I Know A Little --on amphetamines or not?

[helliott]

Funny thing at a recent gig. I'd noted to our drummer a couple of times that we were dragging a bit on the Skynrd classic, and he should pick it up starting with the high hat intro. He took it to heart, on steroids. Started the song at this gig at a frantic pace, and before I could turn to him to back him off a tad, James started the intro riff so we were pretty much locked in. I thought it freakish funny fast, but our bass player and an audience member noted the original is crazy fast too. Haven't checked. I still think it's so fast it's like a cartoon, but haven't checked the original to compare. Thoughts?

https://app.box.com/s/579lha62hhsag9juuc4e

[piebaldpython]

WOW.......the original isn't quite as fast as your version but I'd have to play them side by side to definitively say how much of a difference there was. The speed dropped a bit around the 1 minute mark. lol Anyway, it was a fun, barnstorming version and if it was FAST, who cares because the whole band went at the same speed and that's the only thing that counts. Your band is like a Ferrari on the Autobahn.....that if you want to go faster, it's no problem at all. Great playing as usual.......you and James just play great.

I remember way back 35-40 years ago when we would go clubbing in New Jersey, there was a super cover band with 2 guitarists......one guy played slide and the other played regular........man were they great. You and James remind me of that band from my youth.

[helliott]

Yeah, it's a close call now that I've listened to the original version. I found ours really quick when I could barely keep up on the main riff. Hence the odd almost stereo quality of the two guitars being almost on but slightly apart.

[Spudman]

I don't think it's too far off to be a problem. The intro is a tad rushed though. Mostly I'll always notice first if I have trouble phrasing the vocals. If I'm stumbling there to spit out words then I know it's too fast. Your version doesn't seem bad at all. It is a tweaker song for sure. It seems like the bass is trying to stay too on top of the beat. If he played a tad behind it then it wouldn't seem so rushed at this tempo maybe?

[jpfeifer]

This kicks butt! It happens to be my all time favorite Skynrd tune and you guys played it very well, including the slide solo. This is awesome. It may have felt rushed to you but I think your tempo was darn close to the original song. It really moves on the original track. Great job on this!

--Jim

[helliott]

Thanks Spud. Yeah, it does feel rushed at the beginning. The bass part comment is interesting. May bring that up.

[helliott]

Thanks Jim. Feedback much appreciated.

[NWBasser]

I don't think it's too far off to be a problem. The intro is a tad rushed though. Mostly I'll always notice first if I have trouble phrasing the vocals. If I'm stumbling there to spit out words then I know it's too fast. Your version doesn't seem bad at all. It is a tweaker song for sure. It seems like the bass is trying to stay too on top of the beat. If he played a tad behind it then it wouldn't seem so rushed at this tempo maybe?

Very cool tune. It is pretty fast.

I agree that if the bass pulled off the beat a bit that it would swing better. I'd like to hear the lead guitar come out front more too.

[helliott]

Thanks, NWB. Agree on all points, although it's worth noting that live recordings -- just using the H4N -- can be pretty different night to night.