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My instrumental cover of Cliff's Christmas song.

Merry Christmas to you all from 'Down Under' to 'Up Over'.

https://app.box.com/s/o884ecety8ledtfpl0cz4oz11upy7a5g


Rgds
Bob Brown

I take it back.

The one I said the other week was the most boring thing I'd ever heard ...

... no longer is.

NO, just because so many of your last comments continually thrive on denegrating people does not mean I have changed my mind about your bluntness to so many contributors here on the site. You see I know it's not your fault, and that deep down I just know there is a warm, cuddly human being in you screaming to get out. Hey it's Christmas time Steve, no "Bah, humbug" from you yet ??

I'll be honest and brutal, I liked this song in it's original arrangement and had until now never heard Cliff's version of Scarlett Ribbons and having just checked it out on Youtube and I thought it was poor.
Some songs do not need this modern up-tempo treatment and I believe there is a skill in knowing when NOT to change a song for changing's sake. The way he has lengthened the syllables makes it a dirge.
I am a big admirer of Cliff, but not to the extent that I enjoy everything that he does. This has to be one of his worst efforts amongst several, but no reflection on your playing which is good, but you cannot polish a turd, so best not try.

Interesting take there Dave. I think it's one of his best Christmas songs. No way I was ever going to touch Jingle Bells or any Michael Buble stuff that's for sure. The reggae re-arrangement appealed to me actually.

I've always liked new takes on old songs to a degree, since way back listening to such revisions as Jose Feliciano's or Shirley Bassey's 'Light my Fire' compared to the original or Tijuana Brass' interpretation of "taste of honey'.

One which fits that idea though but fails the litmus test for me is Last of the Mohicans. (not by Cliff). Although it's mainly the backing track which is 'off ' given that it's actually a Lambada beat. Conjures up Red indians dancing round a campfire to the Lambada . . .unlikely methinks.

Keep well,


rgds

Bob

Hi Bob,

I think you will find that “The last of the Mohicans” is a version of “The Gail” which has Scottish/Irish origins, this was written for the movie by Dougie MacLean who is a Scottish singer/songwriter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkvmrojwrzU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR-csWS1bcM

For me it’s one of the most beautiful and haunting numbers our times, but here’s one if you want have little dance around the camp fire! LOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r35ONrHrIKY

Regards

Gary

Last Of The Mohicans can be a real dirge if played too slowly.

I always liked this version. Could never figure out why ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuzKOX1YQno

I like the melody, it's the backing track that doesn't fit that well. To me it's Indians dancing to The Lambada. Dave Monk and dozens others used it, such as in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X71M3crpwYA


Bob

Hi Bob,

Jeffrers47 used a BT supplied by Denis of VHBL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MwxeYnyrRs

Regards

Gary

Well exactly Gary, I would guess though that VHBL is copying the BT most normally used, it too goes into a dotted rhythm. I could envisage one breakaway renegade eventually stopping his chant around the campfire and saying "I'm outaa here. I'm moving to a different camp that at least is into Bossa Nova !" LOL