Members Kent3 Posted January 8, 2005 Members Posted January 8, 2005 I'm looking at two upcoming gigs. An open mic, and a cafe gig where everyone pretends that they are reading but they are really scamming on everyone else in the room. At the open mic I want some fairly uptempo stuff, at the cafe it's going to be pretty mellow instrumental stuff. I'm going to throw in a tune or two of my own, but I'm wondering - what do you play as far as covers?
Members flip333 Posted January 8, 2005 Members Posted January 8, 2005 Have you ever seen the rain CCR
Members solitaire Posted January 8, 2005 Members Posted January 8, 2005 Yeah, with CCR you can never go wrong. You could try some Beatles and some Paul Carrack for feel.The trick obviously is finding the golden oldies and evergreens the audience can relate to.The Eagles is another great example, so is Robert Zimmerman, Simon and Garfunkel and that lot, not to forget Cat Stevens. Folk and singer-songwriter genres is the way to go. Having said that, Hendrix and Presley could blend in nicely. Basically the sky is the limit (pls spare me the sarcasms).
Members Kent3 Posted January 8, 2005 Author Members Posted January 8, 2005 Sorry, Solitaire - this thread is not sarcasit in nature. The other one is. Check your PM. Good suggestions. I've forgotten - Robert Zimmerman, is that Bob Dylan's original name? Cheers!
Members ChrisNJ Posted January 9, 2005 Members Posted January 9, 2005 Any Neil Young song is good, especially Needle and the Damage Done. Here is my old set list from waayy back in the days of 2003 and open mic nights at my college's old pub: Foo Fighters: Times Like These (the acoustic version of course)Foo Fighters: EverlongPearl Jam: Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small TownBealtes: You've Got to Hide Your Love AwayBeatles: Something (the Anthology version)Marcy Playground: Sex and CandyOasis: WonderwallTom Petty: Mary Jane's Last DancePuddle of Mudd: She Hates Me (there's a reason I did this song )Violent Femmes: Blister in the SunNeedle and the Damage Done - Neil Young
Members LedAstray Posted January 9, 2005 Members Posted January 9, 2005 cat stevens, beatles, elliott smith, bert jansch, nick drake, bob dylan, matt ward, devendra banhart, neil young, my morning jacket, its all good stuff!
Members Kent3 Posted January 9, 2005 Author Members Posted January 9, 2005 Originally posted by ChrisNJ Any Neil Young song is good, especially Needle and the Damage Done.Here is my old set list from waayy back in the days of 2003 and open mic nights at my college's old pub:Foo Fighters: Times Like These (the acoustic version of course)Foo Fighters: EverlongPearl Jam: Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small TownBealtes: You've Got to Hide Your Love AwayBeatles: Something (the Anthology version)Marcy Playground: Sex and CandyOasis: WonderwallTom Petty: Mary Jane's Last DancePuddle of Mudd: She Hates Me (there's a reason I did this song )Violent Femmes: Blister in the SunNeedle and the Damage Done - Neil Young Good stuff. Doesn't Everlong just rock as an acoustic number?
Members DrBolt Posted January 12, 2005 Members Posted January 12, 2005 Free Bird! Seriously, I tried it out as a solo acoustic number at a big party recently, and the place went wild! (+ it's really a very easy chord sequence--big bonus when alcohol is involved)
Members doitdoit Posted January 12, 2005 Members Posted January 12, 2005 I too frequent open mics in my area. I found that most of the people im my area do originals, or the most bizarre songs I have ever heard. I was also trying to find songs that I think people would find vaguely familiar. Dont be too critical of yourself, have a few to choose from and look at the crowd, if you have a room full of girls , try a love song, find something that you are comfortable singing and playing and work around that. My set list rivals what has been posted already, I would like to add a few that work for me, Old apartmentSlideAnything by Howie Day, he started in open mics too. Just have fun
Members JasmineTea Posted January 12, 2005 Members Posted January 12, 2005 I think..just pick whatever songs you like, and do your own acoustic version. I mean, not everything is gonna work, but realy it's up to you to make it work.. Whatever
Members fingerpicker Posted January 13, 2005 Members Posted January 13, 2005 I think..just pick whatever songs you like, and do your own acoustic version. Totally agree. I have fallen over the past few years playing the same tired old cover tunes that everyone expects to here. A few months ago I brought out the dobro to one of my gigs and played a few originals and a 30's style blues tune. It was well received and I had alot more fun. Ever so slowly working on a more select set list. Even if it's not an original, make it your own.
Members joestierman Posted January 13, 2005 Members Posted January 13, 2005 Originally posted by ChrisNJ Any Neil Young song is good, especially Needle and the Damage Done.Here is my old set list from waayy back in the days of 2003 and open mic nights at my college's old pub:Foo Fighters: Times Like These (the acoustic version of course)Foo Fighters: EverlongPearl Jam: Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small TownBealtes: You've Got to Hide Your Love AwayBeatles: Something (the Anthology version)Marcy Playground: Sex and CandyOasis: WonderwallTom Petty: Mary Jane's Last DancePuddle of Mudd: She Hates Me (there's a reason I did this song )Violent Femmes: Blister in the SunNeedle and the Damage Done - Neil Young that's an awsome set list.
Members Vere Posted January 13, 2005 Members Posted January 13, 2005 jack johnson stuff is easy and mostly mellowsome dead stuff off american beauty, or workingman's dead, everyone pretty much knows it.
Members Bb Posted January 13, 2005 Members Posted January 13, 2005 Originally posted by CheapGearKing Free Bird!Seriously, I tried it out as a solo acoustic number at a big party recently, and the place went wild! (+ it's really a very easy chord sequence--big bonus when alcohol is involved) He'd get beat up in Seatle for playing that one....I'm not being sarcastic.
Members emdub123 Posted January 13, 2005 Members Posted January 13, 2005 1. If you're doing covers, make sure the song matches your vocal range, playing ability and enthusiasm level. In my case, some of my favorite songs are out of my range or beyond my ability to play and sing well. Sometimes I'm aware of this and refrain from playing them live, sometimes I'm not and find out the hard way. Regarding enthusiasm, if the origninal performer belts it out, you gotta belt it out too. There's nothing more tedious than someone taking a powerful vocal and whispering through it, or taking an uptempo song and slowing it down. People think they're being clever by doing so, but it sucks 9 times out of 10. With odds like that, don't take your chances. 2. If you're planning to do "Satellite", "Wonderland" or any other recent adult contemporary gold-nugget, keep in mind that everyone knows these songs and that no matter how much you kill it, most people are going to be saying "not bad, but he's no Dave Matthews" to the person sitting next to them as they clap. I'd say pick something that if you kill it, you get the credit. This means no Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper and most importantly no John Mayer. I think I'm leaving someone out here...
Members Kent3 Posted January 14, 2005 Author Members Posted January 14, 2005 Originally posted by JasmineTea I think..just pick whatever songs you like, and do your own acoustic version. Totally agree with that. Originally posted by BbFreebird!(?)He'd get beat up in Seatle for playing that one....I'm not being sarcastic. Depends upon the crowd. Could totally go over here as well, though I know what you are saying, B - the latte crowd ain't down with their inner redneck. I'm thinking about a set of synth rock tunes done as truckstop country. Just slow it down and sing it with a twang and drawl... Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode (can't you just totally hear that?)Don't You Want Me Baby - Human LeaguePop Muzik - MSend Me An Angel - Real LifeLove on Your Side - Thompson TwinsShe Blinded Me With Science - Thomas DolbyWishing - Flock of SeagullsCars - Gary NumanHounds of Love - Kate Bush (have you heard the Futureheads version of this? S'Wonderful!)Tainted Love - Soft CellSay Hello, Wave Goodbye - Soft Cell Huh? Huh? Wahoo! Ya sure look perty with that white face makeup on, boy!
Members Dougdnh Posted January 14, 2005 Members Posted January 14, 2005 A good soulful blues tune always goes over well, like Sweet Home Chicago, Before You Accuse Me, etc,etc.Another nice change of pace is something jazzy like Route 66, Moondance, Fever, etc.
Members gimmeslack12 Posted January 14, 2005 Members Posted January 14, 2005 What works wonders at open mics is Harmonica. Believe me you will get noticed. As for covers of Neil Young, this works really well. I've done Sugar Mountain, and My My Hey Hey before. Jack Johnson is a must as well. Beatles of course
Members Pete Rules Posted January 14, 2005 Members Posted January 14, 2005 Originally posted by Kent3 Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode (can't you just totally hear that?) I can, but only because Johnny Cash covered it on his last album. It didn't sound very good. I hope you pull it off better!
Members fingerstyleman Posted January 15, 2005 Members Posted January 15, 2005 Originally posted by Pete Rules I can, but only because Johnny Cash covered it on his last album. It didn't sound very good. I hope you pull it off better! Cash always sound good, I've never heard a track he didn't 'Pull Off', you obviousley don't know enough about Cash, as for Dpeche Mode, awesome band in the 80's, had their day, very staid these days, no longevity, though contemporied like Japan, Numan, Bunnyman still kick ass in the UK clubs Hard to explain why because Mode were always the better band
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