My Compositions

Do The Best You Can

Down By The River

Vikki Carr

Hit for Elvis in 1956
a musical adaptation of the Civil War song "Aura Lee," published in 1861
Guitar - LH Washburn nylon-string classical

Love Me Tender

A big hit for Elvis in 1958, written by Bill Trader and published in 1952.

Elvis recorded it in Nashville, while he was on leave from the Army and featured guitar by Hank Garland, Chet Atkins and Presley, bass by Bob Moore, drums by D. J. Fontana and Buddy Harman and piano by Floyd Cramer and backing vocal by the Jordanaires, with the bass voice provided by Ray Walker.

"I Need Your Love Tonight" b/w "(Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I" was Elvis' first single to not receive a 78 RPM pressing in the United States.

My version in the same key of C major, with many secondary dominant chords (E7, A7 and D7).  14-08-2022


Lead Guitar - LH Fender Stratocaster
Rhythm Guitar - Ibanez Jumbo Acoustic strung LH
Bass Guitar - LH 4-string Washburn
Lead & Harmony Vocal Mic - Shure Beta SM 58A
Drums - MIDI

Fool Such As I

Big hit for The Beatles in 1967

Original is in A major
My version on E major - one more #

Still needs more work, so watch this space for an improved version, and explanation of the picture.

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - draft

Hit for Elvis Presley in 1957
Written by Billy Hayes and Jay W Johnson
Elvis's version in E major
My version in E♭ major

Had to have a picture of a green Christmas tree, decorated in red. ;-)

Blue Christmas

Traditional song sung at New Years Eve celebrations.

Written by Robert Burns circa 1788

My version in F major to G major

Can you understand the lyrics? 
You can leave a comment.

Here are the lyrics:

Shid ald akwentans bee firgot,
an nivir brocht[c] ti mynd?
Shid ald akwentans bee firgot,
an ald lang syn*?

Chorus:
Fir ald lang syn, ma jo,
fir ald lang syn,
wil tak a cup o kyndnes yet,
fir ald lang syn.

An sheerly yil bee yur pynt-staup!
an sheerly al bee myn!
An will tak a cup o kyndnes yet,
fir ald lang syn.

Chorus

We twa hay rin aboot the braes,
an pood the gowans fyn;
Bit weev wandert monae a weery fet,
sin ald lang syn.

Chorus

We twa hay pedilt in the burn,
fray mornin sun til dyn;
But seas between us bred hay roard
sin ald lang syn.

Chorus

An thers a han, my trustee feer!
an gees a han o thyn!
And we'll tak a richt gude-willie-waucht,
fir ald lang syn.

Auld Lang Syne

Recorded by Elvis in E, F and G♭
It was adapted by songwriter Carl Sigman from an instrumental composition by James Last, titled "No Words". 
Released in 1973 as a single, also on an album of the same name.

My version in F. G♭ and G

Most instrumental backing from MIDI files.

Fool

#28 hit in Australia for The Walker Brothers in 1975
Written and recorded by Tom Rush in 1968
My version in D♭ major
Drums, keyboard etc. MIDI
Vocals SM-57 with reverb
Percussion Tambourine

Typical Scott Walker song about lost love.

No Regrets

Minor hit for The Doors from their "Strange Days" album in 1967.

My version in the lower key of E♭ minor

You're Lost Little Girl

Hit by Elvis in in 1958
Written by Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King, and Anita Steiman. 
It originally was an R&B hit for Smiley Lewis in 1956
Lyrics contain a triple negative with "I ain't never did no wrong"
Original lyrics included "One night of sin is what I'm now paying for"
Elvis's version in E major

My version in C major

Vocals: Sure SM57 with reverb
Guitar: LH Fender Strat bridge pickup
Bass: LH 5-string Steinberger Spirit with plectrum
Drums: MIDI
Percussion: Tambourine

One Night

All my own work this time - including the drums!

In the key of A major

(Previous self "head-shot" not suitable for general exhibition and would frighten ladies.)

Dear Penis

I Don't Know

In The Country

I am a singer/songwriter/pianist/guitarist.

Down By The River

Joe Sampson

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