“Jingle Bell Rock” (Bobby Helms Christmas Cover)

By Jim Fusco:

Part 4 of this four part Laptop Sessions extravaganza comes to you with another Christmas song!

This classic tune by Bobby Helms has been covered by almost every artist since the song came out. But, I figured the Laptop Sessions could use a jolt of a song everyone knows and can sing to.  But, you rarely hear an acoustic cover version of “Jingle Bell Rock”, though.  Most of the time, you’ll hear a country artist sing it or someone will try to turn it into a slow, crooning song.  Not me, though- I stay pretty true to the original song.  But, who says that you can’t rock out on acoustic guitar?  Of course, I’m using my nylon-stringed (or “gut” stringed) classical guitar that I bought while on vacation in Italy with one of my dearest friends.  I don’t think many people would associate a classical guitar with “Jingle Bell Rock”, but I like to make my acoustic cover videos have an intimate setting.  It allows me to sing at a nicer volume without having to worry about getting drowned out by my steel-stringed acoustic guitar.

As far as Christmas songs go, you can’t get more popular than “Jingle Bell Rock”.  Sure, some Christmas songs may be AS popular as this classic Bobby Helms tune, but this song is instantly recognizable.  Well, that’s kind of a given, seeing that you’ll probably hear it about a hundred times each Christmas.  A few years back, my free internet radio station, WCJM Internet Radio, did a Christmas show where we wanted to find out what the best original Christmas song was.  I chose the term “original song” because so many classic standards like Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town are simply untouchable.  We at WCJM Internet Radio wanted to find out which Christmas song other than those standards was the best.  And, whatever song won would be “retired” as a classic itself.  Well, “Jingle Bell Rock” was very close to the top of the list.  Oh, you didn’t think I would just give the list of the Best Original Christmas Songs away here on the music blog, right?  You’re going to have to head over to WCJM Radio by clicking here to find out for yourself!  Remember, all WCJM Internet Radio programs are absolutely free to listen to online.  They’re hilarious and I know you’ll become an instant fan.

So, sit back and sing along to this Bobby Helms Christmas cover song music video- it’s another step on my journey to make your holiday season great!

Editor’s note: this post was originally published before December 2015; the exact original date is uncertain.

“With A Little Help From My Friends” (Beatles Cover)

By Jeff Copperthite:

Good afternoon to you! Welcome to your Tuesday edition of the Laptop Sessions, where we are getting more known each day, especially for our Beatles cover songs.

I bring you a song that has been covered many, many times (did I mention many?). It’s from the Beatles and the classic album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (also a favorite of my music teacher from high school). “With A Little Help From My Friends” is among their most well-known songs, and is also one that Scott & I covered frequently in our jam sessions. However, I usually played the bass to it.

I think I did a good job on this performance, although I sang the backup vocal part at the end, rather than the high note. Other than that this version came out quite well.

Check back tomorrow where Jim will be performing an original song. Have a great rest of the day!

Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, Jeff’s acoustic cover song music videos are no longer on YouTube, but we decided to keep his cover song blog posts up.  We figured these music blog entries would be good for posterity’s sake and because Jeff always gave such insightful posts each Session.  We hope to see Jeff’s impressive catalog of acoustic rock songs here on the Laptop Sessions cover songs and original music blog again in the future.  But, for now, please make sure to check-out hundreds of other acoustic cover songs from all of your favorite bands here on the Laptop Sessions music blog!

Editor’s note: this post was originally published before December 2015; the exact original date is uncertain.

“Misunderstandings” (Indie Music – Acoustic Rock!)

By Chris Moore:

Hi, and welcome back to another all-new edition of “Original Wednesday” here at guitarbucketlist.com! This is a song from Jim’s My Other Half album — a double CD release that highlighted some of his earliest guitar work. Of course, I’ve swapped out his guitar solo here for a rip-roarin’ harmonica solo! 🙂

I’ve always enjoyed playing this song, and I wanted to share it with you.

[WARNING: shameless plug in 3, 2, 1…]

And, if you’re interested in hearing the fully-produced studio version of this song or buying other Jim Fusco albums, you can go to the F-M store at www.fusco-moore.com/store! This is also where our free MP3 downloads of the Laptop Sessions will be available in a few weeks.

As always, thanks for listening! Jeff will be back tomorrow with another all-new, non-“original” Laptop Session!



Editor’s note: this post was originally published before December 2015; the exact original date is uncertain.

“Sometimes” (An Indie Rock Music Video)

By Jeff Copperthite:

Back for Original Wednesday with another song by fellow FMP member Jim Fusco.

This song comes from his album “What About Today?”, which was the album I picked Harmony from (an earlier laptop sessions video). It is called “Sometimes”, and stands out among my favorite songs by Jim.

I love the chorus – both musically and lyrically. I think if you listen to the lyrics you will be impressed with the deep thought that can be invoked from his lyrics.

You’d think at my 9th video i’d have this video recording thing down, but the microphone levels are a bit high on this video. Therefore, you’re going to hear some popping. I hope, however, that it is just my crummy laptop speakers (Jim may also notice a minor lyric flub near the end).

Our library is growing! Check out https://guitarbucketlist.com/ for all the videos from myself, Chris, and Jim!

Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, Jeff’s acoustic cover song music videos are no longer on YouTube, but we decided to keep his cover song blog posts up.  We figured these music blog entries would be good for posterity’s sake and because Jeff always gave such insightful posts each Session.  We hope to see Jeff’s impressive catalog of acoustic rock songs here on the Laptop Sessions cover songs and original music blog again in the future.  But, for now, please make sure to check-out hundreds of other acoustic cover songs from all of your favorite bands here on the Laptop Sessions music blog!

Editor’s note: this post was originally published before December 2015; the exact original date is uncertain.