A Requiem For Marianne.mp3
an instrumental in memory of a lost love
guitarist recording album at home. Mostly instrumental rock, but I'm hoping to sing soon.
electric guitarist and hobbyist musician in the process of recording an album in my apartment with a Macintosh.
Story behind the song
This song took a long time to go from its beginnings a year ago to what you're hearing now.
It started life in my local Long and McQuades on an Eric Johnson Signature Strat I was trying out, when this arpeggiated chord progression suddenly popped out. Realizing I had something that sounded real pretty and not wanting to lose it, I used my iPhone to capture the sound from the amp.
Over the course of many months, I worked on the progression, coming up with different sections, and using it mostly as an exercise for practice. But I never was motivated enough to use it in a song.
That all changed August 2012, when I learned my former fiancee, Marianne , had passed away five years previously. Though we ultimately went our separate ways, I really never stopped loving her - and the news struck me pretty hard. She was, perhaps, the only woman who had truly fallen in love with me at the same time I had fallen for her, and the caring and passion we had together in our brief time was the most wonderful experience I've ever had.
I was determined to give her one last tribute by using that chord progression, and turning it into a full-blown song. Ironically, while doing the recording, I soon discovered that part of the progression was very similar to that of "'Cause We've Ended As Lovers" - written by Stevie Wonder, and famously recorded by Jeff Beck - a song which has fascinated and haunted me for a long time. It was a significant thing for the two of us, and Marianne and I considered it "Our Song". So what more fitting way than to also do the song a la Jeff, who's been a hero and influence? But also at the same time giving it a few touches of my own.
This is probably the most heart I've ever put in any song I've written and recorded. I hope you enjoy it.
In loving memory of Marianne Patricia Woofenden (1961-2007).
DAW - -Cubase 6.5 on Mac Mini
all guitars - Fender Highway 1 Stratocaster, through NI Guitar Rig/IK Multimedia Amplitube 3
bass - Squier CV '64 Precision through Amplitube 3
vocal pads - NI Kontakt 4/ Hollow Sun 10cc INIL Choir
string synth - The Cheeze Machine
drums - Toontrack EZ Drummer/Metal Machine sample pack/Vintage Rock and Jazz MIDI packs
