#Lyrics, #music, #The XCerts

A Faded Velvet Suit……with no fixed abode.

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Summers.

Long ago, back in 1977, I wrote the song ‘Faded Velvet Suit’. Punk music broke out and myself (Fender Jazz bass guitar) and Dave (6 string electric Gibson Les Paul) started writing songs as quickly as we could.

My brother Kev (Zero Summers) joined us on drums. He had been playing for all of one week! Hey, it was punk. Anything went. I decided to pick up the acoustic guitar and sing it again to see if it could be done in a different way. It can’t, but it was fun to revisit the lyrics. Playing gigs and the subsequent exhaustion of it all. But really fun times.

Here’s both versions.

The chaotic 1977 punk driven electric version with Dave singing the main tune. We had been together for a couple of weeks.

The gentler current day acoustic version of whimsy and warble. Singing and guitar by me. No intention to play the song with working on it again in mind.…just wanted a little experiment. Punk was a nice period in life. Leave its chaotic presence back there where it belongs. And sing to its memory with a smile, a warble and, as said, a gentle approach.

Punk was indeed a glorious musical freedom. It gave all budding musicians a chance to express themselves. Anyone could pick up a guitar or drum sticks and have a go. The audiences were chaotic, but safe and friendly. Such a vibe!

11 thoughts on “A Faded Velvet Suit……with no fixed abode.”

    1. I just read your words about audiences. It made me think that when loud music was played back then, we could drown out the bar noise. Very handy! 😊 So, posted this as a comparison re: singing with a softer approach really. I have never had the courage to sit on my own and play a full session of my songs to an audience. Or even perform at an open mic session with a couple of the stronger ones. So fair play to your bravery cookie. Also….thank you for inspiring a blog topic. All the best.

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      2. Thank you. I do enjoy playing and listening to music often. Since the early days of owning a Christmas present of a plastic Beatles guitar back in the 1960s I suppose. Eventually you get to hear so many eclectic genre choices. From the very beginnings of their popularity explosions. Be there as each genre reveals the vibes. Some of those sounds just totally wash over you and so you adopt their influences. Thank you cookie for the lovely comment. Much appreciated. 🙏🏽

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    1. I think there may be an expectation to play this one next year at a live gig. Especially in our hometown. A museum exists there run by a guy who champions current and past bands from the City of Coventry. It has a valued status and many visitors. The Specials are particularly an oft sought after band. Two Tone music is very much a favourite for many. This Velvet Suits? It’s a simple song to learn and play again. Could be fun. Cheers for the encouragement Shep.

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  3. I enjoyed both versions, don’t shelve either. The acoustic version would be great in an acoustic set list. This is coming from someone who spent a lot of time enjoying local acoustic music, much by ukulele players. Stop laughing.

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    1. Thanks Danny. Acoustic singing at a live local open mic night is something to be considered early next year. At least with the recently bought Shure SM 58 1970s mic it picks up more lower frequencies and depth. So will start to use it in earnest. So can stop using this little iPad inherent microphone. We just had our drummer back out of the XCerts project due to family commitments. So am currently looking for another drummer. Feel a need to kick start the New Year with a different dynamic. It’s been a terrible few months weather wise here in Wales and I have been mostly in the house. It’s Winter Solstice soon so a new brighter beginning beckons. Thanks for your support. Priceless. All the best Danny.

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      1. I’d be rid of the ipad mic ASAP. Weather has been very intertesting these last couple months. Beautiful one day, snowing the next and below 0 F the day after that then back up to sweatshirt weather. The forecast is for a white Christmas this year. All the best.

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