 | The Ballad of Lucy Jordan - Mark Zelesky Written by Shel Silverstein and performed to great effect by Marianne Faithfull, I decided to record it after listening to this song nonstop... Written by Shel Silverstein and performed to great effect by Marianne Faithfull, I decided to record it after listening to this song nonstop yesterday for about 6 hours. It reminds me a bit of Mrs. Dalloway. Views: 36 |
 | Eurythmics - Here Comes the Rain Again (sax, piano, vocal cover) A friend of mine said I should play this, so I did. And I used it as an excuse to figure out some production skills. Wurlitzer, alto & sopra... A friend of mine said I should play this, so I did. And I used it as an excuse to figure out some production skills. Wurlitzer, alto & soprano saxes, and voice. I saw a lot of 'acoustic' and 'dark' covers, so I thought I'd do something non-'acoustic' and a little more fun. Views: 96 |
 | Fleetwood Mac - Landslide (Cover) My version of Landslide is definitely inspired by Tori Amos's version, but Stevie & co.'s version on the Fleetwood Mac White Album is wonder... My version of Landslide is definitely inspired by Tori Amos's version, but Stevie & co.'s version on the Fleetwood Mac White Album is wonderful. Oddly enough, I was singing this song at karaoke when my aunt died a few years ago. So this is for her, I guess. She never really got to hear me sing, but she loved listening to my saxophone playing. It's funny how the beginning stages of a cold can let your voice do things you ordinarily can't do. Views: 49 |
 | Lucinda Williams - Ventura A truly lovely song, recorded on a rainy Saturday with the clothes in the wash. A truly lovely song, recorded on a rainy Saturday with the clothes in the wash. Views: 70 |
 | Annie Lennox - Why I thought about this song a lot last night, so I thought I'd record it today. The vocal is a little overdriven, I apologize. I thought about this song a lot last night, so I thought I'd record it today. The vocal is a little overdriven, I apologize. Views: 49 |
 | Mark Zelesky - Georgia On My Mind A classic, definitively sung by Ray Charles. It's a wonderful love song, about when you left your love, maybe because you were chasing after... A classic, definitively sung by Ray Charles. It's a wonderful love song, about when you left your love, maybe because you were chasing after a dream, or maybe you both just moved on. But the road will bring you back. Views: 88 |
 | Nico - Afraid This is one of my favorite songs of all time. There were many directions I was tempted to go (saxophone choir, synth organ, EP+sax&voice duo... This is one of my favorite songs of all time. There were many directions I was tempted to go (saxophone choir, synth organ, EP+sax&voice duo...), but for now, it'll be piano/vocal. I don't exactly know what this song's about, but it's beautiful. Views: 286 |
 | Mark Zelesky - At Last Popularized by Etta James (and Cyndi Lauper), I thought I'd see what a Wurlitzer and a soprano sax could do with this standard. I love playi... Popularized by Etta James (and Cyndi Lauper), I thought I'd see what a Wurlitzer and a soprano sax could do with this standard. I love playing love songs :) Views: 99 |
 | Mark Zelesky - Can't Hold On So, this is the first song I've written. And it's been quite an experience writing it. I started it last August, and in fits and starts, I e... So, this is the first song I've written. And it's been quite an experience writing it. I started it last August, and in fits and starts, I edged closer to the finish. I moved from Chicago to Baton Rouge last year for school. And it's about that time, when my roots were uplifted. And how home is not a place, but a feeling of security in oneself. You can be walking on a deserted street and feel like it's exactly where you need to be. Views: 20 |
 | On the Nickel - Tom Waits This is a song by Tom Waits about Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles, on Fifth Street. I think many of us have felt rootless at some point in ... This is a song by Tom Waits about Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles, on Fifth Street. I think many of us have felt rootless at some point in our lives, even if we have a roof over our heads. Nobody captures rootlessness like Tom Waits. This is just me (Mark Zelesky) on my Wurlitzer, with that lovely Vibrato whirring away. Views: 392 |
 | Nico - The Fairest of the Seasons Nico supposedly despised the strings and flute work on her first solo album, but I think that all the instrumentation enhanced the work. I d... Nico supposedly despised the strings and flute work on her first solo album, but I think that all the instrumentation enhanced the work. I don't play strings, so I thought I'd try my hand at arranging a recorder trio accompaniment. Nico went on to make music unlike anything in pop music before or since. Frozen Warnings and Afraid are simply breathtaking. But her folk-pop album with Jackson Browne and John Cale is soothing on a cloudy day. Views: 839 |
 | Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper: one of my all-time favorites. I arranged the accompaniment for saxophones, Wurlitzer, and a little MIDI bas... Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper: one of my all-time favorites. I arranged the accompaniment for saxophones, Wurlitzer, and a little MIDI bass backup. If nothing else, it got me thinking about the sax in a different way: as a backup vocalist! Views: 235 |
 | Alanis Morissette - That I Would Be Good Thank you Alanis for saying this. To know that you are of worth even if everything is taken away. Even if all indicators of success are gone... Thank you Alanis for saying this. To know that you are of worth even if everything is taken away. Even if all indicators of success are gone, you are good. Views: 193 |
 | Bob Dylan - Disease of Conceit Taken from Bob Dylan's Oh Mercy album. I don't know what to say about it, other than that it rings true. Taken from Bob Dylan's Oh Mercy album. I don't know what to say about it, other than that it rings true. Views: 133 |
 | Fleetwood Mac - Goodbye Baby This song (on their Say You Will album) is one of Stevie's best songs, in my opinion. I originally recorded this for a little Christmas albu... This song (on their Say You Will album) is one of Stevie's best songs, in my opinion. I originally recorded this for a little Christmas album I did, but decided to re-record the vocals, in order to see if I learned a few lessons since December. Anyway, it was a fun arrangement for me. Included: alarm clock Wurlitzer loops alto sax tons o'reverb Views: 363 |
 | Clapping Music - Steve Reich Clapping Music is a rhythm piece for two performers that uses nothing outside of the human body. One performer maintains a constant rhythm, ... Clapping Music is a rhythm piece for two performers that uses nothing outside of the human body. One performer maintains a constant rhythm, while the other slowly 'phases' out of time, one eighth note per bar. I prerecorded the constant rhythm and placed it on the right channel. The left channel is the live track. Views: 222 |
 | Burt Bacharach - Alfie This song speaks to me. It's about being disillusioned, then finding a deeper meaning. And I love how complex the chord progression is, and ... This song speaks to me. It's about being disillusioned, then finding a deeper meaning. And I love how complex the chord progression is, and the winding nature of the melody. Dionne Warwick's version is astounding; her voice has a quality I would definitely like to emulate. Anyway, I hope my version reveals something about the song, and me. Views: 84 |
 | Bob Dylan - I Shall Be Released This song has been recorded so many times because it is just so insightful and true. Music doesn't get more powerful and universal than this... This song has been recorded so many times because it is just so insightful and true. Music doesn't get more powerful and universal than this. Maybe one day I'll write a song that approaches this...who knows. Happy April. Views: 83 |
 | Madonna - X-Static Process This is from Madonna's vastly underappreciated album 'American Life.' I feel refreshed every time I listen to this song. This is from Madonna's vastly underappreciated album 'American Life.' I feel refreshed every time I listen to this song. Views: 45 |
 | Kate Bush - Under the Ivy This is a lovely song: a retelling of the Secret Garden. This is a lovely song: a retelling of the Secret Garden. Views: 65 |
 | Laurie Anderson - The Dream Before (cover) This is one of many of Laurie Anderson's songs that make me tear up. My version is not much of a departure from the original, but I wanted t... This is one of many of Laurie Anderson's songs that make me tear up. My version is not much of a departure from the original, but I wanted to do more with the vocoder, in preparation for a solo show/recital I'm planning. Enjoy! And if you like it, I urge you to pick up 'Strange Angels' by Laurie Anderson, a wonderful album from start to finish. Views: 85 |
 | Tom Waits - A Little Rain Recorded while it was raining (when does it not rain in Louisiana?). This is my third Tom Waits cover. I think I need to give his music a re... Recorded while it was raining (when does it not rain in Louisiana?). This is my third Tom Waits cover. I think I need to give his music a reprieve. Views: 183 |
 | Walk Away Renee - The Left Banke (cover) I've always been drawn to this song for a reason I can't quite pin down. I mainly relied on the original string/wind arrangement, transcribe... I've always been drawn to this song for a reason I can't quite pin down. I mainly relied on the original string/wind arrangement, transcribed for saxophones and tenor recorder. The Wurlitzer was basically bass, guitars, harpsichord all rolled into one. I just got an M-Audio Nova condenser mic, so far so good.I'm still fumbling my way through mixing, but I'm learning every day. It's time-consuming, but it can make such a difference! Views: 153 |
 | Sufjan Stevens - John Wayne Gacy, Jr. This is a brilliant song by Sufjan Stevens about the serial killer John Wayne Gacy, Jr. It is haunting because it reminds us that he was hum... This is a brilliant song by Sufjan Stevens about the serial killer John Wayne Gacy, Jr. It is haunting because it reminds us that he was human, just like us. A scary thought, that evil is a part of human nature. Views: 47 |
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