[MCDeltaT]

Newbie to slide, but experienced guitar player looking for an acoustic instrumental song that I can play with a ton of slide in it. I've been asked to play a few songs at the reception after my buddies wedding, but... I can't sing. So, I figured instrumental is the way to go, I've nailed one finger picking song that sounds pretty good instrumentally, but thought for a follow up, I'd play something with a slide. It's a full year and a month away, so I think I can learn the style (or at least a song) with enough solidity to play solo.

He met his wife-to-be while knocking a few cold ones back at my place, you know how that brings the guitar out in everyone (the cold ones, not his wife-to-be). So he claims I have to play there. I normally play rhythm in my group and come up with a few fills or even a lead or two at times, but never alone. Trying to spice it up for that, strumming an old Marshall Tucker song just won't cut it without someone singing.

Alright, last note, I know the blues and slide are a hand-in-hand sort of thing, but I don't really think that I'll play the blues within the first few hours of their marriage. To aide in recommendations, he's a Phish kind of guy, but not restricted to that, it just helps to define the audience. I really dig Robert Randolph's version of Stevie Wonder's "I just called to say how much I love you..." (randolph2003-06-06d1t03 if you want to try to download it). It would be cool to play, I would have to try to figure it out.

Also, a song with ready-made tabs would be nice. I'd pick it up a lot faster that way, especially since I'm new to slide.

Thanks in advance,
B

[Kirk Lorange]

Hmmmm ... let me mull it over for a while. I'm bound to think of something.

Kirk

[Azrael]

What sort of feel/tempo do you need?

You could hook your guitar up to a reverb unit/ a delay unit/ a tremelo, come up with some neat chord progressions and improvise over them. The purpose of the effects would be to substitute for a rhythm section and put your improvisations in context.

Some suggestions:

1. Ry cooder got a lot of instrumental pieces. The "Paris, texas" soundtrack is a collection of really slow ambient stuff. Maybe a little too slow for a wedding.

2. You could take tunes like you "I just called", thump out a bass line (or note) and slide the melody over it. Its still gonna be a little slow though.


Azrael.

[Johnny Guitar]

Well, two instrumentals that I'd like to learn are "Sleepwalk" by Santo and Johnny, and "Sweet Georgia Brown" (similar to way the Django played it or was done by Old and in the Way with Vassar Clements on fiddle, I think Doc Watson might have done a version like this too). I'm not sure how well "Sleepwalk" would go over at a wedding (I think it would be cool if maybe a bit slow). I'm also not sure how a solo slide version of "Sweet Georgia Brown" would work; it's a song that might really need accompaniment to give the chordal support since that melody line really flies by.

Now if I were to play slide at a wedding, I'd go for the faster blues songs (with all the sexual overtones), but I think these need to be sung as well. I'd be playing "Rollin' and Tumblin'" by Muddy Waters and "Shake Your Moneymaker" by Elmore James. In fact, Elmore James has a lot of high energy blues stuff.

I'd also be tempted to play "One Way Out" as the Allman Brothers did. "Cause there's a man down there, might be your old man I don't know." What better song to celebrate a wedding, eh?

Oh, in the same ilk as "Sleepwalk" I'd also look at the Hawian guitar song which I think is called, "Aloe ah oi" (I'll see if I can find it today and make sure that's the title).

[Azrael]

Agree with Johnny Guitar there.

Do some upbeat blues with lots of sexual innuendo. From what you described of the crowd, I think they might have fun with it.

Suggestions:

- Rock me baby
- Let the good times roll
- Since I met you baby
- Sweet Sixteen
- Your the boss ( I love doing this one solo. Give it a slow sexy swingin' groove)
- Baby I love you (Bonnie Raitt + B.B King)
- Since I fell for you
- Needs his woman
- Wonderful tonight (ONLY if you have to)
- Motherless child (may not suit the occasion, but who can resist that beat)
- I'll make love to you anytime (JJ cale. Doesn't need much of a voice to sing it either)
- Feelin' Good
- Outskirts of town (taj mahal with jools holland)
- I got a woman (Ray Charles)
- Back o' Town blues
- Ain't she sweet (the beatles)
- Honky tonk woman

Could even take a little time to write your own 12 bar stuff. Not that hard. Have a scotch. It'll make it easier.

[MCDeltaT]

Thanks fellows, I appreciate the replies.

I'm looking for some of these to really sit down with and try to pick them up. All good suggestions.

Thanks,
M

[Johnny Guitar]

Originally Posted by Johnny Guitar

I'd also look at the Hawian guitar song which I think is called, "Aloe ah oi" (I'll see if I can find it today and make sure that's the title).

I did find it "today" but forgot to post until I came back to this thread TODAY .

I have a handwritten cheat sheet of this from Fred Sokolow (great teacher and all around cool guy) which he wrote "Aloha Oe".

It's the Hawiian song which EVERYONE knows.