The ShadowMusic Web Community

"If" is a pop-rock song written by American singer-songwriter David Gates in 1971. Originally popularized by his group Bread,
It was quickly covered by other singers and musicians, including Petula Clark,Sergio Franchi, Cleo Laine, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Jack Jones, Telly Savalas, Shirley Bassey, Herbie Mann, Julio Iglesias, Joe Pass, Ryoko Moriyama, Westlife, Olivia Newton-John,Dolly Parton and Frankmusik. It was also covered by Damien Leith on his album Catch the Wind: Songs of a Generation, which was released in 2008. The Telly Savalas version reached number one on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks in March 1975 and has the shortest title of any song to reach number one in the UK

The Backing track I used came from Ameritz and is available here -
http://www.ameritz.co.uk/backing_tracks ... tist=Bread

My usual setup Alan Brason Strat Kinman Hank Marvin series pickups.Dunlop DVP1 volume pedal.
Recorded directly from Alesis Quadraverb Q2 EFTP Patch 0-36 into cubase via PreSonus Audio USB interface.
Video made using 3x Sony SR12 video recorders and edited in Sony Vegas 9.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtafCair ... detailpage

Hope you like my version of "If".
Cheers Phil
http://www.philmcgarrick.co.uk

Hi Phil

Absolutely beautifull my Friend, I'll loved every note of it

Bye

Fred

Phil McGarrick wrote:Hope you like my version of "If".

I do believe I do, Phil !! What a simple yet utterly beautiful tune and superbly played with great sensitivity.
Its always been a tune that brought out the "tear" and this was no exception.
Great use of the three octaves, the last verse MUST be played high on the guitar to get the right effect and I loved the end-fill, Phil - just perfect and oh-so Hank.
Great sound as always and that Q2 setting is just right for that Hank modern sound.
Watch out - Ecca's "Knee-Police" will be round if you keep exposing yourself like that!!
cheers
ian

Thank you Fred - I'm very glad you liked it - always great to hear from you my friend.
Cheers Ian - Yes a very simple short song that I thought would fit in the holiday break without much work
but as always took longer than I first thought - It was a live recording with just a couple of fluffs which I patched afterwards. Such a short song that I had to switch octaves pretty quickly,before the BT ran out.!
The shorts were my last protest of this English summer !
All the best... Phil

Phrasing - very often missed when defining a wonderful performance over a competent one... Phil, your phrasing here is great...as Ian say's 'sensitive' - and your timing is impeccable as always... I remember Telly Savalas doing this number many years ago with a bald head... I prefer your version with the bald knees anyday!

Best always,

Tony

Great playing, sound and phrasing as always Phil Its a lovely tune to mess around with too.

As for the much mentioned knees, have'nt you concidered fake tan for them like wot Ecca used on his?

Nice job Phil.
I thought the Ameritz intro was a bit feeble though.
What you want on your knees is a 9 inch scar like mine have, Bluebeard stuff.

Thank you very much Tony, Hugh and Ecca for your nice comments.
Yes I remember Tele Savalas doing this one - It was one of those he talked his way through.
Still - a big hit for him.

Now a bald Knee, with fake tan and a 9" Scar - there's a thought

Cheers Phil

Phil McGarrick wrote:Thank you very much Tony, Hugh and Ecca for your nice comments.
Yes I remember Tele Savalas doing this one - It was one of those he talked his way through.
Still - a big hit for him.

Now a bald Knee, with fake tan and a 9" Scar - there's a thought

Cheers Phil

Now I must ask on my next trip to Canada if there are any Injuns(sorry Aboriginal or first nation people) called 'Bald Knee'
I think that could be a possibility
The imagination certainly stretches way much further than the musical ideas in here for sure

Nice choice Phil and great playing.

I think you gave this a Shadows touch in more ways than one. Bald Knee was the son of an 'Apache' with a fake tan and a 9 inch tomahawk scar. It is hot in your conservatory though!

John