Home › Forums › Active Melody Member Challenge Response Submissions › July 2020 Challenge (Sweet by and by) Gary Wilshaw
- This topic has 65 replies, 37 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 7 months ago by christiaan B.
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July 31, 2020 at 4:45 am #183954
Hello Friends, here’s my second ever response to the AM challenge.
I was not previously familiar with this old song but found the Willie Nelson and Elizabeth Cotton versions engaging & quite moving.
It reminded me of a song I learned when I first started playing called Wildwood Flower (Brian mentioned it recently). This was not so much in the melody, but in the way it was possible to bring out the (fairly simple) tune around just a few primary chords in open position while mainly flatpicking. So I tried to develop it from that familiar starting point.
I was interested in how it would work in waltz timing – so this was my first move in attempting to give it my own spin.
I hope you like it!
Gary
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 4:53 am #183957
amazing !
like very much the solo on 1’32 : simple, clear and soulfull, few notes which say so much.Where does the white go when snow melts?
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August 1, 2020 at 4:41 am #184685
Thank you Phil that’s very nice of you. (That bit is my favourite!)
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 5:24 am #183960
Nice 😊
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August 1, 2020 at 4:42 am #184686
Thanks!
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 5:46 am #183968
Very well structured and elegant, Gary. Sounds like it should always have been a waltz.
John-
August 1, 2020 at 4:43 am #184688
Oh I’ll take that feedback – thank you, very kind. Yes I can only play it that way now!!
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 6:07 am #183974
Very nice. It made me want to be the guy in the video dancing.
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August 1, 2020 at 4:43 am #184689
Thank you Dave! Yes he’s a lucky guy!
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 6:37 am #183983
Gary
This is remarkably beautiful…. on all levels. Your Guild sounds wonderful. Uh… I could listen to this all day…. makes me wish I made my version into a waltz…. thanks for your inspiration…JohnH from the Burgh!!
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August 1, 2020 at 4:44 am #184692
You are most kind John, thank you. Yes it’s funny – once the waltz idea was in y head I couldn’t do it any other way!
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 7:09 am #183992
That’s a beautiful rendition Gary very well played and the video gave perfect vision to your story. Also, that is a killer sound you’re getting off that(I think) Guild. Loved it.
Best,
Liam.
“We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. “
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August 1, 2020 at 4:46 am #184693
Thank you Liam that’s great feedback. Yes I’ve had the guild for about 9 years now & am quite attached to it – it’d noticeably mellowing (Spruce top/Maple B & S)
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 7:30 am #184000
Great idea with the Waltz, Gary. Waltz works perfect. With all the soul you pumped into this song, this is totally professional.
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August 1, 2020 at 4:47 am #184695
Thank you! It does work as a waltz doesn’t it! Not sure about soul – I found it quite hard & maybe lost that at times!! Anyhow – lessons learned etc. Thanks again for your great feedback.
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 8:50 am #184030
Absolutely stunning Gary. Superb playing, added blues harp, two guitars, dancers … couldn’t ask for more. Top notch, original and creative … I could go on but I’d better stop!
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August 1, 2020 at 4:48 am #184697
Wow thank you! Lovely feedback – I take the boost to me self-esteem!!
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 9:06 am #184047
Goodness me Gary that was a real ensemble performance from you in your numerous guises. Like many of the other reviews I was left thinking that it was always meant to be a waltz. Great job.
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August 1, 2020 at 4:49 am #184699
Thank you Phil you are most kind. It’s now officially a waltz!!!
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 9:27 am #184063
That was very entertaining,
Excellent playing and great video.
Harmonica was a very nice addition.AndréM
AndréM
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August 1, 2020 at 4:50 am #184702
Thank you Andre, very kind of you to say such nice things! Yes the harp always helps.
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 10:36 am #184103
Dude those call and response parts in the second verse, and then be careful this might break your heart, harmonic part comes in. So well done!!
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August 1, 2020 at 4:51 am #184703
Oh wow David thank you! I think to be told there’s even he hint of an emotional response to an arrangement is high praise indeed. I appreciate that a lot.
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 10:50 am #184107
Great job, Gary. You really nailed the feeling of the song and it sounds like it was made for 3/4 time.
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August 1, 2020 at 4:52 am #184705
Thank you! Yes 3/4 works here well doesn’t it! Cheers!
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 11:13 am #184120
Gary,
That’s a great treatment, very well played. Sweet solo.
BruceJust focus on the notes you DID get right . . . Frank Vignola
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August 1, 2020 at 4:53 am #184707
Thank you Bruce. I found this quite hard – this was the best I could do but I’m also now taking inspiration form the performance of others here. Great project.
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 11:39 am #184148
Hi Gary, I wished I could play the harmonica as you… This is definitely a plus and perfect enrichment for guitar. A very complete rendition with two guitar parts. Perfect. Also the video assembly was great. Thanks for this submission!
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August 1, 2020 at 4:54 am #184708
Thank you so much Jay. The two instruments are made for each other aren’t they! Not everyone agrees but I think there’s almost always room for some harp!
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 11:39 am #184149
Very nice work at all levels, a great mix of the different guitars, and very melodic solos. Great atmosphere, I love it.
Don Mati-
August 1, 2020 at 4:55 am #184710
Thank you very much!
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 12:29 pm #184182
Very impressing picking, great performance.
Dieter
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August 1, 2020 at 4:55 am #184711
Thank you Dieter! This was a good & challenging – challenge wasn’t it!
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 2:10 pm #184249
Whoa! The level of professionalism here has reached the stars! The waltz tempo fits so perfectly like it was meant to be, the guitar sounds so clean and crisp it gives me chills and then the harmonica even tops that! And of course, I love the video of the dancing couple! The whole production is just top notch, beautiful and fun to watch!
🎸JoLa
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August 1, 2020 at 4:58 am #184712
Thank you Jola. Thank you also for your lovely, detailed and considered feedback – I appreciate it a lot. I am actually a tad envious of your performance here this month – I wish I could do what you did. This trip we are all on together is ok isn’t it!
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 2:31 pm #184264
Lovely production. So well played, arranged and produced. Professional sounding.
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August 1, 2020 at 4:59 am #184713
Ah thank you Alan, this was good fun wasn’t it. Very kind of you to give such helpful feedback. Best wishes. Gary.
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 3:55 pm #184312
Brilliant, Gary – both the arrangement and the video! Super entertaining in every respect.
Sunjamr Steve
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August 1, 2020 at 5:00 am #184714
Ah thank you Steve that’s very kind of you.
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 4:39 pm #184364
That was wonderful. Loved the harmonica too.
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August 1, 2020 at 5:00 am #184715
Thank you John!
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 6:15 pm #184419
Beautiful Waltz rendition like the Harp it fits so cool.. reminded me of Neil Young .. LoL loved this take again beautiful man!
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August 1, 2020 at 5:01 am #184716
Hi & thank you! Great feedback – and yes – I can only hear it as a waltz now!
Gary
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July 31, 2020 at 9:22 pm #184556
Top notch on all levels. You can do everything, including sing. (I remember your original ‘Sinners’ song which included the cigar box from a previous posting). Quality work.
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August 1, 2020 at 5:03 am #184718
Ah Laurel you are so nice! I feel I can actually do nothing to my satisfaction!!! But I’m learning to accept that learning & developing is all part of the fun!! Thank you for your lovely feedback & for remembering that song!
Gary
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August 1, 2020 at 5:11 am #184720
That was a consummate performance Gary across all the instruments. The waltz timing was an inspired idea it really changed the feel of the piece which to my ear sounds better than the country approach of a lot of the covers I’ve heard. Excellent video production as well.
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August 2, 2020 at 4:53 am #185298
Thank you Andy. I liked the waltz feel – maybe a waltz/country hybrid? Cheers.
Gary
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August 1, 2020 at 5:12 am #184721
Really brilliant sound of your guitar and very nice mix of different tracks, Gary!
Lights.-
August 2, 2020 at 4:54 am #185299
Thank you very much! 🙂
Gary
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August 1, 2020 at 7:44 am #184784
Incredible Gary! Great playing and professional video work! Love the harp addition and the dancers. Way to keep your audience glued the whole way! Keep ’em coming. Bob
Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)
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August 2, 2020 at 4:55 am #185300
Thank you! (The dancers are the best part I think;-)
Gary
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August 1, 2020 at 8:34 am #184824
You played that beautifully Gary and I love the counter melodies. It’s a very impressive video.
Well done.
Martyn-
August 2, 2020 at 4:56 am #185302
Thank you Martyn, yes I liked doing those counter-melodies – it’s strange how they can emerge isn’t it. Thanks again.
Gary
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August 1, 2020 at 1:03 pm #184997
Wonderful production Gary. Musically and visually. I really enjoyed this.
James
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August 1, 2020 at 2:05 pm #185026
Good idea to combine a waltz with it. This fits perfectly.
Nice video and creative interpretation. Big thumbs up !!!Play guitar just like you live; don't get bogged down in theory, it's just a tool without feeling.
Wilfried
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August 2, 2020 at 4:56 am #185303
Thank you Wilfred that’s kind of you to say.
Gary
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August 1, 2020 at 2:54 pm #185064
Nice work with this arrangement, the waltz timing fits perfectly and the added harmonica adds a soulful vibe . Well played
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August 2, 2020 at 4:57 am #185304
Thank you Martin. I liked that blend of harp/waltz & this melody too. Many thanks once more.
Gary
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August 2, 2020 at 6:44 am #185333
A wonderful performance. Your guitar sounded a bit like a dulcimer on the intro and outro, I thought. I didn’t want it to end – thank you.
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August 2, 2020 at 7:52 am #185383
Thank you Mike hat’s extremely nice of you 🙂
Gary
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August 2, 2020 at 6:20 pm #185629
What a tremendous effort! I loved the harp and well, everything about your presentation. It was truly top shelf and I will listen to it more I am sure. So pretty… Thank you
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August 2, 2020 at 6:57 pm #185650
A great arrangement and well played Gary! – Bret
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August 2, 2020 at 8:15 pm #185693
That was great on so many levels Gary. I love the videography, and the harmonica part was fantastic. But your guitar work really shined and sounded very professional. Thank you for sharing
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August 3, 2020 at 1:36 am #185750
Gary…really nice job. I cant imagine how much time you spent putting this together. I really enjoyed it. Keep em coming!
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August 4, 2020 at 7:11 am #185979
Gary that is very nicely done and it worked really well. JohnStrat
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September 23, 2020 at 6:12 pm #192658
what a lovely piece of music
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