This isn’t an acoustic cover as the previous ones that I used to submit here…
I played this song with my electric guitar with a light distorsion and I hope it does sound good! This is a great song from The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars by David Bowie (1972).
** EDITOR’S NOTE: **
I have a reason to be personally excited about this song — a while back, I recorded my first David Bowie cover, of “Hang on to Yourself.” That song is the one that precedes “Ziggy Stardust” on the aforementioned 1972 album.
Now, thanks to Federico, we’re happy to present the title track of the album, a song that ranked in the middle of Rolling Stone‘s 500 Best Rock Songs list recently. As usual, Federico has done an excellent job of stripping a song down to its basic elements, and electric guitar was a great choice for this one.
As a final note, I’m very happy to share another Federico Borluzzi session — he’s built up several songs in reserve.
Welcome to another edition of the Laptop Sessions with me, Jim Fusco!
I’m back again tonight after a short sabbatical. I’m glad to present a great song, “San Francisco” off of Brett Dennen’s 2009 album “Hope for the Hopeless”.
I’ve been in love with this album ever since my friend (and boss) Bill gave me the album to listen to. I’ve since purchased it on vinyl- you’ll see my copy behind me in the video.
I’ve also been purchasing a lot of new albums on vinyl, including Jack Johnson’s “To the Sea” and “Stone Temple Pilots”, both of which I haven’t listened to yet. I’m getting myself ready for the STP album by listening to their previous effort, “Shangri-La-Dee-Dah”. Jeff always used to talk about that album, so I asked for it for my birthday and I’m loving the album. I’m so excited about the new disc! Actually, I did listen to it once while transferring my vinyl copy over to the computer using my brother’s ION USB turntable. Mine’s on the fritz…of course…
I’ve been taking it a bit easier lately, which is good because it’s been BUSY. I’ve gotten a lot more done around the house and have been watching my Mets, who’ve been on a big roll lately.
I hope to keep up with this light Laptop Sessions schedule- I’ll definitely make it a point to.
Anyway, I’ve wanted to record “San Francisco” for a very long time now and was happy to get the opportunity now. What’s cool is that Brett Dennen himself used his Martin D-28 acoustic guitar to record this album. Hearing his great sound and great songs was a factor in my choosing a Martin, too. Even though mine cost about half the price of his, mine’s still all solid wood and (in my opinion) sounds just as good! Remember all the research I did? Well, I truly believe I got the best I could for the money.
Over the next few weeks, I plan on covering songs from Ringo Starr, Scissor Sisters, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Jack Johnson, and Stone Temple Pilots- ALL of whom have albums out this summer! So, the cover song list keeps on growing. So, have a great Tuesday and be sure to come back again for another Laptop Session with Jim Fusco soon!
Me doing an acoustic cover of the song “Your Winter” by Sister Hazel.
** EDITOR’S NOTE: **
We’re pleased to extend a warm welcome to this week’s featured guest performer, Michael Brading! You may know Sister Hazel better for their second album …Somewhere More Familiar (1997), which yielded the hit single “All For You.” Today, Michael’s video highlights a deep track from their 2000 follow-up record Fortress. This album was their second and last on Universal Records, and signaled the end of their mainstream success. I know you’ll enjoy this excellent cover song version by Michael, whose excellent voice fits the song perfectly and, fittingly, takes center stage on this performance.
C#m A E
I made a promise to not let go;
E C#m B A
Our tug of war has only made me want you more.
A B E A
Steeped in hard luck and doomed to roam;
A B C#m
My love is braver than you know.
My forefathers, they worked this land,
And I was schooled in the tyranny of nature’s plans.
Dressed in thunder, a cloud came round;
A B E C#m
In the shape of a lion, a hand came down.
A E A E
Damn this valley, damn this cold.
E B A C#m
Takes so long to let me know…
A E A E
It’s plant and reap and plow and sow,
E C#m
But tell me will it grow?
Dig my ditches in the golden sun;
I’d be robbing these trains if I could catch me one.
Sunday, Monday, now Tuesday’s gone…
Got me stone cold sober in a drought so long.
Boarded mansions and ghost filled yards;
There’s a boy in a water tower counting cars.
Steel traps open and empty stalls;
There’s a well-worn saddle, but the horse is gone.
Damn this valley, damn this cold.
Takes so long to let me know…
It’s plant and reap and plow and sow,
But tell me will it grow?
Jet black starlit midnight rolls;
I am down in the garden where I let you go.
Here on the surface, the earth looks round,
But it’s a Godless city of cold flat ground.
Damn this valley, damn this cold.
Takes so long to let me know…
It’s plant and reap and plow and sow,
But tell me will it grow?
C#m C#m – B – E – B – A
Will it grow?…
A C#m – B – E – B – A
Will it grow?…
A C#m – B – E – B – A
Will it grow?…
