SongDare Is Back Baby

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Corey Stewart

It was a long time coming but I’ve finally put out another SongDare. This time I attempt to do a cover of “My Mistake” by Split Enz as requested by Jordan Beinke.

For those of you not familiar with the SongDare concept, it goes a little bit like this:

“You request a song, and I mean any song, no matter how bizarre or beautiful it may be, and if I can play it just by using my voice and an acoustic guitar, I’ll video it and put it up on YouTube and embed the video on this blog.”

Jordan, good things come to those that wait… Enjoy

In Australia, it is said that any brilliant band from New Zealand we adopt as one of our own and Split Enz is one of those bands.

Written by Tim Finn and Eddie Raynor and released in 1977 on their “Dizrythmia” album, “My Mistake” was not one of those songs that I took much notice of until I started to work out how to play it.

The song makes beautiful use of diminished chords however, the main challenge in playing this song was to find a suitable ending as the angular orchestral outro in the original version was just way too difficult to play.

I’m hoping what I’ve done is a good compromise.

Remember, if you have a SongDare that you’d like me to tackle, just contact me and I’ll see what I can do for you

Peace,

Corey

SongDare #4 – I Predict A Riot (Kaiser Chiefs)

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Corey Stewart

Yes, it’s another SongDare. This time I do the Kaiser Chiefs song “I Predict A Riot”

This song was requested by Joel Stibbard.

I must say, I knew very little about this song and the Kaiser Chiefs before I took on this SongDare but I’m glad I learnt this tune because it’s an absolute ripper of a song.

Embedded in the English punkiness of the tune is a serious message about a generation (or even a society) of people who have lost their way and because of this, tensions rise to breaking point. The chorus in the original make you want to shout “OI, OI, OI”

Love it…

Peace,

Corey

SongDare – Chords And Lyrics To Download

Posted on October 7, 2010 by Corey Stewart

First of all I just wanted to say a big THANKYOU to everybody who has sent in their SongDare’s to me so far. I’ve been surprised by the response and the encouraging feedback.

I’ve been really, really impressed with the quality of songs requested.

It’s quite a refreshing change from the standard crap that drunk punters request during my cover gigs.

What I’m discovering though is that finding time to do the videos is the hardest part of the SongDare process hence, the lack of videos lately but I’ll be rectifying that very soon.

I’ve already had some people ask me for the charts of the songs that I’ve been “dared” to do. In response to this I’ve put up a SongDare page where I’ve embedded the YouTube videos and also put the chords and lyrics of the songs as a PDF on there as well.

Here are the download links to the three SongDare song charts so far.

Waiting For A Girl Like You (Foreigner)
Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden)
Exit Music For A Film (Radiohead)

Remember, if you want to participate in the SongDare project then contact me. For more information please go to the SongDare page.

Peace,

Corey

SongDare #3 – Exit Music (For A Film) (Radiohead)

Posted on September 21, 2010 by Corey Stewart

This song was requested by BT Cassidy who is is by far the biggest Radiohead fan that I know

Enjoy…

This song presented some challenges for me, especially trying to decipher the timing in the “Breathe, keep breathing” part of the song. I think I nailed it pretty well though however, I do love the darkness this song portrays through its lyrics and tonality.

The original version of this song is so very haunting and its my hope that I can retain some of that in this version.

Let me know what you think.

Peace,

Corey

Radiohead Finish Songs for Next Album (rollingstone.com)

SongDare #2 – Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden)

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Corey Stewart

This song was requested by Stewart Cook who is one half of an enterprising duo along with John McCall that run the Live ‘n’ Local Open Mic at The Metropolitan Hotel every Tuesday night so if you’re in Adelaide you should check it out. It’s Awesome!

Anyway, here’s the video. This is for you Stewy!

I found this song particularly challenging to pick off because of the detuned nature of the guitar arrangement. I hope that my standard tuning acoustic guitar version does some justice to this great song.

Peace,

Corey

LISTEN: Unreleased Song from Soundgarden (idiomag.com)
“New Soundgarden song to be released on Guitar Hero” and related posts (consequenceofsound.net)
SOUNDGARDEN To Release Telephantasm Retropsective Collection On September 28th (bravewords.com)

SongDare #1 – Waiting For A Girl Like You (Foreigner)

Posted on September 11, 2010 by Corey Stewart

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post SongDare And Other Video Projects I’m starting some video projects showcasing my own music plus covers that I love (I Wish I Wrote That) and covers that have been requested by others (SongDare).

I’m going to get the ball rolling with the first SongDare video. It’s “Waiting For A Girl Like You” by Foreigner and it was requested by my good friend Noni Espinoza to play at one of the Open Mics that I run a couple of years ago.

Here is the video…

Call me a dag but I do love this song. I really love the chord progression and the chorus is very catchy. I never really got into Foreigner and that whole 80′s corporate rock thing but I do love Lou Gramm‘s amazing vocals in the original tune.

More videos are on the way, and remember, any SongDare requests… Contact me.

Peace,

Corey

SongDare And Other Video Projects

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Corey Stewart

Image via Wikipedia

Ever since I wrote Pomplamoose & The Covers VS Originals Argument in late July I’ve been mucking around around with my Canon video camera, working out how to use it and, at the same time, trying to work out what my promotions and marketing angle for me using video would be.

Obviously my first step is to put my own songs onto video. I really do think that for me, video is going to become an integral component in my online music marketing however, I’m also going to take a leaf out of Pomplamoose’s book and start experimenting with playing covers.

Why not? There’s a couple of ways I’m going to do this.

First of all I’m going to start a video series on this blog called I Wish I Wrote That where I pay homage to the songs and songwriters that have inspired me throughout my life. It’s where I can show you through video who my musical influences are and it will also give you an opportunity in sharing with me your musical influences as well.

I’m looking forward to some fascinating conversations from this…

Secondly, I’m starting an ongoing series of videos where I play any song that is requested of me, from you. The concept is called SongDare and it’s an idea that has been running through my head ever since I started seriously playing covers either as a soloist or with bands professionally, about 5 years ago.

The concept is very, very simple.

You request a song, and I mean any song, no matter how bizarre or beautiful it may be, and if I can play it just by using my voice and an acoustic guitar, I’ll video it and put it up on YouTube and embed the video on this blog.

As well as putting my own songs onto video, SongDare is something I’m really excited about.

It’s always amazed me the diverse range of songs that people would request me to do for them at my cover shows from Duran Duran to Meatloaf to Garth Brooks to Beyonce. I do love a challenge and SongDare gives me a chance to have a go at playing anything and everything.

So, I now open it up to you.

Contact me with your request and I’ll do my best to learn it, cover it and put it on video for you. When your song is ready to be put online I’ll let you know and send you through the YouTube link. I’ll personally make sure that I put your name in the credits.

Which means YOU get instant bragging rights.

Remember, your SongDare request could be your favourite song or, a song that you’d think would be hilarious to watch me attempt to play.

All I can say is bring it on… I dare you!

Peace,

Corey