I'm glad you all talked among yourselves while I was away
🙂
It's been fun listening to some of my favourite songwriters and songs that might work for SOTM. For better or worse, I finally went with Joni Mitchell's 'Free Man in Paris'.
The backing tracks and charts are in this
dropbox folder. The orginal song has 2 run-throughs and is about 3 mins. long. For those who are just getting warmed up by then, I've added a version with 3 run-throughs (about 4 1/2 mins). The original song (and backing track) is pretty fast at 164 bpm. Change the tempo in Audacity, etc. to one that feels comfortable. I've included 2x and 3x backing tracks at 144 bpm. Vocal versions at 164 bpm and 144 bpm are there too.
The charts are based on ones that I bought (and shouldn't distribute!) but I transposed/edited them to match the backing track. I had a shock when I saw the number of sharps in the transposed keys (from A) but don't be put off immediately - many of them are 'neutralised' when playing. The charts are just there to give you a start. I suggest you use them as loosely as other performers do (see examples below).
As Nick suggested, I've included the chords in the charts. If I find a decent 'Neil Diamond' backing, I'll add it.
I hope you'll have a go. Any problems, let me know.
Here a couple of versions to get you in the mood:
Joni Mitchell
View: https://youtu.be/2hcXdtqojFg?t=35s
Elton John
View: https://youtu.be/5JGdvWREOp8?list=RDoc5E0v87Djs
Neil Diamond (a whole other version)
View: https://youtu.be/Vj37gYrts1Q
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