I just posted a new video for my performance of a song called “Shipwrecked.” You may have heard it on an episode of “Bones” or by the original song writer himself, Shane Alexander. It comes off his album “Stargazer” and it contains me playing fretless bass with an ebow, acoustic guitar, keyboards, and some vocals. It’s in the Audio & Video section in the Folk category. Or just go check out on YouTube here.
I wanted to do this song not only because I love the song but would give me the opportunity to add some elements that weren’t there in the original. The song, as it is recorded by Alexander, just contains acoustic guitar, some subtle keys, and vocals.
The bass part is largely improvised. I pretty much knew what I wanted to do in the solo section, however. I just kept it simple and melodic.
What I did was record the original piece with the guitar, keys and vocals, then recorded myself playing the bass part live. Then for the video I played the footage of me playing the bass part on my television and played the acoustic guitar part with the vocals in my living room.
I’m using a Warwick 4-string fretless bass with piccolo strings, my Ovation acoustic guitar, my regular Peavey tube mic that I’ve used to record all the vocals for just about every vocal recording I’ve ever done, and the keyboard sounds are from my Kurzweil K2500S.
I hope you enjoy it and see what you can do with piccolo strings and an ebow.
