Mp3 - "God Only Knows" on my Asher lap steel.

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 19 Dec 2004 5:10 pm

Figured I should share this one,- one of the quietest recordings I've ever done, and therefore also one of the hardest (nowhere to hide in here).
It's my version of the Beach Boys classic "God Only Knows" in a stripped down arrangement, just me on my Asher, a Tele, a fretless bass and programmed drums...

The Asher is tuned to open-D, and the 'sitar' sound on the bridge is made by using Loni Specter's "Slipperislide".
The file is 4,9Mb, but there's a shorter version on my website for those with a slow connection.

Hope you enjoy it, and a Merry Christmas to you all!

God Only Knows

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com

[This message was edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 19 December 2004 at 05:11 PM.]

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 19 Dec 2004 5:31 pm

Very nice, Steinar! You really allow the steel to sing the song. You can't go wrong with a great melody and Brian Wilson is a fountain of them. Makes me want to re-visit my old arrangement of Warmth of the Sun. Happy holidays!

Gary Boyett · Post by **Gary Boyett** » 19 Dec 2004 6:35 pm

I loved it!. It is well worth the wait for us slow-pokes out here.

Thank you![This message was edited by Gary Boyett on 19 December 2004 at 06:40 PM.]

Loni Specter · Post by **Loni Specter** » 20 Dec 2004 1:43 am

Steinar,
Great track indeed! Magnificent talent! I'm honored to be a small part of this piece.
Season's best to you and your family.

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 20 Dec 2004 6:02 am

I'm sitting here at 7 AM, after just listening to this wonderfull musical offering. There is fresh snow on the ground outside and hot tea in the pot. It all seems to fit. Thank you for a beautiful musical moment.

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 20 Dec 2004 6:33 am

That is beautiful! One of my all-time favorite melodies, with a great bare-bones arrangement. Thanks for sharing that one!

Mike Simpson · Post by **Mike Simpson** » 20 Dec 2004 6:40 am

Steinar,
That sounds beautiful, excellent vocal quality in the melody line with the steel.

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Big Mike
http://www.blueswizards.net

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 20 Dec 2004 6:45 am

Very nice indeed Steinar

Thanx for puttin' it up for us
Gut Juhl

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 20 Dec 2004 7:30 am

Wow! Fantastic! Great job- what a wonderful song that is!

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 20 Dec 2004 8:14 am

Thanks guys! Doing this song was quite scary, and highly educational I might add,- it's such a beautiful tune and I didn't want to make a mess of it.
Then there was the drums,- programming a steady rock beat is a piece of cake, but making brushes sound 'live' was a real challenge. And I won't even mention how many variations I tried on the guitar before I was happy with it..

I originally wanted to do this one on my Lazy River Weissenborn, but after one night of that I found it needed the smoother sound of the electric, so I ended up using the neck pickup on the Asher.

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 20 Dec 2004 8:21 am

I love that Steinar! That's going in rotation in my MP3 player, for sure. Great song, great arrangement, great playing.

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www.tyack.com

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 20 Dec 2004 8:50 am

That's just plain beautiful.

If there's going to be another "Incredible Lap Steel Guitar" CD, that track ought to be on it.

Chuck S. Lettes · Post by **Chuck S. Lettes** » 20 Dec 2004 10:02 am

Very nice arrangement, Steinar. I like your interpretation and the clear sounds of your guitars. You really brought out the melody of the song.
Chuck

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 20 Dec 2004 10:27 am

Very nice Steinar. Keep 'em coming.

What is your recording setup?

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website

Brandin · Post by **Brandin** » 20 Dec 2004 10:27 am

Nice job Steinar!!

GB

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 20 Dec 2004 10:37 am

What is your recording setup?

Gerald,- I go through a POD (the first original one), to a TL Audio 'Ivory' tube preamp, and into my PC where I record and mix in Nuendo.
When I need overdrive I usually use a 'Route 66' overdrive/compressor in front of the POD, so I just leave the POD at 'Black Panel' and treat it as a straight guitar amp.

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com

[This message was edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 20 December 2004 at 10:39 AM.]

mickd · Post by **mickd** » 20 Dec 2004 12:14 pm

great stuff

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 20 Dec 2004 1:06 pm

beautiful . .

Terry VunCannon · Post by **Terry VunCannon** » 20 Dec 2004 2:08 pm

Steiner...That is great...another one for your CD maybe???

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 20 Dec 2004 2:18 pm

Terry,- yep, that's the intention..

Now I'll just let it rest for a while before I give it the 'finishing touch'..

Steinar

Don Joslin · Post by **Don Joslin** » 20 Dec 2004 2:41 pm

Steinar -

That was awesome! I love most of Brian Wilson's stuff and you've done it justice. Let me know when the CD is ready

Don

PS - I know I owe you an email but as of Thursday I'll be in the hospital for a week or so taking care of the neck thing (my neck not my guitar's

). Once again, wonderful rendition of a great tune!

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Country Music - (kun'tree myoo'zik) n. - Three chords and the
--------- truth.

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 20 Dec 2004 3:14 pm

Schweet! Georgeous tones and touch Steinar.

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Half-assed bottleneck and lap slide player. Full-assed Builder of resonator instruments.

Roger Marshall · Post by **Roger Marshall** » 20 Dec 2004 3:46 pm

Man, that was great! It even sounded wonderful through my computer speakers. I'd love to hear that uncompressed through a good sound system. Really sweet Steiner!!

Roger

Travis Bernhardt · Post by **Travis Bernhardt** » 20 Dec 2004 4:38 pm

Very nice! And great job on the drum programming, too--that's hard to do.

-Travis

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 20 Dec 2004 6:40 pm

I have to say I'm overwhelmed by the response I've received, a big thanks to you all!
This has been a much needed inspiration for me, since my work on the album project (temporarily dubbed "Southern Moon. Northern Light.") had kinda stalled and I had to force myself to start working on this recording.
Thanks to your positive responses I now feel I have some new energy and inspiration, and can get back on track.

And Don,- good luck with your surgery, hope you get well!

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com