Feel A Whole Lot Better

[murphy12]

Thanks again, all. David does a version of "Eight Miles High" on an Ovation acoustic 12 that's nearly better than the original! The man's got some chops, so 'e does.

[mcd220]

Hi Guys-

That solo on IFAWLB, like most of the 12 string parts on the 1st album, is double tracked, (You can really hear this at the beginning of the song, when Roger comes in after Crosby's intro; a very "Choral" sound), HOWEVER, there are no (I'm almost positive) "Extra" notes on the overdub, just a repeat double of the 1st track solo.

That high A note that comes in about 1/3 of the way through is indeed on the G strings at the 14th fret; on what made it to the album, you don't really hear the root string here, mainly just the octave, giving the illusion that that note is on the E strings at the 17th, but it is on the G, making the solo a 3 note chord at that part.

If you watch the lip-synch from "Hollywood A Go Go" that Jim sent over, you can clearly see Rog hitting the G strings.

Also, if you watch the LIVE "Shindig" footage, during Michael Clarke's close-up, his foot isn't even on the bass drum pedal!!!

Busted, Michael.

What I like to do, is play the entire solo in sort of a triplet feel; this, coupled with the Jangklebox, will give you a "Double tracked Illusion", and make the solo sound "Busier & denser" as well.

Christian

[ethanrusso]

Thanks to the videos, I am able to see the positions used for the solo, but still can't manage to figure out the fingering. Has anyone got a good tab that they'd be willing to share, either here, or privately to [email protected]? I would gratefully note the contribution every time I play!

[jimk]

Here it is, Ethan. At least it's about 95%. So if you play my transcription along with the Byrds' recording, you'll be close enough for government work. The trick is to barre the B and E strings with the index finger of your fretting hand at the 12th fret, and then hammer-on or pull-off as required with another finger. I use my ring finger for that. Slide that position down to the 10th fret, and so on all the way through the solo. I hope this helps.
JimK

[ethanrusso]

Thanks, Jim. That was extremely generous!
Cheers,
Ethan

[manta]

I've always thought the gist of this solo was borrowed a bit in the reverse from the intro to 8 Days A Week. Or is it the other way around? Which song came first?

Timbo

[jimk]

Feel A Whole Lot Better was recorded on April 14, 1965 and was issued as the B side to Mr. Tambourine Man. I don't have any data on Eight Days A Week. Interesting question.
JimK

[rick36]

"Eight Days a Week" was recorded in October, 1964 (released as a single in the US in February '65). There might be some similarities between the two guitar parts. Keep in mind however, that McGuinn did a similar type of lick on "Mr. Spaceman" and "5D". The solo lead on "5D" actually reminds me of bagpipes. Seriously, give it a listen with that in mind...

[mcd220]

Another interesting point, the intro to "Set You Free This Time", like the first 1/2 bar, is also the same exact thing as the beginning of the solo in IFAWLB. David & Gene are of course there on the intro as well, Gretsche & Acoustic respectively.

Christian

[admin]

Jim: One of my favourite 12 string solos by McGuin. Thanks for posting it.

[jimk]

Jim: One of my favourite 12 string solos by McGuin. Thanks for posting it.

Glad to do it.
JimK

[manta]

One of my all-time favorite solos in Rock for me as well.

I was just thinking how the Byrds and the Beatles seemed to like each other's music there for a short period, Lennon getting his glasses idea from Jim (Roger), McGuinn getting his RIC idea from George, etc. that maybe one influenced the other a tad on that and other songs. 'Twas a wonderful period for sure. I remember when Eight Days a Week came out and we went to a friend's bedroom with the record (vinyl) album and with our guitars and figured out six or seven songs right off the bat with Eight Days and Holly's Words of Love being our favorites. Course it helped that our organist had perfect pitch and a few of them were just progression tunes.

Ah, the good ol' days. Now vinyl is used for Rap music. Times have been a changin'.

Best,

Manta