Updating and diversifying the selections of songs I sing this time around – who’d have imagined me adding numbers that have been in the chart within the last couple of years? <gobsmacked>
I’ll always stand by my opinion that perennial classics with wide appeal suit events with across-generational audiences, but I am always happy to go the extra mile for clients, and certainly happy to recognise instant-classics! (The advantage of being a DJ too, is that one can test out how well the original songs a received by crowds before committing to learning them!)
So, my new “down with the kids” selection of new live numbers this time around are:
When Love Takes Over (Acoustic Reworking) [Guetta/Rowlands]
This is a storming dance anthem that I have played as a DJ at many a gig through 2010. However, as part of the service Phat Aahs’ Entertainments provide, a special unplugged arrangement was commissioned for a bride who had a very specific arrangement in mind.
This version is now available to other clients also, and I sometimes include it in the public ‘showcase’ gigs I perform around South Wales – including my occasional stand-in slot at Tides Bar at St Davids Hotel in Cardiff Bay
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| David Guetta & Kelly Rowland |
In learning the song, I have realised what an absolutely amazing vocalist Kelly Rowland is: her voice is sweet and beautiful and full of genuine soul, without falling into the use of over-rated gimmicks as seen in many tracks by her the more famous former band mate, Ms Knowles. In my opinion. And I also fancy Kelly more. ;-)
My version has deliberately made some changes to the format, including a more staccato style in the arpeggio parts (the bits where notes run quickly up the scale anc back down again.) before the outro. I feel this is more suited to my deeper male vocal.
I am very proud of the piece, and via my networking with other wedding DJs across the UK, have been asked by several for copies that they can add to their own background music collections.
Also, I hope this is an answer – at least in part – to the naysayers who claim that events vocals who pre-recorded backing are little more than "glorified karaoke acts". Adding originality, and re-interpretation as needed, to performanes is something quality vocals is do to set them apart from the carbon-copy karaoke-style singing.
Readers here may wish to listen to my studio recording of this track, placed under "original arrangements" towards the bottom of the playlist in the media player on my MAIN WEBSITE.
Readers here may wish to listen to my studio recording of this track, placed under "original arrangements" towards the bottom of the playlist in the media player on my MAIN WEBSITE.
I hope you enjoy it!
Forget You [CeeLo Green, 2011]
When I first heard this song, I knew immediately that it would be a huge hit, and that I HAD to add it to my repertoire. Once again, the backing track I use is unique, re-arranged for party environments as an ideal opening song for a set. The nu-soul style also sits well with other all-time classics such as Jackie Wilson's Higher & Higher and crowd-pleaser "Build Me Up Buttercup."
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| Big, Bald & Beautiful. (Like me in many ways.) |
My exclusive re-arrangement features a looping repetition of the opening bass-hook, which by design gives several extra bars whereby guests recognise the song and get some time to move themselves onto the dance-floor. Also, when clients want me to instigate audience interaction, this provides an ideal opportunity to get everyone clapping along before the vocals start.
Every time I have performed this song it’s had a fantastic reaction – and seems to have already secured its place as a “modern classic”. It full of emotion and attitude (“swagger” as the hips kids say!) and for me is an ideal opportunity to showcase the rawer soul elements of my vocal style: the way repeating, pleading “why?” of the bridge breaks open into the final chorus is great fun to “act out” when performing.
I can’t stop myself smiling when I’m singing this one. That’s a good thing, right?
Although, I do always worry a bit about the audience singing the X-rated album-version lyrics back at me, which might not go down so well with Aunt Betty at the back. J
She’s Always A Woman [Billy Joel]
Another song I typically perform at public shows. Our friend the Piano Man originally released this barbed ‘love-song’ back in 1977 when I was aged …… aaaah, you nearly got me then, didn’t you?!
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| Vinyl: also useless for killing zombies. |
It then entered the UK
Some of my younger readers may be unfamiliar with the concept of 'vinyl' and 'double-A sides'. (It’s was like getting two mp3s for your 79p, kids!) They will be familiar, however, the cover-version of the song from 2010’s charts by Guillemots’ vocalist Fyfe Dangerfield.
Some of my middle-aged/middle-class readers may be unfamiliar with The Guillemots. They will be familiar, however, with John Lewis adverts, in which Fyfe’s version also featured during 2010. You might have missed the article in The Telegraph. ;-)
This isn’t a song I’d sing at a wedding unless requested, as the lyrics are at face value critical of the women in the story. Yet, I like deeper message of the song: that despite someone’s faults, one can overlook these if there is a real love in your relationship.
In performance, I thrive on the emotion and admiration in that rises in the bridge, sustained by the opening “ooooh”s
“Oh, she takes care of herself, she can wait if she wants,
– she’s ahead of her time/
– she’s ahead of her time/
Oh, but she never gives out: and she never gives in – she just changes her mind.”
After all the negatives listed about the woman in the song, the narrator closes with:
“But the most she will do it throw shadows at you/And she’s always a woman to me.”
meaning that despite the foibles of someone’s personality, these are usually harmless in the wider perspective of a life built together.
Or in other words, my wife CAN keep putting up with me, then. Yea! ;-)
A wonderfully written song – and another reason I love Billy Joel’s music so much.
More songs to be added after the mainstay of the wedding season – check back again soon!
Take care…and have fun
Jon Paul
