I posted about this in another thread and thought it would be good fodder for a topic.

When I was in my teens, I fell in love with Carol. I still remember vividly sitting with her on her front porch, both of us listening to the Everly Brothers. But the one song that stood out the most was: Dream. Whenever I hear that song or even think about it, I go back to those wonderful moments with her and suddenly the whole world reverts back to that peaceful, romantic period in time when love was in the air and you had the time (and emotions) to experience it.

Now.......what ONE song affected you the most and......WHY? I'm sure there are many (not the the "first girl friend" one), but just the ONE that stands out the most and how it moves you today or reminds you of some wonderful experience?

I've been thinking about this topic for quite a while now, because when I'm playing for the older folks, as I look around the room I can clearly see almost every song I play is reflecting in someone. And then there's the comments afterwards about how that song "brought back memories."

I've always been thankful that I "play," but I sometimes wonder how one interprets music as a listener instead of as a "player?"

Mark

Mark, GOOD TOPIC!

I've had, probably 10 benchmark songs in my life. One of them was George Benson's version of Leon Russell's "Masquerade".

I had been a Guild guitar demonstrator and met Benson as an endorser. He was playing the hell out of straight ahead jazz. Had a contract with Verve, I believe it was, and was selling about 400,000 albums with every release.

When we talked, he was making about the same as I was as a corporate director. Making it in jazz (he was at the top of his field) was rough.

He had finished his contract and was going to Hawaii to dig foundations (at least that's the story I heard).

He was called into a session and was fooling around with the lead line and scat vocal he is credited for developing. A producer walked by and the rest, as they say, is history.

Breezin', his 1976 mega album, was a 17 million hit and the first of many.

At the time, I was completely burned out...tired of playing the same material every night...working all day, teaching, trying to run a small farm and playing 1:00 AM to 4:00 AM Mon-Thursday; then 5:00 PM to 4:00 AM Friday and Saturday.

I was going to work to hand in my notice Saturday, when I turned on the radio and heard an unrecognized vocalist, singing a really innovative version of a favorite. I had enjoyed the song by the Carpenters and Leon, himself. That, of course, was the Benson recording.

This marvelous piece showed me there is NEVER a reason to be bored with having the privilege of playing, and taught me the importance of interpretation...putting your own "stamp" on material.

Benson took all kinds of flack from the purists, but, by that time, he was too rich to give a damn (LOL).

And, even now, every night, as I play those intoxicating notes to the intro of Masquerade I break out into a big, silly smile.


Russ

Ironically enough, one song that sticks in my mind was also an Everly Brothers song, "I Kissed Ya". Remember sitting in my 57 Chevy with my girlfriend "making out".
Another that had a lot of meaning was "Sweet Nothings" by Brenda Lee. We would park in the driveway and when "momma turned on the front porch light" it was time for her to go in.
Some 50 years later I met Brenda in the hotel where I was playing. She was really down about something and had too much to drink and I ended up helping her to her room. THAT'S ALL THAT HAPPENED, Russ!
Another song that I'll never forget is "Blue Suede Shoes". I had been playing bass with a band at college and had only sung in the shower at that time. I was home one weekend in 1964 or 65 and a local guitar player that I knew called and said he needed a bass player for the next night, to play at the Mohawk Lounge in Tulsa. Just me, him and a drummer. Really tough place with lots of drunk Indians (Native Americans). Sure I'd do it.
We got there and the guy had brought his brother to sing. Turned out he couldn't carry a tune at all. He was awful. Guitar player asked if I wold sing any songs and I thought well I couldn't be any worse. I knew the words to several songs from listening on the radio and actually practiced singing a few at home.
Anyway, I said sure let's do Blue Suede Shoes. He asked what key and I said G. He thought I said E. He counted the song off and hit a big E chord and I hit a big G note on the bass and my "One for the money" was somewhere in between. We looked at each other and I said I'm in G and he said he was in E and we BOTH changed keys. It got even worse. The Indians were either laughing or booing or a combination. Finally we stopped the song completely. Got our heads together and got through it. We ended up doing the song three times that night, and the Indians were really drunk by then and were cheering their tails off but I didn't sing again in public for at least another year.

Hi Russ:

Benson is a joy to hear. Thanks for giving him a mention. Too many great guitarists are ignored these days. Wish my stubby hands would work well around the neck of a guitar but it was never meant to be. That does not keep me from enjoying enterprising musicians on guitar... and just about any other instrument. (Even the ailing Cajun... Don Mason!)

Regards,

Dave

Over The Rainbow - Judy Garland - no doubt about it. When I was 5 years old I fell in love with Dorothy, the song never left my mind, and when my daughter performed it for me last year, I got so emotional I damned near couldn't play the song.

Cheers, from on old softie,

Gary

As I read this thread I thought "WOW" all have a special place in our lives. Mine is "You'll never walk alone", and for some strange reason Ave Maria gets to me every time I hear it.

I have to go with Gary here, and say "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"...I still get chills when I hear the original.

I think I posted this here before, but here it is again...

Somewhere Over The Rainbow, done on my Tyros4.

http://www.4shared.com/mp3/6dIl6nqG/OverRainbow.html

The style (from CVP-509) consists of drums (and brushes) and mega Acoustic Bass and Mega Jazz Guitar.

The solo voices were SA2 Sax, and SA Jazz Clean Guitar.

Nothing fancy...just chords in the Left Hand and melody in Right.

I just hit "Record" and played from memory.

Another favorite is "When You Wish Upon A Star".

Ian, another old softie.

Ian ... THAT IS A KEEPER ... Love the guitars - both chords and solo - also loved the 'double time' which is something I am looking for in a style for ballads, but have yet to find or achieve ...
Thank You ...

I also love Rainbow. I enjoy various versions from Judy to Jerry Lee. And of course Ian's!!

Ian, really nice job....I wish we would all try to edit some styles with lead ins from the bass player...on 7th and augmented chords...It could be done fairly easy....In fact I am going to try it when I get a chance..

That is just about all I would wish for in your arrangement...I think you know what I am talking about...