Chicago - Sufjan Stevens Cover (21st Century Songs Fest)

[BerryPatch]

This is a great song by the great Sufjan Stevens off of his 2005 album, Illinois. In my opinion, he's definitely an artist that's at a genius level. I had heard recently that he has been having health issues (plus a new album release) which made me think of doing a cover. This is a more stripped back take (I recorded the main vocals and acoustic guitar as one track) but added some overdubs to liven it up more. It's interesting how this song is only one 4 chord progession, the original version is so filled with arrangments that you don't notice . Enjoy...

Godin Acoustic
Denver Fretless Uke Bass
Korg Electric Keyboard
Garageband Glockenspiel
Mellotron App
Ol' Trombone
Shure MV 51
Mixed on Garageband
Mastered on Bandlab

[cuthbert]

What a fantastic cover, Keith. Your vocals here are so clear, as well as the rest of the instrumentation. Amazing production on this - so professional.

Super impressed!

I definitely need to check out more of Sufjan Stevens. You may want to check out The Weary Band sometime (I found them on SoundCloud many moons ago, but certainly much later than 2005) - seems they may be big fans of Sufjan as well.

[ODH]

Such a natural, delicate performance.
A gorgeous way to start a Saturday morning.

[Oldrottenhead]

Fabulous. When I was in Finland at Redler's we had the Sufjan stevens album Carrie and Lowell playing regularly on my phone. Like you I think the guy is a genius. Great cover of a great song. One for the purpose.

[Jean Pierre]

c'est magnifique merci pour la découverte de ce chanteur

[thetworegs]

Just beautiful

[Farrell Jackson]

Beautiful and a very soothing listen. Great natural, non-pushed vocals Keith. The appearance of the OL' trombone was a nice surprise. Well done.

[StephenM]

Keith, I would not have gotten this is you without reading the post.... it sounds quite a bit different vocally to me...I like this very much.
I would guess that had to do with a different way to record the vocals than usual?  Fine fine work and the music sounds amazing too.

[BerryPatch]

I definitely need to check out more of Sufjan Stevens. You may want to check out The Weary Band sometime (I found them on SoundCloud many moons ago, but certainly much later than 2005)

Cool band! From what I heard of them just now, they have a very nice, old school sound with some definite Sufjan-style songwriting. Thanks Cuthbert, I hope all is well for you and your family down in Maine....

[BerryPatch]

I would guess that had to do with a different way to record the vocals than usual?

Yes, I had used a condenser mic on this one instead of my usual SM 58 so that's why it probably sounds I little different . I'm like how the sound turned out though it's definitely a little bit more hassle to record with (it picks up every little sound if you aren't careful!)