The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Your Tunes: Harlem Nocturne Video w/ 6120

Welcome to the Gretsch Pages

Harlem Nocturne Video w/ 6120

- Rated: 6 ↑
Oct 6, 2008 9:51 a.m. cat mensch:

Hi guys,

I made my first attempt at recording a video this weekend. Its a solo guitar arrangement of "Harlem Nocturne", loosely based on the Viscounts version. I'm using my Gretsch 6120-1960 into a Polytone MegaBrute amp:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpnCWbgDwCA&fmt=18

I wish I'd have done a few more attempts to sure up the tentative spots, or at least warmed up a bit more, but we're all friends, so here it is. Any comments on the arrangement or audio/video quality are welcome. Coments on the overweight, bald fellow playing the guitar are not!

Thanks!

-Phil
- Rated: 43 ↑
Oct 6, 2008 10:01 a.m. Ric12string:

Hey Cat Mensch, that was great. I liked that a lot.

Guitar tone was generally very light and sweet, yet appropriately dark in the lower tones. Very nice.

The only constructive remark I would offer is that you might consider moving the Bigsby handle slightly closer to you so that the reach is not quite as long. It seemed like it may have interfered with your timing at one or two spots. Otherwise, though, I thought it was very good.
- Rated: 45 ↑
Oct 6, 2008 10:10 a.m. Tsar Nicholas :

Nice one, Cat Mensch! I enjoyed that.
- Rated: 6 ↑
Oct 6, 2008 10:33 a.m. cat mensch:

Hey, Ric12string:

You are right on the money. This is my first Bigsby, and I'm still getting used to it. The thing is either in my way, or too far away! I need to find a good middle ground.
- Rated: 34 ↑
Oct 6, 2008 12:17 p.m. Bernw:

Hi cat mensch - I really enjoyed that. Good playing and a good sound too.
- Rated: 18 ↑
Oct 6, 2008 12:24 p.m. TwangOmatic:

Sounds very gretschy i love that song but never knew what it was called. who wrote it?
- Rated: 6 ↑
Oct 6, 2008 12:29 p.m. cat mensch:

Hey, TwangOmatic -- It was written by Earle Hagen.

http://www.earlehagen.net/harlem.htm

I asked an older musician friend of mine about it recently and he said something like "Oh, that tune's as old as the hills!"
- Rated: 8 ↑
Oct 6, 2008 8:41 p.m. JW:

Hey Cat,

Well done!

Nice Bigsby work too.

I've liked that tune for a long time; It just reeks of dimly lit, rain soaked city street corner at midnight; A private "Dick" standing in the shadows with a butt hanging out of the corner of his mouth.

Thanks for the link,

John
- Rated: 8 ↑
Oct 6, 2008 8:45 p.m. JW:

Hah! Just checked out your Earle Hagen link; The Mike Hammer connection is perfect. I'de forgotten that show.

You'll need to log in to post.