5 Minutes of No F**ks Given:

Inspector #20

Inspector #20

Ambassador of Tone
Fallen Star
Country flag
So, after being very disappointed with my inherent ability to make everything sound country, referring to my latest rendition of the REO Speedwagon cover, I decided to do something different. I had the drum tracks we did for 'Long Way To The Top' by AC/DC since 2018, but our singer refused to perform the song because he didn't like it. Tonight, I decided to vent all my frustrations by doing a quick, rough and dirty version of the song.

Trouble is that Bon Scott is a tough - if not impossible act to follow. His register is really high and I just can't sing it in his range. So, I dropped it down and played it in the key of E.

Ok, I know it sounds funny tuned down, but it's what you gotta do to make the best of a bad situation when you have either no singer or an uncooperative one.

F**king singers...

Starting with the drum tracks, I layered on two rhythm guitar tracks, panned left and right at random percentages, followed by two more rhythm guitar tracks, all recorded individually in one take each. I laid the bass tracks down, panned left and right as well.

Mistakes???? Yes...I just left them in it.

F**k it.

As i typically do, I improvised a solo and both doubled and harmonized it. Nothing fancy here.

Vocals, I sang in one take, without any reverb or delay. I sang backing vocals panned left and right with just medium room reverb effect. I just tried to funnel my frustration into the song and F**k all the frills, Man...

So this is really a very dry, dirty and rough take on the AC/DC classic, but it's a good representation of my current mood.

Hope you are all in the very best of health and spirits...

https://soundcloud.com/id%3Drobert-h-herndon%252Flong-way-to-the-top-acdc-cover%3Btrack_id%3D805931371
 
I’m like Goo. Sounded fine to me. Very few people can pull off covering Bon Scott or Brian Johnson and not hurt themselves. As for the REO tune. Dolly did REO’s tune Time For Me To Fly. You rocked the house compared to her doing REO. First time I heard her do “Time.....” I think I ended up on rolling on the floor in a fit of laughter.
 
I believe we could record you throwing a guitar down a flight of stairs and it would sound musical!

I love everything you post, we are very fortunate to have a member as talented as you Robert, fantastic job.

After hearing the AC/ DC version so much it's refreshing to hear something new added to that song, while still preserving the original feel.

GREAT job, thanks for sharing with us.
 
Robert, what Steveb63 said.

steveb63 said:
After hearing the AC/ DC version so much it's refreshing to hear something new added to that song, while still preserving the original feel.
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Don't get mad like this too much in the future or you will wind up writing and playing some masterpieces like this guy.


I mean who would have imagined a Legend, to copy another artist instead of the other way around?
 
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Also Robert, I suspect the reason I have almost NEVER seen anyone cover AC/DC in their own hometown gig at the pub, dance club, party hall band arrangements, is Next to NO ONE can sing Brian Johnson let alone Bon's voice and especially his Bagpipes.

Icons like Angus and Malcolm can be replicated fairly easily by skilled players, but the vocals are certainly challenging to duplicate. The thing you did and sang to your strength is THE WAY to do AC/DC if anyone attempts to perform or record their stuff.
 
chilipeppermaniac said:
Also Robert, I suspect the reason I have almost NEVER seen anyone cover AC/DC in their own hometown gig at the pub, dance club, party hall band arrangements, is Next to NO ONE can sing Brian Johnson let alone Bon's voice and especially his Bagpipes.

Icons like Angus and Malcolm can be replicated fairly easily by skilled players, but the vocals are certainly challenging to duplicate. The thing you did and sang to your strength is THE WAY to do AC/DC if anyone attempts to perform or record their stuff.
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Good point!

I tried to emulate the bagpipes on the first half of the solo....but at the end, without the pipes, you just have several minutes of nothingness...
 
chilipeppermaniac said:
Robert, what Steveb63 said.



Don't get mad like this too much in the future or you will wind up writing and playing some masterpieces like this guy.


I mean who would have imagined a Legend, to copy another artist instead of the other way around?
Click to expand...

One of the masters....and Reznor can write too. I tend to shy away from my original stuff because I just don't dig everything that comes out country-esque.
 
steveb63 said:
I believe we could record you throwing a guitar down a flight of stairs and it would sound musical!

I love everything you post, we are very fortunate to have a member as talented as you Robert, fantastic job.

After hearing the AC/ DC version so much it's refreshing to hear something new added to that song, while still preserving the original feel.

GREAT job, thanks for sharing with us.
Click to expand...

You are super kind, Man...Thank you for that critique. I always hope to give a cover at least a nod to its creators. It was kinda like sonic therapy to just throw it out. I think I literally spent something like an hour on this from start to finish. It's rough as 20 grit sandpaper!
 
RVA said:
Good job, as always. And your REO cover didn't sounds good country.

If you keep insulting your own excellent work, you will make it harder for folks like me to post our mediocrity!
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I don't hear mediocrity in any of the member's posts. Everyone is an artist and a creative talent in their own regard. Hell, Man...I can't even read music....can't name half the chords I know. I'm a musical Rain Man. I fell fortunate just to get through a song and actually complete it.

Thank you for your critique. It keeps me reaching....
 
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