gswitz
I love it
 

Thank You gswitz I love it enough to keep working on it ...
 

emeraldsoul
I dig this also. I'd respectfully disagree with the comment that the solo isn't saying anything. First off, it says, "I've got chops."  :)
 
Song for My Father is typically played slower than this, isn't it? Kind of a bossa feel, usually. So if you are going to do a speed funk version, would it make sense to "have less notes" and solo it like it's a ballad? I don't think so. So perhaps Jeff's not digging the tempo choice, which is his prerogative of course. 
 
But I think the soloing is pretty cool, given this faster tempo. My question would be, do you need the space odessy stuff at the beginning?
 
nice one Kenny! tasty bass playing as well . . .
-Tom
 
 

Hi Tom ,
Thank you for having my back
 
Very few guitar players play Song For My Father . I'm not saying that they can't , it's just that at least to my understanding there seems to be other songs and Jazz Standards that guitarists seem to gravitate towards ...
 
As far as how Song For My Father is typically played .
I have a version up on SoundCloud where I play it as it was somewhat intended to be played ..
The backing track is an Abersold ....
https://soundcloud.com/guitarist-kenny-wilson/midi-guitar-practice-s-f-m-father
On this version I play it using my midi guitar and I used a piano sound instead a guitar sound ...
I happen to like what I'm doing now much better
 
Thank you for getting it ...as I have mentioned before the file that I have up is only a work file ...
 
Regarding the Space Guitar thing , I know it doesn't fit and the song doesn't need it at all ...
I posted that with the song because I need to re up my SoundCloud acct so I can post new mix's w out loosing the listens and comments .
I had hoped someone may have enjoyed that style of guitar playing if the other section of my tune didn't please them ...
FWIW , that section actually sounds and fits much better at the end of the song
 
all the best ,
 
Kenny
 

I'm not sure about the intro either after hearing the complete tune, but then again I'm not one to always follow convention.   I liked that part as-is either way and could see it as its own piece...?
 
I've just listened to the typical version you posted above and your new one, and there is definitely a big difference.   But both work for me since they're at different ends of the style map.   Having grown up with RTF and the fusion genre in general I really liked your new version.   Yeah, there are a lot of notes, but I can appreciate that type of thing as long as it's not completely mechanical and I don't think yours is.   Hey... If I could physically play like that, I would.  
 

OK , I never thought for a moment that my songs intro would case me so many problems ..it was only a placeholder in my mind ....
Anyway , I started having visions of getting lynched like what happens in a cowboy movie when the whole town rushes the sheriffs office with rope, shovels and farm tools to pull the guy out of jail to lynch and hang his a$$
 
I anted up my SoundCloud account and put up a new version of my tune ....same link as the OP
 
The offending intro is missing .  I played a few new rhythm guitar parts underneath the tune in places...
As I mentioned in my opening post I'm working on the tune and I consider it to be a work in progress ...
If anyone feels like giving me a second chance you can find the tune here
 
https://soundcloud.com/guitarist-kenny-wilson/song-for-my-father
 
for now the lead guitar is still what I originally played ...once I have the other supporting  parts more to my liking 
I will gladly go there and give the lead another crack
 
all the best ,
 
Kenny

gswitz
Yeah... I noticed and appreciated the bass.

Thanks gswitz I'm glad you dug the Bass
 

Jeff Evans
I was under the impression that posting songs in the songs forum was to get some feedback on your production be it good, bad or OK.  I merely expressed an opinion of which I have heard in a similar manner by others with others songs. Others have usually taken any negative points by other members in quite well. I am not suggesting you have to completely re do it either. But you can always learn from feedback. Good and bad. It can be a very good thing.
 
I guess it is the reason I don't spend too much time listening here. Although I have listened to and made comments about other peoples songs as well that was well received. Heck I even completely remixed one song in one case for a member here in order to show them what I was on about.  (production wise) And that was very well received.  And I enjoyed doing it too.
 
You thought I was not understanding Jazz or hearing the changes. Sorry to name drop or list my credits but I was only trying to point out I actually do understand Jazz very well and like it a lot too. But maybe its a Sonar club thing and only patting on the back is permitted here.  You would have a difficult time working with a producer that is for sure. They would rip your music apart and rebuild it.  I suppose too that composing music for a long time and getting paid for it has to toughen you up. I am used to people sometimes not liking what I have done.  (Gosh wait till work for an ad agency. They are crazy!!) And either changing it or even completely starting again. That is the world of getting paid to do what you do. They have all the power and control. It can be very upsetting but I have learned  don't get emotionally involved with the music. That is the secret. You just have to let it go and move on. 
 
Interesting thing about Frank too is that I have heard him many times playing Chick Corea tunes and playing the way does in that situation but late last year he came out here with a beautiful band. I got to hear it of course. He is working with his wife now (as well as Chick still) in this real cool lounge Jazz vocal type vibe and he is really holding back and I mean holding back. Frank holding back is something to behold. He is playing these sort of Gilmour, Santanna like solos now. He has got so much time to play the notes and he is thinking it so well. Every note counts. The emotion in his playing is incredible. Hard to believe considering he is so fast etc.. I have heard him holding back many years ago and always loved it but he was never into it. But now he is doing it.  His solos build too and he does get a little quick here and there but just at the right time and only for fleeting moments.  I think I just had all that in my head when I heard your tune and thought it could go the same way.
 
I do admire your attitude though of this is the way I am going to do it and I don't care if you don't like it. (although that does not pan out in your responses so much) I have had to do that on a few ocassions especially in a theatre situation. Stand by what I have done and in the end they gave in and the music stayed the way it was. And of course on opening night the director finally realised what I was on about and agreed that it was the right choice. 
 
You did say the Far side of Jazz guitar and I did overlook that and I am also sorry for that. You did give plenty of warning! Anyway sorry to have upset you Kenny. Keep well.

I'm gonna quote the whole quote
Jeff , Thank you for sharing your opinion and thoughts ....
 
For any one that is interested Jeff and I have been talking VIA PM and we have built a new bridge
 
all is cool between us ..
 
Kenny
 
 
 

Actually the more I listen to this the more I like it.  It is one of those pieces.  I really like the way Kenny is playing the head in this. His solo for me after the head too takes me on a more constructed journey than I previously thought too.  These choruses get better for me now with each one like they just keep on going taking a few twists here and there.
 
The feel of this is not like the original and I especially like it for that, more now too.  There is some tasty keyboard playing at the start of this too.  If its either piano direct or guitar midi piano it really sounds like a keyboard part to me.
 
Kenny can play quite a few things really well and that is a very cool skill to have.  The more you can do the more you can embellish your own songs with your own style with the other instruments.  I try and do it with drums, keyboards and percussion and some very basic guitar and bass stuff.  You cop some flac sometimes about your playing on your other instruments but I say stick with it and state your case.
 
 

And there will be peace in the valley.
 
I admire the way Kenny and Jeff were able to find common ground.  The exchange was an example of two men working it out through conversation rather than coming to blows.
 
Excellent!
 
Screed the Q Jesse

I enjoyed this Kenny, thanks for sharing.

Kenny - I tend to not listen to things put up as "work in progress" just because I'd rather listen to songs which are near finished or finished and just need tweaking on mix stuff.  just my preference, I'd rather wait until things are further along.
 
glad I didn't wait on this one!  this is just awesome guitar playing as usual from you!  wish you'd put more stuff up!  I love it!  keys add a nice touch.  mix is pretty darn good - very well balanced.
 
nice work my friend!
 
edit;  I had not read any of the previous comments before posting mine - I normally do that as well.
 
I do stand beside Jeff in his right to say what he thinks about anything that's posted, good, bad or indifferent.  the original poster, however has no obligation at all to incorporate any comments made by anyone if he/she doesn't want to or disagrees.  
 
I'm glad it's working itself out between everyone involved, tho.  that's the true spirit that I love about this songs forum!  

stevec
I'm not sure about the intro either after hearing the complete tune, but then again I'm not one to always follow convention.   I liked that part as-is either way and could see it as its own piece...?
 
I've just listened to the typical version you posted above and your new one, and there is definitely a big difference.   But both work for me since they're at different ends of the style map.   Having grown up with RTF and the fusion genre in general I really liked your new version.   Yeah, there are a lot of notes, but I can appreciate that type of thing as long as it's not completely mechanical and I don't think yours is.   Hey... If I could physically play like that, I would.  
 

Hi Steve ,
 
Thanks for taking the time to listen to them both ..
 
I ditched the space intro and it's going in the can for a while ...I will find a use for later on it at some point ...
 
As far as the musical spectrum goes ...I happen to think that it is still a pretty wide open territory ...
 
I'm glad you enjoyed a good deal of my guitar playing in this clip ...if it is of any consolation to you ...
I have many days in my life when I wish I can play like that
 
On that particular day while recording I was able to play like that with uninhibited freedom of expression ......
This is one of the many reasons why I had posted my song the way I did at first ...
I had hoped that a guitar player here or there  may have enjoyed hearing a one take guitar solo that stretched the envelope..
I don't mind having to back track and re do a few things to dial a tune in ..
 
once again Steve thank you for listening 
 
all the best,
 
Kenny

Jeff Evans
Actually the more I listen to this the more I like it.  It is one of those pieces.  I really like the way Kenny is playing the head in this. His solo for me after the head too takes me on a more constructed journey than I previously thought too.  These choruses get better for me now with each one like they just keep on going taking a few twists here and there.
 
The feel of this is not like the original and I especially like it for that, more now too.  There is some tasty keyboard playing at the start of this too.  If its either piano direct or guitar midi piano it really sounds like a keyboard part to me.
 
Kenny can play quite a few things really well and that is a very cool skill to have.  The more you can do the more you can embellish your own songs with your own style with the other instruments.  I try and do it with drums, keyboards and percussion and some very basic guitar and bass stuff.  You cop some flac sometimes about your playing on your other instruments but I say stick with it and state your case.
 
 

Hey Jeff , 
 
I see you finally got the check I sent you . After reading all this , I feel it was money well spent  just kidding around ...
I'm happy that after a few listens you found value in what I was playing and doing my best at the time to get across in my music
This is just a taste of what I'm looking to do in one area of my playing / music .
FWIW, I happen to feel that I have a long ways to go to get it done right ....
Working alone in SONAR all by myself , trying to learn how to do everything perfectly by last week or Yesterday at the latest doesn't seem to  make it any easier ...sound familiar folks ? can I get an Amen 
 
Had I been doing this playing / working for somebody else , I would have bent over backwards to give them what they wanted and what there were suggesting for me to play ......
 
Since I'm pretty much working by myself over here . Most of the time it's just for grins and giggles when I do my music .
I generally don't  feel the need to conform to anyone Else's expectation other than my own ...
 
Now we all know that, that approach in and of itself  can be a double edged sword ...
Simply because it can go either way .The sword itself  is sharp on both ends Right ?
 
I happen to feel that there is always an element of risk involved when a player regardless of the chosen instrument decides to incorporate what they have learned over the years subconsciously and consciously to create their own unique vocabulary of playing phrases and tones ...
 
Risk little gain little ...Risk it all and gain it all ...or in many cases Risk it all fall flat on your a$$ , get back up and Risk it all over until you get it right
 
Carlo's , BB King, D Gilmore, Jeff Beck, George Benson, Joe Pass, Stevie Ray, Grant Green , Wes Montgomery ,and about 5 dozen other Cat's that I could mention including your friend Frank G are prime examples of a few very simple principles that are very easy to describe , yet these goals in and of themselves are very hard to accomplish with out a concerted effort of reverting back to a natural state of being  being oneself that is and being true to it
                  ( Musical )    
Being a truthful ^ version of your self no matter how humble that may appear to the rest of the world always trumps being a second rate version of somebody else ...unless your getting paid to do movies as an actor .....or your in a tribute band ...
 
So What am I talking about here ? in a nutshell I feel that it is pretty simple ....
 
Each and every player I have mentioned , including the players that I have omitted have a couple of very solid  recognizable hallmarks and qualities that exude from their souls when they are playing and expressing them self's musically .
 
Breaking it down , It can be said that these fine players have a very strong foundation rooted in two very simple musical principals
 
# 1 They all played the same instrument ...they all played the guitar ...
# 2 Much more important I feel , they all decided to create their own unique recognizable playing style and vocabulary of how they play the guitar and express their emotions VIA the guitar & music ...
 
Whether that happened by chance , osmosis or a deliberate choice in each players evolution ...
.....................it doesn't matter ................
All that really matters in the end is that it "indeed happened for them "  ....
if it happened for them doesn't that also mean that" it can happen " for you ? for me ? for him and her ?
In my book it's real simple ... it's either happening or it ain't happening ...
Also when a person gives up hope and gets lazy due to being discouraged ... I know this from experience ...
It can go from  hey folks "What 's happening"  to oh $hit What Just Happened  ?  
 
 
I listen to BB and there is no mistaking him for Wes . I listen to George Benson and I know it ain't Carlo's .
Both Gilmore and Stevie Ray are very expressive players yet there is no way they sound anything alike ...
 
So what's all this Chit Chat about anyway ?
 
With out any form of contentiousness  here ... I know it may sound that way as a written words online ...
Yet, I can assure anyone that is reading this that I have already decided the fate of my own path ...
Why is this so ? because I have already surveyed the terrain and decided what is important to me ...
 
 
When a person involves them self in any creative effort , regardless of the form or personal process it may take , there is always a price to pay and there is always some form of a hoped for or anticipated reward
 
In my case I'm just gonna keep doing my own thing with the goal of playing my way out of this very restrictive  paper bag I'm trapped in called life
If during that process I may happen to touch another person with my music and if it brings them value ...
Great that is just like the icing on the cake ...often times I may never know who I may have reached ..( or pissed off LOL )
That's a big reason I record these little songs and paying examples
FWIW, I still have a foot in The Land Of Magical Expectation ...I can admit it ...
I want to go to the Ball , I want to meet my Princess , I want her to put the glass Cowboy Boot I lost when my chariot turned into a pumpkin while I was loading my guitar in the trunk back on my foot so I can know everything is gonna be OK  
 
 
 
all the best,
 
Kenny