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At The Back => Time Out => Topic started by: gwEm on October 02, 2015, 12:38:29 PM

Title: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: gwEm on October 02, 2015, 12:38:29 PM: I've been invited to do a set of Iron Maiden covers which I've obviously accepted.

For some years I've been doing "Prowler". Last night I nailed "The Wicker Man".

I need songs by them which are easy to sing and easy to remember. I'm looking at:

* Killers
* Flash of the Blade
* Fear of the Dark
* Speed of Light

Anyone with any thoughts on that?
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: Philly Q on October 02, 2015, 02:09:08 PM: I don't know about the east to sing/play bit, but I wonder if people would be expecting more of a "greatest hits" type thing?

Running Free, Run to the Hills, Two Minutes to Midnight, The Trooper, Aces High, Bring Your Daughter.... to the Slaughter?
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: gwEm on October 02, 2015, 02:32:10 PM: Yeah, I think so too Philly.

But the thing with some of those songs is either I don't like them or the song is crazy difficult to sing. You need to be a great singer to do Run To The Hills any justice I can tell you.

However, two of those do stick out for me as being do-able:

Running Free
Two Minutes to Midnight (except perhaps the chorus)

I don't claim to have any sort of singing voice really. More of an occasionally expressive bark.
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: Kiichi on October 02, 2015, 02:59:39 PM: An offshoot would be "Wasted Years". Good fun to do with an acoustic only even. I do really like "Powerslave" too. "Can I play with madness" might be a bit out there, but it´s fun. "Only the good die young" is also not bad. Also "Heaven Can Wait".
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: mecca777 on October 02, 2015, 04:43:52 PM: "Sun and Steel" is pretty straightforward, too.
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: James C on October 02, 2015, 10:15:27 PM: Die with your boots on
Charlotte the harlot
22 acacia avenue
Man on the edge

Those would be my suggestions, but I can only hit (ish) the blaze era vocals, Bruce's early register is seriously tough
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: Dave Sloven on October 04, 2015, 05:35:02 AM: Yeah do some from the Di Anno period.

Out of the easier to sing songs they would be more popular.
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: PhilKing on October 04, 2015, 01:16:44 PM: I was thinking that Paschendale might work, but it still has great singing :sad: Are you going to use a looper or a backing track? Perhaps you can get someone to sing with you?
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: Plenum n Heather on October 06, 2015, 02:29:32 AM: Die With Your Boots On may be doable.
Sign Of The Cross.
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: gwEm on October 06, 2015, 11:29:03 AM: Quote from: Plenum n Heather on October 06, 2015, 02:29:32 AM
Die With Your Boots On may be doable.

yes, thats very much doable
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: gwEm on October 06, 2015, 11:29:45 AM: Quote from: PhilKing on October 04, 2015, 01:16:44 PM
I was thinking that Paschendale might work, but it still has great singing :sad: Are you going to use a looper or a backing track? Perhaps you can get someone to sing with you?

i'm going to be using a backing track (of my own production) yes. it ought to cover up some errors.
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: gwEm on October 06, 2015, 11:34:10 AM: Quote from: Agent Orange on October 04, 2015, 05:35:02 AM
Yeah do some from the Di Anno period.

Out of the easier to sing songs they would be more popular.

I like Di Anno's vocal style too. I'll have a listen to the first couple of albums
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: gwEm on October 11, 2015, 10:11:08 PM: Got 'Fear of the Dark' in the bag..
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: Kiichi on October 11, 2015, 10:49:57 PM: Quote from: gwEm on October 11, 2015, 10:11:08 PM
Got 'Fear of the Dark' in the bag..
That is great! Also cause it is one that, though iconic, always leaves good room for a personal touch. Most maidens do, but to me this one especially. I could see a great two guitar + vocals acoustic version of this too.

Now get some mates and cover this version! You don´t need the choir though. Van Canto just continue to be awesome. The solo is better in the studio and normal live version though as they sing it. The guest are a bit weird, but it proves they can do this sh*t live. https://youtu.be/UrxfZv6KEL0 (https://youtu.be/UrxfZv6KEL0)
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: gwEm on October 18, 2015, 12:47:17 PM: So I learnt Wrathchild and Flash of the Blade too...

But then at rehearsal my drummer wasn't up to the speed of some of the tracks.

So I have produced a backing for Flash of the Blade (the easiest one) and will bulk out the set with some of my own stuff.

This speed learning experience has improved my playing, or at least sharpened it up, quite noticeably I think. Nothing like a gig to focus things!

The show is next Friday, thanks for the help!

Kiichi: you are right, Fear of the Dark is so recognisable that it's easy to put your own stamp on it, which I think I've done. I liked that semi-acapella version too!
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: Plenum n Heather on October 29, 2015, 12:14:24 PM: Have a great gig!
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: gwEm on October 29, 2015, 02:47:37 PM: Quote from: Plenum n Heather on October 29, 2015, 12:14:24 PM
Have a great gig!

Thanks mate!

The show went well in fact. People knew The Wicker Man pretty well, which was a nice surprise. Flash Of The Blade didn't work as well as I thought, I should have done one of the hits that was suggested here!

Big killer was Fear Of The Dark, lots of love for that!
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: gwEm on October 29, 2015, 02:52:21 PM: Here I am as Adrian Smith after the show, posing with Eddie :cool:
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: gwEm on October 29, 2015, 07:34:06 PM: Big power stance, big gurn
Title: Re: Maiden covers set.. advice needed
Post by: PhilKing on November 01, 2015, 11:48:52 AM: I recognise that guitar! Glad to hear it all went well and kudos to you for taking up the challenge.