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Post Your Work => Cover Songs => Topic started by: Johnny Robbo on May 15, 2016, 09:27:46 AM

Title: Sylvia (Focus cover)
Post by: Johnny Robbo on May 15, 2016, 09:27:46 AM
I've always loved this tune & I used it as the opening music to a 70s themed radio show I used to host on a local community station a couple of years ago. Been going through a bit of a dry patch lately for writing so when I was wondering which cover to tackle next, this came to mind. I omitted the yodeling part, which was replaced with a bit of guitar & I also added a harmony part to the melody on the 2nd verse.

Here's the credits...

Rhythm guitar - tele (double tracked & panned hard L/R)
Lead Guitar - Harley Benton
Bass - cheap eBay no-name thing

All played through the Tonelab

Drums - Cakewalk SI "Slight Beef" kit
Organ - ORGANised VST on the "Deep Rock" preset

Tiled Room Cakewalk reverb on all instruments (except bass)
"Breathe" compression preset on bass
30ips analogue tape sim & a little compression on the Master Bus

Then (as always) a wash through LANDR's mastering service

Thanks for listening, chaps!

John.
Title: Re: Sylvia (Focus cover)
Post by: Pete C on May 15, 2016, 10:32:04 AM
Awesome cover Johnny !

Pete
Title: Re: Sylvia (Focus cover)
Post by: A K on May 15, 2016, 02:12:27 PM
That was so good.
You captured the drive and delivery of this song to perfection.
Title: Re: Sylvia (Focus cover)
Post by: Mike_S on May 15, 2016, 04:06:36 PM
Yep always liked this tune too. you have done it great justice. Your sounds are spot on. That organ sound is perfect.

Great bit of work.

Mike
Title: Re: Sylvia (Focus cover)
Post by: Hook on May 15, 2016, 06:11:36 PM
Wow brother, such a fine production and both tasteful, & extremely impressive.
Rock on!
Title: Re: Sylvia (Focus cover)
Post by: Redler on May 15, 2016, 09:19:40 PM
Stunning playing as always! Some outstanding on solo guitar!

Real good tones on organ!

Brilliant job, Johnny!
Title: Re: Sylvia (Focus cover)
Post by: Groundy on May 15, 2016, 11:12:16 PM
Love this tune Johnny,
I must admit I did'nt know it from the title
and was pleasantly surprised....
Great playing my friend.......

Alex
Title: Re: Sylvia (Focus cover)
Post by: chapperz66 on May 16, 2016, 01:46:22 AM
A favourite piece of mine.  Akkerman was a very underated guitarist.

This is a great version. Particularly fond of the little swept arpeggio at about 2.20.  And the hammond deserves mention too. 

Paul
Title: Re: Sylvia (Focus cover)
Post by: danieldesete on May 16, 2016, 10:37:37 AM
John, I love the way you make that guitar sing, great cover, please keep them coming,
Daniel
Title: Re: Sylvia (Focus cover)
Post by: bruno on May 16, 2016, 12:34:17 PM
I love Focus - Moving Waves was a masterpiece imo - even covered Hocus Pocus myself. Love this track - glad that you put a bit of you in the track as well - super cool. Really enjoyed you blog on working this track out. Listened earlier - and it put a huge smile on my face. Jan Akkerman is a top guitarist, and you pulled it off with ease.

Keep 'em coming, more Focus please! 
B
Title: Re: Sylvia (Focus cover)
Post by: Oldrottenhead on May 17, 2016, 01:25:00 AM
acht i was hoping you would yodel. lol.

absolutely fantastic, i remember seeing this on the old grey whistle test.
apparently after their appearance the record plant had to switch over all their machinery to solely making the new focus' album.

brilliant take a bow guid sur.
Title: Re: Sylvia (Focus cover)
Post by: Blooby on May 18, 2016, 04:26:17 PM

What an excellent choice and what a cover! Very underrated band IMHO. I could listen to "Eruption" off Moving Waves every day I think.  Really stellar. Love the reverb choices here as well.

Blooby