Tag Archives: version

“Three Ways” (Wallflowers Cover)

Posted on by
Reply

For chords & lyrics, click HERE!

By Chris Moore:

For those wondering how long it’s been since I last recorded a bona fide “Laptop Session,” please refer to my YouTube page, and check the length of my hair.

(This has long been one of my favorite aspects of the LS blog, as I can skim through the stills of my cover song music videos posted over the span of months and years and watch my hair grow out, out, out, then get cut, and continue to grow…  Well, you get the idea.)

That being said, I decided several months ago that I would only post a cover song again when the time felt right.  I’ve been keeping quite active reviewing albums for the Weekend Review and “Yes, No, or Maybe So” segments that are regularly published here at the site.  However, I haven’t recorded an official cover song session since April 11th.

It’s now July 6th.

I spent the morning and afternoon this past Saturday driving around the state with a dear friend, windows down with selections from our favorite albums blasting at full volume.  All the time, we were singing along and pointing out our favorite sections and solos, etc. in the various songs.  Of course, the first album we chose was one with the following line:  “I feel fine with the sun in my eyes, the wind in my hair…”

I’m referring to my pick for number one album of the decade and my personal favorite: the Wallflowers’ Red Letter Days.

This is one of those records that incessantly hits you with great songs, track after track.  After the rock/pop/alternative rock attack of the first four tracks, the fifth track slows down a notch, but is equally as catchy as the songs that have come before.  I’m referring to “Three Ways,” a beautiful little song that I’m featuring here this morning on the blog.

When I heard it again in my friend Mike’s car, I spent part of the duration thinking how much I would like to learn it on acoustic guitar.  And that feeling didn’t dissipate days later.  Thus, I took a break from reading Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass yesterday to figure out the chords to “Three Ways.”  I found chords online, but not surprisingly, they were significantly flawed.  This cemented my desire to complete a full session, posting chords and lyrics for others to access that are accurate to the song. For the chords, I spent quite a while playing to the song and experimenting with different options until I pieced together the core components of the song.  As for the lyrics, I went to the CD booklet — one of the reasons I love having physical copies of my music — and copied them from there.  (In fact, if you enjoy this song at all, I would strongly encourage you to check out this album, either as a download from iTunes or some other service, but PREFERABLY as a physical CD.  I’m telling you: this is not only one of the best albums of all time, but it has excellent packaging as well!)

After a few takes, I recorded one that I was happy with, which is the one you’ll see tonight.  So, without further ado, I’ll leave you to the actual recording.  Enjoy…

See you next session!

“R U Ready?” by Ringo Starr – Chords, Tabs, & How to Play

Posted on by
Reply

“R U Ready?”
Ringo Starr

D
Are you ready to cross over?
Are you ready to let go,
D  G                                                               D
To face the final curtain in the land of I don’t know?
D                  Bm                    G                   D
Jesus was a wise man, and everyone’s a saint.
D           Em                  A
Are you ready to cross over?
A           G              D
Are you ready?

You can read the good or bad books,
Read them fast or slow.
But is it fact or fiction?
There’s just one way to know.
Buddha was dancing underneath the Bodhi tree;
He was ready to cross over.  He was ready.

D           G           D
So, why hold on, hold on?
D   G
It’s good that you believe,
G         F#
But it’s better if you know.
F#     G           D – Bm – G
Don’t hold on, h   o   l   d       on;
G                             Bm                                A                D
Someone’s there to catch you when you’re ready to let go.

I was sitting by the Ganges looking for another way.
But all roads lead to heaven,
No matter what they say.
Krishna was a good man.
Why was he so blue?
He was ready to cross over; he was ready.

So, why hold on, hold on?
It’s good that you believe,
But it’s better if you know.
Don’t hold on, hold on;
Someone’s there to catch you when you’re ready to let go.

(Play me to heaven…)

SOLO

Are you ready to cross over?
Are you ready to let go,
To face the final curtain in the land of I don’t know?
Everyone can get there, ’cause we all have a soul.
Are you ready to cross over?
Are you ready?

So, why hold on, hold on?
It’s good that you believe,
But it’s better if you know.
Don’t hold on, hold on;
Someone’s there to catch you when you’re ready to let go.
Someone’s there to catch you when you’re ready to let go.
Someone’s there to catch you when you’re ready to let go.

** These chords and lyrics are interpretations and transcriptions, respectively, and are the sole property of the copyright holder(s). They are posted on this website free of charge for no profit for the purpose of study and commentary, as allowed for under the “fair use” provision of U.S. copyright law, and should only be used for such personal and/or academic work. **

“Screen Door” (Uncle Tupelo Acoustic Alt-Country Cover)

Posted on by
2

By Chris Moore:

Well, there’s a first time for everything.  And I feel pretty confident as I write this that I am, indeed, the first of the Laptop Sessioneers to record a song from the alternative country genre.  This is “Screen Door,” a song from band Uncle Tupelo, which is credited with being one of the pioneers of the alt-country genre.

Even as I write this, I have to chuckle a bit.  I mean, truly, how many different genres can the music industry possibly conceive?  How many categories do we really need?  It’s not quite alternative.  It’s not quite country.  Let’s call it “Alternative Country”!

What’s next, Alternative Pop?

Classical Ska?

But, seriously, I find this all very interesting.  I first heard Uncle Tupelo a couple months ago when I bought their essential tracks compilation 89/93: An Anthology.  How does one find oneself motivated to buy an alt country album?  Well, you may be aware that I’ve recently discovered and really gotten into the band Wilco.  And, if you know me, you know that I need to know the broad history and backstories of bands that I get into.

So, let’s step back for a moment.  Uncle Tupelo was active between 1987 and 1994, originally comprised of lead songwriter and singer Jay Farrar, his brothers Wade and Dade, and Jeff Tweedy.  Tweedy quickly progressed into a second songwriter and lead singer of the band.  His influence was two-fold — he was responsible for booking a lot of early gigs and, through several name changes before arriving at this one and multiple band member additions and replacements, he advocated for the punk rock sound that he had been impressed with when he initially heard Farrar and his brothers play.  Dade disagreed and left the band shortly after Tweedy’s arrival.

Eventually, as the tale goes, tensions developed between Farrar and Tweedy over which direction the music should go until, finally, Farrar announced that he would be leaving the band.  They played their final gig in 1994, and Farrar went off to form a new band, Son Volt.  Meanwhile, Tweedy and all the other members of Uncle Tupelo reformed under the name Wilco.

So, after a lengthy explanation, there you have it — my interest in Wilco’s roots found me in the checkout line at Borders New Britain, Uncle Tupelo CD in hand.  Ironically, one of my favorite songs on the album is merely a demo — a rough, but fully arranged track titled “Outdone.”  Another song that got my interest is the first track on the compilation.  “No Depression,” also the title of their debut album, is a song written and originally performed by the Carter Family (then referred to as “No Depression in Heaven”).  Now, in 1936, “the Depression” had an entirely different meaning than it did for Uncle Tupelo in 1990.  I love how this song was able to survive and take on a new meaning.

I still haven’t taken the time to check out Son Volt, but I wouldn’t say that I’m a huge fan of Uncle Tupelo, really.  I am rapidly becoming an avid Jeff Tweedy and Wilco fan.  Even Wilco’s debut album (A.M. in 1995), which Tweedy himself referred to as their attempt to “tread some water with a perceived audience,” is head and shoulders above the Uncle Tupelo CD, in my humble opinion.  I can’t believe I’ve only heard three of the six Wilco studio albums…

Lots more to look forward to!

Without further ado, I’ll let you get to the actual video.  I chose “Screen Door” because it’s deceptively simple.  It could be taken as a Southern anthem about people sitting on their front porches, singing songs, and dealing with the heat.  However, the chorus adds an interesting angle — “We don’t care what happens outside the screen door,” Tweedy sings.  It’s an interesting social statement that I think applies in all parts of the country.  In New England, for instance, it may not be the screen door, but we certainly have developed a sense of apathy for those who pass by us, outside our circle of friends, family, and colleagues.

And now I’ll actually let the song speak for itself.  Don’t forget to rush back tomorrow for another all-new session with Jeff…

See you next session!

“World Gone Wrong” (Traditional) – Chords, Lyrics, & How to Play

Posted on by
3

To see how it’s played in the cover song music video, CLICK HERE!

“World Gone Wrong”
Traditional

D
Strange things have happened, like never before;
My baby told me I would have to go.
D            G
I can’t be good no more, once like I did before.
G            A7
I can’t be good, baby,
Dmaj7                    A7                      D
Honey because the world’s gone wrong.

Feel bad this morning, ain’t got no home.
No use in worrying, ’cause the world’s gone wrong.
I can’t be good no more, once like I did before.
I can’t be good, baby,
Honey because the world’s gone wrong.

I told you, baby, right to your head,
If I didn’t leave you I would have to kill you dead.
I can’t be good no more, once like I did before.
I can’t be good, baby,
Honey because the world’s gone wrong.

I tried to be loving and treat you kind,
But it seems like you never right; you got no loyal mind.
I can’t be good no more, once like I did before.
I can’t be good, baby,
Honey because the world’s gone wrong.

If you have a woman and she don’t treat you kind,
Praise the Good Lord to get her out of your mind.
I can’t be good no more, once like I did before.
I can’t be good, baby,
Honey because the world’s gone wrong.

Said, when you been good now, can’t do no more,
Just tell her kindly, “There is the front door.”
I can’t be good no more, once like I did before.
I can’t be good, baby,
Honey because the world’s gone wrong.

Pack up my suitcase, give me my hat,
No use to ask me, baby, ’cause I’ll never be back.
I can’t be good no more, once like I did before.
I can’t be good, baby,
Honey because the world’s gone wrong.