Song of India
This is my instrumental cover of “Song of India”, which was adapted from an aria in Rimsky-Korsakoff’s opera “Sadko”. In 1937, Tommy Dorsey recorded an instrumental jazz arrangement which became a jazz standard. The song has occasionally gotten some attention from guitarists and guitar-oriented groups.
Silvan Shadows
“Silvan Shadows” is an original instrumental intended to be in the style of the Shadows.
Hotel California
This is my instrumental cover of the Eagles’ hit “Hotel California”.
It is the title track from the Eagles’ album of the same name and was released as a single in February 1977. Writing credits for the song are shared by Don Felder (music), Don Henley, and Glenn Frey (lyrics). The Eagles’ original recording of the song features Henley singing the lead vocals and concludes with an extended section of electric guitar interplay between Felder and Joe Walsh.
My arrangement rocks things up a bit and was intended, at least somewhat, to imagine how the Ventures might have handled it.
Don’t Cry for Me Argentina
This is my instrumental cover of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina”, based on the Shadows’ classic 1978 arrangement which charted and #5 on the UK charts. Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, it was first recorded by Julie Covington for the 1976 concept album Evita, and later included in the 1978 musical of the same name.
A Fistful of Dollars
This is my cover of the main theme from “A Fistful of Dollars”. Composed by Ennio Morricone, it was part of his score for the 1964 Sergio Leone “spaghetti western”, which gave Clint Eastwood his first starring movie role.
In spite of the prominence of guitars in the original version, I could find no versions by any contemporaneous instrumental rock groups.
Melodie
This is my arrangement of “Melodie”. It is one of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s (1843 – 1907) “Lyric Pieces for Piano” (Op 47 No 3) and was first published in 1888.
My setting was inspired in part by the Shadows’ “A Sigh“, which was based on Franz Liszt’s “Un Sospiro”. Classical piano music can translate very well to a guitar instrumental format. I have previously arranged Edward MacDowell’s “To a Wild Rose”
Peasant’s Song
This is my arrangement of “Peasant’s Song”. It is one of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s (1843 – 1907) “Lyric Pieces for Piano” (Op 65 No 2) and was composed in 1896.
My setting was inspired in part by the Shadows’ “A Sigh“, which was based on Franz Liszt’s “Un Sospiro”. Classical piano music can translate very well to a guitar instrumental format. I have previously arranged Edward MacDowell’s “To a Wild Rose”
Hodad Lockdown
“Hodad Lockdown” is an original instrumental intended to evoke the early 1960s style of the Ventures and surf rock.
When Will It Be Spring?
“When Will It Be Spring?” is an original instrumental intended to be in the 1960s style of the Shadows.
Swells
“Swells” is an original instrumental intended to be in the style of the Shadows. Hank Marvin was one of the first rock guitarists to incorporate a volume pedal into his playing.
Cast Your Fate to the Wind
This is my cover of “Cast Your Fate to the Wind”, an instrumental which was originally written and performed by jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi. His recording was a top-40 hit in 1963, reaching #22 and staying on the charts for 18 weeks.
Despite the its popularity and straight-forward nature, I could find no recordings by and instrumental guitar bands such as the Ventures or Shadows.
The Bat
This is my cover of “The Bat”, which was the opening track n the Ventures 1964 album, “Ventures in Space”. It was composed by Lou Forbes as the title theme for the 1959 film “The Bat”, which starred Vincent Price.
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