Author: John Chivers via YouTube
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I spent a couple of days over the Christmas break recording a cover version of a song which has become a favourite of mine. Written by Carole King and Toni Stern, it was recorded by The Monkees in 1968 and featured in a sequence in their movie, "Head". It was also the single B side to the also splendid Porpoise Song.
Given the recent passing of Mike Nesmith and my reappraisal of some Monkees material, I was drawn again to this track.
Firstly, I love the time signature shifts from 5/4 to 6/4 to 3/4 and the tempo changes. They very much appeal to my Prog Rock tastes. I also love the arrangement and Micky Dolenz’s vocals on Monkees version, which this version is based on.
I’m not a lead singer by any stretch of the imagination, but enjoy the challenge of trying to do various vocal dynamics, and this song is beauty for that, with some quieter, breathy moments, combined with an opportunity to belt out at full voice.
I’ve not gone for perfection on the vocals, but honesty. There are some bits that could be performed better, but there are on the original too. 😉
Recorded over a couple of days using Steinberg Cubase Artist 11. Drums were played on Alesis Crimson II electric drums, combined with the Superior Drummer 3 VST plug-in. All other instruments were recorded also using other virtual instruments and an M-Audio keyboard.
Credit of course to the original writers and to the many sesson musicians on the Monkees’ recording.
Photo by Johannes Plenio from Pexels.