Sweet 16

[elwoodblues1969]

About a week ago,I was watching an episode of Miami Vice and being that this show has such a wonderful musical score in it,Billy Idol's Sweet 16 came about & I had forgot what a mesmerizing song this is.

As the story goes-a man long ago in Florida, was abandoned by his 16 year old fiance' the day before his wedding and he spent the next 28 years carving out a huge memorial made out of stone.
When Billy Idol visited this place,he was inspired to write this amazing song and I had a terrible-but fun,time trying to do a cover of it.After a week of working on it,I became burnt out on it,so the end result is a virtual disaster....but I've spent too much time on it and I just wanted to move on.

For those who are not familiar with this song,I added a YouTube link...as one obviously needs to hear the original to appreciate it,because I mucked it up big time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClxXDfvtoj0


-Thom

[Azell]

I love your voice in this song. I prefer your version than Youtube. too well 
Azell

[elwoodblues1969]

Thanks for the encouragement Azell,but this performance needs a lot of work,before I would approve of it.


-Thom

[offthewall]

Well ... Thom 

I got to say I LOVE this one, mate.

I agree with Azell ... you just found that 'sweet spot' for your comfortable range.
I haven't listened to the 'tube version as I vaguely recall the original so I don't intend to make a comparison. For me there is no need. Your performance stands up on it's own.
To be honest I prefer a 'cover' to be a 'remake' rather than a strict 'copy'.

Great version Thom    I think it's your best, and most honest, vocal to date.
If you ever have a fancy for making this a step farther away from the original I might be tempted to try some dobro licks in it 

 
James

[elwoodblues1969]

James,

That's one of the reasons I wanted to do this song-as it was within my range,but my performance did not nearly come out as smooth as I had hoped.
That being said,a revision of this to polish things up sounds tempting...especially with the inclusion of your guitar work-as otherwise,it's just a cheap sounding karaoke tune.
There are quite a few areas of this remake I want to improve upon and it has nothing to do with trying to sound exactly like the original-but rather,to just sound natural....because I can't stand cheap karaoke versions of any song,period.

Allow me a bit of time to make the necessary polishes and I will send you what I've done,if you really want to go through with a collab.

My sincere thanks to both you & Azell,as I am really surprised by your kind words.


-Thom

[offthewall]

I am really surprised by your kind words

No problem, Thom.

You know me by now, I hope.    I speak as I find.   

As for karaoke ... I've always hated the concept of it.
One of the reasons I seldom do covers. This goes back to when I started out, in the 60's in the blues clubs. All the guys were so intent on learning 'note for note' how to play a Skip James or a Robert Johnson, or whatever ... and I would just take a song I liked and 'twist it' into my own version.

I'm still the same. 

Let me know how this one develops.

 
James

[MarioD]

My sincere thanks to both you & Azell,as I am really surprised by your kind words.


-Thom

I’m not

This is one hell of a good cover.

The only thing that I can add is that you are too critical of your own musicianship. You are a very good keyboardist, arranger, producer and an outstanding singer! You are just too hard on yourself!

[elwoodblues1969]

Thank you kindly Mario,much appreciated,Sir!

-Thom

[Oren]

...Billy Idol's Sweet 16 came about & I had forgot what a mesmerizing song this is...
one obviously needs to hear the original to appreciate it,because I mucked it up big time...

Billy Idol is one of my all-time favourite pop writers/performers. This guy holds nothing back...

He would be impressed with your rendition. Soulful - an "electronic folk" version of his song. Schweet!
       _______________________________________________________________________________________

...and when discussing Billy Idol, his guitarist needs to be included as part of the essential experience...

Steve Stevens, a world class flamenco/classical guitarist, and one of the most accomplished electric players in the business. Here is an example of his flexibility, as he starts off a performance with a classical guitar (a Godin) and completes the song with his electric guitar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5PN04vwblw&feature=related

...and a live performance with another Godin classical guitar, this time with his own band. Note the trademark black fingernails:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPwf6g3HK9Y

[elwoodblues1969]

Oren,

Aahh...a fellow Billy Idol idol-er! Thanks for he thumbs up on my rendition,as I really appreciate it....but I personally would not want Mr.Idol to hear this particular version...that is,at least until I do some further alterations to it!

Great links you added by the way,really enjoyed them! Like Steve Stevens,Howard Jones is one helluva underrated musician as well and if I can find a particular song by him on YouTube,I'll post it.


-Thom

[magmavander]

Oh yeah, I did remember this one. I am impressed by your vocal here. As someone noticed, you found the right way for your singing. Great work 

[elwoodblues1969]

Thanks Mag!


-Thom