Sunday, August 23, 2009

Katie Mae


I’ve been keeping bachelor’s quarter for the past week plus, as Eberle’s been having a grand time for herself with her old friend Margot on an island in the St Lawrence River. Needless to say, I do miss her, but I have made good use of the time by getting a fair amount of recording done—a great thing to do in an empty house.

The “serious” side of the recording has involved the full set-up in the music room with our Boss Digital workstation (see pic); as of this morning, I have 13 tracks that I find satisfactory. The “fun” recording has involved our little webcam, which I gave everyone a taste of last week on Robert Frost’s Banjo’s one-year anniversary. Truth be told, as you heard last week, the little webcam mic distorts pretty badly with the banjo, & I haven’t had the time to test different set-ups that might minimize this. Good news is that the webcam mic has a much easier time with the guitar—even the resonator—so this week I’m posting my version of the great Lightnin’ Hopkins’ song, “Katie Mae.”

In case you don’t know, Hopkins was one of the real masters of fingerstyle blues, & he particularly favored a “boogie” style. Needless to say, while I’m a decent guitar picker, I’m not Lightnin’ Hopkins, so I’m not trying to play in his style—just having fun with a very fun tune.

Hope you enjoy it!



16 comments:

  1. Loved it, John! You're right about the sound on this one - much better. What a beautiful guitar, too! I've always like a "talky" song - great way to start the day.

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  2. Hi Karen:

    Glad you liked it! Talky is what I do best.

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  3. What great backdrop to Sunday breakfast!
    I am a sucker for the banter...
    Do you do podcasts? Forgive me if that info is buried around here somewhere :) I don't get much time to poke around...

    Peace - Rene

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  4. Hi Rene:

    Thanks! No, I don't do podcasts at this time, tho I have looked into it a bit. Glad you enjoyed this one.

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  5. sounds great John! Also enjoyed the poem you posted yesterday!
    H

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  6. Hi Heather:

    Thanks--& thanks again for the food--it was delicious!

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  7. "just having fun with a very fun tune."

    And I, enjoying every bit of it!
    Sure like the sunshine you bring to a rainy Sunday in New York. Sitting right up front and center and got it ALL!

    A sure fun post... thank you John.

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  8. Hi Rose Marie & Jen:

    & thanks! Glad you liked this.

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  9. So cool, John. I'm glad you have started posting your own music.

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  10. Fine music John, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Couldn't help noticing the globe in the background. Is that to follow Eberle's progress?

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  11. Hi Sandra, Alan & Jacqueline:

    Glad you liked it! Alan: Good eye on the globe--it's one of my all-time favorite Christmas presents, from Eberle last year.

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  12. Enjoyed your video! I always find it quite stressful, doing one take with a webcam

    (I'm sure I left a comment here before... Must have pressed the wrong key or something...)

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  13. Hi Dominic:

    Glad you liked it. Although I'm a relaxed performer overall, I must say I find recording stressful. Fun when you get an ok take tho!

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  14. Enjoyed it, John, thanks...
    sounded good. Nice guitar :-)

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