When the Stars Go Blue

Post date: Nov 09, 2014 7:3:42 PM

Ryan Adams may be one of the most versatile musicians, covering country to punk and a little of everything in between.  Perhaps my favourite Adams penned song is "When the Stars Go Blue" from the album Gold.  It was covered beautifully by Bono and the Corrs at Live 8.  My cover of this song, however, forgoes the vocal acrobatics as it is solely a guitar instrumental demo.  This was motivated by preparations for an upcoming wedding where the request is for instrumentals only (and by the fact that it is really hard to sing).

Interestingly this was recorded using a looper and no studio overdubs.  Basically, I recorded the rhythm guitar part into the looper and then played the melody over top.  When it came to recording it, I just had to stick a microphone in front of the amp and play the finished loop back.

Production notes: recorded using Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. and Fender Strat w/ Texas Special pickups.  Rhythm was recorded using the classic "in between" Strat pickup setting.  Lead was recorded on the neck pickup with a Fulltone OCD overdrive.  Looper used was a TC electronics Ditto.  Final loop was recorded using a Zoom H1 handheld recorder pointed directly at the amp.

When the Stars Go Blue (MP3)