Tag Archives: Jim Fusco Songs

“The Long and Winding Road” (The Beatles piano cover song)

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By Jim Fusco:

Welcome to another episode of The Laptop Sessions with me, Jim Fusco!  I can’t believe it’s been two weeks since my last video- the time is flying lately.  Now that things are coming along nicely with the new house (driveway is in and the grass is looking better), I hope to start enjoying everything a bit more soon.

Today is a record-breaking day here on the Laptop Sessions acoustic cover songs music video blog.  Today, the site got it’s highest view count EVER: over 5,600 hits and still counting!  Yes, most of these hits were to the homepage, which is great.  But, the part I’m very excited about is the fact that close to 200 of those hits have been to “deep” pages on the site (past posts, etc.)!  That’s a pretty big deal, especially considering that just a couple months ago, the site was getting only about 200 views a day- total!  So, the promotion I’ve been doing seems to be working nicely.

Now, you would think that, after last week’s article, I would be playing on my new Martin MMV guitar tonight.  But, some sad circumstances lead me to this new video- the first in a long time on the piano.

“The Long and Winding Road” is a song by the Beatles that everyone knows.  It’s one of those songs that you hear in a restaurant, a department store, and the radio from time to time.  It’s a great Paul McCartney song that appeared on the “Let It Be” LP, but I personally like the one on “Let It Be…Naked” better.  Even though I found the chords with the words “Capo on 1st fret” above them, I transposed the chords to piano on the fly and let this one rip.  As with most Laptop Sessions cover songs I do, it’s SO much easier when I already know the words by heart.  Chords are easy to remember because they’re logical- for instance, if the sound goes up (in pitch), then chances are the chord goes up (in pitch).  So, I almost always instantly remember the chords.  But, when you have to think about lyrics, things get difficult.

Tonight, I dedicate this cover song music video to my good friend and colleague, Diane.  For the past year and a half, she’s been my SAVIOR at work.  She works down at the warehouse our company uses and is always so helpful.  She’ll get anything done instantly- she’s truly the best.  She’s made my life so much easier over the time I’ve been with the company.  Plus, we’ve come to have countless conversations over the phone and we’ve always had a great relationship.  It’s even possible that we’re distantly related!  We’ve been out for drinks after work on a few occasions, as well, and we always have a great time.

But, unfortunately, the higher-ups at my company decided to move to a different warehouse.  I understand- business is business.  But, I know I’m not the only one that’s going to miss Diane terribly- she’s that valuable to my working life.  Hey, maybe she’ll want to move to Florida and work at the new place! 🙂

Anyway, months ago, she requested “The Long and Winding Road” by the Beatles as a Laptop Session after she began watching my videos.  She waited patiently for a long time.  But, Steve (of the Traveling Acai Berries) was very, very busy and we couldn’t find the time to get-together and play this song on camera.  The goal was to bring Steve’s electric piano in, too.

So, when I heard the news about Diane no longer working with me, I knew I had to record “The Long and Winding Road” for her.  Now that I have Becky’s piano in the house, it was easy to set everything up and record one of my more unique videos.  I think it came out great (especially the way I got the audio to record) and I hope it will make Diane realize how much I’ll miss her.  Plus, what a perfect song (subject matter) for the occasion.

Thanks for stopping-by for this edition of the Laptop Sessions in HD with Jim Fusco.  Stay tuned for a special “26th Birthday” post by me next Thursday night and then two weeks from now, I’ll be back with my first cover song music video on my new Martin MMV acoustic guitar.  Have a great week and enjoy “The Long and Winding Road”, one of our many Beatles cover songs!

“Palisades Park” (Freddy Cannon Cover)

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Welcome to another all-new Jim Fusco Thursday and another video in our series of Beach Boys cover songs here on the Laptop Sessions acoustic cover songs music video blog!  Well, that’s a technicality because the Beach Boys just covered this song on their 1976 album, “15 Big Ones”.  It’s actually from Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon!

I believe this will be my last “weekly” cover song music video, as I’m going to switch to a bi-weekly schedule like I mentioned before.  This will allow me to be more creative with my videos and will also give me a chance to promote the videos I already made.  I mean, this is video #212 already!  And I’ve noticed that my views per day are pretty stagnant, even though I have more and more each week.  That means my older videos aren’t getting views anymore, and that’s just a shame!  I will make a point to post every Thursday night, however, with some interesting pieces on music, guitars, and rock’n’roll, so you’ll still get your weekly “Jim Fusco Fix”!

Before tonight’s video, I have two things to mention:

First, for my brother Mike’s birthday, I made him a long overdue iPhone website!  That means it’s specifically formatted for the iPhone (but will work on any mobile phone, too).  It’s SOOOO cool- you’d never know it was a website- it looks like an iPhone App!  Plus, if you bookmark http://mikefusco.com on your iPhone to your Home screen, you’ll see a cool logo button of Mike and the website will open up in “full screen” mode, so it’ll look like an authentic iPhone app!  You can watch Mike’s YouTube videos, listen to his music, and stay updated with him on his live Twitter feed!  CLICK HERE TO VIEW MIKE’S SITE!

The second thing is that in two weeks, you’ll be hearing a much nicer sound in my acoustic cover song music videos.  I won’t give anything away just yet, but trust me, it’ll put my videos into the Major Leagues.

Okay, onto “Palisades Park” by Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon.  I love the personas they gave 50’s and early 60’s stars.  Everyone had to be bigger than life.  They had to be icons of their days.  And songs like “Palisades Park”, though not very complex or difficult, will always be remembered as the roots of rock’n’roll, and therefore classics.

“Palisades Park”, written after an amusement park in New Jersey, was actually not an “A” side.  For those of you born in the 80’s and later, an “A” side was the side of a vinyl record that was officially released as a single.  Yes, before iTunes, you could buy individual songs!  🙂  Well, actually, the flip-side of the record had another song on it, known as (big surprise) the “B” side.  Usually, these were throw-away songs, especially early-on.  There were a few double-sided hit singles, namely “Come Together” and “Something” from the Beatles, so it was possible to have two hits on one vinyl single.

Anyway, “Palisades Park” wasn’t meant to be the hit, but apparently a DJ played the “B” side of the record by accident and the song caught on in a big way- all the way up to Number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts!  And, in 1962, there was some pretty fierce competition.

I actually knew this song more intimately because of the Beach Boys cover version on their 1976 album, “15 Big Ones”, where they played covers of early rock’n’roll songs, mixed with originals that sounded similarly.  The Beach Boys version isn’t great, but I still like Carl Wilson’s lead vocals- you’ll probably hear some phrases sung like Carl here because that’s the way I’m used to singing the song.  I knew Freddy Cannon’s version first, but listened to the Beach Boys version many, many more times.

Well, that’s all for me tonight- so happy it’s Spring now and I’m looking forward to some great times in the next few months.  I’m a little sad about going to a 26 episodes a year schedule, but I’ve already got a dozen songs lined up and ready to record, so don’t think I’m losing my inspiration!  In fact, my new “sound” is meant to boost my inspiration and get me to write and record again.  So, until next week, I hope you have a great weekend and enjoy “Palisades Park” by Freddy Cannon (and covered by me, Jim Fusco!).

“Lightnin’ Strikes” (Lou Christie cover)

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By Jim Fusco:

Boy, this doesn’t feel like a Thursday.  Having tomorrow off (plus Monday, as well) is AWESOME and it feels like a weekend night!  I’ve had a chance to relax and get some stuff done tonight, so I’m looking forward to a long weekend with some great weather here in Connecticut.

Let’s get right to tonight’s acoustic cover song music video!

I was reacquainted with “Lightnin’ Strikes” by Lou Christie last month when I heard it on my favorite Thursday radio show, “Rockin’ With Wayne” on WHUS UCONN Radio.  Of course, I knew it from years passed listening to the local oldies station, too.  Turns out this song was a Number One hit for Lou Christie in the mid-sixties and I can see why.  It’s catchy and features Lou’s great falsetto.  Of course, I wasn’t the only one who always thought it was Frankie Valli, but let me tell you- there’s a big difference.  Lou Christie was actually a songwriter!  He wrote “Lightnin’ Strikes” and that’s pretty cool, in my book.  Plus, I’m excited to add Lou Christie as yet another new artist to the vast array here on the Laptop Sessions acoustic cover songs music video blog!

One thing I never noticed was the lyrics in this song.  Go ahead- name some other lyrics besides, “Lightning is striking again.”  Well, when you listen to the words, this song is incredibly chauvinistic!  Basically, he’s saying: I found you and you’re the best.  I’m going to marry you someday.  But, until I do, I’m gonna be with a whole bunch of other people- basically anyone that asks.  And, that’s gotta be okay because you, “know the nature of a man”.  Wow, not sure I agree with that one!  Talk about subject matter that really wouldn’t fly 45 years later.  And, on top of it, I think he co-wrote the song with…get this…a woman!  Heh, I knew it- he’s Italian! 🙂

I love singing these songs with the high parts.  This one is fun because you can really belt it out.  So much so, in fact, that I woke Becky up while recording this video.  Oops.  I can’t really take a lot of the blame, though, as there are very few moments I have to record other than when she’s already asleep.  If I record while she’s just going to bed, she can’t fall asleep.  And then I can’t get the take right because I’m always so nervous that I’m keeping her awake.  This is one of the reasons why I can’t wait to get our basement finished.

Until next Thursday night, I hope you have a great Easter weekend and opening week of baseball!

“Real Love” (Beatles Cover)

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By Jim Fusco:

Well, then- welcome to the first Jim Fusco Thursday here on the Laptop Sessions acoustic cover songs music video blog! 🙂  I’m happy tonight, as it was a day of getting things done.  Actually, the past two days were all about getting things done and that always gives me a good feeling.  I need to cover a few topics before I get started tonight:

  1. My album, “Halfway There” is now on iTunes and available for download!!  I’m very excited about this.  I just signed up for some promotion.  If I get any kind of response, I’ll gladly do a bigger campaign.  Go check it out: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/halfway-there/id361828586 Please, it would mean so much to me if you would sign-in to iTunes, rate, and comment on the album.  The more popularity it gets from the loyal music blog followers, the better chance it has at succeeding!
  2. Next up, I’m going to be releasing the classic second (and last) album by MoU, “Homestead’s Revenge”.  And, just like everything else in that band, I’ll be covering the cost of this submission myself…
  3. I recorded three “episodes” of the Laptop Sessions tonight, so that ensures three weeks of all-new videos coming up!
  4. Speaking of “episodes”, I had a thought tonight.  I’m afraid that there’s so many Laptop Sessions videos that they’re becoming meaningless.  Honestly- I don’t even remember some of the songs I’ve done!  So, I’ll continue for a while on the once-a-week plan, but I really think I should do a “season” of them, much like a TV show.  I think once every two weeks, or 26 “episodes” would be good for the year.  That way, each music video would be a special event.  And it would probably give me more time to promote the site.  I used to worry that there wasn’t enough content to promote, but now I know that there’s SO much content that too much work went into it all with little return.  I’ll keep you posted on my thoughts.
  5. Finally, I want to mention the passing of rock legend Johnny Maestro of the Brooklyn Bridge.  I was going to record “The Worst That Could Happen”, but I realize that, other than the chorus, it’s not one I know too well.  I’ll keep listening and maybe I’ll bust it out someday.  R.I.P., Johnny.

Onto tonight’s video!

This video, “Real Love” by the Beatles, came out so great that I wanted to push it ahead of my planned video for tonight, which will now air next week.  I love this song so much and even though it’s played on piano in the recorded version, it translated very well to my nylon stringed acoustic guitar.  And playing it on the 3rd fret capo really made it sound like the original.  Now, when I say “original”, I actually mean the version done by the remaining Beatles (over John’s home recording) in 1996.  John’s demo version does appear on one of his “Best Of” solo albums, but the lyrics are slightly different.  The Beatles version from the Anthology in 1996 is simply perfect.  The vocals are stunning (even though John’s voice sounds very ghostly and distant due to the original source tape they used, it works to a much better effect here than on “Free As A Bird”) and the guitar solo is so great.  It’s George at his rock best- a biting and wailing solo over such a great love song.

And last night, I arrived at a pretty big conclusion: In my opinion, John Lennon is the best songwriter of all time.  Yes, Brian Wilson is still (and will always be) my favorite songwriter, I have to admit that there was no one better than John Lennon.  He wrote some of the best songs of all time- and some earlier than all the other 60s bands!  He had a knack for the hooks (like, “Yeah, yeah, yeah”), but also wrote some of the best ballads ever.  “In My Life”, “Woman”, and “Real Love” are three amazing examples.  Okay, so Paul McCartney is a great songwriter, but his great songs are great and his less-than-great songs STINK!  Even John Lennon’s less-than-perfect songs are good.  He just had that gift.  He was a great lyricist and wrote some of the most unique melodies ever.

So, with that in mind, I went to record “Real Love”.  I remember when it came out- watching the Beatles Anthology on TV when it first aired in 1996.  It was awesome.  Especially because, at that point, I still thought I was the only Beatles fan in my generation.  So, having that kind of special on TV was pretty big for me.  And two new songs just made it a perfect situation.

I hope you enjoy tonight’s rendition of “Real Love” by the Beatles.  I know it’ll go down as one of my favorite videos simply because I realized that it’s one of my favorite songs.  It’ll always make me wonder, “What if the Beatles endured and somehow got to play into the 90s?”  I think we all know it would’ve been awesome, despite what critics might have said at the time.  It always bugged me that everyone expected bright, pop songs- but think about it: if the Beatles had continued playing from where they left off with “Abbey Road” (“Let It Be” was recorded earlier), the songs would’ve sounded very similar to “Free As A Bird” and “Real Love”.  And that’s just fine by me.  Until next Thursday, I hope you enjoy your weekend!  Make sure to check out all of our Beatles cover songs here on the music blog!