Eclectic Rock Quartet

hey y'all! i'm about to record with this line up: acoustic guitarist/vox(female)/flute, keys/piano, bass, and me on drums. so we're about to gig and the repertoire of originals is awesome, but they want a few covers to fill in the gaps and keep the audience entertained. they assigned me to the task. without hesitating, i suggested "roundabout" by yes (sans electric guitar, but we can compensate) with a unanimous HELL YEAH, "harvest for the world" by the isely bros., "crazy on you" by heart (with a distorted key effect that sounds just as good for that historic electric guitar melody, with our frontwoman doing everything else on her six string), "any major dude will tell you" by steely dan, "two step" by dave matthews band, "call me al" by paul simon and some fleetwood mac songs (but can't decide!). all with similar feedback from the band!!! what other emotionally stirring and energetic songs would your recommend? keep in mind the line up, so let me know what songs would make you exclaim "HELL YEAH!"

[larryz]

I would not do anything that has a great guitar solo in it. Even though you think you can reproduce it on the keys. That Heart song is all about the lead electric guitar. Do a nice version of "Dog & Butterfly" instead, or better yet get the Heart live album "Going Back" or something like that. It was released in the mid 1990s and was an unplugged show with John Paul Jones. Really good stuff on there.

[Milt Hathaway]

Sounds like a cool group.

I agree with others who suggest staying away from any song where the guitar line(s) is the hook. Seems like you are open to having fun with the arrangements, so how about:

Bungle in the Jungle by Jethro Tull (or any of their other more 'radio friendly' tunes)
Angel of Harlem by U2
Breathe Your Name by Sixpence None The Richer
Lovefool by The Cardigans (or for grins even their cover of Iron Man)
Coconut by Harry Nilsson
Tempted by Squeeze

Forgive me, as I have odd tastes, and I especially like the idea of creatively stripped-down covers of popular classics.

You did ask.

[larryz]

Originally Posted by Milt Hathaway

Sounds like a cool group.

Coconut by Harry Nilsson

Great choice. Anyone know who drummed on that one? Don't think it was his buddy Ringo...

[Mad About Drums]

Originally Posted by Milt Hathaway

Bungle in the Jungle by Jethro Tull (or any of their other more 'radio friendly' tunes)

Aqualung from Aqualung :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0jMPI_pUec

Originally Posted by Milt Hathaway

Sounds like a cool group.

I agree with others who suggest staying away from any song where the guitar line(s) is the hook. Seems like you are open to having fun with the arrangements, so how about:

Bungle in the Jungle by Jethro Tull (or any of their other more 'radio friendly' tunes)
Angel of Harlem by U2
Breathe Your Name by Sixpence None The Richer
Lovefool by The Cardigans (or for grins even their cover of Iron Man)
Coconut by Harry Nilsson
Tempted by Squeeze

Forgive me, as I have odd tastes, and I especially like the idea of creatively stripped-down covers of popular classics.

You did ask.

yeah man, very cool bunch. i am the youngest (25 this month-lol), the piano player is from macedonia (greece's neighbor to the north) and is currently studying classical piano for his phd, the frontwoman had an illustrious career teaching music for middle schoolers, retired early, and is now some kind of spiritual awareness guide; she's on a whole 'nother level (but not crazy/cultist or anything, she's 'got a grip' so to speak), the bassist graduated with a bachelor's in jazz studies and spent the 80's making a living touring and recording with metal bands (and he takes lessons from the SPIN DOCTORS' bassist!!!), he spent years serving as a sheriff, retired, and is now a higher-up in a security service company. we all had some great chemistry! can't wait for our first gig! good suggestions btw!!

[Toolate]

Black velvet seems like it might fit in this mix. ALso some pretenders songs? Back to ohio?