scottasin Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 Very truly, I've started to realize that most of my favorite songs are and always have been the slowest sappiest song on the record. I remember making a mix CD as a kid (yeah, I'm young) with Desperado as both the first and final track I loved the song so much. The same rings true to this day, and I feel like I'm in a minority amongst musicians (at least at my age). My favorite songs to play are the ones that call for hardly more than a chord every couple of measures, not nearly as much the high energy rockers (which are still great fun don't get me wrong). Let me play behind a chick with an acoustic guitar at 55 bpm and its probably the best I'll ever sound. All of the songs I write are slow ballads. I've never, however, found a whole group of musicians who really want to occupy that lower energy space as much as I do, it seems to exist for most people only to make the high energy sections stand out. Bonus points if the slow songs are about death and hardship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluMunk Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 [video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD30I0jveNc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 [video:youtube] Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottasin Posted August 30, 2017 Author Share Posted August 30, 2017 [video:youtube] holy cats, never heard that song, but I HAVE heard the rap song its sampled on, and I always loved the riff. Wild. Love the original! (you won't hear the riff till about the 25 second mark) [video:youtube] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleer Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Well written post. Totally agree. Felt like this 50 years ago when I was 5 and never felt differently, apart from some unique exceptions to the rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werno Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 [video:youtube] When it's slow, it'll take a long time... There just aren't enough stately marches in pop music today. Especially ones with Richard Thompson and Sneaky Pete snaking around each others' lines on the outro. Still love her voice, gone these many years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 I have different thoughts about this. Personally, no, I don't prefer slow songs. When I was a BL picking songs, I DID recognize that there was value playing good slow songs for folks to dance as long as you didn't have too many. I used to do 1 slow song per set, usually either last or second to last of the set. Maybe a slightly different topic, but I find slow tempos HARDER to play. Space is difficult, if that makes sense. A slow tempo with lots of space amplifies timing errors. I had this conversation with our beloved brother David (EscapeRocks) how I struggle with "Faithfully". You have to have that singer to piano timing connection at slow tempo. Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 [video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD30I0jveNc Don "Yes, on occasion I do talk to myself, sometimes I need an expert's opinion." Alesis DG8, ARP(Korg)Odyssey Mk.1, Roland JU-06 & Keystation61. Stratocaster if I get tired of sitting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outkaster Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 It's all about feel. They aren't harder to play for me and I find it easier to do in a way but everyone's different. I like slow soulful stuff also. It's very easy for me to grasp on to. "Danny, ci manchi a tutti. La E-Street Band non e' la stessa senza di te. Riposa in pace, fratello" noblevibes.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BbAltered Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 The soul band does Etta James "At Last". The horn players step off so it is basically me and the singer - the guitarist will take a solo, but VI-II-V-I is not really in his wheelhouse. I get to riff all over it. With my rock buddies, we jam The Band's "Caves of Jericho" - a mournful dirge about death and destruction with a touch of workers' populism thrown in. We also jam Garcia's "Sugaree" which always feels more difficult to me with its slow 12/8 groove. I love it. So Scottasin you are not the only one who enjoys a great slow song. J.S. Bach Well Tempered Klavier The collected works of Scott Joplin Ray Charles Genius plus Soul Charlie Parker Omnibook Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life Weather Report Mr. Gone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthizen2 Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Bonus points if the slow songs are about death and hardship. DEATH and HARDSHIP? Here you go... (with an added touch of graveyard creepyness)... [video:youtube]IK_vthmSSlQ Kurzweil PC3, Yamaha MOX8, Alesis Ion, Kawai K3M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthizen2 Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 [video:youtube] When it's slow, it'll take a long time... There just aren't enough stately marches in pop music today. Especially ones with Richard Thompson and Sneaky Pete snaking around each others' lines on the outro. Still love her voice, gone these many years. Ah, yes. Sandy. RIP way too soon. Been listening to her a lot lately, a lot of wonderful stuff I missed out on in my youth. It's never too late to rediscover musical greatness, and I consider her among the female songwriter "big three" along with Joni and Laura. Kurzweil PC3, Yamaha MOX8, Alesis Ion, Kawai K3M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Real MC Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 The soul band does Etta James "At Last". The horn players step off so it is basically me and the singer Last year I was in a school reunion band that performs every few years - four guitar players in the band, with three gospel-style backup singers. "At Last" was on the songlist. I wrote out the chart, made copies for everybody, and nailed the string parts. One of the backup singers was singing the song, and she really opened up when she heard my playing. The guitar players just sat that one out so the song was just bass, drums, keys, and singer. Incredible gospel singing - the audience was loving it. It is not often that I get chills while playing a song. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob L Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 My band is a party rock/funk band so we perform few ballads. We try to make them count ( Melissa - Allman Brothers, Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran, Still Got the Blues - Gary Moore). We often play then the first set at a bar, when people are settling in and not ready to pile on the dance floor. I enjoy them and since I sing lead it is an opportunity to focus more on the vocal nuances. MY last bar gig we played Thinking Out Loud and when we finished we got more applause than for anything we played before it. Ballads can create a connection with the audience in a different way than dance tunes and rockers. And for my band, they present a challenge in maintaining tempo, and dynamics. Korg CX-3 (vintage), Casio Privia PX-5S, Lester K, Behringer Powerplay P2, Shure 215s http://www.hackjammers.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marillo Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 I can relate to this post; often prefer the slower, more emotional stuff. And yes, it's often harder to play. Anyone tried the slow movement from a Mozart sonata? Like walking a tightrope in heels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DulceLabs.com Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 I remember making a mix CD as a kid (yeah, I'm young) with Desperado as both the first and final track I loved the song so much. Do you by chance work for Karl Farbman? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamanczarek Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Speaking of Sandy Denny, this one is so slow it is difficult to tell if they are keeping a beat at all. [video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9qLyXmxMcM C3/122, M102A, Vox V301H, Farfisa Compact, Gibson G101, GEM P, RMI 300A, Piano Bass, Pianet , Prophet 5 rev. 2, Pro-One, Matrix 12, OB8, Korg MS20, Jupiter 6, Juno 60, PX-5S, Nord Stage 3 Compact Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harmonizer Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Certain slower songs don't fit in a basic bar band like mine. Even if they did, our band could not cover my favorite Blood Sweat & Tears song because the two people who can play keys are our two horn players: [video:youtube] Also we could not cover my favorite Three Dog Night song because the only singer who can sing as high as Chuck Negron is our female lead singer, and she cannot reach his lowest notes: [video:youtube] In another universe I would love to play both of these. And to have Chuck Negron's voice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Nathan Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 FWIW: I always liked the slower songs too. Perhaps because I've noticed, the faster the tempo the greater the tendency to show off. I've often thought that if I ever did release a solo record, I'd title it: Don't Rush Me (I'm Playing as Slow as I Can) Don't rush me. I'm playing as slowly as I can! http://www.stevenathanmusic.com/stevenathanmusic.com/HOME.html https://apple.co/2EGpYXK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I-missRichardTee Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 [video:youtube] [video:youtube] The only thing harder than fast tempos is the really slow ones. You don't have ideas, ideas have you We see the world, not as it is, but as we are. "One mans food is another mans poison". I defend your right to speak hate. Tolerance to a point, not agreement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainUnderpant Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 I love slow songs. My favorite. Yamaha S90XS, Studiologic VMk-161 Organ Small/powerful (i7, 32GB, M.2 SSD) PC controlled by 10" Touch Screen Cantabile, Ravenscroft 275, Keyscape, OPX-II, Omnisphere 2, VB3, Chris Hein Horns, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 FWIW: I always liked the slower songs too. Perhaps because I've noticed, the faster the tempo the greater the tendency to show off. I've often thought that if I ever did release a solo record, I'd title it: Don't Rush Me (I'm Playing as Slow as I Can) "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 Not trying to take this OT, but as I mentioned earlier, I thing slow songs are actually more difficult and I mentioned Journey Faithfully,. Just thought of another that we played tonight - not considered a slow song, but the tempo is definitely slow.....Joe Walsh "Rocky Mountain Way". Pretty easy song overall, but when the Wurli comes in, that slow tempo with the slight swing.....really have to lock in with the drummer. I find that stuff harder than Boston foreplay and other fast stuff. I think slow songs are absolutely the hardest to play. Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthaholic Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 I've always enjoyed the slow songs, and still play way too many of them, ratio-wise. In past years a few that have stood out for me were Bonnie Raitt's 'I Can't Make You Love Me (If You Don't)', which is very slow. And Madonna's ballad 'Live To Tell'. And there are some really good old Country songs, like Ray Price's 'For The Good Times' and Jim Reeve's 'Welcome To My World'. A lot of opportunity for various piano noodlings. The fact there's a Highway To Hell and only a Stairway To Heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers People only say "It's a free country" when they're doing something shitty-Demetri Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyRude Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 more than just liking slow songs, I like the contrast they provide to faster songs. Same thing for heavy and light. If it's just one speed or style all night (or all album or career), it's not as interesting IMHO. Some music I've recorded and played over the years with a few different bands Tommy Rude Soundcloud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I-missRichardTee Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 more than just liking slow songs, I like the contrast they provide to faster songs. Same thing for heavy and light. If it's just one speed or style all night (or all album or career), it's not as interesting IMHO. You don't have ideas, ideas have you We see the world, not as it is, but as we are. "One mans food is another mans poison". I defend your right to speak hate. Tolerance to a point, not agreement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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