Close to You

“(They Long to Be) Close to You” was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and was a huge hit for the Carpenters in 1970. However, this was not the first recording released of the song. It was first recorded by Richard Chamberlain (Dr. Kildaire) and released as a single in 1963 in a version arranged and conducted by Burt Bacharach himself.

We’ve Only Just Begun

“We’ve Only Just Begun” was a hit for the Carpenters in 1970. It was written by Roger Nichols (music) and Paul Williams (lyrics).and is frequently used as a wedding song.

My instrumental version is in a very different style than the original — arranged as the Shadows might have done it.

If I Needed Someone

“If I Needed Someone” was written by George Harrison and recorded by the Beatles for their 1965 album Rubber Soul. In North America, it was one of the tracks that Capitol Records omitted from Rubber Soul and instead included on the 1966 release Yesterday and Today.

Harrison wrote the song for fiancée Pattie Boyd (also known as Eric Clapton’s “Layla”), whom he married in January 1966.  The song serves as an example of the reciprocal influences exchanged between the Beatles and the American folk rock band the Byrds during the mid 1960s.

Can’t Buy Me Love

“Can’t Buy Me Love” was composed by Paul McCartney (credited to Lennon–McCartney) and released by the Beatles as their sixth single along with b-side “You Can’t Do That” in March of 1964. It topped both the UK and US charts.

My instrumental version preserves the form and feel of the original.

And Then Gone

It’s been two weeks since we lost our wonderful Lacey. We still really miss her.

Hanbrujetto

“Hanbrujetto” is another original composition in which I try to combine the feel of 60’s instrumental guitar rock with more a sophisticated musical and harmonic language than was typical for that style.

Shadows of Love

“Shadows of Love” is another original composition in which I try to combine the feel of 60’s instrumental guitar rock with more a sophisticated musical and harmonic language than was typical for that style. This one, however, may be a bit more sixties than modern.

The Sounds of Silence

“The Sounds of Silence” was written by Paul Simon over a period of several months in 1963 and 1964. The version we know is actually a remix of the acoustic original, overdubbing electric instrumentation. Simon & Garfunkel were not informed of the song’s remix until after its release. It went on to top the charts in 1966.

My version is firmly in my anachronistic surf-rock vein, while trying to maintain some of the gravitas of the original.

Moving On

“Moving On” is an original composition in which I try to combine the feel of 60’s instrumental guitar rock with more a sophisticated musical and harmonic language than was typical for that style. Another way to describe it might be surf-rock/smooth-jazz fusion. 😉

Lacey’s Theme

A few days ago we lost our wonderful hound mix, Lacey. We adopted her from a shelter less than three years ago — she was 9 years old then. We like to think we gave her a very nice life for her last senior years. I wrote this theme to honor her memory.

You Keep Me Hangin’ On

“You Keep Me Hangin’ On” was composed by Holland–Dozier–Holland. It became a popular Billboard Hot 100 number one hit for The Supremes in late 1966. The rock band Vanilla Fudge covered the song a year later and had a top ten hit with their version.

P.S. I Love You

“P.S. I Love You” was composed principally by Paul McCartney and recorded by the Beatles, with McCartney on lead vocal. It was released on 5 October 1962 as the B-side of their debut single “Love Me Do” and is also included on their 1963 album Please Please Me.

My instrumental version is based on the original arrangement.

Baby Love

“Baby Love” was recorded in 1964 by the Supremes for their second studio album, “Where Did Our Love Go”. It was written and produced by Motown’s main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland: Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian and Eddie Holland. The trio wrote, arranged and produced many of the songs that helped define the Motown sound in the 1960s.

My instrumental version is slower than the original and has some “Sleepwalk” vibe.

Doo Wah Diddy Diddy

“Doo Wah Diddy Diddy” was written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich and originally recorded in 1963 by the American vocal group The Exciters. Their version topped out at #78 on the hot 100.

Shortly thereafter, it was covered by British band Manfred Mann. That version was an international hit in 1964 and spent two weeks No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart in August, and two weeks at the No. 1 spot in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in October.

I Heard It Through the Grapevine

“I Heard It Through the Grapevine” was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for Motown Records in 1966. The first recording of the song to be released was by Gladys Knight & the Pips and released as a single in September 1967; it went to number two on the Billboard chart.

The Miracles actually recorded the song first but did not release their version until their 1968 album, “Special Occasion”. The Marvin Gaye version was placed on his 1968 album “In the Groove”, where it gained the attention of radio disc jockeys.  Motown founder Berry Gordy finally agreed to its release as a single in October 1968, when it went to the top of the Billboard Pop Singles chart for seven weeks from December 1968 to January 1969 and became for a time the biggest hit single on the Motown label.