Been away awhile, doing some important family stuff – Sorry for my absence.
This tune is a bit of an Oddity. As originally written for the German Highland Games it is a basic major/minor chord pleasant tune. However, having heard the version played by a Scottish Bagpipe Band I wanted to work on it in BIAB as a full Orchestration. That's when my lack of musical knowledge showed up! I turned to our good BB friend Dean Clark aka Aleck Rand (or is it the other way round? lol) for help. Not only did he sort out the chords for me but even sorted out the arrangement in BB. Above and beyond the call of duty, Dean.
The snares were added (to replicate the Bagpipe massed drummers) and also the Church Organ (2 tracks). Everything, apart from the Snares and RealDrums track is BIAB midi. What a Stunning piece of software this is.
I added the Lead guitar and mixed it down.
All comments appreciated.
As Dean is the Arranger per se, please note-
ASCAP Account No: 400004362
Legal Entity: dean clark
Class: SOLO
If any Forum member doubts the legality of this license-to-stream, or believes this post is a violation, please contact the moderators for its prompt removal without my objection.
Instruments in the SGU-
Acoustic Piano
ContraBass
Strings - Hi
Strings – Lo
Orchestral Brass
Horns
Church Organ (2 tracks combined)
Real Drums – BossaLewis^01-BrshHH-BrshswirlHH

And – the kitchen sink, as well. Lol!!

HIGHLAND CATHEDRAL-Collab-Ian and Dean

Thanks for listening
Ian and Dean

Really enjoyed this one guys. Beautifully arranged and played

Well, as far as I'm concerned, this is the best thing since the Big Bang - maybe better! Of course, I am totally biased and no one should pay attention to this opinion.

The opinion you should pay attention to is this: If you had told me that Duane Eddy was playing the guitar on this one I would have accepted it in a heartbeat. So the question to Ian is, How do you get that sound? Yeh, guv, I know it's the guitar but what about it? Tuning? super-heavy-gauge strings? Amp? Is it some kind of custom job?

Awaiting your reply Dua, sorry, Ian.

Dean (aka Aleck Rand)

Hi Furry - being Scots, this should be right up your street!! You will of course be aware of the track by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Pipe Band - thats what got me started.
Hi Dean - for the guitar I employ the KISS principle - always.
I don't use an amp when recording - just a tiny Korg Ampworks modeller after a Zoom2000 effects processor that gives me the echo patterns.

The guitar ("Lady") is a custom made Strat - made by Alan Brason in the UK to my Spec. It has B.I. maple neck, Alder body and Kinman FV pups. All electrics (pots, switch etc) are Fender. The strings are Elixir 11's nanoweb. No super heavy strings for me! Sperzel locking tuners and genuine Fender'62 bridge. Technically its a copy of Hank Marvins 40th Anniversary Strat but at a fraction of the Fender C.S. price. The pup in use on this track is the Middle pup but I do have a pull pot on Bridge that, when required, gives Neck+Bridge that really CAN give some Duane sounds - not a bad trick for a Strat.
Here's a pic -


Sorry to go on a bit but you DID ask!! lol!
cheers
ian

I was actually playing this tune long before the RSDG got hold of it. I heard it on a tape a German friend sent me. Played at an accordion club about 35 years ago and was asked to play it at least another twice that night LOL

Ian and Dean...

What a nice piece! Terrific arrangement. Nice job on the drums!

Ian...you've got Lady really singing!!! Proud! Majestic! Wonderful playing. Great tone.

Beautiful! Very enjoyable.

floyd

Hi, Ian and Dean !:))

This is just simply fantastic
in every aspect !:))

Cheers
Dani

Ian and Dean, Great arrangement and great guitar work. It sounds terrific. I really enjoyed it. Tom

Very nice! How refreshing to hear that clean clear singing melody. Cheers.

Wow! My hat's off to you guys!

Mike B.

Hi guys on behalf of Dean and myself, thank you for taking the time to listen and post comments. Much appreciated.
Hi Furry Graham - I make the date of the original composition 1982 and I can see it working well as an accordion piece.
Hi Floyd - Praise indeed from you! Wow! I'm glad you liked it. First time I've used the OD plug-in and wasnt sure if I'd got the sound right. In fact, I'm still not sure.
Hi Dani - so pleased you enjoyed it my friend. I hope you are doing OK in Finland now that Spring has sprung.
Hi Tommy - thanks for your comment - you are the Guitar Master - you would have told me if |I got that OD wrong - er - wouldnt you?! lol!
Hi Rich - yes, its a simple yet haunting melody and IMHO had to be played "straight" and let the backing do the fancy stuff.
Hi MIke - thanks for your kind words - couldnt have done it without Dean - a real Team Effort.
cheers
ian and Dean

Hi Ian and Dean,

very nice tune. And very tastefully played and arranged.
A wonderful listen.

Guenter

Very nice work you guys!! Really beautifully done. Take care. Greg

Bravo!! Great pickin' all the way around. I'm with Guenter -- tasteful is the operative word here.

Thank you Guenter, Greg, Janice and Bud. Ian and I appreciate these kind remarks.

Dean

Great piece!!! Really nice guitar too. I love any fiesta red strat and it does sound great.

Very nice song. Guitar work is excellent. Very enjoyable listen. Has allot of feeling in the song....

Hi there Blues and Scott and thank you for your kind replies.
Blues - I had my Strat especially sprayed that colour. I reckon Fiesta Red has changed over the years from that wonderful Thunderbirds colour it was in the late 50's/ early 60's to the bland red it is nowadays.
Scott - I'm glad that you think that there is some feeling in the playing. Its one of those tunes that kind of gets to you.
cheers
Ian and Dean

From the first piano chord, I pictured a church or a cathedral. Very expressive mix and production.

The guitar is sweet and emotional, adds a wonderful modern touch to this traditional sounding piece. (Loved the pics btw.)

Your collab succeeded big time guys:)

Hi Ian and Aleck

Ian so nice to have you back on the forum. We missed you! What a great colloboration. Love the guitar. Wish I could play half of that. Well done both of you.