Crazy on a Hohner Atlantic

[boxplayer4000]

Apologies to Willie Nelson at the outset. I toyed with his song ‘Crazy’ for a time trying to use it for a ’Slow Foxtrot’ dance. (Does anybody remember that?)


About 6 years ago on a restored Hohner Atlantic 1V Musette I recorded this version using its wet and dry sounds.





Dropbox Link https://www.dropbox.com/s/hdbeiey7ild1mrf/Crazy2e 1 - 14_10_2014 20.23.mp3?dl=0

 

[Dingo40]

Very nicely played, Boxplayer!
Thanks??

 

[boxplayer4000]

Thanks Dingo40.
The old ones are the best.

 

[losthobos]

Nice... I don't think you need to apologise to Willie Nelson..though Patsy Cline may be squirming in her grave a little.... Only kidding..
If that was 6 years ago I'd be interested to hear how you play it now..has it developed further or does it still sit as pretty as it did then.... Not that it needs changing anyway, i just find time and mood does that to tunes..
Also can i hear piano like tones from the bass line..
Well done... Reminded me to polish my foxtrot...

 

[boxplayer4000]

Crazy.


My version of this is made solo on one accordion with midied bass/chords.


The recording is made up of lead melody, accompanying accordion chords, piano (bass and chords) and simulated midi bass.


An extremely abbreviated version of the tune is offered here; the arrangement is my own, compiled after listening to other artists. The basic tune is shown with chords and below the chords, bass notes where appropriate. It will be quickly apparent to musicians that this was not written by one of their own and I freely admit to having had no musical training in written music or accordions. However as with most things a bit of enthusiasm can help.

 

[John M]

Boxplayer,

Thanks so much for the sheet of your arrangement. I was going to record your video and try to play it back over and over to "transcribe" it the way you played it. I won't be able to do it like you, but maybe I can play something that will at least be recognizable.

John M.

 

[boxplayer4000]

Thanks John M.
Transcribing a tune by listening to it over and over is a very good habit I believe. It trains your ear to listen better but also, if the player is somebody
who's style you admire some of his/her interpretations will be picked up with repeated playing and hopefully some of it will rub off.

 

[Glug]

A very good version.

There is sheet music to buy online for a solo accordion version, not sure if it's any good though

Crazy Sheet Music | Willie Nelson | Accordion

Download and Print Crazy sheet music for Accordion by Willie Nelson from Sheet Music Direct.

www.sheetmusicdirect.com

I did try doing a score from a piano version, still a work in progress.
Also tried Strange and She's Got You with even less success:




I really wanted to do some kd lang songs, but I don't have the voice and I can't play sax


Anybody know if a V Accordion can do a convincing sax impersonation ?

 

[John M]

Thanks to all. This site is full of so much information.

John M.

 

[debra]

Just got around to listening to this clip. I really like how the treble side was played. Very nice, very musical. The midied bass side... less so as it does not convincingly sound like acoustic.
At the start of the recording there is not only a bit of noise but I believe I also hear some voices in the background... just a tad sloppy as far as recording technique goes. I'm sure that in the past 6 years you must have learned how to improve on that. Looking forward to some recent recordings.

 

[boxplayer4000]

Paul Debra.
As always you’re right and you’ve ‘pushed the right button’ again. Thanks.

My relationship with recording requires some explanation. Recording one’s own voice is always a surprise because the speaker doesn’t hear what the listener does and it can be a bit of a shock when the recording is listened to. Likewise listening to a recording of one’s own playing on an accordion has some of the same qualities and one needs to try and be as objective as possible when listening to it.

I’ve made dozens of recordings, mainly on Apple Mac’s own programmes. There’s no commercial considerations at all but I find being able to multi-track very helpful in being able to listen to sets and arrangements. Being able to listen to one’s own style, pace, attack and accuracy helps to me keep standards in my 79th year.

I would also like to say I appreciate the quality and standard of your own recordings. Classical is not within my scope but one of my sons plays piano to high classical standards. People like Andre Rieu have helped philistines like me bridge the gap to better music.

How I got to be playing ‘Crazy’ at all may be of interest. A local Societies cabaret/dance function hire a semi-professional singer for which the band provides support. Normally the song content has been of a Scottish nature but the request was made to sing ‘Crazy’ so I was faced with trying to sort it out. I’m pleased to say it was very successful with the help of piano and drums in the band. I’ve attached a copy of the original music which I probably worked to but changed the key to suit the singer.