AR Roots: Sleep Instead of Teardrops - cover by AndyR

[AndyR]

Del Amitri, anyone?

I've decided I fancy recording a bunch of songs that have had some sort of effect on me and put me where I am musically.

Although Del Amitri are not really in my "roots" (I was already gigging etc by the time they first appeared), I soaked up a lot of Dels in the late 90s. You might almost say that I was somewhat jealous of what they were doing, mainly cos I was trying to do the same thing but with somewhat less success .

Anyway, this is one of my favourite Justin Currie songs. Turns out it's one of my missus's as well - she told me late last night that I ought to record it.

So this version is for Mrs R

I'm amazed I managed to start and finish it in one day!

Sleep Instead of Teardrops

Words & Music Justin Currie
Recorded on a BR1600
Guitar, Bass, & Vocal AndyR

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[Oldrottenhead]

as a scotsman i should know this but sadly i dont, but after hearing this i am gonna find out.

afraid i was an indy snob and loved del amitri when they first started out as a fey jangly indi acoustic pop band (not unlike a lot of current stuff mumford and sons and the like), when they went electric i did a peter seger on them.

i'm waffling andy this is magic, i love that you did this in one day, it has a vitality and urgency about it that would be lost if you were to get all boscko on it.

did i say i love it?

[Geir]

Now that's just BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!!!!!!!

never heard the original, but it can't be better than this, so I don't think I'll bother to look it up !

[AndyR]

Nah! Look it up Geir - it's fabulous.

It was a b-side to a single. For me it's the highlight of the "Lousy with Love" b-sides album that came out at the same time as the "Hatful of Rain" best-of.

ORH - Interesting you saying about the "vitality" etc. - I kept the second vocal take even though it's got a few "issues" (the first was a warm-up and it had a bad mic position anyway). Rachel listened to this one before I decided not repair the issues. She could hear them but thought they fit with the lyric (which was what I suspected anyway).

The way that I really restrained myself this time was over layers of vocal padding. I came so close to going for it - in which case it would have been posted tomorrow. There are no backing vox at all on the original, but there are strings... and such strings .

I nearly got my yammie synth out but decided against it (saving that for something later ) - mainly because I didn't think I could come close to the original strings with it. But I am fairly certain I could get a good vibe going with some lush oohs and aahs - they seem rather easy to layer up on a BR1600.

But my original remit from Rachel was "just you and a guitar" and I'd already gone a bit further than that . I'd added the bass because my voice isn't as rich as Justin Currie's, and I also needed to cover some popping on the vocal track. And then the acoustics just kinda multiplied!

[Facemask93]

Wow Andy , i still remember seeing Del Amitri at the RAH when they did two sets , one acoustic , one electric , they were absolutely brilliant , you've captured the spirit of D/A just right , I love the way you do your vox , you are one of my favourite vocalists , and not just on this forum
Excellent post Andy

Rob

[chapperz66]

I haven't heard the original either Andy, but I will check it out now.  Your version, however, is more than good enough for me.  In fact it's great.  You voice certainly doesn't lack richness in my opinion.

I would kind of like to hear a version synthed and harmonied up though......you don't have to play it to the Mrs.

Paul

[Kenneth]

Wow! Extremely beautiful , and top notch vocals. Thanks for sharing.

[cuthbert]

Don't know Del Amitri's stuff, but I sure enjoyed listening to this. You've got a very powerful and expressive voice, AR!

[Tony W]

Very good cover. I can't imagine the original being this good either. I'll check it out though.

[Ferryman_1957]

Another brilliant Andy R production. Your vox are recorded so well, apart from being brilliantly performed of course. I just love the quality you get with the vox, as the centrepiece of the song they are so clear and crisp.

I don't know the original but I really like what you have done here. A lovely gentle production, a nice balance of instruments. As always, it just oozes quality from every pore. It's a pleasure to hear your stuff and it inspires me to try to achieve your quality levels.

Cheers,

Nigel