ZAPPAFEST - "Watermelon in Easter Hay" (the return of Alfstone covers Zappa)

[alfstone]

...and here is my second - and last - tribute to Frank Zappa.

As I wrote before, I had many, many dobts about *if* I had to make this cover..."Watermelon in Easter Hay" is such a beautiful tune...and in my "guitar favorites" of all times, this tune has a place for sure.

So, of course no cover can compare to the beauty of the original Watermelon, but I hope I didn't damage it too much.

"Watermelon in Easter Hay" was written in 1979, and is from the "Joe's Garage" album.
It's in 9/4, with the obsessive basic 9 guitar notes repeating from the beginning till the end.

In this version, the main problem was to find the drums backing track. It wasn't easy, but I found a mid file of the tune. I cancelled all the other parts, leaving the drums alone, then I used Cakewalk Real Instruments VST (the original was rather dull).
This time I use a Godin Freeway (great guitar, not only for MIDI) in a Roland GT-Pro for all the guitar parts. The same guitar via VG-99 makes the bass and synth parts.

As usual, everything recorded with the Boss Br-600, then my usual chain (Wavelab with Izotope Alloy for the single tracks, then mixing with Audition 3, and the final "spicing-up" with T-Racks 2.0).

Enjoy!  

[lg]

I'm not familiar to this particular piece by Frank, but
I can tell you that I thoroughly am enjoying this cover
by you!
I have my media player on repeat, and I'm laying back on my
bed listening. This is so expressive, and not to mention one
awesome piece of guitar playing!
I love it!
Bravo to both of you....


LG

[Bluesberry]

whoooohway, I like this.  Great full of feeling guitar there, really great recording of all the layers.  Very, very nice.  I am getting all, I am feeling...whats the right word, can't put my finger on it, fantastic, utterly fantastic.  Bravo, bravo, bravo.  What a great piece.   I freaking love your lead guitar here!!!

[oldrottenhead]

magic

[cuthbert]

Stunning performance, Alfredo - you Zappaphiles are really bringing some amazing performances and interpretations to this Zappafest! 

[Kevin Mammoth]

I haven't listened to a lot of Zappa but this is very different to the stuff I've heard - great choice, it is a nice tune and there is some wailing virtuoso soloing going on there, well done

[Gu Djin]

This is one of my favourite Zappa tunes - and you've done it pretty much justice.  I've never heard anyone else try to cover it.  Watched a Zappa You Tube of this - he made it look soo eeasee.

This is my Zappa memory - anyone trying for Inca Roads out there.

[oldrottenhead]

inca roads? unfortunately geirs mbr was stolen. we where contemplating doing it. but its a biggy.

[Gu Djin]

I wouldn't know where to begin with that one.

[lg]

Inca Roads is like one on my very top favorites of Franks'.
I was sitting here contemplating whether I could cover any
of his stuff. I'm pretty sure it's all too difficult for my meager
toying about.
But, if you're able to play this piece this well, you should have a
go at Inca Roads or maybe even Andy....
I had this on loop the other day for like 2 hours....
Man, this is one great cover!!!

LG
 

[Kevin Mammoth]

Hey Alfstone,  since listening to this cover yesterday I can't get this song out of my mind, it is such a powerful tune.

I checked out some footage the man himself in action on youtube, here is a link to a nice one I found:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBQPkLuwy80

(I’d post the clip if I could work out how, I haven’t nutted that one out yet)

It is a pretty special song, thanks for putting me onto this, looks I got more out of zappafest than I expected.

And your cover is great, I've been listening to it again just now while posting, it does justice to the original - cheerio - Kev

[launched]

Beautiful!!

Excellent guitar playing, too!!!

Mark

[Gnasty]

Wicked playing and tone Alf. Haven`t heard this one in  a while and if i`m not mistaken its Vai on the original no?
Great vibe and feel you got going and you sold me on this bigtime. I like how you build it up and then get the wah cranked in there with heavy licks.

Nice Job Bro!!

[Geir]

Alfredo, this is simply stunning! Fantastic expressive playing. Full control, tight playing and still you make it sound so freeflowing and "easy".

Only thing nagging me is the 96kbs ! Would it be possible to get a highter resultion version posted somewhere for us to download? please !!?!!?!

Haven`t heard this one in  a while and if i`m not mistaken its Vai on the original no?

no ... I mean yes you are mistaken ... Frank himself played the lead, and I think it was "another great Italian" on the rhythm guitar, Warren Cucurullo.

Mr Vai (then age 19) did however transcribe the tune for Frank. It's in the "Frank Zappa Guitar Book"

[alfstone]

THANKS EVERYBODY!!!

 

Geir, first of all welcome back, I was so sorry reading about your problems in Rome, I hope you could at least "sweeten" yourself with some of the recipes I suggested you.

Of course, if you want, I can post you (and whoever else wants) in pm a better (higher) resolution version of the tune, or even a link to the original wav file...yes, 96kbs is not the best, but considering that they are 9 minutes...

Alfredo