The Christian Life

Cover of a Byrds cover of an old Louvin Brothers song.

I did this this afternoon as an exercise in trying to get a good acoustic guitar sound, as per the discussion in this thread.
For the gear nerdly, it's a Martin HD-28 recorded with a Studio Projects C1 condenser positioned at my left ear, facing down a bit; a Shure SM57 pointed at the sound hole, and an LR Baggs M1 Active pickup in the soundhole, direct into the interface. Didn't use much of the Shure, blended the pickup and the C1 to taste.
But then of course I had to layer a whole bunch of other stuff on top, it being me...so it's probably hard for anyone else to hear the acoustic very well.
And the lead vocal is weak but I was just horsin' around so I didn't fix it.
It's not like it's for reals or anything.

(Get Flash to see the track player.)
posted by chococat (7 comments total)

Cover of a cover. Cool.

Lead vocal sounds just fine to me. That ain't weak. If that's just horsin' around, well, hell, that's a nice pony you got there.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:50 AM on November 7

Yeah, the vocal's nice and the harmonies are really sweet.

Interesting final chord you got there.

I've got Louvin Bros on my wishlist but I'm not familiar with this song (or the Byrds' cover).
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 2:49 AM on November 7

That ain't weak. If that's just horsin' around, well, hell, that's a nice pony you got there
Aw shucks flapjax, I reckon you got me all blushin' now. I thank ya kindly.
I just meant it's pretty thin and shaky and didn't hit all the notes. I shoulda gone back and done it again. But, you know, shoulda coulda woulda.

Interesting final chord you got there.
You can't go wrong ending a country song on a C7.
Incidentally, K the J, the Byrds do it on Sweetheart of the Rodeo, which is an awesome album, wedged in my brain from years of repeat playing.
posted by chococat at 10:30 AM on November 7

Yea, this is awesome wrapped in bitchen slide guitar! Tres Bien!
posted by snsranch at 4:10 PM on November 7

Man, that is possibly the chimiest electric guitar I have ever heard. This is really nice.
posted by uncleozzy at 5:52 AM on November 9

Cover of a cover? Sounds like a future challenge to me!

This is solid. The harmony on the line "I like the Christian life" is devastating.
posted by Corduroy at 8:21 AM on November 9 [1 favorite has favorites]

I do love this song and what a fine version of it you do :)
posted by By The Grace of God at 1:15 PM on November 9