Clair de Lune, finished arrangement

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 22 Sep 2024 4:14 pm

I finished up my arrangement and recording of Clair de Lune over the weekend. Really pleased with the overall vibe/adaptation.

This kind of project, while definitely interesting and something that I think a lot of people might enjoy, is still a vanity project. In other words, I can't it see it gaining any kind of traction. But who knows? That never stopped me before. It is very fulfilling to me, maybe the most fulfilling of anything I've ever done. I've begun compiling a list of pieces to work on.

I really hope to be able to perform this with a live band one day, but after consulting with my bookkeeper (me), it seems unlikely that I will be able to swing recording it in the way I had originally hoped. I'll still do my best to put together the best possible tracks. This one turned out nice.

https://mikeneer.bandcamp.com/track/claire-de-lune

Rich Arnold · Post by **Rich Arnold** » 23 Sep 2024 6:08 am

It works!

Congratulations!

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 23 Sep 2024 12:43 pm

It's gorgeous,Mike. keep em coming.

Rick Bernauer · Post by **Rick Bernauer** » 23 Sep 2024 5:31 pm

Really nice arrangement and tone, Mike.

Nic Neufeld · Post by **Nic Neufeld** » 25 Sep 2024 11:24 am

Wow, as someone who has kind of monkeyed around with adapting things wildly across genres, I know how difficult this is. I -love- the altered chord progression on the returning "chorus" at 3:30.

Definitely a cool Santo and Johnny vibe.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 25 Sep 2024 1:37 pm

Nic Neufeld wrote:Wow, as someone who has kind of monkeyed around with adapting things wildly across genres, I know how difficult this is. I -love- the altered chord progression on the returning "chorus" at 3:30.

Definitely a cool Santo and Johnny vibe.

Thanks Nic. Those harmonies that you refer to are present in the manuscript and recordings, but they are very subtle. I just accentuated them a bit. The thing that I am most proud of is changing the meter from 9/8 to 12/8 and using shortened measures in certain spots where needed--in other words, a 12/8 feel is like 4/4/ and 9/8 like 3/4, but in spots you will find what amounts to bars of 6/4. It sounds very cohesive to me.

Nic Neufeld · Post by **Nic Neufeld** » 26 Sep 2024 10:57 am

Ah yes, I went back and listened to the original and you are right, but your arrangement with the arpeggiating guitar and bass line makes those changes really -pop- and have a lot of emotion. The backing track really sounds great!

I realize I sometimes grade steel guitar tunes on a bit of a curve...like "this is really cool, but partly -because- it is on steel guitar and was therefore difficult and interesting". With this one, definitely not, just love it at face value as music. Should be on a movie soundtrack!

Edit: I realized some of the melody, and the feel of the song, reminded me of this famous (among steel guitarists) Pete Drake song. In the middle where the vocalists come in you have the low 5th, high 5th, 3rd, 2nd.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R9an8AU3No