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Songwriter Forum => Feedback on Finished songs => Topic started by: Skub on April 17, 2018, 05:07:06 PM

Title: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Skub on April 17, 2018, 05:07:06 PM: That's a damn sentence for a title,ain't it? :D

I thought I'd give you all a bit of respite from my vocals for a while...that's a partial truth,because these days I can't get peace to work on that side of things. ::) Cue,one short guitar based instrumental.

Anyway,copied directly from the soundcloud link it says....

In my teens I loved Focus songs such as Hocus Pocus and Sylvia,they epitomised melodic rock guitar of the era. My love affair has been with the Telecaster,so this is my ham fisted tribute to Jan and the rock instrumental.

I'm always open to suggestions,like most folk,some will work for me and some won't,but overall perspective can be lost when one flies solo and fresh ears are always good.
So listen and enjoy or laugh or slag. ;)

https://soundcloud.com/skub1955/if-jan-akkerman-played-a-tele
Title: Re: If Jan Ackerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: dasntn on April 17, 2018, 05:13:51 PM: Hi Skub

I know I'm supposed to give detailed feedback, not just say I love it, but I love it!
Like you, I listened to Focus in my teens, and this brings back loads of memories, as it really does sound a lot like them.
Fabulous guitar playing and tone!

cheers
Dave
Title: Re: If Jan Ackerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Yodasdad on April 17, 2018, 06:21:31 PM: Well, I'd never heard of Jan Ackerman until about 4 minutes ago, but if this anything to go by, I've clearly missed out.

Awesome guitar work and some true craftsmanship in the writing.

Thought the metre work well too.

Very polished.

Yodasdad
Title: Re: If Jan Ackerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Bill Saunders on April 17, 2018, 06:30:41 PM: I knew I would love this from your description and before the first note was played. So I'm biased, no hope of any objectivity. Even though Focus were before my time (a lie).

You are a truly talented player Mr Skub and this is a brilliant composition which shows off your abilities at their finest. Could listen to this stuff all day. And I've never owned a Tele...there's a thought.

Superb my friend, just sublime.
Title: Re: If Jan Ackerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Jack_Diamond. on April 17, 2018, 07:28:02 PM: Don't know jan ackerman, but im going to get acquainted now. loved this.
Title: Re: If Jan Ackerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: man of simple pleasures on April 17, 2018, 07:43:48 PM: pretty dam good mister!
Title: Re: If Jan Ackerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Oldbutyet on April 17, 2018, 11:11:41 PM: Hey Davy The Stranglers and in part Hank Marvin, great control you got style Man 8)
Title: Re: If Jan Ackerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Jamie on April 18, 2018, 09:39:58 AM: Hi Skub, I’ve always loved Jan Ackerman( or is it Akkerman? ::)),I saw Focus on their first uk tour and have owned all their albums at one time or another. I also had Jan’s first solo album. I’ve learned Kemp’s jig and le clochard from his work and always loved his soaring electric stuff as well as his lute playing. Incidentally I saw Thijs Van Leer live with his focus band last November, sadly without Jan, but the guy who took over could play too. Great tribute to a great musician. I knew you could play, I hadn’t realised how truly accomplished you are.
Fab!
Cheers
Jamie
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: cowparsleyman on April 19, 2018, 08:27:23 AM: Whato Skub

Sounds just like him, nicely delivered. I'd like to know a bit more about the Tele.. I saw the image on the SC page. What pups do you use? and was the comp outboard or plugin? Do you play.010's or lighter?

Where's the lead yodelling? kinda missed that...must have been all that Gouda, Grolsch and Chip war.

cpm
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: SlavaB on April 19, 2018, 08:32:05 AM: Hi,
Great intro, great quality of a sound. My ears say thank you for this pleasure. Great theme, easy going. For some reason this instrumental makes me feel that im looking at Swans dance ballet ( positive way ). I like it.

Thank you.
Best Regards,
Slava B.
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Rick trodat on April 19, 2018, 12:31:01 PM: Great mix. Very clear. I'm from the Netherlands, so i do know Jan Akkerman
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Skub on April 20, 2018, 07:32:42 PM: @dasntn (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21309)

Yo man,don't feel constricted about what you think you have to post. It's not wrong to say you like something. It's more wrong to invent a lot on bollix just to make it look like you ticked the boxes. Thanks dasntn. :)

@Yodasdad (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19208)

Thanks for making me feel old,YD. ;)

@Bill Saunders (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=18525)

Ta Bill. I must admit Telecaster ownership came late to me,so there is hope for ya yet! :D

@Jack_Diamond. (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=22077)

Cheers Jack. :)

@man of simple pleasures (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=18601)

Thanks MOSP. 8)

@Oldbutyet (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20424)

Yo Pat,cheers man.
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Cawproductions on April 20, 2018, 10:05:11 PM: Hi Skub
Just dropped this one,

Yeh This is great, Bassline is wicked. and the lead.....er yes please.

Dont know who Jan Akkerman is (will google later) but this tracks got balls.

Cheers
Andy
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Paulski on April 21, 2018, 03:29:32 AM: No slaggin from this neck of the woods Davy.
Didn't know the ventures did waltzes but I enjoyed this one.
Who needs vox - anyway?

Paul

PS - you keep pickin that thing and it'll never heal ;D ;D
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: PaulAds on April 21, 2018, 08:33:59 AM: Hi Davy

Guitar work was really amazing. I know that words like that get chucked around all too often, but I really mean that.

Great tune, great sound too. No gimmicks to hide behind...just great feel, excellent technique and precision execution.

I thought this was on such a level to have outgrown the logic drummer...I know from bitter experience how hard it is to put a really good 3/4 drum track together...and although this does the job perfectly adequately...the guitars are so good that they left Logic’s flagship drum solution trailing in your slipstream. What the solution to that would be, I can’t say...but I think it’s testimony to your writing playing and recording skills when you can do that/this.

I wish I could play even half as well as this. I love telecasters too. That’s a start, I suppose :D
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: nooms on April 21, 2018, 02:55:44 PM: fine play skub,,
ringing stinging flying mate
and appreciate the pause part @1.28 perfect

yes great band
saw them first on one of the whistling bobs programmes way back
i recall the low bass voice of the hammond player..not to mention the de riguer sideburns !.. on think it was called 'eruption' with a really striking emotional gtr solo ..
i admire/envy your skill at being able to fly like that.. great view from there im sure..
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: PaulyX on April 21, 2018, 08:22:35 PM: Hey Skub,
I'm also unacquainted with Mr Akkerman or Focus... never heard of either to be honest!
But this track felt like a technical masterclass to me. Like a track to be studied by aspiring guitarists... like it could be on a CD that comes with a "How to Play Guitar" magazine.
I bought my first Tele a couple of months ago by the way, and love it. Only had a cheapo Strat copy up until then (for about 20 years) and hadn't realised how much difference the guitar type itself made. Now I need to learn to play it like you.
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Mikey on April 21, 2018, 10:03:36 PM: Hi Skub, great guitar tone and some really nice playing there, and you have captured the Focus style to a tee, a great listen, well done mate.

Cheers, Mikey
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: pompeyjazz on April 21, 2018, 10:27:23 PM: Sensational stuff Davy. Just had to watch Hocus Pocus and Sylvia on YouTube again. I remember seeing it on TOTP originally in 73 and as a teenager I knew that I always wanted to play guitar. Your guitar work is exceptional as ever and the 3/4 timing takes it in a different direction. Top stuff
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Ashes for Dreams on April 22, 2018, 04:35:40 PM: Holy Mary, Mother of God!! You got your shit together, don't you Mr Skub!?!?!
Absolutely stellar, tone & playing and that 6/8 (??) works a treat.
I just saw @Jambrains (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19875) in fetal position in front of his Marshal stack.
Crisp mix as well and great variation in arrangement.
I just love everything about it!!!!!!
A shredder in the making?? ;)
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Neil C on April 24, 2018, 04:23:57 PM: Superb. Does exactly what it says on the tin.
Some lovely runs inberween the structured melody. Jeal.
Pro work
:) :)
Neil
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Skub on April 24, 2018, 06:50:30 PM: @Jamie (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19125)

Yeah Jamie,spellchecker lost me points! It's Akkerman. Nice to hear of another fan of those days (I had you as much younger!) :)

@cowparsleyman (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21308)

I use Rob DiStefano P/ups in a home build Tele. You'll get him at http://frettech.com

@SlavaB (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19895) Thanks man.

@Rick trodat (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19809)

Thanks you Rick. :)

@Cawproductions (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20938)

Thanks Andy,I'm a work in progress with bass! I enjoy it,but I do have my L plates up! :D My son used to to all that before he buggered off to Oz. ::)

@Paulski (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19241)

Ha! Ta Paul. :D Did it have that surfing thang to your ears?

@PaulAds (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20253)

I hear ya Paul! If I hadn't Logic's drummer,I'd be beat. I know lots of drummers,but not how to get them into my DAW when I need them!
Glad you enjoyed the track,man. 8)
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Cawproductions on April 24, 2018, 07:32:33 PM: Hi Skub
Thought I would go and google this Jan geezer

first result:

Swweeet, this guy is a dude, How come I have never heard of this guy, Prob too much beer and Oasis. lol

He certainly knows his way around the neck.

As for Bass playing, I am a guitarist come bass player too, love playing bass though.

Cheers
Andy
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Skub on April 26, 2018, 10:35:26 PM: @nooms (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=11264)

Many thanks for giving it a listen,man. I'm usually crashing and burning,rather than enjoying the view. :D

@PaulyX (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21034)

Thanks Pauly,I ain't no master for sure! Glad to hear you bought a Tele,treat her right,or the bitch will bite yo ass! :D

@Mikey (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20986)

Cheers for the listen Mikey. :)

@pompeyjazz (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20269)

Glad you enjoyed it John. :)

@Ashes for Dreams (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21050)

Ha! Thanks Karen,if Johan is curled up,he's probably fell asleep listen to me! I couldn't shred a till receipt. :D

@NeilC

Thanks for taking the time to listen Neil,much appreciated. :)

@Cawproductions (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20938)

Heh! It's an age thing Andy,the 70s yanno? It's cool you checked him out. 8)
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Viscount Cramer & His Orchestra on April 27, 2018, 07:55:39 AM: Hey I enjoyed this Davy. Nice playing and sound on that guitar. At 2.10 or thereabouts....Wow!

I can't deny being old enough to have owned a Focus album in the early 70s. (long departed!) If you hadn't mentioned them though I wouldn't have thought of them. I also was getting more Ventures....60s style....maybe the rhythm and the guitar sound helped that.....mind you I lost focus years ago.
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: MichaelA on April 27, 2018, 03:12:25 PM: Well worked intro leading into a fabulous build and pretty stunning guitar playing towards the end. Quite exhilarating really, and in particular I love the tone you have achieved with that guitar and its production.

Bravo!
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Jambrains on April 27, 2018, 08:46:23 PM: Quote from: Skub on April 26, 2018, 10:35:26 PM
@Ashes for Dreams (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21050)
Ha! Thanks Karen,if Johan is curled up,he's probably fell asleep listen to me! I couldn't shred a till receipt. :D

Sorry @Skub (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20061), that was actually me posting from the AFD account ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Darren1664 on April 28, 2018, 12:48:23 PM: Superb guitar work Davy! and it really engaged me and has a great backing rhythm to it!

I've been playing guitar for a long old while....still a million miles away from this! Good stuff

Darren
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Skub on April 30, 2018, 11:44:02 PM: @Viscount Cramer & His Orchestra

A couple of folk have mentioned the Ventures thang,maybe there's a bit of surf in me! Thanks for listening,dear Count. :)

@MIchaelA (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21274)

Thanks for your time Michael. :)

@Jambrains (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19875)

I can't keep track of all your interwebz personae! :D

@Darren1664 (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20970)

I'm chuffed you enjoyed it,Darren. 8)
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: Binladeda on May 01, 2018, 12:53:24 PM: Meh.....Show off :P :P

Lovely tone and sustain....perfect ;D ;D

So this is what happens when you can't sing ;D ;D
Sounds good to me ;D ;D
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: adamfarr on May 02, 2018, 01:46:37 PM: Yup, I'm another one who didn't know Jan A. before this thread! Love what you did here, the hooks are great and the variations all through work so well. Great length and the ending was superb.
Title: Re: If Jan Akkerman Played a Telecaster.
Post by: montydog on May 08, 2018, 05:07:00 PM: Hi Davy,

I only know Jan's work via an old recording from the "Old Grey Whistle Test" but I could spot that distinctive style immediately. A lovely showcase for your virtuosity.

M