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For Stuart Adamson
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My take on 'For Stuart' a tribute by Bill Nelson to the late Stuart Adamson.
bill nelson stuart adamson
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a unique fusion of genres
The music of Michael Duran includes; "Collaborations" Projects with my Soundclick friends that I have had the honor to work with; "Homespun" Solo projects & Covers done at my home. live band recordings; 2000-2004 "The Shop" Heartbreak Highway 3 piece collab/studio recordings with; Steve Layman; Piano & Synth Steve Torok; Drums Michael Duran; Guitar, Synth, and Bass 1990's "The Knapps Cutoff Band" As Is Studio "open mic" and live recordings with; Marty Nicklin; Bass Steve Layman; Piano & Synth Steve Torok; Drums Michael Duran; Guitar & Synth Thanks to Nathan Bankston, Ray Garcia, and Chris Kenard for their fine vocals. 1980's "B'wana" salvaged tape recordings from my 80s club band. Dan Buck; Drums & Vocals Michael Duran; Guitar synth & Vocals Ron Olson; Bass & Vocals Bill Kramer; Lead Guitar
Song Info
Genre
Rock • Instrumental Rock
Charts
Peak #30
Peak in subgenre #10
Author
Bill Nelson
Rights
2002 Bill Nelson
Uploaded
January 31, 2015
Track Files
MP3
MP3 8.1 MB • 160 kbps • 7:06
Story behind the song
Guitars and Bass played with the Roland GR-55 & Carvin SH65B Guitar Synth. Drums; Programed using Magix VITA. 'For Stuart Adamson' was inspired by 'For Stuart' which was composed as a tribute by Bill Nelson to the late Stuart Adamson. William Stuart Adamson (11 April 1958 16 December 2001) was an English-born Scottish guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter described by broadcaster and DJ John Peel as Britains answer to Jimi Hendrix. He founded the Scottish artrock band 'Skids' and later the more mainstream rock group 'Big Country', as well as the 1990s alternative country rock act 'The Raphael's'. Sadly he committed suicide in 2001 and the world lost a truly great artist. Bill Nelson (born William Nelson, 18 December 1948, Wakefield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England) is an English guitarist, songwriter, producer, painter and experimental musician. "About a year after Stuart's death, a tribute concert was arranged for him at Glasgow's Barrowlands Ballroom. Lots of people performed in honour of his life. Steve Harley, Midge Ure, the original Skids, Stuart's talented son Callum, amongst others. I was invited to perform something too but struggled to find the right approach and context. Then I hit upon the idea of composing a guitar instrumental that would not only carry Stuart's name but that would make reference to some of those Be Bop Deluxe guitar licks he'd loved so much. I also wanted to bring out a sense of his Scottish roots. In fact, this was important to me too as my paternal grandmother was Scottish, (Mary McIntyre-McTavish, I believe,) and I've always felt an affinity with Scotland as a result. So, 'For Stuart' was born, an epic 'guitar poem' dedicated to a good man, an old friend and a fine musician. I deliberately built in to the piece quotes from 'Sister Seagull', 'The Modern Music Suite', 'Maid In Heaven' and 'Panic In The World,' which were some of Stuart's favorite Be Bop tracks. I quoted these briefly and lightly, rather than build the entire piece around them, but they serve as reference points for 'those in the know.' I ended the piece with a coda that suggested Scotland and its Highlands and all the nobility that Stuart felt was part of his roots. It was meant to be triumphant in the way that Stuart's music often was, but it was also meant to be melancholic, a lament from the heart, both for Stuart and the loved ones he left behind. I had no idea how well received the piece would be. It got a tremendous response on its first hearing at the Glasgow tribute concert and has continued to move audiences whenever I perform it live. It has now become an expected inclusion in all my live concerts, a fixture, and I intend to perform it again as part of my planned autumn solo tour this year. So, there you have it, the true story of 'For Stuart'." Bill Nelson. A bit of a hermit, Bill has produced home recorded CD's constantly over the past 20 years, but only appears 'live' at the now annual Nelsonicon event, held in England every year. He currently lives in York and continues to make beautiful noise to this day.
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Comments 18
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AlexisPatrick
Jul 15, 2020
Fascinating Guitar vocals, Michael..my goodness I love to hear you play. Thank you so-o much for your kind comments and support of my songs. I am happy and honored when you like my tunes.
AndrewNegustorov
Dec 03, 2018
I love your manner of thinking, Mike! Really pleasant for my ear since I can listen to exquisite tunes played with an amazing guitar tone. Also, the whole atmosphere is very close to me - I perceive the piece like some kind of rock meditation with a feeling of rise or even flight high in the Sky... Very tasty...
The Smivets
Feb 19, 2015
As soon as I saw the title I knew I was going to love this! I never knew Bill Nelson had written this for Stuart, nor that Stuart had been a BBDL fan - makes sense though. I was a huge fan of Stuart Adamson, having been lucky enough to see him with the Skids, and then bought every Big Country album - a true genius and so sadly missed. Great piece, Michael, capturing the essence of both of those giants I think.
Pinecats
Feb 12, 2015
Like many of the others, i had not heard of these folks...but i really enjoyed reading about them. Cool how you often include a little history lesson with your work. So much going on here Michael...your lead playing is awesome, layered so professionally. It's outdone only by the overall production, tones, and additional instruments. Huge sound. A+ tune my friend!
Oddger
Feb 11, 2015
I must admit that I never heard the original, but if it is anywhere half as good as this, it must be worth checking out :) Your playing is sweet and superb and the guitars sound great. Love the way the guitars intertwine and support each other. Great musicianship showed here!
Dollar Bill and the Unmentionables
Feb 11, 2015
I'll have to check out the original, but this has tons of tone and fantastic performances. Really jaw-dropping playing.
Swampman And The Machine
Feb 08, 2015
Kick ass cuz !
Morten Gjermundsen
Feb 07, 2015
This track is awesome Michael! Im not familiar with Stuart or Bill but if they play this great music they must be really good. Fantastic rhy guitars and solos and harmony. The Carvin and GR-55 sounds great. I really like what you have do here. Im adding it to my instrumental rock station. Excellent performance and production. Thanks for sharing! :)
KAUL
Feb 06, 2015
Great guitar tone and playing! This is a really nice original and creative track in the familiar essence and style of Bill Nelson's Stuart Adamson tribute. The melody lines you have created weaving simultaneous guitars in the track makes this one of the best and most interesting instrumentals I have heard in a long time. Your playing and production technic is outstanding! Very well done.
Falken
Feb 04, 2015
Haven't heard the original tune but i love what i hear from your hand. Fantastic playing here.Outstanding fretwork! Well done my friend.
Major Snagg
Feb 02, 2015
As I lifelong Bill Nelson fan who is obviously very aware of Bill's version of this tune, I'm bound to say that this is a very different version to Bill's. However you've re-captured the essence of what Bill recorded for Stuart. I think they'd both be very pleased that you've stamped your very own mark on it, and not just copied Bill's recording. This is truly superb in every way. You really have excelled yourself here Michael. I like it very much. wow !
gabe stenziano
Feb 02, 2015
the layered soloing is very nice. the production seems flawless to me. as always, I am here to praise your creativity and your talent as a guitarist. thanks for another great listen.
Rodrica Rudge
Feb 02, 2015
Wonderful production and superb guitar playing - you have done an incredible job here. I always put my headphones on to listen to your music, it's great to hear all the subtleties in the mix. This track has a "life" about it that sounds as though it was performed on stage rather than a studio. Awesome!
Carlo D'Anna
Feb 01, 2015
Nice toneage and riffs! Wonderful tribute to the late rocker.
Michael Bennett
Feb 01, 2015
Sounding great Michael. You captured the Be Bop Deluxe vibe and took it a step (or several steps) further. This tribute is superb!
Alan L Cole
Feb 01, 2015
Great rhythm section. Very nice bass work. And the guitars, well Maestro, friggin' awesome! Like Al, I have to profess I not aware of Bill or Stuart, but that's what I love about SC, great music, great artists, great peeps, and an education thrown in to boot. Way to keep those string benders working! Awesome.
Ascenzion - Al Massey
Feb 01, 2015
Great fretwork on all guitar parts. Cool rock changes. Not familiar with Bill or Stuart but this track is awesome. Exhilarating performance that always make us sit up and take notice. (Nice cymbal hit at the end).
Bob Forbes
Jan 31, 2015
Always an honor to do a song in tribute - and you've given this progresso all ya got Michael - excellent guitar skill and magic my friend!