"Battle Without Honor or Humanity" written and played by Japanese Rock Guitarist,Tomoyasu Hotei, is used as one of soundtracks of the Movie "Kill Bill" (2003) directed by Quentin J. Tarantino(well,  I don't know well about that film itself...I think it's originally more inspired by the film of Akira Kurosawa's than Tarantino's)

Here is the very rough mix using an old and cheap acoustic guitar (Ovation) of mine....first I recorded the riff for loop track (backing) and then added 2 guitar tracks recorded afterwards...that's it!!!  Yes! it's that easy :)  nothing special!! ^^ just for a change. I've got this sound which is like that of distorted electric guitar by chance:p anyway ...hope you enjoy!

Arranged and played by me; 
Guitars(1 Loop track +2 Guitars): Home Recording
Editing (for Looping part) & Mixing: Desktop Program (Only Noise Cleaning and Reverb Effect)
Artwork - Hiroshi Kohno

Battle Without Honor or Humanity / Kill Bill (Film)- Cover (Acoustic Guitar Version)

My interpretation of "Fields of Joy" Guitar Solo ( Lenny Kravitz featuring Slash on Lead Guitar / from the album 'MAMA SAID' released in 1991). Me played all instruments here - info below.

[additional post on 25th July 2016:  full version is here https://soundcloud.com/aerogene/fields-of-joy ]

The original song and music were written by Michael Kamen & Hal Fredricks (and performed by The New York Rock  Ensemble - 1969). Another version was later arranged by Doug Neslund  & Lenny Kravitz and all instruments except lead guitar (Backing Guitars:Elec &Acoustic, Bass, Drums, Mellotron) were played by Lenny Kravits.
Photo is borrowed from the original album, its copyright is owned by the artist and Virgin Records America.

I first covered this song about 25 years ago (soon after its release) and had not played for a long time since then...anyway, hope it works...
--- 
Cover; Played, recorded and mixed by me : 
[ Home Recording ] Lead Guitar, Backing Guitar (Electric×2track, Acoustic×1track), Bass Guitar and Keybords (Flute sound of Mellotron)
[ Studio Recording ] Drums 
[ Desktop Program ] Mixing 
--- 

Fields of Joy (Lenny Kravitz) - Excerpt - Slash Guitar Solo Cover

Cover (Karaoke version) of Cream's "White Room" from the album "Wheels of Fire" (released in 1968).

Please check as well the vocal version featuring B. Conover : https://soundcloud.com/conover/white-room-cream-cover-by-conover

[WHITE ROOM]
Song Writer: Jack Bruce, Pete Brown , Originally Played by Jack Bruce:  Lead Vocal, Bass Guitar/ Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker:  Drums,Chorus / Eric Clapton: Lead and Backing "Wah-wah" Guitars, Chorus.
Artwork is borrowed from the original Album, its copyright owned by the artists and PolyGram Records.
----
Arranged and Performed by Hiroshi Kohno (Guitars, Drums,Keyboards) +Mr. Omoro(Bass Guitar)
[ Home Recording ] Lead Guitar, Backing Guitar, Bass Guitar / Keyboards(=only for the intro & interludes)
[ Studio Recording ] Drums
[ Desktop Program ] Mixing: only noise cleaning, arrangement of pan, volume envelop and of EQ (compression), no editing/ no posterior-effect.
- In the vocal version featuring Conover, Choir(s) for the intro/interludes were done by me afterwards (which is not included here).
- Except Keyboards, all tracks were recorded through the open mics (not the line-rec through the digital audio-interface nor the rig) set in front of the hard-amp's speaker or drum-kit (6-mic for drums)...thus the guitar effects were all anterior-use (analog effectors including crybaby wah pedal) to the amps. Keyboards were recorded with/through AUX converter into PCM.

** 
I made this as a private tribute to favorite Basist Jack Bruce... but, actually couldn't complete for many reasons...you can imagine how I missed him. So, there are some lacks of a track that I wanted to add afterword; for example, small Arpeggio pattern of Backing guitar..also, I wanted to re-record the Lead guitar track since I found that the last "solo" phase had some small-detuned notes (I think 3rd string had been detuned coz of many chokings...). 

All instruments were played and recorded respectively (independent 6 tracks : Drums, Bass Guitar, Backing Guitar, Lead Guitar, Keybord and Chorus), but I lost those individual files coz of PC trouble. So, I only have this mix of incomplete version. Also Choir(s)-track for the Intro/interlude is not included in this version.

If you feel OK with these, I can send you the file. You can send the message on SC.
Thanks

White Room - Cream Cover (Instrumenal)

Instrumental cover version of  "Have A Cigar" which is one of my all time favorite songs of Pink Floyd's (from the album "Wish You Were Here" released in 1975). 
The original song's music and lyrics were written by Roger Waters.

[ This is the EXCERPT COVER ] almost starting from the mid-sec of 2nd verse as I made it as a backing for overdubbing the Lead Guitar(for the Instruments included, see below**)
Please check out the full version, too>>
https://soundcloud.com/aerogene/have-a-cigar-full-cover-aerogene
https://soundcloud.com/johnnytunes/have-a-cigar-cover-final-mix

Photo: the portrait of the famous German architect, Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) in his appartment in Chicago, sitting on the "Gravity Chair" designed by himself and smoking the Habana cigar.
Photographer& its right owner :Werner Blaser(architect)

There must be several ways to interpret this song, and this is just my interpretation...i.e. the original music has single rhythm guitar track for the riff throughout (and some additional chordal plays involved later in the recording process) apart from the lead guitar fills... but in this cover, as they always involve more than 2 guitarists when performing on the stage, I played 2 rhythm guitars (well, these may sound weird like a snorting pig or foamy mouth LOL...I just leave it as I feel unusual;)...

I'm not interested in mimicking the original literally (as it's impossible) in this case though I tried to save its spirit and concept as much as possible...while you can hear that most of the covers of "backing tracks"  (for your dubbing the lead guitar ) existing on the web are neglecting many attributes- the changes of speed, several patterns of rhythm guitar chasing with lead synth, crossing effects' patterns, nor the variation of bass lines, etc...despite that, to me, the backing is rather important than the lead guitar or other. Someone must know that for the hook-line "And did we tell you the name..." for example, its chord progression is not that many covers do like "C-D-Em-C", which is totally the destruction...and the original is not that simple!!  (I don't mean to say at all that mine is better than them). Well, on the other hand, I’ve never heard that, in their live performances, even Pink Floyd themselves have played the riffs of this song in the same way as the studio recording version sounds...that's the condition you might know and is the reason why I present this here  :p
At any rate: It's really tough to get it right - Don't think that I already do! 

I hope you enjoy and I really appreciate your feedback.
Positive, negative, straight critique...all will be very welcomed:)
Thank you very much in advance.
----
**Arranged, Played and Mixed by me:
[Home Recording] Rhythm Guitar -1(Fender Stratocaster with analog effectors: Phaser and Flanger) and Rhythm Guitar -2(Fender Telecaster with analog effectors: Overdrive and Chorus).
[Studio Recording] Drums, Bass Guitar, Keyboards-1(for Lead Synth and Strings Section of ARP) and Keyboards-2(for Elec-Piano of Clavinet).
[Desktop Program] Keyboards-3(for Sequencer sound of Minimoog, additional Hi-Hat and Sound effect before the "Radio" sound) and Mixing.

Not included: Elec-Piano of Wurlitzer, Additional Synth parts(Chorus strings section) and Lead Guitar.

Have A Cigar - Pink Floyd Cover (Backing Tracks - Excerpt)

[Posted on 14th July 2015] = Toggle the volume of your audio to 120% !
Instrumental cover (Karaoke) version of Pink Floyd's "Have A Cigar" (from the album "Wish You Were Here" released in 1975).

I arranged most of phrases (especially of rhythm sections)as my band studied, interpreted and performed long time ago / me playing all instruments here [ detailed info>> below]. 
>> Guitar Solo starts from 03:15.  
I hope you enjoy!

[additional postscript]  
Please check as well the vocal versions with their fantastic vocals !!  
-posted on 23rd Jul. featuring John (@johnnytunes )
https://soundcloud.com/johnnytunes/have-a-cigar-cover-final-mix 
-posted on 1st Sep. featuring David (@david-louthan )
https://soundcloud.com/david-louthan/have-a-cigar-pink-floyd-tribute-aerogene-collab 
- I've found some off-timing elements in the 2nd brushing phrase of the Solo in this version... but It's modified in the vocal versions !! 

I extend my thanks to friends here who gave me possitive feedback on the previous demo version ( https://soundcloud.com/aerogene/have-a-cigar-backing-excerpt ) and encouraged me to complete the full version.  Special thanks to Lee (@lee-lucas)! 

----------------------
[Have A Cigar] 
-The original song's music and lyrics were written by Roger Waters, and played (for one of the first studio recording versions) by Roger Waters: Bass Guitar/ David Gilmour: Electric Guitars (Lead and Rhythm, Additional Cuttings): and Additional Keyboards / Richard Wright: Keyboards (Wurlitzer Electric Piano, ARP String Synthesizer, mini-Moog, Hohner Clavinet D6) / Nick Mason: Drums
- Artwork: I did some re-touch, with much respect and appreciation, on the isometric drawing used in another album of them, I don't own any copyright here. Original drawing and it's right should belong to the artist. 
----------------------
Cover; Arranged, played and mixed by Hiroshi Kohno

Basic Position of an instrument: 
 depth  [F]=front, [M]=middle, [B]=back
 panning  [L]=left, [CTR]=center, [R]=right

[Home Recording] 
-Rhythm Guitar-1 [M/L-CTR]* : Fender Stratocaster w/analog effectors(phaser & flanger). 
-Rhythm Guitar-2 [M/L]* : Fender Telecaster(customized with DiMarzio pick-up) w/ pre-amp-overdrive (treble boost) and analog effectors(compressor & vintage CE-1).
-Lead Guitar for the Guitar-Fills [M/CTR-R] and the Solo [F/CTR]: Fender Stratocaster  w/ pre-amp-overdrive and analog effectors(vintage CE-1 & partially w/phaser) .

All guitars used Hard-amps (Marshall guitar amps) and open-mics (not the line-rec),thus all distortion and most of the spatial effects were made by instruments and amps (not by the posterior effect of digital simulator nor of DAW in the mixing process). 
*In this version, I employed two rhythm guitars  despite that the original music has one. 

[Studio Recording] 
-Drums [B-M/CTR]: Tama Drums Kit + Zildijan Cymbals w/6-mics.
-Bass Guitar [F-M/CTR]: Fender Precision Bass w/ partial use of analog effectors(phaser & chorus), Fender Bassman Amp.
-Keyboards-1 for Twin Lead Synth(-s) of ARP [F-M/L&R] and Backing String Section of ARP [B/CTR] .
-Keyboards-2 for Elec-piano of Wurlitzer(Fender Rhodes) [M/R].
-Keyboards-3 for Elec-piano of Clavinet(Hohner)or Hammond or mini-Moog [M/CTR-R] incl. Additional bassy string section and glissando play of it.

These 3 keybords tracks were played mostly with KORG MS2000  and Kurzweil PC88 controllers w/ Lake Butler Mitigator and 2channel-splitter(=the later was only for Twin Lead Synth(-s)).

[Desktop Program] 
-Additional Hi-Hat [M/CTR] (=only in the guitar-solo section)
-Keyboards-4 for Sequencer effects of  Clavinet (w/ mini-Moog) [F/L-CTR-R] w/ Gate-filter & Auto-panning and for Jet-sound effect of synth before the "Radio" sound.
-Monaural-ization for the "Radio" sound. 
-Mixing: Noise cleaning and arrangement of volume envelop, panning, and of the additional reverb effects.

Have A Cigar  - Pink Floyd Cover (Instrumental Full Version)

The Cover of "Rydeen", one of the earliest techno(synth)-pop music created by YMO (EP was released in 1980, while previously performed several times in Japan and abroad during 1978-79).

I played all instruments here, covered by ears (No Remix)  + arranged them with some improvised phrases (not made with software program except few onomatopoeic effects) as YMO played real instruments on the stage simultaneously using primitive computers despite that they've been sometimes thought to be one of the originators of "computer-programmed music".

My arrangement came out as a mixture of several versions done by them(studio-rec/live-performance);  I added 3 guitar tracks incl. solos and extended the bridge for additional phrases of other parts the original music didn’t have. 

While, for their earliest performances in the USA and in Europe (Aug-Oct. 1979), YMO employed Kazumi Watanabe (jazz-fusion guitarist) as a supporting member. For the arrangement of guitars, I was referring basically to one of them; Live at "Theatre Le Palace" in Paris, 18th Oct. 1979 - "Trans Atlantic Tour" and to some others.

I should confess at the same time that I don't like jazz-fusion guitar so much (it doesn’t mean that I always dislike jazzy things). Well, it was already unordinary for me to cover the retro techno-pops and this is another reason to say so.

It has become then the challenge testing if my guitar works for this kind of music - I completely replaced his rhythm guitars with my versions and arranged its solos as well differently to have more rock vibe(I got some ideas for this from the cover version performed by Takayuki Hijikata in 2014).

One said that YMO employed the guitarist for their early tour for following reason; The computer PA system (Roland MC-8 circuit etc)at that moment worked too slowly to load the music data and would not catch up with the cue of next song. So they tried to compensate those potential blanks with guitar ad-lib.  Nevertheless, I could imagine that YMO disliked his guitar (said that it was a bit too banal jazz-fusion stuff at the rehearsal and first did not fit to their concept of "techno" music though Watanabe had been up till already highly rated for his technique). For this reason (or maybe not), in the first live album "Public Pressure"(1980), his guitar phrases were completely blipped out and substituted by shabby additional synth phrases played by Sakamoto afterwards (LOL).  Besides, they'd employed new guitarist Kenji Ohmura instead since their 2nd tour(well, other said that it was just a matter of the regulation of contract). However, in the remastered version of live album "Faker Holic"(1991), we can still hear Watanabe’s guitar. I don’t know what the actual case behind was, but while making the cover, I felt interesting to think what happened to this context.  

Sorry for long explanation. 
I hope you enjoy and would appreciate your honest opinion.

[Rydeen] 
Original music was written by Y.Takahashi and performed by Haruomi Hosono: Keyboards(Bass Synth Sections & Gallop sound)/ Yukihiro Takahashi: Acoustic Drums & Synth Drums/ Ryuichi Sakamoto: Keyboards(Lead Synth & Additional Synths). Supporting Musicians (in "Trans Atrantic Tour"); Kazumi Watanabe: Guitar/ Akiko Yano: Keyboards(Backing & Second Lead Synths) / Hideki Matsutake: Computer Programming(Sequencer & Automatic Playing System).
---
Cover; arranged, played, recorded and mixed by me
[Home recording] Rhythm Guitars(×2),Lead Guitar, Elec(Synth)-Drums(only additional Tom-toms), Keyboards-1(Bass Synth)
[Studio recordings] Acoustic Drums, Bass Guitar (for dubbing on Bass Synth), Keyboards-2,3,4(Lead, Backing & Additional Synths)
[Desktop Programming] Sequencer of “Arpeggiater" & of Additional Computer Sound(Gallop, Beacon& Shooting sounds w/ Sampled sounds of actual Guitars & Drums), White-noise & Pink-noise Generator (for Elec-Drums &Bass Synth), Mixing.

Rydeen (YMO) - Analog Cover (Extended Version / Rock Arrangement)

More than half a year ago, I found one wicked electro rhythm track made by Øystein(@islandstonegarden ) : soundcloud.com/islandstonegarden/groovy-q
...and I asked him if I could do overdubbing onto it. He generously provided it to me and allowed me to do whatever I want with it. So, I wrote the chord progression, those melodic parts and additional rhythm sections on it, which mostly consist of guitars I could play. >> info below 
I hope you enjoy.  Once again, thank you Øystein !    

[Perforated Hills]
Øystein Hagen >> Basic Rhythm Sections (Percussion, Primal Drums & Synths)- pls refer to the link.
Hiroshi Kohno >> Guitars - 2 leads(overdrive or clean), 2 rhythm-guitars(main one played throughout across one break section & short bouncings into solo sections and for ending), winds(horn)-like phased chordal backings, wah fills, backing riffs(overdrive)in solo sections, bass-guitar phrases & its piecemeal addtion onto bass-synth, etc. / Additional Drums - all fills-in, arrangement of auftakt or dotted-note pattern by adding some extra notes, etc. / Additional Bass Synth & Effects / Mixing

Guitars are all live (an open-mic-rec, not a line-rec, without any digital interface nor simulator) ; using Fender USA Stratocaster '58 w/ hard-amps(Marshall & Fender) and analog effectors(mainly Boss CS-2 customized model & vintage CE-1 for booster-use or splitter-use in addition to the overdrive & reverb effects of amps, Maxon RTC 600 for limiter-use on the main rhythm-guitar, Boss OC-2 for bass part, and MXR Phase 90 for clean lead & Jen Crybaby wah-pedal w/Fasel-orange for wah-fills), and all else were done with DAW.

"Perforated Hills" is titled as a metaphor(or analogy) of recent situations of people who are suffering from the tragic events happening around the world (and of no compensation for their peace).
-Posted on 7th Nov. 2015

Perforated Hills - aerogene070 w/ Øystein Hagen

Just a demo track - recorded me playing live drums in the studio during last weekend... which was supposed to be used for one song...tried to assort different variations per each section.

using Tama acoustic drum kit + Zildjian cymbals / single bass (not twin bass), 6 mics, BPM=around 91.4 (I never use the metronome)

Untitled - My Drumming Outtake [ Studio Live ]

My interpretation of "five-five-FIVE", the music written by Frank Zappa(from his album "Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar" released in 1981). Me played all instruments here - covered by ears (Guitars, Bass & Drums - All were done in Studio-live recording >> more info below). Hope you enjoy!!

This music might be very unusual for a rock guitarist in terms of its rhythms and chords. The intro riff begins with  5/8 - 5/8 - 5/4  (hence its title - in their original title, lower-case implies 5/8 part and capital letter implies 5/4), determined by the positioning of 9th chord, using D & G open strings as pedal points, and continues to the solo section with 5/4- 5/8 (most of the phrases are not repeated in those sequences except bass pedal-notes though...even most of kicks don't follow them).
Besides, as Mr. Zappa always did for his recordings, the backing guitars have some extra layerings made by overdubs, which were difficult for me to analyze (thus difficult to use it as a guide with which I would play the rhythm sections or lead guitar along)...

Well, it's probably a bit naive to say but I've seldom wanted to cover his music except a few pieces like this 'guitar-oriented' one, even though I used to listen to some of his albums as low-teens (and in years later via experiencing Steve Vai's music - some of you might know that he was the one of guys who transcribed Zappa's guitar impros into the scores). 
While one day (about 8 months ago) one guy asked me if I could play the guitar for this music...he also said that he would do the drums (by programming) and do some own arrangements with his keyboards...but this has never been realized whereas I'd already made the guitar tracks(riffs, lead and bass) very shortly after that...ya, that occasion broke-up in the air...
I didn't want to throw away what I made though...so tried to record the live drums and backing guitars played myself. But then, WHAT THE HECK the drums were here!!!  It was crazy hard drumming. 
...respect Mr. Colaiuta a lot. I would say they were difficult than the lead guitar (that was actually the easiest part for me). Anyway, I've practiced them for quite a while and finally completed the recording...don't think that I made the justice though I enjoyed learning the deviation from even beats:) 
Thanks for listening and reading. 
----
[Music info] 
- Original music was written by Frank Zappa.
- Performed and recorded at Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK, February 19, 1979 by Frank Zappa: Lead guitar / Vinnie Colaiuta: Drums /Arthur Barrow: Bass / Warren Cuccurullo, Denny Walley & Ike Willis : Rhythm Guitars* / Tommy Mars: Keyboards* / Ed Mann: Percussion*
-Art work is borrowed from the album. Its copyright must belong to the artists and to the label, Barking Pumpkin Records Rykodisc.

[Cover]
- Since the original instruments marked with [*] above were apparently indiscernible to me even though they were credited on the album, I made this cover only with 3 Guitars(one lead + two backings), one Bass and Drum-kit(No keybords, no percussion, less number of rhythm guitars)- played and recorded in the studio except below [**]. 
- Lead Guitar (Intro Riff & Solo): Fender Japan Strat customized w/ DiMarzio Hum-bucking +Analog Effectors (Wah & Volume pedals to narrow FQ range, to have feedback distortion, or for booster-use / Stereo-Echo or Delay). 
- Rhythm Guitars (Intro Riff & Backings): Fender USA Strat +Analog Effectors (Phaser & Chorus).
- All of these guitars' effects were applied (anterior-use) in additon to the distortion & reverb of Amps (Marshall).
- Drums : Tama Acoustic Drum-kit & Zildjian Cymbals w/6 mics + Yamaha Electric Drum-kit for extra Hi-Toms**(that the acoustic kit doesn't have) 
- Bass: Fender Precision Bass w/Analog Effectors(Compressor, Flanger & partially Phaser). 
- Only the small overdubbing of [**], minor retouch on Drum tracks (to remove the interference between Hi-hat & Crash), and Mixing were done with DAW.
----
[Posted: 13th Jan. 2016]

Five-five-FIVE - Frank Zappa Cover

Instrumental Version of "Dear Prudence", one of my favorite songs written by the Beatles [ info >> below].  

I'd like to thank Paul (@paul-racle ) my good friend, for his great help for making this possible. 
I should tell this to everybody - he was/is so professional, as he sent back to me several demos of bass track very shortly after my asking (despite that my production went very slowly), complying graciously with my requests to change song's structure several times, which were all fantastic...admire... definitely I had much fun working with him.  Hope you enjoy!

I especially love that simple chord progression of the original song with Drop-D tuning but with specific arpeggio pattern (called "Travis picking") on backing guitars...
I also love the episode of what this song was made for...(no matter how it may also convey a certain sadness...)
though, I arranged it rather simpler comparing with the original's structure as our cover was made by referring to one of jazzy-rock interpretation of Hiram Bullock's (who was born in Japan btw), so that we would have own improvised phrases on it easily. 
If you are interested in, check out Hiram Bullock's album "Manny's car wash" (1995) with Will Lee et.al...there's another live version by him with Jaco Pastorius on Youtube too. 

I should admit that some guitar phrasings may sound slightly off-key to you (especially in 2nd verse section and in the beginning of solo...it's because of a bit too much or too shallow tremolo arming / or of chorus effects on backings/ or probably 3rd string was out of tuning...), but I  leave them as a whole phrase was recorded in one-shot...hopefully they would be also heard as a part of a charm... sorry if they make you feel dizzy...

[Music Info]
Bass - Paul Paploviante 
Guitars(2 Backings & Lead)- Hiroshi Kohno (Me)
Drums - Paul (Initial Programming for basic 4/4 pattern with rim-shot) & Me (Arrangement, Addition of rest of patterns and fills, Edit)
Mixing - Me

Original music was written by Lennon-McCartney (1968).

Cover Art :  "Orphanage"(Amsterdam, built in 1960) designed by Aldo van Eyck(Architect) - photo from the book "Team 10: In Search of a Utopia of the Present" (NAi Publishers, Rotterdam).

[Posted on 19th Mar. 2016]

Dear Prudence - Instrumental Version - P.Paploviante & Aerogene070

Instrumental  Version of "Gimme Some Lovin’" (1966)- for its "50th Anniversary"  
[more info >> below]  - SPEAKERS recommended wo/headphones - 

This is the second collab work with Paul (@paul-racle )- Several months ago, while we were working for the previous collab song, he sent me his cover(backing) of this song as well, and kindly asked me if I’d like to add some onto it. I said Yes!! ...it's one of my all time favorite songs again ! 
His initial version of backing track can be heard in the vocal version featuring our good friend, David - link: https://soundcloud.com/david-louthan/give-me-some-lovin2-paploviante-david-lee-louthan

As you can hear there, the initial version itself already sounded great to my ears, and seemed to work perfectly for vocal addition or so. On one hand, I felt that it wouldn't be interesting enough if I merely interpose guitar solo or the other onto it. So, I asked him if I could re-arrange the whole structure of backing, and he generously allowed me to do whatever with it...
I apologize for my delay in finishing(I'd completed most of arrangement and recordings a few months ago- before the vocal version was published, but I haven't had time to do music at all since then...not only for this)...but finally I could find a little spare time to do....Hope you enjoy!
Once again, I'd like to thank Paul for his offering and patience.

-----
[Music Info]

Instruments marked [*] were done as live, all else were done with DAW.

Paul Paploviante (Initial Version);
-Drums-1 (Bashing basic 4/4 beat pattern except fills - from 0:14 in this version),
-Bass Guitar*(0:17-)
-Backing Guitar-1 (Chordal Comping on the ctr,  0:28-)
-Synths (Brass Lead for the main Verse-Chorus lines and Comping)
-Organ & Piano.

Hiroshi Kohno (Arrangement & Addition);
-Arrangement & Remastering of all parts of initial version (incl. Extensions of Intro & Bridges, Addition* of Gliss & Triplets onto Organ /of Hi-Keys onto Lead Synth, etc)
-Drums-2*(Addition of Tom-rolls, all Fills-in & of Extra Beat Patterns than 4/4, Changes of Cymbals & Kicks of Drums-1, etc)
-Tambourine & Percus 
-Backing Guitar-2*(Main Riffs played throughout on the ctr-rite & partially on the left)
-Backing Guitar-3*(Wobbling Bassy Riffs on the left for the Intro from 0:28-, and for Solo sections from 2:54-) 
-Lead Guitar* (Solos & all Fills)
-Mixing.

------
- Original song was written by Steve Winwood, Spencer Davis and Muff Winwood, released in 1966 (London), and performed by The Spencer Davis Group ( later the reprise/self-cover by Traffic). 

- The picture for the cover art was borrowed from the album of Traffic's "Traffic" (1968). Copyright of the original picture must belong to the original artist and the label.

------
[Additional Notes on Arrangements & Recording]

-Guitars: Fender Strat '58 w/ Marshall JVM (overdrive, reverb, open-mic), partially w/ Vintage CE-1, Jen Crybaby Wah (only to narrow the range), MXR Phase 90(only for B Guitar-3)

I have some albums including this song (the original version by the SDG, the live version by Traffic and some other covers), and I love the Traffic's version most.
So, my arrangement started firstly by re-interpreting that version(for the  guitar riffs, percussion, etc).
That one can be found on their album "Welcome to the canteen".
>>Amazon Link: amzn.com/B00006399Z

The major differences from the SDGs original are the riff - than the famous one that the SDG borrowed from the Homer Banks' song "A Lot of Love" - and the rhythm sections. 

You can also see on Youtube, that there is another one(with similar riff arrangement ) performed by Winwood's band featuring E.Clapton("The ARMS Concert, London 1983", which I think was the best performance by them). 
>> Youtube Link: youtu.be/5vvH-mUaPEY

Whereas, those versions that I love don't have any lead phrase of guitar.
Therefore, all guitar licks in our version were written myself.

------
[Posted on 21st (Sat) May, 2016]

Gimme Some Lovin' -  2016 Version (Instrumental) -  P.Paploviante & Aerogene070

Cover of Lenny Kravitz's "Fields of Joy" (from his 2nd Album "Mama Said" - 1991) >> Lyrics & Info Below
[ Please listen through the SPEAKERS !! - Cymbals may sound a bit TOO TINNY with headphones - maybe it depends on what you hear before this though]  

I would like to thank my good friend David (@david-louthan )for his great contribution with his vocals.  I hope you enjoy!!!  also any feedback will be appreciated...thank you

>>> Re-EQ-ed version AVAILABLE on David's cloud 
[Additional Note on 23rd Sep. 2016 - 
Since I found that drums might sound a bit harsh/tinny to your ears in this mix, I did re-EQ-ing for the copy on David's page, so that you can hear it with (hopefully) a bit more silver mix there. ]

------
[Music Info]
David Lee Louthan : Vocals 
Hiroshi Kohno (@aerogene ): Guitars (Electric×3 & Acoustic), Bass Guitar, Drums and Keyboards (Flute of Mellotron & Synth Choirs) / Remastering of Vocals / Mixing / Artwork

All instruments of this cover were recorded as live (with open-mic)- 2 years ago...
------
The original song and music were written by Michael Kamen & Hal Fredericks (and performed by 'The New York Rock & Roll Ensemble' - 1969). Another version was later arranged by Lenny Kravitz &  Doug Neslund and all instruments except the lead guitar were played by Lenny Kravitz (The lead guitar part was written and played by Slash from Guns N' Roses) for his album.
All copyrights of the original song were owned by the artists and labels.

Lyrics: 

Let's wander slowly through the fields 
Slowly slowly through the fields 
I touch the leaves that touch the sky 
Just you and I through fields of joy 

All trouble slowly fades away 
Slowly slowly fades away 
I hold your hand inside my hand 
Across the land through fields of joy 

The sound of music that we hear 
The blend of colors in the air 
All cities, mountains disappear from view 
All truth and beauty near to me and you 

With you through the fields 
With you through the fields 
With you through the fields 
The fields of joy 

(break)

Let's wander slowly through the fields 
Slowly slowly through the fields 
I know our love will never die 
Just you and I 
Through fields of joy 
Through fields of joy

[Posted 25th July, 2016]

Fields of Joy - Lenny Kravitz Tribute - feat. David Lee Louthan on Vocal [See Description]

Cover of "Behind The Mask", one of the earliest techno(synth)-pop music written by Yellow Magic Orchestra [info >> below]

I’d like to thank my good friend Øystein (@islandstonegarden)for his great contribution and patience!!   
It’s the second collab with him (first one was "Perforated Hills"), and is for my second attempt to transform early techno-music into rock version (first one was "Rydeen" - pls check it out on my page if you have spare time).
To see the original lyrics, visit the copy>> bit.ly/2d0WJLK
Hope you enjoy!!!  Any feedback will be appreciated!!!

The original song was first produced in 1978(by Ryuichi Sakamoto) for a TV commercial for Seiko quartz, and for the album 'Solid State Survivor' in 1980 with lyrics penned by Chris Mosdell, while previously performed several times during 1978-79. 

The song was later revised by Michael Jackson, who added new lyrics and had intended to include it into his album ‘Thriller’(despite the approval of Sakamoto and Mosdell, it was eventually removed from his album due to the legal issues with their label), and many cover versions were also made by others since then - such as Greg Phillinganes (a kind of Reprise of M.Jackson's), Eric Clapton (Rock arrangement), Self-cover by Sakamoto featuring Bernard Fowler, Ronnie Drayton et al (Alternative Hard Rock version against Clapton's, in a live album  ‘Media Bahn Live’ in 1986), etc.

Our project began about 7 months ago.
For the arrangement, firstly we made a kind of literal cover of the YMO's original, for which we followed its instrumentation as much as possible (all done with programming though)so that we could use it as a foundation for own development.

Since I found that the original had a kind of typical rock progression - i.e, the main theme/riff has F-Db-Eb-Cm/C, which is often heard in other rock music(unlike the rest of works YMO produced usually have more complex progression & phrasings), I thought that it wouldn't be so difficult to arrange it with rock instrumentation.

But it has not been easier than estimated to arrange and to remaster all instruments to fit to new additions I'd first thought of, and taken so long since then, for I realized that the original was already strongly structuralized and left few space for adding some without being too crowded... besides, I’m not really good at manipulating MIDI stuffs to be fitted to/with the live instruments, and certainly, because of very small amount of time I have had recently to do music.

Anyway, finally I could somehow manage to do it..
Ours is a kind of mixture of the YMO's original and other covers that have those additional verses with “new lyrics”- for which I arranged and played the guitar phrases instead of vocals.  Original’s vocoder part is kept as Øystein made it possible!
Sorry for long explanation but thanks again for listening and reading!

------
[Music info]

Øystein Hagen; Vocoder & Initial Programming of the Instruments marked [*] below.
Hiroshi Kohno; All Other Synths & Revision of [*] / Arrangement, Addition of Guitars, Drums & Others / Mixing / Artwork

>>for Original Instrumentation (except Vocoder, all made w/DAW)
-Vocoder  (for Roland VP)
-Drums 1* (Kick, Snare & Hi-hat)
-Synth 1*(Sequencer of Arpeggiater from intro- for Moog III-C/Roland MC-8)
-Synth 2*(Brass Sections of Main Theme- for Prophet-5  )
-Synth 3 (Bass Synth- for Multimoog/ARP Odyssey )
-Synth 4 (Lead Synths : Female Choirs on left-right & Male on right- for Polymoog)
-Synth 5 (String Sections of Backing in Vocoder parts & Ending- for Jupiter 4)
-Synth 6 (Several fills of Clavi & Computer Sounds- for Prophet-5/III-C)

>>Additions (except Synth, all done w/ live-recording)
-Drums 2 (Cymbals, Synth Tom, etc)
-Bass Guitar (Overlayed onto Synth 3)
-Lead Guitars (×2 : Solo,  "Guitar Vocal" & all Fills)
-Rhythm Guitars (×2 : Clean one on left & Distortion riff on right=onto Synth 2)
-Synth 7 (Add. onto Synth 4 & 6- for Oberheim)

Behind The Mask (Extended Rock Version)- Øystein Hagen & Aerogene070

Instrumental version of "Future Child", the song written by Japanese Rock Guitarist 'Char'(Nickname of Hisato Takenaka)/ from the album "the Period" released in 1994 | Edoya Records. [more info below]

This song doesn't have a "solo/lead guitar" thing (I think this is the one which has the least notes, among the tracks on my cloud)...but I love its chords /progression and his playing style, which are to me quite unique (not a typical blues rock style but something like Hendrix's chordal motion plus reggae-tic shuffle rhythm than straight 8th note feel beat, with Char's original chord formation for sus4/add9/7th-tension notes, on(slash)-chord, etc.) and these are what I think cannot be transcribed into a score.
I have learned a lot from his guitaring by ears since I was teens, and this song was special, too because it's from the last album he produced with his former band called 'Pink Cloud.' (aka Johnny, Louis & Char, the foremost three-piece rock band since 70's from Japan), which he and his wife wrote for their son.

Vocal parts are substituted by Synth Organ in this cover (I cannot sing well...). It has English lyrics btw...
Hope you enjoy.  Any feedback will be appreciated!!
I admit that drums (hi-hat) are a little sloppy :p



[Music Info]
-Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Organs & Mixing : by Hiroshi Kohno

- Organs were done w/ Midi-Keyboards & Pedal board (Compressor & Phaser) on Software Synth, all else were recorded in the studio (live).
- Guitar & Bass: Fender USA Stratocaster '58 (Half-tone / Front-Middle-PU) & '66 Precision-Bass only w/ Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Amp (Small Overdrive/ Reverb/ Open-mic, single on-mic for each part, no ambient-mic). 
- Drums: Tama Acoustic Drum Kit w/Zildjian Cymbals (4-mics rec).
- Mixing: DAW 
----
- Original Music was written by Char / Lyrics were written by Kanna S. McFaddin & Char.
- Photo was taken myself in his concert in 2003.
----

Future Child - Char(Hisato Takenaka) Cover (Instrumental)

My interpretation of "Reach Out I'll Be There", the song re-written by Richie Kotzen  / from his Album "Mother Head's Family Reunion" (1994), which includes lots of favorite rock licks of mine and these have affected my playing style in varying degree since then...
>> Guitar Solo begins at 2:15

This is for a sort of rehabilitation and for a change...and thus is a kind of literal cover (almost no arrangement except on the vocal section and a few small compi-fill/obbligato additions) unlike in the most of cases I usually arrange the song a lot whenever I do a cover...while vocal parts (including backing vocals, chorus) are substituted by the Synth organs / 3rd verse sections and ending solo part are omitted in this cover.

I first covered all songs in this album about 20 years ago (all by ears)and played with my band, and have not played for a long time after then...but fortunately still could recall all licks in this song:) 
Hope you enjoy. Any feedback will be appreciated.


[Music Info]

The song was originally performed by The FourTops (written by Dozier Lamont Herbert, Holland Brian, Holland Eddi /1966), and Richie Kotzen revised it in 1994 for his album, played by Richie Kotzen (Guitars, Vocals), John Pierce(Bass Guitar), Atma Anur(Drums) and Tommy Funderburk and Timothy.B. Schmit (Additional vocals) .
-----
Cover
- Me played all instruments (Guitars - Rhythm & Lead, Bass Guitar, Drums and Keyboards). Except the Organs and Tambourine, all were played and recorded in the studio (Open-mic-rec).
- Guitar:  Fender USA Stratocaster '58 
(Front-PU for Solo, Half-tone/ front-middle PU for Rhythms)  
w/ Marshall-JVM(50W)- Pre-amp's Overdrive & Reverb / Boss Vintage CE-1 (for booster-use or splitter-use)/ Maxon RTC 600 (for limiter-use)/Maxon AD-9/ partially Jen Crybaby wah-pedal (for ending) *all were anterior use to amps. 
- Bass: Fender USA '66 Precision-Bass 
w/Fender Bassman Amps(50W), Pre-amp's Overdrive & Reverb / Boss CS-2.
- Drums: Tama Acoustic Drum Kit w/Zildjian Cymbals (6-mics rec).
- Organs: Software Synth, w/ Midi-Keyboards & Pedal board (Phaser, Distortion, etc.)
- Tambourine & Mixing : DAW
-----
Cover art is borrowed from the Album "Mother Head's Family Reunion". All credits must belong to the artist.

Reach Out I'll Be There - Richie Kotzen Cover (Instrumental Version)

Here's my original track I made after a long long time...
dedicated to the loners who had envisioned a design for his/her ideal city during late modern times, which has never been realized because of its radical idealism and criticism against the reality of materialistic world.

It's an instrumental blues rock, but actually, I wrote the draft at first as a song with lyrics a couple of years ago, but I couldn't finish the lines, and let it alone... then almost have forgotten... but I found it on my HD a few months ago, then have revised it as a completely instrumental version...
I hope you enjoy. Any feedback will be appreciated...Thank you in advance.

[Ain't the one - Music info]
- Music Composition, Instrumentation (Guitars, Bass Guitar and Drums) and Production: Hiroshi Kohno
 - All were played and recorded in the studio (live, open-mic-rec)

This time, I didn't use any distortion effector...instead, done with minimal overdrive of amps to avoid the undesired turbidity of sounds while picking the several strings at once, since I found that my strat had the problem with intonation tuning on the high position, which I couldn't adjust myself...

- Guitar: Fender USA Stratocaster '58 extra re-issued(tuned to one semitone dropped down)
 w/ Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Amp.
>> Lead(on the right) & Some other small fills (various position): 
 Front-PU, w/Boss CS-2, Vintage CE-1 & Maxon AD-9. 
 Additionally, Boss BF-2 for Choir-like fills.
 >> Rhythms (on the left): 
 Half-tone(front-middle PU), w/Maxon RTC600, MXR Phase90 & Maxon AD-9.
- Bass: Fender USA '66 Precision-Bass 
 w/ Fender Bassman Amps, plus Boss CS-2.
*All effectors were anterior use to amps. 
- Drums: Tama Acoustic Drum Kit w/Zildjian Cymbals (6-mics rec).
- Mixing and a few minor edit (revision) of drums : DAW.

© 2017 Hiroshi Kohno

Ain't the one

Ain't The One - aerogene070

Instrumental version of “I shot the sheriff”, the song written by Bob Marley (The Wailers).

Some days ago, Alphio (@alpha-roots) sent me the rhythm track of this song, and kindly asked me if I would jam with it. I said Yes... It's one of my all time favorite songs again.

His initial version sounded great to my ears as I instantly loved it, but when I started jamming along, I personally felt that it was a bit too slow for me to add the lead melody so on... and bass sounded a bit too low (despite that original key is Gm, it had -1 octave + 1 tone= Am) and worried that bass would sound less prominent and not audible through the speakers as compared with the other parts I’d first planned to add.
I also wanted to have a little more up-down accent patterns and accessory notes so on for the bass line (especially for the verse A) in this regard and chordal variations as well on the rhythm guitar as the original has more and a little more for own arrangement.  

So, I revised almost all parts on his initial track except the hand percussion by him [>> Details below ].

The initial track can be heard here, please check it out：
https://soundcloud.com/alpha-roots/i-drummed-the-sheriff

I apologize for I've destroyed Alphio’s minimalism...but I had much fun working with it and I would like to thank him again for his kind offer and for allowing me to arrange it freely. 

My arrangement basically followed Hiram Bullock’s cover version (Jazz Rock version with ‘Guitar vocals’) except the rhythm guitars and the ending solo sections adding some improvised phrases of mine.
Well, I could play other versions as well - original studio version, Clapton’s cover version etc -  but, since I’m not a good singer, I decided to do like this anyway. 
Hope you enjoy. Any feedback would be appreciated.

--------------
The original music was written by Bob Marley (The Wailers) for their album “Burnin” (1973)
Hiram Bullock’s version can be heard in their album “Manny's Car Wash” (1995) and in some albums of Jaco Pastorius. 
Cover picture source : http://www.pageresource.com/wallpapers/78319/bob-marley-free-music-reggae-hd-wallpaper.html
--------------
Cover :

[Initial rhythm track by Alpha-roots]
- Drums-1 / Bass Guitar-1 / Percussion / Rhythm Guitar-1

[Revision of Initial rhythm track]
- Changed the tempo (about 11% faster than the initial one).
- Shifted up the key of whole track an octave(keeping Am) and mixed it with the initial track to have a bit more treble tone of bass (it was not able to do re EQ-ing of the bass separably as I received the single mp3 mix)
- Extended each section of main theme (intro and interludes) and altered the rhythm parts of them
- Changed some rhythm patterns (altered Hi-hat patterns, etc.) especially on verse B sections.

[Addition by me]
- Drums-2 (All fills, Addition of other Cymbals, Toms, Kicks and of Snares; the later two are mainly only for the theme and for 3rd & 4th verses solo sections)
- Bass Guitar-2(Additional phrases and high notes incl. some slaps & ghost notes overdubbed onto Bass-1)
- Lead Guitar-1 (Distortion guitar with or without pedal-wah for “guitar vocals” & solos )
- Lead Guitars-2&3( Two Clean ones for the fills and for the ending solo)
- Rhythm Guitars-2&3(Chordal brushing & wah fills overdubbed onto Rhythm Guitar-1, and some phased unison phrases onto Bass Guitars)
- Piano

All of my parts were played and recorded in the studio (live, open-mic rec) except Piano.
- Guitars:  Distortion Lead >> Fender Japan Strat (w/Dimargio DP182 ), Boss CS-2, CE-1 & Jen Crybaby Wah, Marshall-JVM (Tube Distortion, Channel Delay & Reverb) ; Clean Lead, Fills & Rhythms >> Fender USA Strat ‘58 & CS Telecaster, Maxon RTC600, MXR Phase90, AD-9 & Crybaby Wah, '65 Deluxe Reverb Amp.
- Basses:  Fender USA '66 Precision-Bass , Boss CS-2, Bassman Amps .
- Drums:  Tama Acoustic Drum Kit w/Zildjian Cymbals (6-mics rec).
- Piano & Mixing: DAW

I Shot The Sheriff  (Guitar-Vocal Version) - aerogene070 w/ Alpha-roots

It’s my personal tribute to 'Monsieur' Kamayatsu (Hiroshi Kamayatsu) - Japanese singer, guitarist - who died on 1st, March this year. He was from the first generation which founded the first Japanese pop-rock band in late 50's - early 60's (I was not born yet), and has been a critical influence on the buildup of J-pop and J-rock culture since then.

This is the instrumental cover version (with my own arrangement), paraphrased from his song 「ゴロワーズを吸ったことがあるかい？」("Have you ever tried Gauloises?" 1975 ) which he wrote when he was 36 years old after some solo activities, inviting the American funk band 'Tower of Power' as backing musician for its recording, and was lately rediscovered by acid jazz movement in 90’s. 
The original song has great lyrics (cheering for being maniac about something he/she found lovely) btw...I’m sorry not to introduce them in my version, though. 

My arrangement includes; 
-Extension/Addition of intro & interlude 
-Addition of riffs onto intro & of guitar solos onto interlude & ending.
-Addition of lead guitar phrases onto verse sections to compensate the vocals & onto solo sections. A few phrases of them were written by reference to their live versions performed by Guitarists Ryunosuke Yamagishi or Junko Sugawara with Monsieur Kamayatsu.
-Each part of rhythm sections (especially rhythm guitar and bass) has been also arranged to have a little more varied patterns than the original's.

Hope you enjoy...any feedback would be appreciated.

In case of interest, listen to the original (Youtube link: not mine): 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DqIxfPe_GU
Recommended to see what Monsieur played in early 60s with his band The Spiders 
Instrumental version of "Dynamite" (Ciff Richard and The Shadows Cover): 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ2F4RWHPTU
Well, they did the originals, too, of course, but most of them are in Japanese lyrics, so, here's just a reference for foreign listeners.

---------------------
[Recording Data]
Arranged and Performed by Me
-Guitars:
   Guitar A:Fender US CS Telecaster
   Guitar B:Fender US ‘58 Stratocaster (extra-reissued)
   Guitar C:Fender Japan Stratocaster with DiMarzio Hum-bucker
1. Rhythm Guitar-1 (Clean) on the left>> Guitar A, w/Maxon RTC600, MXR Phase90 & AD-9, '65 Deluxe Reverb Amp
2. Rhythm Guitar-2 (Overdrive) on the right  with Wah-wah overdubbed onto Organ or Other Chordal fills with Flanger >> Guitar B, w/Crybaby Wah or Boss BF-2, CE-1, Maxon AD-9, '65 Deluxe Reverb Amp.
3. Distortion Lead (with or without Wah-wah) on the right>> Guitar C, w/Boss CS-2, Vintage CE-1 (limitter-use or splitter-use) & Jen Crybaby Wah, Marshall-JVM (Tube Distortion, Channel Delay & Reverb) 
4. Second Lead (Clean)on the center-left in Verse Sections and  Fills >>  Guitar B, w/Boss CS-2, CE-1 & Maxon AD-9, '65 Deluxe Reverb Amp

- Basses: Fender USA '66 Precision-Bass , w/Boss CS-2, Bassman Amp.
- Drums: Tama Acoustic Drum Kit w/Zildjian Cymbals (6-mics rec).
- Organs, Choirs & Brass sections (incl.Sax solo): Software Synth +Midi Keyboards & Pedal boards.
- Mixing: DAW
*Guitars, Bass and Drums were played and recorded in the studio (live, open-mic rec).
*Production & Cover Art: Hiroshi Kohno
---------------------

Gauloises - Tribute to Monsieur Kamayatsu

A cover of the song "Liar" written by Russ Ballard.
The original song was released in 1970 on the album 'Argent' with his band Argent, and was covered and performed by Three Dog Night in the same year (their studio version was released on their album 'Naturally').
This is actually a cover of the cover version by Three Dog Night.

Vocals: Jimmy Rivas @j-rivas <---Follow! 
Backing Music & Production: Hiroshi Kohno  [>>more info below]

I’d like to thank my good friend Jimmy for his great contribution with an outstanding vocal performance to this project. It was the first time to work with him, while I already had known his brilliance after listening to some of his works on SC and been always wondering if I could have this occasion.
In this cover, the arrangement of backing music basically follows Three Dog Night’s version. But thanks to his contribution, I think (hopefully) it has been reincarnated as our own version, and I’m very glad to share it with you here. 

I hope you enjoy. Any feedback will be appreciated. 
Please do not forget to visit Jimmy’s page for more of excellent works by him.
----
I heard this song (3DN version) in early 80’s for first time whilst I had already known before the other songs from them - such as "One", "Old Fashioned Love Song" and some more heard through FEN radio in 70's when I was 6 years old or so.
I remember like this song sounded special to me comparing with other songs of theirs, and I instantly loved it...soon, I got to know why, when a friend of mine gave me their album - it was written by Ballard. I especially loved the guitar riffs of this song as well as the vocals (on which Danny Hutton took the lead for his first time - more aggressive rock vocal style than other two). Ballard's original version inspired me a lot, too, as I thought it was one of the geneses of Bluesy Hard Rock music (if you know what he provided for major Hard Rock bands in 70 - 80s, as well as his original songs produced with Argent or the Zombies, probably you can agree) . 
There was sudden flash of memory recently at me, then I thought it would be also somewhat timely for a certain situation today, so, here it is...

[Recording Data]
- Organs were played and recorded with Korg Software Synth (Organ) with Midi-Keyboards and Pedal boards +VSTi plugin (B3 emulator). All else were played and recorded as live in the studio (open-mic rec.), except the additional effects on the Crash Cymbals.
- Guitars: Fender Stratocaster ‘58 (extra-reissued) w/Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Amp, partially w/ Boss BF-2 & Crybaby Wah pedal for interlude, BD-2 for ending, Ovation Acoustic Guitar (model unknown).
- Bass: Fender USA '66 Precision-Bass w/ Fender Bassman Amps, plus Boss CS-2.
- Drums: Tama Acoustic Drum Kit w/ Zildjian Cymbals (4-mics rec).
- Mixing & Additional Effect: DAW

Liar

Liar - Russ Ballard Cover - Featuring Jimmy Rivas on Vocals

The cover of the song “(I Know) I’m losing you” 
(mostly following Richie Kotzen's version  [>>more info below ]).
 [Big Speakers Recommended] 

Vocals & Arrangement of Lyrics: Jimmy Rivas ( @j-rivas )
Backing Music & Production: Hiroshi Kohno

This is the second collaboration with Jimmy.
I’d like to thank him again for his wonderful contribution to this song.
I had much fun working with him.
Please visit his page for more amazing works by him!

--------
The song was originally performed and recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label (released in 1967)- written by Norman Whitfield, Edward Holland Jr. and by Cornelius Grant in 1966 / produced by Norman Whitfield. And many cover versions have been recorded since then (by Rare Earth, The Undisputed Truth, The Faces/ Rod Stewart...and by Richie Kotzen).

As a guitarist, I've loved the Richie Kotzen's blues rock version the most among those covers(as well as the Faces' live version for BBC, as a drummer) and that's one of what I've most often played with my band during past two decades. While, there are so many different live versions of Richie's with his different improvised phrases and I've played own improvisation, too. This time, I made the backing music basically following Richie’s studio version (released in 1998 on his album “What Is...”) while adding some minor arrangements by me, and Jimmy sang his own version of the vocals onto it, which I appreciated very much. 

I hope you enjoy. Any feedback would be appreciated.

A different version (Lo-fi instrumental / Excerpt)- improvisation by me: https://soundcloud.com/aerogene/im-losing-you

--------
[Recording Data]
- Guitars: Fender CS Telecaster customized w/DiMarzio Hum-bucker on rear PU (for Riffs & Backing Chords) &‘58 Stratocaster (for Lead Fills & Solos) w/ Sobbat DB-3 or The Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi, Jen Crybaby Wah, Maxon RTC600 & AD-9, Boss CE-1 (only for splitter use), partially BF-2 & OC-2, MXR Phase90, and w/Fender Vibro-King Custom Amp (60W) &‘59 Bassman LTD Amp (Reissued, 50W). Drop-D tuning / No any additional reverb (only with amps' resonance).
- Electric Piano and Organ: Korg Software Synth (Wurlitzer 200A Emulator & Hammond B3 Emulator) w/ Kurzweil PC88 & Pedal Boards (incl. MXR Phase90, Boss BF-2).
- Other Keys (w/wah effect): Mini Moog Software Synth.
- Bass Guitar: Fender USA '66 Precision-Bass , w/Boss CS-2, ‘59 Bassman LTD Amp.
- Drums: Tama Acoustic Drum Kit w/Zildjian Cymbals (6-mics rec). 
Except the Keys, all instruments were played and recorded in the studio (live, open-mic rec). 
- Mixing: DAW

(I Know) I'm Losing You - Jimmy Rivas & Hiroshi Kohno

The cover of the song "Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground" written by The White Stripes (released in 2001 on their album 'White Blood Cells')

Vocals: Amanda Sanderson ( @phoebeelena )
Backing Music (Drums and Guitars) & Production: Hiroshi Kohno

I’d like to thank Amanda for her great contribution with a splendid vocal performance to this project.

-------
Backing music of the song is the simplest one I've ever done- only with drums and guitars, without bass, any solo either or fills...no fancy thing, just with a dirty fuzz explosion.  
And its simpleness  is what I think is the essential part of this song, besides the way how Jack White sang on it with great rhyming, and I found that it was actually well structured to work very effectively for supporting the vocal lines, remaining also the retro hard rock feels as Jack White told that he wanted to have "struggle" within their performance - with some tiny discrepancies and gaps between each position - not to be  mechanical, plastic, nor too much smooth. 
So, I tried to keep its simpleness and raw feels as much as possible in this cover, too, without adding any accessory note or extra effect. Whilst the vocals are quite colory with lots of slight changes within the similar lines, and Amanda sung her own lines on them, too, which I adore very much, and I'm very delighted to share it with you here. 

I hope you enjoy. Any feedback will be appreciated. 
Please do not forget to visit Amanda's page for more of excellent works by her.

-------
[Recording Data]
- Guitars: Fender USA Stratocaster '58 w/ The Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi(Re-issued), Maxon RTC600, Boss CE-1 (only for splitter use), and w/Fender Vibro-King Custom Amp (60W).
- Drums: Tama Acoustic Drum Kit w/Zildjian Cymbals (6-mics rec).
*All were played and recorded in the studio (live, open-mic rec)
- Vocal Remastering and Mixing: DAW

Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground - The White Stripes Cover - Featuring Amanda Sanderson on Vocals

My Cover version of "Cocaine"  from the album 'Slow Hand - Eric Clapton' (1977).  
Song originaly made by John J.Cale
Artwork is borrowed from the original album, its copyright belongs to the artist and Polydor K.K.
---
Cover; 
Lead Guitar (×2), Rhythm Guitar (×2) and Drums : Played and Recorded in the Studio 
Bass, Keyboards & Mixing: Made with Desktop Program
---


Cocaine - Eric Clapton Guitar Solo Cover

A cover (extended version) of the song “The Stealer” written and performed by the rock band 'Free'. The original song was released in 1970 on their album 'Highway’.

Vocals : Jimmy Rivas ( @j-rivas ) << Pls visit his page for more of great songs by him
Backing Music & Production: Hiroshi Kohno [>>more info below]

Once again, I’d like to thank my good friend Jimmy for his great contribution with his brilliant vocal performance to this song. This is the third collaboration with him. Several months ago, when he mentioned this song as a candidate for another collaboration, I agreed to do it immediately, as we both have loved this song since our youth and I could imagine that he would sing on it wonderfully again.

---
The original song is (at least for me) thought to be one of the geneses of British Blues Rock in 70's.
As well as the soulful vocals by Paul Rogers, what I loved first was the riff of this song, where you can find some great interplay between guitar, bass (with slide, pulling-off and skipping strings on each short phrase) and drums (simple but very effective - especially the timing of a kick combined with an acciaccatura hit of tom-tom) to keep bluesy groove going on (I guess it has Robert Johnson influence?). And, of course, the distinctive guitar solo by Paul Kossoff - much nuances with a small number of notes, which was actually hard for me to reprise especially because of his special vibrato, even though the phrases/scales themselves were not that difficult. Besides, I don’t own Gibson Les Paul :p So, don’t think that I made the justice. But I'm sure that Jimmy nailed the vocals and they made this track really richer:)

I hope you enjoy. Any feedback/comment would be appreciated. Thanks. 
---
I’ve not been able to do music either not able to listen to SC for a while for we had been largely affected by the strong earthquake that struck our prefecture several weeks ago (the total blackout caused the interception of networks as well). But finally, I got back here from my prolonged absence while dealing with the chaotic aftermath of that befalling. This music is what I’d done for the last before then (fortunately). I’m delighted to be able to share this with you here as the number for my restarting.
Last but certainly not least, I'm sending get-well-wishes to those people who still suffer from the disaster. 
---
[Recording Data]
- Guitars: Yamaha SG-2000 ('79 limited version) w/ Marshall-JVM(50W) and Fender Vibro-King Custom Amp (60W), Sobbat DB-3, Maxon AD-9, Partially w/MXR Analog Chorus (only for the verse B sections )and Volume pedal (feedbacker /only for the solo sections).
- Bass Guitar: Fender USA '66 Precision-Bass , w/Boss CS-2, ‘59 Bassman LTD Amp.
- Drums: Tama Acoustic Drum Kit w/Zildjian Cymbals (6-mics rec). 
All instruments were played and recorded in the studio (live, open-mic rec). 
- Vocal remastering & Mixing: DAW

The Stealer - Extended Version - Jimmy Rivas & Hiroshi Kohno

A cover of the song "Be My Friend" written and performed by the rock band 'Free'. 
The original song was released in 1970 on their album 'Highway’. 

Vocals : Jimmy Rivas ( @j-rivas ) << Pls do not forget to visit his page 
Backing Music & Production: Hiroshi Kohno [<< more info below]

This is our 4th collaboration work. Such a great honor to work with Jimmy again on this favorite song. Thank you Jimmy for asking me to do this and for your brilliant vocals.
 
No need to explain the detail of the original song, but, as described in their biography, I know it was written as a sort of antidote to the "frivolity" of a mega hit song on their previous album 'Fire and Water' (such as "All right now"), aspired to have more weighty and introspective songs. Despite of somewhat tepid reputation for this album at that time, this song has been one of my all time favorite songs and I'm so glad that Jimmy did fantastic job on it, which I think is more than just keeping the original's spirit. 
I hope you enjoy. Any feedback/comment would be appreciated. 

We also suggest you to listen to another Free cover Jimmy has done with our good friend Dariv @dairv-dubbleyew , which is awesome!! 
"Wishing Well"  https://soundcloud.com/dairv-dubbleyew/wishing-well-jrivas-dairv-dubbleyew
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[Recording Data]
- Through the headphones, backing guitars might sound on the left panning position due to the channel delay effect, though, it's actually positioned on the right side (which you can probably hear without headphones). I kept this positioning by reference to the original's studio version. 
- Guitars: Fender Stratocaster '58 extra re-issued w/Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Amp (Clean Crunch  for Backing Guitar), Maxon AD-9 &amp; MXR Analog Chorus / Yamaha SG-2000 '79 limited version w/ Fender Vibro-King Custom Amp (Overdrive for Guitar Solo) &amp;  AD-9.
- Bass Guitar: Fender USA '66 Precision-Bass , w/Boss CS-2, ‘59 Bassman LTD Amp.
- Drums: Tama Acoustic Drum Kit w/Zildjian Cymbals (6-mics rec). 
All instruments were played and recorded in the studio (live, open-mic rec) except Keys. 
- Piano & Organ: Korg Software Synth w/Kurzweil PC88 Keys.
- Vocal remastering &amp; Mixing: DAW

Be My Friend

Be My Friend - Jimmy Rivas & Hiroshi Kohno

My interpretation of "I'm losing you" Guitar solo (inspired by one of his improvising versions of Richie Kotzen's)
The song was originally performed by The Temptations (1967).

Arranged, each part played, recorded and mixed by Hiroshi Kohno;
 [ home recording ] Lead Guitar, Backing Guitar(×2), Bass Guitar
 [ studio recording ] Drums (2 mics though...) 
Guitars were with Drop D tuning...

I'm Losing You - Richie Kotzen Cover - Excerpt (Guitar Solo Improvisation)

An instrumental Cover of the song "No Woman, No Cry" (No, Woman, Nuh Cry) by Bob Marley & The Wailers, released on their album "Live!" (1975) .
Guitar solo starts at 1:54 
----latter excursus on 16 Nov. 2019-----
A full version with Vocals by Jimmy Rivas ( @j-rivas ) is out there:
>>  https://soundcloud.com/j-rivas/no-woman-dont-cry-featuring-hiroshi-kohno
Please check it out.
----------------------------------------------------
Sorry, friends for my being out of contact for a while. 
This year I've not been so productive for music so far.
I’d lost most of music data that were in the making because of the PC trouble occurred several months ago...and since then, have had too much going on to do music. I haven't recovered the DAW and so on either. It makes me less productive, too. But finally I've got some time-off and hopefully will resolve these soon.

In the meantime, I found this one from another HDD in the rubble.
So, I put it here hoping to make up the blank...

It was played and recorded (I guess about 5 years ago) just as a diversion for a change...  Besides Bob Marly’s vocals and its lyrics, I’ve loved the guitar solo of the song (since the first time I  covered this song when I was a high school student) and played it several times.  But in fact, the song has too common chord progression, and without vocals (I cannot sing well), I thought a cover wouldn't work out...so, I added the keys to compensate a little for the vocal lines. Also added the backing guitar for all sections(for which I referred to a live version released in 1980).
For the solo and the rest of parts, I referred to the original live version (Live At The Lyceum, London /1975).  

All instruments (Drums, Percussion, Bass Guitar and Guitars) were played and recorded in the studio (open-mic, live), except Keys and Choirs (which were created with Software Synth and midi-Keys). 

*The cover picture was borrowed from the liner notes of the Japanese version of the original album. Copyright of the original picture must belong to the original photographer, artist and the label.

No Woman, No Cry - Instrumental Cover (Excerpt)

My interpretation of "Socialite", the song written and performed by Richie Kotzen & his band / from his Album "Mother Head's Family Reunion" (1994). It's a song of poetic irony against so-called 'Socialite'. 

This cover mainly consists of 2 versions; 
1) 00:00 Intro-Verse-Chorus-Bridge sections (& Outro) that basically follow the Original Studio Version.
2) 02:36 Interlude-Guitar Solo sections that basically follow the Live Version (“Live in Sao Paulo”, 2001) >>  Solo 1 (Clean) starts at : 03:34 & Solo 2 (Distortion): 04:50- .

- I first covered this song about 25 years ago with my band...I've loved its various rhythm pattern especially drumming in this song and it's been one of my drum practice pieces since then.  
I'd completed the first half of this cover (studio version sections) about half a year ago...but couldn't find a vocalist this time and decided to make an instrumental version, then let it alone since I wanted to record the latter half but couldn't have time...anyway, finally I could make it last week...
-Vocal parts are substitute by my humble Keys (Synth Organ). 

Hope you enjoy. Any feedback would be appreciated.

[Music Info]
The song was originally performed by Richie Kotzen  (Guitars, Lead and Backing Vocals, Wurlizer Piano, Hammond Organ, Clavinet and Bass Guitar) and Atma Anur (Drums) .
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Cover: 
- Rhythm Guitar on the left : Fender USA CS Telecaster (w/ DiMarzio Hum-backer on the rear PU) 
w/ Marshall-JVM(50W), Boss Vintage CE-1 (for booster-use or splitter-use only), Maxon RTC 600 (only for the Bridge sections), Boss MT-2 Metal Zone or Sobbat DB-3 & Maxon AD-9, Partially w/ MXR Phase 90.
-Rhythm Guitar on the right: Fender Japan Stratocaster (w/DiMargio Hum-backer on the rear PU ),
w/ Fender Vibro-King Custom Amp (60W), The Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi, Boss CS-2,  Maxon AD-9 & Partially with Jen Crybaby Wah or  MXR Phase90 & Boss DD-7 (ping pong delay).
-Additional Guitar Fills & Guitar Solo: Fender USA Stratocaster ‘58, w/ Marshall-JVM(50W), Sobbat DB-3 & Maxon AD-9, Partially w/Boss Vintage CE-1 (Only for Clean solo).
- Bass Guitar: Fender USA '66 Precision-Bass , w/Boss CS-2,‘59 Bassman LTD Amp. Partially w/MXR Phase 90.
- Electric Piano and Organ: Korg Software Synth (Wurlitzer, Clavinet & Hammond B3 Emulators) w/ Kurzweil PC88 & Pedal Boards (incl. MXR Phase90, Boss BF-2).
- Drums: Tama Acoustic Drum Kit w/Zildjian Cymbals (6-mics rec).
Except the Keys, all instruments were played and recorded in the studio (live, open-mic rec).
- Mixing: DAW
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Cover art is borrowed from the Album "Mother Head's Family Reunion". All credits must belong to the artist.

(Ain't No) Socialite - Richie Kotzen Cover (Instrumental Extended Version)

Cover of the song 'In My Image' from the Album 'ASIAN VOLCANO'  made by old Japanese Hard Rock / Heavy Metal Band 'BOWWOW' ( well, definitely this name is not about that hiphop guy's...sorry), which was released in 1982 
( Originally played by Kyoji Yamamoto: Guitar, Vocal / Mitsuhiro Saito: Guitar, Vocal / Kenji Sano: Bass / Toshihiro Niimi: Drums, Song was written by Kyoji Yamamoto )

---
Arranged, Played, Recorded and Mixed by me :
[ Home Recording ] Lead (×2) and Backing Guitar (in Guitar-Solo section, Lead guitar shares 2 separated line-out(s) at once, of which one is on the different pitch using the pedal pitch shifter).
[ Studio Recording ] Bass Guitar and Drums 
[ Desktop Program ] Keybord and Mixing

- Arranged a little for Guitar solo and added some improvisation.
- Instead of the Vocal, added the Keybords (Synth-Organ).
- Every Track was recorded as in one-shot (No-Editing except volume envelop and pan) 

This was one of the songs for my early guitar&drums practice when I was a junior high school student... 
This time...covered this song after being away for a long long time...
I'm not really satisfied with the sound quality, though... for the time being...
Thank you very much for your listening:)
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In My Image - Bowwow [Japan] Cover (Instrumental +Guitar Improvisation)

Cover of the song called 'Don't Cry Baby' from the album 'ASIAN VOLCANO' 
by old Japanese Hard Rock / Heavy Metal Band 'BOWWOW', which was released in 1982 ( also included in Live Album 'HOLY EXPEDITION' / London 1983) 

The original song was written by Mitsuhiro Saito, Originally played by Mitsuhiro Saito: Lead Vocal, Guitars / Kyoji Yamamoto: Lead Guitar, Backing Vocal / Kenji Sano: Bass / Toshihiro Niimi: Drums 

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Arranged, each part played, recorded and mixed by Hiroshi Kohno :
[ Home Recording ] Lead and Backing Guitars
[ Studio Recording ] Bass Guitar and Drums 
[ Desktop Program ] Mixing

1st verse and chorus are omitted (same as 2nd ) 
---

Don't Cry Baby - Bowwow [Japan] Cover - Excerpt (Instrumental)

Thank you for your visiting, listening and supporting.

I'm a spare-time musician, usually working as an architect (running own atelier) on an average day.

I play: Guitar & Drums (respectively since 11 years old & 9 years old, since late 70's, quite intermittently, though; skipping some years not playing them while dedicated myself completely to architectural study and practice incl. working in  Europe),
and a little of Keys & Bass guitar (both of the later were started 10 years ago or so)

Roots: Classic Rock, R&B and Funk Rock, 70's Progressive Rock, 70's-early 80's HR/HM, also interested in many kinds of music and sound-art.

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