I'm a beginning guitarist who just bought an acoustic (my electric was too...electrical), and am looking for acoustic inspiration. Anyone have any Top 5 (or whatever) favorite acoustic songs (or albums)?
Okay, I'll start with just a few of the songs that inspire me:
1. "Five String Serenade" Mazzy Star
2. "No Expectations" Rolling Stones
3. "Pink Moon" Nick Drake
4. "All Apologies" Nirvana Unplugged
5. "The Needle And The Damage Done" Neil Young
Okay, I'll start with just a few of the songs that inspire me:
1. "Five String Serenade" Mazzy Star
2. "No Expectations" Rolling Stones
3. "Pink Moon" Nick Drake
4. "All Apologies" Nirvana Unplugged
5. "The Needle And The Damage Done" Neil Young
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Sydney
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Sat, August 21, 2004 - 4:39 AMAll Apologies is a great song here are a few that inspired me to learn to play "Hands Down" Dashboard Confessional, "Can You See My Tears" The Tea Party, and "Both Hands" Ani DeFranko. -
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Thu, January 5, 2006 - 1:50 PMDepends. As far as playing, I love to play Blind Blake's Police Dog Blues. Eric Clapton, Lonely Stranger is fun to play too, and I love that song. The whole Eric Clapton unplugged album is one of the best acoustic albums I've ever heard. Also try check out Mississippi John Hurt, Robert Johnson (clearly I'm into acoustic blues). The new Greg Brown album, honey in the Lion's head, has a lot of great acoustic folk songs.
Steven
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Sat, August 21, 2004 - 5:02 AMThis undoubtedly dates me but the accoustic song that got me going was "Blackbird" by the Beatles. Two others, which I've finally pretty well mastered are "Classical Gas" by Mason Williams and "Little Martha" by the Allman Brothers. -
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Sat, August 21, 2004 - 7:49 AMExcellent question. As an acoustic performer, I find that the songs that go over best to an audience is reworking a song originally done on electric. But, that's not the question...!
The songs that really got me interest playing acoustic as a teen were "over the hills and far away" by led zep, "rivendell" by rush, and, of course, "blackbird" by the beatles. -
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Sat, August 21, 2004 - 12:44 PMi agree with you guys, "blackbird" was the first song i ever learned on acoustic and i've never looked back. "Over the hills and far away" is another song i play on acoustic all the time along with "the needle and the damage done". "Dust in the wind" is another must for any acoustic player.
"Road trippen" by the chilli peppers and "Bron-y-aur stomp" by zepplin are def ones too look at too, although they are more difficult for beginners-amateaurs to make sound good. (me being an amateaur myself)
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Sat, August 21, 2004 - 3:51 PMGreat Question...
in no particular order:
Prince Heathen by Martin Carthy
Hide Your Love Away by the Beatles
Behind Blue Eye(live) by Pete Townsend(off of Liva At Deep End)
English Rose by Paul Weller
A New England(live) by Billy Bragg & Kirsty McColl
Pretty much any Swamp Zombies tune
Los Angeles(live) by Frank Black (saw him at he Knitting Factory in LA a couple of years ago, just him and his guitar)
Any India.Arie, Maria McKee, Lyle Lovett, Richard Thompson, Indigo girls...
This list could go on forever for me...so much great acoustic work out there...
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Sat, August 21, 2004 - 5:03 PMThe thing that really got me interested in playing acoustic was Night Moves by Bob Seger (I didn't know what a capo was, so I couldn't get it to sound just right since it's in G sharp) and Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. I really love that acoustic blues. -
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Thu, August 26, 2004 - 11:24 AMThanks for your responses, y'all! I have some homework now. -
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Thu, August 26, 2004 - 4:39 PM"Suzanne" by Leonard Cohen has the best lyrics of any song I've ever heard.
"Tomorrow, Tomorrow" by Elliott Smith shows the full melodic power of a compositional genius.
"Three Hours" by Nick Drake
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Thu, August 26, 2004 - 4:48 PMI agree- Leonard Cohen is lyrics master.
I like most of his songs- but I think that famous blue raincoat has even better lyrics... hmmm... maybe who by fire... maybe the future... -
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Unsu...
Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Fri, February 4, 2005 - 12:06 PMRy Cooder- The Pearls 'Tiajuana'
Rory Ghallager-Pistol Slappin' Blues
Leo Kottke-Sailor's Grave on the prarie
Robert Johnson-Come on in my kitchen
Stevie Ray Vaughn-Life by the drop
Jethro Tull- Mother Goose
Django-Tiger Rag
David Lindley-Rag Bag
Michael Hedges-Bensusan
William Ackerman- bricklayers beautiful daughter
Jose feliciano-Light My Fire
George Harrison- Beware of Darkness
Dave Matthews-One Sweet World
So many, many, many more...
-FK
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Unsu...
Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Fri, February 4, 2005 - 8:44 PMA lot of good songs listed here! I've also always had a soft spot for John Renbourn's The Hermit, and, geez, pick a joni mitchell song
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Sun, February 6, 2005 - 12:38 PMI play in clubs and resteraunts. Usually stuff like:
"In Your Eyes" Peter Gabriel
"From the Begining" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
"The Man who sold the World" Nirvana or Bowie
"Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud" Bowie
Actually anything slow and melodic by Bowie. Neil Young, James Taylor, Harry Chapin, Early Cat Stevens, and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
It is probably more due to my vocal range that I play the songs I do. -
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Mon, February 7, 2005 - 4:47 PMyes, "Blackbird" is so much fun to learn and quite easy too! I do believe just about any Beatles song sounds great acoustically
Lots of Simon and Garfunkel.. who doesn't love "Scarborough Fair" and sooo many others by S&G.. what mesmerizing harmonies!
James Taylor is one of the greats for sure, though I find it difficult to play his stuff - the first acoustic song I learned was the solo in the beginning of "Is there anybody out there" by Pink Floyd.. a lovely melodic sound and fairly easy to learn as well
ah, there are so many great acoustic artists/songs - but my 2 cents really is find a song you love and learn it, no matter what it's original format is - any song can be played acoustically and some songs in my opinion even sound better so! (I am biased, btw)
have fun.. and thanks for the inspiration Alan, I've always loved that song "From the Beginning" by ELP - time to start learning it!
happy picking :) -
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Wed, June 22, 2005 - 9:06 PMI might disagree that the chromatic bass lines in Blackbird are "easy " for a begining guitarist.. I've heard a lot of poor attempts. (The Devils Advocate) -
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Wed, June 29, 2005 - 5:24 PMwell it may also depend on how you learn it.. the tab I had seemed to make it easy to learn
in any case, it's always good to challenge yourself :)
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Wed, June 29, 2005 - 5:26 PMtry dropping the A string do G: that's how Blackbird was recorded, and after the adjuswtment period I found it to be a LOT easier, especially when singing over it
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Thu, June 30, 2005 - 3:50 PMI do mainly my own originals, but when I do covers I like to do:
"One"--U2
"Not Dark Yet"--Dylan
"Fake Plastic Trees"--Radiohead
"Roll Another Number"--Neil Young
"Hey, Jupiter"--Tori Amos
"Help"--Beatles
"99 Red Luft Balloons"--Nina
And a bunch of others--I really like taking songs and making them "work" on an acoustic six string...it gives them such intimacy and warmth.
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Wed, June 22, 2005 - 2:15 PMyo - new here... i like most of the songs mentioned so far.
some i need top go listen to.
nobody mentioned Black Queen by Steven Stills - thought i'd mention it. -
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Sun, June 26, 2005 - 5:58 PMAny song by KAKI KING!! She is the most amazing acoustic guitarist to come along in years! So sad Michael Hedges isn't alive to hear her play. Please, please check her out - she's very inspiring. -
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Wed, December 7, 2005 - 6:28 PM"Any song by KAKI KING!! She is the most amazing acoustic guitarist to come along in years! So sad Michael Hedges isn't alive to hear her play. Please, please check her out - she's very inspiring."
didnt you mean how to play? :)
just kidding, although i love kaki's playing, and she certainly has hedges flashy stuff down her compositions just arent even close to hedges.
The post above the mentions hedges - bensusan, you have to hear Pierre Bensusan's So Long Michael if you havent, its like pierre repaying the favor.
as far as my favs, it would totally wrong to not go with Hedges - Aerial Boundries as number 1 for me.
Close second is Bensusan's Wu Wei(most beautifull piece of music ever)
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Wed, December 7, 2005 - 9:24 PMGreat acoustic songs:
Doc's Guitar: Doc Watson
Anji: Davy Graham (Paul Simon does a nice version on the "Sounds of Silence" album by S & G)
When Shrimps Learn to Whistle: Leo Kottke
Sleep Dirt: Frank Zappa
and one classical:
Largo by Vivaldi
TT -
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Unsu...
Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Sat, December 10, 2005 - 5:29 PMHere's 10 acoustic tunes that I really love, in no particular order:
10. EVERLONG - the Foo Fighters
9. HEY HEY MY MY - Neil Young
8. THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD - Nirvana
7. SHEEP MAY SAFELY GRAZE - Christopher Parking
6. WE'RE GOING TO BE FRIENDS - The White Stripes
5. FRIENDS - Led Zeppelin
4. MORE THAN WORDS - Extreme
3. FROM THE BEGINNING - Emerson Lake & Palmer
2. PRODIGAL SON - The Rolling Stones
1. WHAT I GOT - Sublime
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Sun, December 11, 2005 - 6:46 AMListen to the work of Richard Thompson, and Chris Smither
If I could play like either of those guys I be playing my guitar for a living.
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Unsu...
Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Fri, January 13, 2006 - 2:15 PMJorma Kaukanen- really anything but his version of "I know you rider" comes to mind
Ani DiFranco- Both hands, but she did a accoustic version of "not a pretty girl" last time I saw her that got me.
Neil Young- "Dont let it Bring you down" on 4-way street
CSNY "Helplessly Hoping"
Greatful Dead Accoustic Uncle Johns Band
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Fri, January 13, 2006 - 2:46 PM"Jorma Kaukanen- really anything but his version of "I know you rider" comes to mind"
I caught Jorma at a crappy little bar in Toronto a few hundred years ago. He's some picker--played slide with his glass after he finished his drink too. I liked Hot Tuna a lot, but I really love the solo acoustic stuff. -
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Unsu...
Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Fri, January 13, 2006 - 3:12 PMhe's quit drinking, which for him is good. I saw him fal off hid barstool at a couple shows. He runs a music school in Ohio somewhere now.
OC he played better dead drunk than most people do sober.
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Mon, February 4, 2008 - 2:45 PMJorma just keeps getting better. I would love to learn "Water Song". Someday................
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Sun, January 15, 2006 - 8:02 PMSo I'm a little surprised that nobody has put up any of Johnny Winter's dobro work. So I will--how's about *When You Got a Good Friend*, or *Dallas*? C'mon, dude's a genius! -
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Sun, February 12, 2006 - 8:15 PMnot sure how many people have heard of The Spill Canvas.. but they have amazing acoustic songs, they're pretty new on the music scene but have amazing melodic songs. The Tide is an awesome song either find the cd somewhere or download it..definitely worth any money spent -
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Tue, February 14, 2006 - 2:30 PMI've been playing Jorma Kaukonen's classic "Quah" album in my car and it's pretty much entirely awesome, except for the two songs that he features his co-player, Tom Hobson, on. While Mr. Hobson was a fine guitar player, he had a voice that makes Dylan sound like Pavarotti. Still, I highly recommend Quah, especially for the song Genesis. Amazing!
TT -
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Tue, February 14, 2006 - 5:59 PMSounds of Wood and Steel no.2 you will love it...
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If you like Green then...
Sat, April 22, 2006 - 1:57 PMIf you like Dallas Green then you need to check out Meic Stevens. He would be a Neil Young or a Bob Dylan, but he's turned down millions of dollars so he can be able to sing in his native welsh tongue. Not only is the welsh language stunning, but his guitar is just so incredibly unique. His stuff is hard to find outside Wales, but it would be worth your time.
And yea, Dallas is a genius, i agree
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Tue, February 14, 2006 - 6:02 AMComming 'round the mountain.
Kooombyahhh
Ieentsy weentsy spider
Oh and my facotrite all tyme
I love you and you love me
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Mon, February 20, 2006 - 7:54 PMNew here but would like to jump in- my favs...
Black by Pearl Jam..from MTV unplugged
Fake Plastic Trees..Radiohead
Summertime..Doc Watson (Merle's stuff is awesome!)
Sorry I am...Ani Difranco
Wish you were Here..you know who (way overdone, but still...)
Anything by Earl Klugh -
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new guy here
Sat, April 22, 2006 - 2:02 PMhere are some of my fav acoustic
rem-losing my religion
the nirvana unplugged album
most of death cab for a cutie
elliot smith- angeles
patience-guns'n' roses
miec stevens(he's welsh and sings in welsh) it's such a wonderful language
taking back sunday-from punk goes acoustic
Barry Mcguire-eve of destruction
And laugh if you want... grandaddy- the nature anthem! -
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Unsu...
Re: new guy here
Sat, April 22, 2006 - 5:19 PMI guess favorite acoustic, meaning solo acoustic instrumental, or maybe solo voice along with it:
"Song for the Boys" - Path Metheny from "One quiet Night", finally he came out with a solo acoustic album.
"Man in a shed", Nick Drake, theres a solo mix (sans drums, bass, etc.) that was an outtake of "Five Leaves Left", that I will learn to play if it's the last thing I do;
Pretty much anything by Chris Whitley off of "Dirt Floor". One thing that's nice is, after you learn to play a little music, and learn how to analyze what you hear, songs or musicians come along that blow you away so much that you can't even begin to try and understand what they're doing.
"Can't find my way home", OK, not a solo acoustic thing, and Ginger is sort of fooling around in the background, but still pretty awesome.
"Andy Warhol", David Bowie, off "Hunky-Dory". Not really a great song, but such a cool riff, it's probably half the reason I picked up acoustic in the first place.
Pierre Bensusan or Michael Hedges. Both are so good, it's just ludicrous really. I prefer the instrumental stuff.
Most of the California Guitar Trio's originals I like, their joke songs and classical covers I can do without, "Punta Patri" and "Scramble" are particular favorites.
Bill Frisell seems like he'd be a kickass acoustic soloist, I just can't seem to find anything he's DONE that is acoustic and solo.
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Mon, April 24, 2006 - 12:13 PMMore than a year and a half after posting my initial inquiry, and dozens of great suggestions later, I still don't hear any love for the godfather of the acoustic steel string virtuosos, John Fahey. Transcendent doesn't begin to describe his work.
See also:
Adrian Legg
Preston Reed (Kaki King's clearest influence)
Tommy Emmanuel
Steffen Basho-Junghans
Robbie Basho
Most of these guys are strictly guitarists who choose to let the strings do their singing for them.
one love,
M -
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Unsu...
Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Mon, April 24, 2006 - 5:59 PMUm, I actually just bought "Live in Tasmania" yesterday.
I've been burned before by the whole "father/godfather of this type of music" schtick before, and turned around and just hated whatever it was, for example, I'm not really into blues music, although I have tried. I like to think of it as, although I enjoy the pie, I don't often find myself chewing on the roots of the apple-tree.
That said, John Fahey was pretty remarkable. Color me schooled. -
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Mon, April 24, 2006 - 7:48 PMI haven't posted on this yet, but I will now. I discovered John Fahey back in 1981. I was just learning to play and I couldn't believe one person could make so much sound come out of a guitar. Then, that led me to Leo Kottke and I never looked back. Leo took what John was doing to a whole new level. So I would have to say my favorite would be Leo Kottke.
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Wed, September 13, 2006 - 4:38 PM<<My dog has fleas>>
isn't this the ukulele tuning song?
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Tue, May 9, 2006 - 11:19 PM'True Love Waits' RadioHead
'Like Suicide' Chris Cornell
;)
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Mon, May 15, 2006 - 2:16 PMFade to Black and Nothing Else Matters by Metallica got me started on Guitar. From there I moved to Dave Matthews (Jimi Thing, Warehouse,etc). Always sort of stuck with the rock stuff, so my top few would be:
Nothing Else Matters - Metallica
Little Wing - Hendrix
Down in a Hole - Alice in Chains
Most Dave Matthews (faster songs: Jimi thing, tripping billies, two-step)
Wild World - Cat Stevens
Under the Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers
I'm moving onto the folk-rock stuff now. Trying to get into more Jim Croce, Cat Stevens, etc.etc. It's all such good stuff. Now I just need to learn how to sing!
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Tue, May 30, 2006 - 6:44 PMBig Yellow Taxi - Joni Mtchell
Helpless - Neil Young
I Know You Rider - Traditional
Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
Maggie's Farm - Bob Dylan
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Re: Fave acoustic songs?
Tue, August 8, 2006 - 5:04 AMi think the key to acoustic music is how much you enjoy playing the piece. this always reflects in your voice and in your strumming. i agree eric claptons unplugged is a masterpiece, but what about a moody version of the river by the boss, or black by pearl jam.
