We Recorded This Albert King Cover & Abandoned It:

Inspector #20

Inspector #20

Ambassador of Tone
Fallen Star
Country flag
This has been sitting, just gathering virtual dust, for the past few years. I have always been a huge fan of Albert King's work and I wanted to record this as a kind of tribute, but I wasn't happy with how it turned out. Like everything that I do, everything comes out as hard rock.

I think I could record a nursery rhyme and it would summon drunken demons from the afterlife.

All guitar parts were recorded on my black, garage-built Les Paul replica with an Epiphone H8BN, through a DSL40C, with no FX other than reverb and gain. Amp was miked from about 3 feet away with a single SM57 on a kick drum stand.

For the rhythm parts, I used a Boss GE-7 as a mid-range boost to give the rhythm guitar a different, more nasally sound from the solo parts. The rhythm parts were recorded independently (doubled) so the guitars you hear left and right were separate recordings.

The solo guitar parts were all improvised and recorded in a single take, straight into the amp with amp GE-7 pedal.

The drums were laid down by my friend and colleague, and he also played the piano tracks. Then, I laid down a very rudimentary bass part that's faithful to the original arrangement.

Here's the sonic train wreck for your entertainment.

https://soundcloud.com/id%3Drobert-h-herndon%252Fborn-under-a-bad-sign-albert-king-lost-cover-from-2017%3Btrack_id%3D1033972393



Live Rig 2019.jpg
 
"A Rough Cover Of The Albert King Classic" ...Man, that aint so rough!!

Seriously, Nice Job Robert. Harmonics abound in this one...and they sound awesome. I think it's a nice recording all around. Great Job. Sweet tone and drumming too!! Thanks Bro:dood:
 
Bocc69 said:
"A Rough Cover Of The Albert King Classic" ...Man, that aint so rough!!

Seriously, Nice Job Robert. Harmonics abound in this one...and they sound awesome. I think it's a nice recording all around. Great Job. Sweet tone and drumming too!! Thanks Bro:dood:
Click to expand...

Thanks, Man... :)
 
Don O said:
Nice blues phrasing Robert !
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You know something, @Don O , there's something missing in my playing. I listen back and hear this very dry, regimented playing. It's boring and it's predictable.

My playing doesn't draw people in. Sure, it's entertaining, but nothing I have done really sucks people under.

I'm still searching for that moment when the light comes on for me.
 
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Robert Herndon said:
You know something, @Don O , there's something missing in my playing. I listen back and hear this very dry, regimented playing. It's boring and it's predictable.

My playing doesn't draw people in. Sure, it's entertaining, but nothing I have done really sucks people under.

I'm still searching for that moment when the light comes on for me.
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Robert, keep working at it. I have no experience in playing at that level but believe that working at it is the path to follow. I don’t think there is a eureka moment, but is built up over time.
 
Don O said:
Robert, keep working at it. I have no experience in playing at that level but believe that working at it is the path to follow. I don’t think there is a eureka moment, but is built up over time.
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I met with one of our producers today and he gave me some insight and I'm planning on making a few changes.
 
That track is fit for a "King"

Nice work Robert, I sure do envy your prowess as a studio monster.

Love how all your tracks, while diverse, still hold onto the the originals feel.

I've said it before- you just don't know how great you really are, which probably contributes to your talent.

Really cool brotha.
 
steveb63 said:
That track is fit for a "King"

Nice work Robert, I sure do envy your prowess as a studio monster.

Love how all your tracks, while diverse, still hold onto the the originals feel.

I've said it before- you just don't know how great you really are, which probably contributes to your talent.

Really cool brotha.
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I am truly humbled by your kind words...thank you so very much...a new version is in the works!
 
Robert Herndon said:
This has been sitting, just gathering virtual dust, for the past few years. I have always been a huge fan of Albert King's work and I wanted to record this as a kind of tribute, but I wasn't happy with how it turned out. Like everything that I do, everything comes out as hard rock.

I think I could record a nursery rhyme and it would summon drunken demons from the afterlife.

All guitar parts were recorded on my black, garage-built Les Paul replica with an Epiphone H8BN, through a DSL40C, with no FX other than reverb and gain. Amp was miked from about 3 feet away with a single SM57 on a kick drum stand.

For the rhythm parts, I used a Boss GE-7 as a mid-range boost to give the rhythm guitar a different, more nasally sound from the solo parts. The rhythm parts were recorded independently (doubled) so the guitars you hear left and right were separate recordings.

The solo guitar parts were all improvised and recorded in a single take, straight into the amp with amp GE-7 pedal.

The drums were laid down by my friend and colleague, and he also played the piano tracks. Then, I laid down a very rudimentary bass part that's faithful to the original arrangement.

Here's the sonic train wreck for your entertainment.

https://soundcloud.com/id%3Drobert-h-herndon%252Fborn-under-a-bad-sign-albert-king-lost-cover-from-2017%3Btrack_id%3D1033972393



View attachment 64457
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Well done!!! And you did it in your own style, Good job!!
 
Ok,

With some input and guidance from a producer friend, I re-tracked the guitar parts. These are still the "old" vocals, but we are in the process of re-tracking those as time permits, maybe even add some backing vocals too.

I'd like your opinions on the guitar work and tone in comparison to the original Soundcloud version posted earlier in this thread.

The main solo is the only part that was double tracked. Everything else was done in a single take.

We did this in a rush, so I just used my AFD Les Paul copy and plugged the Blackstar 100 watt right into the floor. All effects are what the Blackstar had on board. No post recording mixing was done, only volume level adjustment.

It was suggested that I play with desperation and not be concerned about string to string 'etiquette,' so this is just basically flat-out, so I'm interested in your opinions...

Dropbox - Error - Simplify your life

www.dropbox.com www.dropbox.com
 
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Robert Herndon said:
Ok,

With some input and guidance from a producer friend, I re-tracked the guitar parts. These are still the "old" vocals, but we are in the process of re-tracking those as time permits, maybe even add some backing vocals too.

I'd like your opinions on the guitar work and tone in comparison to the original Soundcloud version posted earlier in this thread.

The main solo is the only part that was double tracked. Everything else was done in a single take.

We did this in a rush, so I just used my AFD Les Paul copy and plugged the Blackstar 100 watt right into the floor. All effects are what the Blackstar had on board. No post recording mixing was done, only volume level adjustment.

Dropbox - Error - Simplify your life

www.dropbox.com www.dropbox.com
Click to expand...



Very good work!! smooth flowing bluesy charm, good vocals, guitar was one the money. Well done!!!!!!
 
Robert Herndon said:
Ok,

With some input and guidance from a producer friend, I re-tracked the guitar parts. These are still the "old" vocals, but we are in the process of re-tracking those as time permits, maybe even add some backing vocals too.

I'd like your opinions on the guitar work and tone in comparison to the original Soundcloud version posted earlier in this thread.

The main solo is the only part that was double tracked. Everything else was done in a single take.

We did this in a rush, so I just used my AFD Les Paul copy and plugged the Blackstar 100 watt right into the floor. All effects are what the Blackstar had on board. No post recording mixing was done, only volume level adjustment.

It was suggested that I play with desperation and not be concerned about string to string 'etiquette,' so this is just basically flat-out, so I'm interested in your opinions...

Dropbox - Error - Simplify your life

www.dropbox.com www.dropbox.com
Click to expand...

Robert, I just listened to this through my powered studio monitors, since I'm getting stuff wired now. The was a damn fine performance at volume.

IMG_5395.JPG
 
Don O said:
Robert, I just listened to this through my powered studio monitors, since I'm getting stuff wired now. The was a damn fine performance at volume.

View attachment 64830
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Thanks!!!!

I was trying to "fatten" the guitar tone and play it with what the producer refers to as a "controlled, drunken stagger" as opposed to trying to get all the notes exactly correct.

We are re-tracking the vocals now!!!
 
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