Mark, there is no question of the effort you put into your music; and I agree with the greater part of it. One of my friends, a guitar player, studied ear training, his ability to recognize intervals and pitch improved.

From my twenties to my forties I put a lot of effort into improving my music abilities. I bought every record that Johnny Smith, a well-known guitar player, made. The books he wrote were not very good. Later in years I found that m playing had a flavor of Johnny Smith. My playing was a mixture of Johnny Smith and me.

My point; When I am playing, I no longer think of scales, arpeggios, pitch, or intervals. It’s time to play song after song and allow what is inside of me, my natural ability, my emotions to be my main thoughts. Doing my best to play what is in my head. A new song: I study the chord progression, play the song a few times, then put away the music and make sure I do not play the melody, note for note as it was written.

Just my thoughts, John C.

Don, did you want to post this in chas' thread ?

Fabulous. And it just keeps getting better and better as the song progresses. I still don't know how Don does those incredible guitar parts. I've tried to duplicate it with every keyboard in my studio; not even close . I hope most of you give this a listen. It really captures the essence of the song. It's personal and almost a little depressing to me at the moment as I'm waiting on a dry day to get a roof repair from a recent storm and the forecast is for 4 more days of heavy rain. Don, can you come up with something like SUNNY day in Georgia . Anyhow, thanks for posting the tune and glad it's not trying to be a clone of the Brook Benton version.

chas

I think I posted it in the wrong place. It was late at night after a rough day on the golf course. Donny straightened it out.
Thanks guys!

Your welcome Buddy..I watched them all all over again...
great stuff....more more!!

"rough day on the golf course."

Still better than a good day at the office ... Well, maybe not in your case, considering where your 'office' is ...

No matter where it landed Don, I really liked it.

I read just well enough to be able to prep for a recording. I'd be lost if I had to sight read in real time.

Reading is absolutely essential as a "hired gun" in the studio.

Playing by ear allows you to be much more expressive.

I LOVE it!

Russ

Imagine yourself in a library. You can sing and tells jokes, but you can’t read.
It’s the same for with music, you can play, play good, but you miss so much that you might have learned.

John C.

Thank you Chas. I've always loved that song. A guy from South Louisiana, Tony Joe White, wrote it. He also wrote Polk Salad Annie.
I could never equal Brook's recording, so have to my own take on it. I'm glad you appreciate it.