@ Tooka Yeah that would be nice to do. I did a very stripped back take on it here (On reflection 2 verses rather than 3 before the uptempo verse would have been preferable) I wouldn't mind trying a counter melody on the middle bit, perhaps over a backing track next time so I can set the counter melody against the chord structure of the main melody.
@ Groyster Yeah I well remember the classic Animals version being released, Eric Burdon, Alan Price, Chas Chandler et al. Seem to recall it was a staggering 4 minutes plus long on the UK released single which was unheard of in those days. Surely folk can't concentrate on a song that is more than 2 mins 30 secs long was the thinking then.
Nice ! When playing with a band, I'll do the singing as well. So I usually do a slow intro on harp. Then, when the song progresses, and the solo's ramp it up, I will do another solo incorporating TB and chording to give that organ sound....but keep it short. Ends up sounding a bit more like Frigid Pinks version.
Way back when we did this, my guitar buddies played it in A, we started slowly but then really ramped it up, fun! Now when we play it, we play it in A minor, which is correct, forces me to play on my crappy LO minor harp. A few years back I downloaded every version of this song I could find, most were rockers like the Stones, Hendrix, even Queen, they all played it pretty close to the Animals version. But of course, this is an old anonymous ballad from way back and there are all sorts of styles out there. My favorite version is Doc Watsons, a little livelier with some nice finger picking.
@LittleJoe I like the idea of the variation you use, especially using chords to mimic the organ sound.
@Rbeetsme :) I too have got a crappy LO in Gm. Yes it's a classic. Alan Price of The Animals even tried to claim it as an old English Folk song (I suppose as it's Anon- It's up for grabs!) The Animals gave it a different take lyrically according to Wiki...
'The Animals' version transposes the narrative of the song from the point of view of a woman led into a life of degradation, to that of a male, whose father was now a gambler and drunkard, as opposed to the sweetheart in earlier versions.'
You've made me think now as to whether I could fingerpick it and play harmonica in a rack. Might be too tricky though doing those controlled bends while keeping that nice arpeggio going. Will check out that Doc Watson's version.
sounds great greyowl, I play that one with the band also, It was one of the first songs I lerned to play, you did a very nice rendition of it, I've played it in several keys but Am is the correct key like rbeetsme said. i too have a LO Gm but I really like playing with my G in third... you did it justice...
