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Yes ...yes and yes........LOL it is just a bit of fun.....do whatever it takes.....and your friend is welcome to join. the more the merrier.

To all........Happy for Scott.........I can't "hang" with the large productions....but I'll give you my spin on this one....Scott and I have worked on a few before....one of my favorites that I had a part in is "Taking the Backroads Home"...Scott's song...one that I will always "treasure".....alot of fine stuff submitted....by the way......

Where do we post the finished product....is MP3 forum ok?.......T-Bob

Yeah Polly, we've maintained that anything goes...if you want to do a speed metal version of "Champion", Mr. Campbell will be helpless to stop you. In fact, I'll wager he'd really like to hear something like that.

Hey T-Bob! We'll start a new thread for that. If it's not up when you're done, just PM me or Big Jim and we'll open one. If we do it too soon, everyone will probably fill it up with conversational posts.

Hey Mark....I haven't recorded anything yet....just curious how you were going to handle these "gems".....thanx....

Hey, it's basically "anything goes" , so, have fun, do what ya like, and enjoy the process... Good to se ya T-bob.

cheers, niteshift

Polly, yes, a signed up member or members can then do "anything" with the song. (key, style, tempo, arrangement). Think of the covers that were not like the original. All it's own. That would be interesting than to try to copy the original in every way. Make it YOURS, (and with whoever JPF member).

Looking forward to hearing yours,
John

Hot dang! Looks like I got three votes out of the deal. I'm hoping that means at least two of you thought my lyric was worthy of consideration. I'll be waiting for your PM with bait on my breath...uh, I mean, baited breath.

Congratulations, Scott. At this point, since I'm not a performer, all I can do is eagerly await the variations on your song. Have fun, everybody.

And thanks, Mark and Jim, for spearheading these challenges. I think they've brought a close nit group even closer together.

Greg

This is going to be fun! *Grabs a butcher knife out of the drawer and runs off to hack Scott's song*

Where IS that Scott anyway?

I've posted Scott's lyrics below for easy reach.

BUT SCOTT I HAVE A QUESTION IF YOU PLEASE...in your bridge 3rd line down you have "yet now how many times..." is that correct or did you mean "yet not how many times"?????? Just checking???? Also, I plead ignorance, in verse 2 line 2 "When with a billion looking on" what do you mean there...people or stars? (billions is a very high number) I am trying to understand what you are intending there thoughtwise??? Thanks

Champion
(c) 2008 by SW Campbell

While others claim the lens and lights
As if it’s their God-given right
You toil away in lone obscurity
In a quest to capture gold
You take the higher, harder road
That’s why you are a champion to me

It came down to one day all along
When with a billion looking on
You have but moments to fulfill your destiny
But of the pressure that you face
You exhibit not a trace
That’s why you are a champion to me

How many times we hear that good guys finish last
How many times that seems the case
Yet now how many times the world has seen you act
With such humility and grace

In the hype of the event
It’s sometimes easy to forget
That after all you’re just a human being
But one of rare few who succeed
In showing us what we could be
That’s why you are a champion to me
_________________________

Just a final check in before I perform the surgery (and this is NOTHING against the song...it's very beautiful, well played and sung by Scott, beautiful arrangement, everything!) but when I heard it I thought of two people...my dad, and my best friend, Carla. So, I want to rewrite some of the lyrics to reflect that (just for this project mind you) and sing it with conviction for those two people who are the champions in my life. Anyway, some of the verses will be drastically altered, but my understanding is, that that's okay. The basic structure of the song will be the same, minus a key change.

Well, absent any input from Scott, I'll have to use different chords, 'cause I can't puzzle out his fruity ones. Unless someone else has?

Joe

Joe, if Scott doesn't return today I'll chart the chords tonight or tomorrow morning and post them. Gotta make about a hundred pizzas first.

I'm very hungry.

Verses: C E7 F Fm6 C E7 F Fm6 C E7 F Fm6 Fm Fm6 C F (C bass)

Bridge: E Am E Am D D7 F Fm G G7

There's the gist of it. Scott's busy too!

Great! Thanks John!

Thanks, John. Have to say that does *not* make my job easier, though. If I was going to play this myself from scratch, it'd have only three chords, like Harlan Howard said.

Joe

You're welcome Mark. (I liked the Fm6 chord)! Cool how Scott used a regular Fm as a set up in spots, which really made the Fm6 more musically meaningful when it appears.

Maybe cover one of the songs in the group with less chords, or cover "Louie Louie"!

Na,,,you can do Scott's song. Once you play around with the chords, you'll hear how they are very musical, and you'll be doing your own version in no time.

Hi Folks:

Just now returned from a business trip. Was surprised to say the least.

Let me go through the thread and get caught up. Will be back shortly.

Thanks!

Scott

Got the key, and the chords. Cool. Thanks John.

We are allowed to add/extend the lyrics right ? I'm getting some great imagery here, so would like to "sign if off" so to speak.

cheers, niteshift

And I guess the prize is the same as the last....

A soggy bag of crips, a warm beer, a free critique, and anything else......... ?

cheers, niteshift

Well, had a chance to skim the replies. Of course, I'm tickled that anyone would want to take a crack at this.

Hey, I'm not at all possessive about this one - take it where-ever you want, including lyric changes, chord changes, melody changes - whatever. It would be cool to hear as much variation as within the Nowhere Man challenge. Above all, have fun!

Thanks for putting the chords down, John. Very cool of you!

They seem to be nearly identical to what I played. I'll put below what my keyboard tells me I'm playing. (Is Fm6 and Ddim the same thing - one website I checked had them the same except it had an extra C-note on the Fm6? Wish I knew more about music. In any case, the Ddim chord I play has the notes F-Ab-D in it.

I think I might also replace one of the Ddim with an Fm. Anyway, I'll type below how I think I played it. The chords John gave will sound pretty much the same.

Intro: C F

C E7
While others claim the lens and lights
F Ddim
As if it’s their God-given right
C E7 F Fm
You toil away in lone obscurity
C E7
In a quest to capture gold
F Ddim
You take the higher, harder road
Fm Ddim C F
That’s why you are a champion to me

Bridge:

E Am
How many times we hear that good guys finish last
E Am
How many times that seems the case
D D7
Yet now how many times the world has seen you act
F Fm G G7
With such humility and grace?


Thanks again, John. Sorry for not being here folks. I didn't think this would get picked and I didn't think it would happen so soon.

Scott

EDIT: Sorry also for the spacing on the chords above - don't know why it won't show the space I put between them.....

Hi Lynn:

"Yet, now" is what I had in mind....

As for the billion - I read somewhere during the last Olympics that they expected (with TV of course) that over a billion people were watching. Found it hard to believe, too....

Scott

Hey Joe:

In my opinion, the only hard chord to play on the guitar is the Ddim or Fm6 (whichever it is).

And it could be replaced with something else.

Hell, they ALL could...

Scott

Hi Guys,

This was an exciting idea. Scotts song is a great one, so I know people will have alot of fun doing a cover. I just wondered about something...

There are so many of us in here, who have songs we would like to have a good recording of, or writers who don't play who would like music and/or vocals put to the words. I wish we could keep a thread going like this (after the cover challenge is complete with Scott's song of course).

Then, musicians who need lyrics or singers could post their instrumentals, lyricists could post their lyrics hoping for people with musical ability to pick up on wanting to write the music, and anyone who just had a song that needed a better recording could post it, and if it called out to any of us in particular, we could cover it our way.

The poster could then pick which version they liked, remove it or mark it as completed from this thread, and have another thread for the finished covers, and wala, we all helped each other, lol.

If they posted here, it would mean they were open and asking for interpretations.

I don't know if it would work or become a mess, lol, I just think we could all use a little help or fresh insight now and then.

What do you think, a mess, or a fun way to help while sharing our own groups abilities?

Can't wait to hear everybodies version of Scott's song, might be the next "American Idol" song...

I have talked myself tired now, lol, sorry for the ramble. I just have too many ideas sometimes, and have to ask when they hit me.

Letha

Hey Letha, what I've been thinking in the past few days is that this might serve to be a push, a friendly nudge, for all of us to utilize this entire website as it was intended by Brian...a place where music-minded people come to meet, collaborate, learn, create, and grow...as a community. My suggestion is that one thread is just that--one thread. This whole site is filled with collaborations waiting to happen. Let's look at this as a demonstration of how easy it is to just do it.

Sure we can and will do more fun events like this (we've got other ideas on deck, one in particular that should make lyricists happy )...but for anyone who wishes they could do more stuff like this on a regular basis, USE THE SITE...it's all here, and has been for years. Lonely lyrics being posted, composers looking for lyrics, and a Private Message function just waiting to be used. Be a community...reach out and find your songs, and don't forget: we gotta give it if we wanna get it.

Scott, thanks for chiming in (and thank you, too, for the chords). Fm6 is easy--only takes three fingers; I don't know about the Ddim--I'd have to look at a chart (I never could tell them "dimmy" things apart), but I'd expect it's different, because otherwise why would it have a different name? On the other hand, what do I know about music?

And Letha, Mark? Yes. One of the nice side effects of the "Broken Record" project was it got a bunch of lyricists and composers working together who'd never done anything together before. I hoped (and hope) the trend would continue. I read somewhere about us all being in this together...

Joe

Yes there is nothing like a bit of competition to get the old grey matter working and folks to become creative, especially when there are huge prizes( a packet of crisps a bottle of beer and a free critique) on offer.
When I suggested a cover challenge I had no idea it would be so successful and create so much interest and participation.
Now it is up to us all to build on this and take it to the next level.....keep sending th PMs, meet new people, collaborate, encourage each other. There are lyricists, composers, performers and various tech people here all waiting to share their skills, knowledge and talent.

You know, I've decided that since we are all in this together, and we're ultimately here for the same reasons, there's no reason to be shy about directly approaching someone and saying, "Hey, (insert name), I really like your work. I have this lyric (or melody) and was wondering if you'd be interested in collaborating on it with me."

The worst that could happen is that you'll get an honest reply. I've been successful and had people say, "Yeah, I'll give it a try." Some people may really like what you have, but are very busy with other projects, and will say, "If you're not in a big hurry, I would like to work on this sometime." I consider that successful, too.

And then there are some - who I really respect - who will tell you straight up they simply aren't interested, but thanks for asking. You can then move on to someone else.

I had a boss tell me once (about budget requests) that you may not always get what you ask for, but if you don't ask for it, you're guaranteed not to get it. The bottom line is you never know if you don't ask. Besides, somebody else may be waiting for you to make the first move.

That said, some of you be on the look out. I just may be getting in touch with you soon.

Greg

Gosh, you're right. I should have checked the guitar chord site. They show it with strings 1-3 on the first fret, string 4 open, and strings 5 and 6 silent. That is easy.

When I was figuring out the fingering based on the notes in the chord, I had the second string on fret 3 - which does sound a little better in my opinion but I find it harder to play. That fretting plays the same note as open string 4 - only an octave higher.

But the simple one works too!

The fingering shown for Ddim (1-0-1-0) is just as simple - but doesn't sound very good to me. It has a B note in it that the piano site doesn't show. I was guessing (1-3-1-0) when I was trying to figure it out myself.

I can't help but feel there is a skilled musician somewhere pulling his hair out wishing I would shut up.

Scott

Hey Scott there are a few skilled musicians pulling their hair out wishing they could write songs like you.

Speaking to Letha's and Mark's posts up above, One thing that I have decided to do this year is to start perusing the lyrics boards for opportunities to add music to someone's lyrics. The way I look at it, it will improve my compositional skills and could lead to some good collabs -- plus there are many more talented lyricists than me here.

While I should always seek permission before I do it -- I probably won't (LOL!), unless I am changing lyrics. Of course, because of my singing "talents", I am not too sure how thrilled people will be with me writing music to their words.

Kevin

Fantastic i'm gonna folk this one up- ahem no pun intended (I hope)


Andy

Hey there,

Joe, thanks for reminding everyone about this. "Broken Record" IS a perfect example of how mixing and matching our different talents and personalities can make for an exciting experience and some unique, refreshing, and stellar performances.

For those of you who haven't had a chance, you should go listen to the one cut we did release, called "Broken Up and Broken Down". This piece came together via the awesome foursome, better known as Kaley Willow, Wyman Lloyd, Al David, and Mike Dunbar. I will bump it up as I do believe it has slipped down the page a bit.

Finally, this is a good chance to remind everyone that final bids will be accepted up until midnight March 17th. Current high bid is $52.....and remember, aside from getting a GREAT limited edition group CD, your money will go directly to JPF for monetary support. And even if you are ultimately outbidded, or didn't bid in the first place, do feel free to send those donations in.....

Sorry to have hijacked your thread here Mark and Jim.

So good luck to all participants in this Cover Challenge -- and to those holding out til the last minute to make their bids for "Broken Record"!!

Thanks much,
Beth

Jim, I don't know what to say - other than thanks. Thanks!


Seeing all kinds of cool ideas here for future challenges. I like the idea of it kinda being free-floating, going with whatever wacky idea seems appealing at the moment.

Maybe one month a cover challenge like this. Then maybe we have a challenge to fit music to a member's existing lyric. Maybe one month we submit melodies we don't have words for and have a challenge for the lyricists. Any number of possibilities that can be used to keep things fresh and fun - limited only by the creativity of the folks who post here (which means no limitation at all ). And all of them driving in the direction of stimulating collaborations.

Thanks to Mark and Jim for the energy they've put into this!

Scott

I started "Herbie-izing" Champion yesterday....I have to get it in my brain and let it ferment for a while...until the muse tells me what needs to happen....This is a very great idea, and I'm sure you're very excited Scott, you are one of the really nicest people here...I remember when you went out of your way to mail me some stuff on creating my own CD jackets...even though I didn't end up using it, I appreciated your kindness ! !

Sounds like I'd better start a posting thread. Off I go.

Scott, your song really is cool...very Randy Newman-esque in a classy way...and it's nice that it's very sparse and only a couple minutes long. It really opens up possibilities for people.

Thanks Herbie. But the longer I stay here, the more in debt to others I become. I mean John has driven from near Philadelphia to New York several times now to record songs of mine out of nothing but the goodness of his heart. I mean, how does one repay that???

Yes, I'm very excited. The few occasions when people have taken something of mine and made it their own have been the most rewarding moments in music for me.....

After hearing Bob Pickens' interpretation, I can tell this will be more of that. A lot more...


Thanks Mark. I went through my list of songs not with the idea of picking the one I liked the best but, instead, picking one that I thought folks could do different things with.

Scott

I have some guests in town for the next few days, so naturally I am banned from vocals (LOL), but maybe I'll give a shot to get started here sometime soon. I am trying to add music to someone's lyrics over on Lyric Board 3, so who knows when?? I did vote for Scott's tune, so I'll do my best. I am definitely looking forward to see what comes out of this.

Kevin

I'm hopefully recording my version of "Champion" Sunday. It was kind of difficult to find a friend who had the time to play on it, but I finally pinned him down and hopefully I'll have him e-mail it Sunday night. I'm doing another song for extra credit!

Paid in full! Just for one reason: Knowledge of singing your song at Sub's in NY got played at The Phillies home opener in their world series winning season! What song of mine with my voice on it did anything like that! None. So, I'm in debt to you for providing such a great baseball song to just be a part of it. And, YOU did Blue Ivory for me. (Your Vocals,,,which is on my other computer and not hooked up anymore since getting this I-Mac, so if you would kindly send me that song if you have it, I can put it on the sites again). Thank you!

Let's call it a wash! I'm happy,,,how about you?!

Just take this Tinnitus noise out of my head, and I'll really be in debt to you!

John