Fields of Gold (Hank's guitar man version)

[Phil McGarrick]

Hi Phil, very nice. That is a nice song. Was it originally an instrumental or was it a vocal song? Nice rig aswell, keep on posting I like it when someone puts on a video of them playing a song, anyway thanks for that. keep it up.

Regards Sam.

Hi Sam,
Fields of Gold was originally a vocal by Sting (of the band Police) and later Hank did an instrumental
version on his last album "Guitar Man" - Thats where I took the inspiration.
There are quite a few really good backing tracks around ( Tony Kiek's for example) which are based on Stings original version,
But I wanted one that had the Hank's acoustic solo in the middle so Andrew made one for me.

Thank you also Ian McShadow for your nice comment.

Cheers Phil

[Spike]

Thanks for that info Phil!!

Spike

[shadowhunters]

Hi, very nice, hanks is better again nicely played

Regards Sam.

[reacher63]

Hello Phil,

Apart from the excellent and sensitive playing, you have the sound that has always eluded me. I have all the right equipment (65 Vox AC30, 62 Strat, TVS3 echo unit and then some). I achieve the early Shads sound, but for the life of me cannot get the smooth, mellow, swell/sustain post-Shads Hank sound that you get to perfection. I wonder If you would mind telling me what you are using.

Keep the posts coming. Incidentally, your tremulo action is perfect.

Regards,
Reacher63 (Jeff)

[Phil McGarrick]

Thank you very much Sam and Jeff for your replies.
Sam - I completely agree with you Hank's is always better - I'm under no illusion that I or anybody can play the way he does.

Jeff - I think the "modern" Hank sound is mainly down to the pickups. I use the Kinman HX Noisless pickups in the bridge position.
These are the same model pickups that hank used for his solo albums.
(These pickups don't sound right for early Shadows recordings.)
Other than that I plug straight into an Aleses Quadraverb Q2 with echo patch 0-36 then into the sound card of the computer
(M-Audio delta 1010) and into Cubase.
I have tried many different ways to record with / without Vox Amp, but am happy with the above method.

I hope you get the sound you are looking for .
Cheers Phil

[Lensor]

Hi Phil,

Beautifully played Phil. Your son did a great job with the BT too. I enjoyed listening to your rendition of that Hank tune. I thought that the two guitar sounds worked well together and the video was good also. Well done.

Cheers,
Len

[Phil McGarrick]

Thanks Len for your kind comments.
All the best.. Phil

[Stratpicker]

My word, what a lovely job!!! Superb!!
Great sound and fingerwork.
Superb BT from young Andrew too - might this make its way onto your website for purchase?
Well DOne both - a brillian effort.
cheers
ian

[Phil McGarrick]

Thanks Ian,
Yes I think Andrew is going to make a few tweeks to the levels of the snare after listening to the video (a bit loud in places) and then make a final mix down and stick the BT on my website if anyone is interested.
We were just in a hurry to finish the video.!!
I think the standard download will be no acoustic guitar but if anyone wants the BT with the acoustic section they can email me
and I will send it.
Should be on the website in a couple of days time.
http://www.philmcgarrick.co.uk/CD.html

Thanks again for your comments.

Cheers Phil

[Stratpicker]

PS Phil
Just tried to download the Vid off Youtube and it says I can't. Have you protected it or something?
cheers
ian