young lady with a beautiful voice ...
voice from Don's side of the family, beauty from the OTHER side of the family ...

Actually it's all from the other side. She's my first wife's sister's daughter. We've all stayed close through the years because of kids and grandkids.