Shadow Rising

“Shadow Rising” is an original composition in which I try to combine the feel of 60’s instrumental guitar rock with a somewhat more sophisticated musical and harmonic language than was typical for that genre. This one is like the style of the Shadows.

It Won’t Be Long

“It Won’t Be Long” is the opening track on With the Beatles, the Beatles’ second UK album. Although credited to Lennon–McCartney, it was primarily a John Lennon composition, with Paul McCartney assisting with the lyrics and arrangement. In the US, “It Won’t Be Long” first appeared on Meet the Beatles!, released in January, 1964.

My instrumental arrangement follows the original, but is slower. This actually makes it it easier to hear the numerous rather unconventional — and very imaginative — aspects of the song.

Twang Chaser

“Twang Chaser” is an original instrumental in the late-50’s early 60’s style of guitar twangmaster Duane Eddy — who together with producer Lee Hazlewood — put together a string of 27 Hot-100 hits between 1958 and 1964.

There’s a Place

“There’s a Place” was actually co-written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney (as opposed to being the work of one or the other), and was first released as a track on the Beatles’ debut LP, Please Please Me. In the US it was released on Introducing… The Beatles (Vee-Jay Records) and as the B-side of “Twist and Shout”.

My instrumental arrangement tracks the original.

Guyasuta

“Guyasuta” is an original composition in which I try to combine the feel of 60’s instrumental guitar rock with a somewhat more sophisticated musical and harmonic language than was typical for that genre. This one is like the style of the Shadows, who recorded a number of tracks with a Native American Indian inspiration.

Guyasuta was an important Native American leader of the Seneca tribe in the second half of the eighteenth century, playing a central role in the diplomacy and warfare of that era. He lived along the Allegheny River near where I live today.

Tell Me Why

“Tell Me Why” is a song from Beatles film and album A Hard Day’s Night. In North America, it was released on both the American version of A Hard Day’s Night and the album Something New. Credited to Lennon–McCartney, it was written by John Lennon. It was performed in the film as part of the ‘studio performance’ sequence.

My instrumental arrangement slows the tune down to a “slow dance tempo”.

Ask Me Why

“Ask Me Why” was originally released in the United Kingdom as the B-side of the Beatles’ hit single “Please Please Me”. It was also included on their first UK album, Please Please Me.  Capitol Records, EMI’s American counterpart to Parlophone, initially refused to distribute Beatle music in the US and so the “Please Please Me”/”Ask Me Why” single was released by Vee-Jay Records in February 1963.

“Ask Me Why” is principally a John Lennon composition, but was credited to Paul McCartney and John Lennon.

My instrumental arrangement tracks the original very closely.