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dont-bang-the-drum-piano-demo
This is my solo piano demo of Don't Bang The Drum, recorded in March 1985 at Park Gates Studio, England.
The song had a complicated genesis.
I gave the original version of the lyric - written autumn 1984 - to keyboard player Karl Wallinger. Karl set it to music in a sassy 60s retro style, with most of the melodies that would end up in the final version ("Well, here we are..." etc), but with a different groove and some different chords. I built on this, removing some lyrics, adapting the melodies to suit my own voice, and changing/adding some chords. That's what you hear on this demo.
Three months later the album version was recorded, following the blueprint of the demo, but with full sound and a new intro, written by myself, featuring Roddy Lorimer's trumpet.
(I spent two days recording piano /vocal demos like this of most the songs I'd written for the album - around 25 of them, both finished and unfinished. All the demos have the same piano/vocal sound and intensity as this version of Don't Bang The Drum, and include Be My Enemy, Custer's Blues, Medicine Jack, Spirit, Winter Blows, The Waves, Sleek White Schooner, Beverly Penn, The Pan Within, The Whole Of The Moon and others that have never made it to an album in any form. Maybe one day I'll talk to EMI about putting them out as an album.)
- james-kinney
- Txomin
Txomin at 0.10 on December 30, 2010 20:20
@craigcraig: You need to understand what happened between 1985 and 1991. I remember when the Waterboys fuelled by rumours of a triple album finall released Fisherman's and embarked on a mini tour of Eire and I was there at the Shinrone Community centre arriving past the big truck with the Waterboys ensignia draped over it - and to be there during rehersals and finally watch the beginning of the end of the 'Big Music' - however much of a masterpiece the album is - the demise became evident the moment these old 'biddies' started dancing on stage. Remember, I have seen them perform 'Purple Rain', been to Glastonbury and lived the story.
- TomoftheClouds
TomoftheClouds at 2.08 on November 06, 2010 19:39
I love these lines - shore/explore/implore - how many times have I howled out those lines - on bicycle, rain needling my face - yes, exhilirating baby!
- Homolka
- neil myles
neil myles on August 30, 2010 22:29
twenty fives year ago and still has the ability of bending the mind as if it just fell straight from the heavens for the first time. excellent.
- craigcraig
craigcraig on August 27, 2010 07:38
"Maybe one day I'll talk to EMI about putting them out as an album." Make it so !
- craigcraig
- user1473548
user1473548 on August 08, 2010 05:11
great song ,mike algun dia tocaran por argentina los esperamos all the best.
- 2re "how was the fish?"
2re "how was the fish?" on August 06, 2010 20:15
Hi Mike! That was beautiful and really show the quality of your voice! An album only with you and the piano will be fantastic! Looking forward!
- goodboy
- SonjaJohnston
SonjaJohnston on July 31, 2010 01:37
I'm kind of speechless Mike, that was beyond beautiful. I too would love to hear a whole album of you and the piano :-)
- user2612439
user2612439 on July 30, 2010 18:49
Mike, you never fail in sending shivers down my spine, this version is no exception. Your music keeps me afloat.
- s. bender
- Thunderhead
Thunderhead on July 25, 2010 10:31
Great atmosphere, like all the versions I've heard of this great song...
- Claire-5
Claire-5 on July 24, 2010 08:56
wow; what a voice !! This is the Sea is my favourite album
and you're my favourite artist ! - powder_monkey
- Stupefaction
Stupefaction on July 23, 2010 19:14
The material on this album was so consistently strong from beginning to end, you could release an album of these demos and it would be great.
- user5123129
user5123129 on July 23, 2010 15:08
Yeah! One of the greatest most underrated bands of all time. What a voice. This is the sea I listen to like I bought it yesterday. Trumpets, whole of the moon, classic. Thanks boys. You've enriched my life.
- Drumslinger
Drumslinger on July 23, 2010 13:57
In no matter what shape or form this is a WB's classic and indeed a rock classic.
From the "full on" original album version to the stripped back version presented here...always brilliant! - italo-canario
italo-canario on July 23, 2010 12:21
My favourite Mike's song...it brings me back more than 20 years ago on a rocky shore where I used to go alone with my portable music player and listen to "this is the sea" album...still when someone ask me which is my favourite album ever I always answer : "This is the sea - The Waterboys"
Thank you Mike!!
Greetings from Lanzarote
A big hug
paolo - jpaulosantos
jpaulosantos on July 23, 2010 09:32
My all time favorite... no matter what version... always brilliant... thanks for sharing
- Dulligirl
Dulligirl on July 23, 2010 08:33
So brilliant. I love the Waterboys and "Don't Bang the Drum" is one of my favorites. Love the starkness of the demo.
- zappaconcrete
zappaconcrete on July 22, 2010 18:57
great stuff...keep posting these "jewels" as a fan I can not get enough,these take me right to the moment I first heard the song and all the memories associated with it....keep them coming Mike
- Snuckity Snickets
Snuckity Snickets on July 22, 2010 17:35
Currently flicking between this song and A Pagan Place...get right in amongst it! :)
- songhunter
songhunter on July 22, 2010 16:51
Fantastic; this song is great in both versions. Back in 1985 it was a wonderful starter at the support-act gigs I saw in Europe.
- paulmacbcn
26 Comments
6 timed comments and 20 regular comments