Maiden covers set.. advice needed

[gwEm]

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?

[Philly Q]

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?

[gwEm]

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.

[Kiichi]

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 itīs fun. "Only the good die young" is also not bad. Also "Heaven Can Wait".

[mecca777]

"Sun and Steel" is pretty straightforward, too.

[James C]

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

[Dave Sloven]

Yeah do some from the Di Anno period.

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

[PhilKing]

I was thinking that Paschendale might work, but it still has great singing    Are you going to use a looper or a backing track?  Perhaps you can get someone to sing with you?

[Plenum n Heather]

Die With Your Boots On may be doable.
Sign Of The Cross.

[gwEm]

Die With Your Boots On may be doable.

yes, thats very much doable

[gwEm]

I was thinking that Paschendale might work, but it still has great singing    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.

[gwEm]

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

[gwEm]

Got 'Fear of the Dark' in the bag..

[Kiichi]

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 donīt 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

[gwEm]

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!