Fields of Gold

This is my instrumental cover of “Fields of Gold”, which was written and first recorded by Sting. It first appeared on his 1993 album “Ten Summoner’s Tales”. Many musical artists have covered the song, including Hank Marvin on his 2007 album “Guitar Man”.

I Feel a Bit Better

“I Feel a Bit Better” is an original instrumental composition intended to sound similar to something the Shadows might have done in the 80s or 90s.

A Time Will Come

“A Time Will Come” is an original instrumental composition intended to be similar to the style of the Shadows.

It’s Getting Late

“It’s Getting Late” is an original instrumental composition intended to be similar in mood to a “Sleepwalk-style”, “slow-dance” number the Shadows or Ventures might have recorded in the very early 1960s.

A House is Not a Home

This is my instrumental cover of “A House is Not a Home”, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for the 1964 movie of the same name. It was first recorded by Dionne Warwick that year. The version in the film was by Brook Benton. It was a very big hit for Luther Vandross in 1981. It has also proven popular with jazz artists, with version by Sonny Rollins, Bill Evans, Joe Sample, and Elaine Elias, among others. In my arrangement, I tried to imagine how the Shadows or Hank Marvin might approach the tune.

When Will I Feel Hopeful

“When Will I Feel Hopeful” is an original instrumental composition intended to sound like something the Shadows might have done in the 1980s.

Venture Capital

“Venture Capital” is an original, riff-based instrumental intended to sound like something the Ventures might have done in the early 1960s.

No Trespassing

“No Trespassing” was originally the second track on side two of the Ventures’ debut album, “Walk Don’t Run”. Songwriting credit is shared by all four members of the group who played on the track and album: founders and guitarists Bob Bogle and Don Wilson, along with drummer Howie Johnson and (then) bassist Nokie Edwards. The track is a 12-bar-based “filler” track, one of two on the album composed by the group.

Raw-hide

This “Raw-hide” is a guitar instrumental written and recorded by Link Wray in 1959. It reached #25 on the US charts. It should not be confused with the “Theme from Rawhide”, which was composed by Dimitri Tiomkin for the TV Western. Confusion is understandable, however, as the TV show started its run also in 1959.

The Ventures included a cover of the song on their 1961 album, “Another Smash”.

Now Every Day

“Now Every Day” is an original instrumental composition in a classic rock style. The most immediate influence would probably be 1960s Deep Purple.

Dalla Brewop

“Dalla Brewop” is an original instrumental intended to sound similar to a 1980s power ballad.

The Lonely Shadow

“The Lonely Shadow” is an original instrumental composition intended to be similar in style to the Shadows.

Hurry Up and Leave

“Hurry Up and Leave” is an original instrumental composition intended to sound like something the Ventures might have done in the early 1960s. I wrote this in the waning days of December, and the title reflects my feelings about 2020 what a horrible year it was for so many.

Mercy Mercy Mercy

This is a cover of “Mercy Mercy Mercy”, a tune I’ve done a few times before. Something about it is very compelling, in spite of its simplicity. Written by Joe Zawinul when he was with Cannonball Adderley, the song cracked the top forty twice in 1967 — going to #11 with Adderley’s group in February of that year and with added lyrics, to #5  in August by the Buckinghams. This arrangement preserves some of the underlying jazz feel within a classic rock setting. The Venture waited until “Walk Don’t Run 2000” to do a version.

Que La Décence Prévaut

“Que La Décence Prévaut” is an original instrumental composition intended to be similar in style to the Shadows.