Danny Boy, a different approach...

Allen Russel, a relative newcomer to the PSR Tutorial forum, just posted his rendition of Danny Boy. He assembled it as a midi file, then converted it to an MP3. I, for one, think it is probably the best rendition I have heard of this timeless song.

Here it is: Danny Boy

I'll be more than happy to pass your comments along to him. He, obviously, spent a lot of time putting this song together.

Cheers,

Gary

Gary, do you know what keyboard your friend Allen used for this song?

Gary, may be time to change the batteries in that hearing-aid . Hey, nobody likes to post negative comments, especially about a guest, and especially on THIS forum, where we give a thumbs up to Bob Dylan singing an opera. Honesty is rarely rewarded here when it comes to critiquing a posted performance and one can always expect blowback from a dissenting opinion, no matter how well-intention-ed. However, the absence of a response (even from Donny ) does sort of speak volumes. I, myself, probably wouldn't have responded had you not put the "best rendition" tag on it. I applaud the effort put into this production but that does not always guarantee a good result. I probably wouldn't play this particular performance in an Irish bar.

Things I liked:
1. Timing - timing (rhythmic feel) was spot on
2. choosing variety of instruments for lead part (melody and solos)
3. chord substitutions in the arrangement

Things I didn't like:
1. The mix - poor balance in the accompanying arrangement
2. poor balance between solo/lead instruments and accompaniment.
3. lead instrument choices - too guttural and 'blare-ry' - trumpet was the best of the lot
4. arrangement does not suit song - 'steps on' the natural beauty of this song
5. lead instruments SOUND like they're being played from a keyboard (btw, I'm guilty of that as well)

What's important to remember is that there are few things more subjective than music (as illustrated by the difference in my and Gary's perspective). The opinions expressed here are my own and have no more validity than anyone else's. This should not discourage people from posting, especially if they are honestly seeking feedback to improve their performances.

chas

Well I liked a lot of things about it, and agree with Chas on some things too. I supposed I'm just not that interested in such a big overblown production that takes many hours to assemble. I wanta just PLAY.
I do this song pretty often because we have a waiter named Dan that keeps asking me to do it, and I've found that Dan, and others, seem to enjoy a really simple version, where they can listen to the words and melody line.
Allen never plays live; he uses his Tyros 5 to "arrange" and create arrangements, and that is one of the purposes of having one. It's pretty amazing that a person CAN do that if he devotes the time and energy and expertise.
I'd rather hear Chas do some three-chord blues with organ, bass and drums!

Mike, I believe he is using a T5, but not quite sure.

Chas, everyone has their own opinion, especially when it comes to music. I listened to this particular song three times before I commented, and I agree with you that the trumpet lead was the best of all. Here's Allan's OP:

This is my arrangement of "Danny Boy" A great melody and emotionally effective during special moments (Final Revision)

Instrumentation:

Solo Harmonica S.Art2!
Solo Trumpet S.Art2!

Romantic Strings and Violas
Sax Section
Clarinets and Oboes
Pop Dynamic Brass
Glockenspiel
Pop Piano
Acoustic Bass
Live Drums.
DSP 1 Reverb Hall 5

Comments are always welcome

Please use headphones for maximum audio

https://app.box.com/s/s62lsj2x3gpjntz65dalqyzlczwfyi74

Alan Russell[i][/i]

Now, I no longer wear the hearing aid - it no longer fits and I'm not about to spend $3,000 to hear the higher frequencies, which is mostly the ladies talking. But, Chas, if you want a good deal on a used hearing aid for yourself, let me know, I just might be able to part with the one I own. I just had it cleaned and serviced so it's ready to go. I could even get it down to your before Christmas if you wish.

All the best,

Gary

Amen to what Don said (except for the last sentence ). Some songs are "timeless" BECAUSE OF the 'words and melody line'. That means you probably shouldn't mess with 'em too much. THIS is one of those songs. I don't want to hear even a JAZZ interpretation of Ave Maria, just an incredible lyric soprano over a simple accompaniment. Again, this is just MY opinion.

chas

I agree with much of your statement, Chas. But how about the great deal I offered you on the hearing aid? C'mon, there's only a few short days till Christmas.

Gary

I applaud Allen's efforts on this production, without going into specifics which I think chas laid out pretty well ... I have used the midi sequencer on the KB to change some 'styles' by replacing voices and overwriting accomp parts, so I know that it can be a time consuming project at best ... as in many cases, the procedure is relatively easy, but the execution is sometimes quite challenging ...
Personally when I perform this song - usually only at St. Patrick's Day gigs, unless otherwise requested - I prefer a simple acoustic style with a guitar arpeggio or something similar ...
When we had the band in NY, our featured vocalist - a fine Italian gentleman (but then the 5 of us happened to be Italian ) would sing "Danny Boy" and we would give him minimal background, with no strict tempo ...
But, it's all a matter of personal preference ..

It just occurred to me that Danny Boy would be a perfect song for that guy that does that hilarious version of Oh Holy Night that DonM posts every year. Bet he could make us laugh again (provided you're not Irish ).

chas

How about this?
Awesome version of Silent Night!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc-10aQ2bT0

Chas, I guess this means you're not interested in my lightly used hearing aid.

Gary

Depends on what he thinks of the song I just posted.

Ahh Gary, I'd recognize that great baritone of yours anywhere , even without the hearing aid. The organ was a little off but your vocals were up to their usual level. Good job. Probably one of the best renditions I've ever heard. Oh, and get that organ tuned. For a minute there I thought it was you that was off.

chas

PS: Don't get mad with me; DonM is a huge agitator .

I never get mad - I just get even! (I heard that in a movie once.)

All the best,

Gary

I exclusively use the Tyros 5. This was an earlier score getting my feet wet with the Tyros 5. Things are progressing.

Alan Russell

Don..

My live playing days ended in 1984 as I got a secure job with the dept of ed nyc. Now retired..living comfortably. The gigging days as a side and frontman will always be treasured. If I chose to, I could play in a bar with a bass and drummer. Any Borsendorfers around..lol

Alan Russell

Sounds like you have unleashed the inner Doc Severinsen in you.
Very enjoyable. Congrats.
Eddie

I just stumbled across this post, even tho’ started last December. My take is that I loved the arrangement. To me, it’s a classic example of easy listening music----the kind for a rainy day, napping, or whatever. The kind I listen to on Music Choice on the TV cable. His selection of lead instruments fit the arrangement well, along with those nice strings in the background. It shows what a high-end arranger can do, if pushed. Wonder how many tracks were overdubbed in the arrangement? Why spend 5 grand on a Tyros 5 and not exploit its abilities? In my own musical interests, I’ve moved beyond 3 chords and a cloud of dust. Given a choice, I want to hear (and play) beautiful tunes and melodies that use slick changes and chord substitutions that make the songs come alive. That’s exactly why I got the T5----for home recording to create the fattest, fullest orchestral arrangements that one person can do, within their limited ability. Personally, I’d like to hear more fully-orchestrated songs like Allen’s recorded with a single arranger----to show the possibilities within one instrument.

Thank you Larry..everybody has their views. Anyway, I posted my latest score in the Yamaha Arranger's forum..

Alan Russell

https://app.box.com/s/ea0xjgxd2ao2vknshyqoupqothjlbaj3

Alan loved it well done ...
keep them coming!!

Outstanding!

Gary

I go with Gary. Allan did an excellent job with this song. I don’t think for one second he was trying to impress an Irishman or a Leprechaun even. He was just expressing himself through a song that happened to be Danny Boy. And I’ll tell you something…….it ain’t easy to improvise on this tune. When you’re adding all those extra notes, you have to remember not to stray too far from that haunting melody. I thought he kept himself within the parameters of the melody but still managed to breathe some extra life into it at the same time.

I particularly like the string arrangement moving behind the lead and how it flows right in there when you’re least expecting it….. the short piano riffs, the “trumpet” and “harmonica” playing, and the drums just laying there in the background until the arrangement calls for them to “speak“…..rhythm variations coming in just enough to keep the song fresh (many don’t even bother to work the drum track…..they just leave it running, don’t they?).

Allan….the only thing I wasn’t crazy about was your use of the “two notes” mode before or after the melody note that one is expecting to hear….examples at 01:10 …….01:32 …….03:44. It broke up the continuity of the melody line for me, because you’re playing is so smooth and palatable otherwise. …….and I would have liked to hear more “pitch bend” to really spice up the instrument simulation.

I really liked how you played the “trumpet” on the section from 03:47 to 04:31.…and how you started building up intensity at that point. The whole arrangement was good, but I really started feeling the emotion you wanted to project around there…and probably right to the end.

I used to think how hard it is to play fast. One day I realized it’s exactly the opposite……how difficult it is to take a slow song (and it doesn’t get much slower than Danny Boy) and dress that up knowing the listener is going to take in every “single” note……not “groups” of notes that can get lost in a flurry of activity!

Mark

Thanks Mark...my latest scores reflect more polishing now that I.ve gotten my feet wet arranging with the Tyros 5. I'll be posting them and critiques help me to move forward in my work. I thank you.

Thank you Gary for your encouragement.

I welcome all others to comment, we are here to share, learn and prosper.

Alan Russell

Allan can you elaborate a bit on your arranging process,
& recording ?

thanx