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A Bell In The Valley (by SmokeyVW)


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Description
When I first heard SmokeyVW's 'A Bell In The Valley' (a couple of hours ago) I was struck by its beauty. It sensed as a perfect Christmas tune. Like a classic. At the same time I happened to have two rare things at the moment: 1) the microphones set up for recording 2) time. So I decided to give the day to this tune.

There are many versions of the tune on MacJams right now. I deliberately didn't listen to any other version before recording. Just the original, which is here.

I play it in G# because I feel the guitar sounds good in that key.
Dropped D tuning and capo on first fret.
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Song Stats
Hits: 3446
Comments: 37
Fans: 26
Plays: 195
Downloads: 148
Votes: 10
Uploaded: Dec 18, 2007 - 08:48:58 AM
Last Updated: Dec 18, 2007 - 08:48:58 AM Last Played: Mar 25, 2013 - 05:28:10 PM
Song License
Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Creative Commons

Song Actions
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Hardware:
One Furch D-24 dreadnought acoustic guitar
Two Golden Age Project R1 mics
A Presonus Firebox interface
A BowerBook G4

Software:
Comments
said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
simply beautiful
i do not know this song - so my thanks for introducing me to it.
i'm so glad you had 1. and 2. so we could have this = 3. perfectly lovely attention to detail - your fingers sing a slow sweet song on the strings.
good work, johannes!
anne
Cori Ander said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
.
So good to have you here sissies!
Thank you for leaving a note!
/your brother
Check out my latest song called Nu tändas tusen juleljus
damiengh said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
Peaceful
Nice rendering with that clean touch. The sensitivity and care is exhibited beautifully in your playing. This tune flows organically from your guitar as though it has always lived there.

Beautiful, Peaceful.
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Cori Ander said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
.
This is a kind of song that felt like it has always lived there from the very beginning. Thank you damiengh for leaving a note and for your your enduring support!

Check out my latest song called Nu tändas tusen juleljus
Ibstrat said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
Beautiful
rendition of this song.Do you play with fingernails on your right hand?You get a really warm intimate sound which sounds like bare fingertips.
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Cori Ander said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
.
I use fingernails. Actually on all posted recordings.
But I keep fingers angled in a way that won't produce hars or "flappy" sounds. This has also the positive side effect to enable a more ergonomic hand posture. But it is not always easy because my ring-finger nail has a different bend and will sometimes produce too hars touches. I try as far as possible to avoid using that finger on important notes.

Thank you for a nice and supportive comment!
Check out my latest song called Nu tändas tusen juleljus
BloodSoul said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
great job
this song is beautiful, you did a really good job on it. rock on-
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Cori Ander said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
.
Thank you B Soul!
Check out my latest song called Nu tändas tusen juleljus
rtcooper said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
THE MIGHTY D28
Dynamics and clarity are superb.
Fine, emotive touch that is elegantly restrained.
Every note seems a willing witness.

Don't know this song. Am glad I do now.

appreciation and best regards,
Cooper
Check out my latest song called The Loon and the Hula Moon (mstr)
Cori Ander said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
.
A review like a poem ... Thanks a lot, digged that!
Check out my latest song called Nu tändas tusen juleljus
Feter said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
A Bell In The Valley
elegant and delicate as ever my friend .the tune
itself just so sweet ..you let it sound so magical
thank you for sharin it here ..!!

Happy Christmas !!
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Cori Ander said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
Thanks pal
Thanks pal and Happy Christmas to you too!
Check out my latest song called Nu tändas tusen juleljus
guitapick said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
The proverbial...
..."no-brainer download"...

...hat's off to you, Mr. Curry. So fine...

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Cori Ander said 1981 days ago (December 20th, 2007)
.
Hat's off to you too pal! Glad to see you!
Check out my latest song called Nu tändas tusen juleljus
Scott Carmichael said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
this will
certainly be added to my Curry playlist... I take you driving with me often.... i'm sure I enjoy the ride more than you...

Merry Christmas my friend
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Cori Ander said 1981 days ago (December 20th, 2007)
,
Haha I guess so. I don't notice them at all.

Thank you, it is so stange, almost overwhelming, to know that a great musician is driving around on another side of the globe listening to my music..
Check out my latest song called Nu tändas tusen juleljus
SmokeyVW said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
fabulous
this is fabulous. the dynamics seem just right, and the gentle shifts in tempo add just the right feeling to it.

thank you very much
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Cori Ander said 1980 days ago (December 21st, 2007)
.
Ah, I'm so glad you like it. It is a such a lovely composition youv'e made!
Check out my latest song called Nu tändas tusen juleljus
thoddi said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
peaceful
After a busy day this was a treat to listen to. I got to lower my shoulders... Thanks:)


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Cori Ander said 1980 days ago (December 21st, 2007)
.
Thank you Thor!
And a Merry Christmas to you and Norway!
Check out my latest song called Nu tändas tusen juleljus
jiguma said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
What a lovely recording!
Johannes, this is so beautifully recorded and played - a real treat to the ears!

Best wishes to you and yours this Christmas. Hope you have a wonderful New Year.
Peace,
Neil
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davisamerica said 1983 days ago (December 18th, 2007)
man cori
you r just magic. glad this version is up. simply wonderful
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said 1982 days ago (December 19th, 2007)
Very Very
Beautiful job.

Thank you for posting this.
gail60 said 1982 days ago (December 19th, 2007)
Sweet tune....
This is a very pretty song. Wonderful job Cori. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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bud said 1982 days ago (December 19th, 2007)
What a wonderrful - fully developed
version of Smokey's tune. You're right - it is a classic and you gave it such a warm sensitive arrangement. Excellent. Great recording quality too.
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Joe Brady said 1982 days ago (December 19th, 2007)
My guitar hero,
This is just so beautiful, downloaded for my Christmas season entertaining. You are a gift my friend, so I must thank Santa, I guess. Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas; Beautiful art with the song.
Happy New Year, all the best.
Joe
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thetiler said 1982 days ago (December 19th, 2007)
Love the gentle country touch
Nice and clean and like how it really seems to fit your style. Almost a John Knowles type laid back style. Nice ending too!

Truly nice and sweet and perfect for the christmas season!
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Cori Ander said 1981 days ago (December 20th, 2007)
.
I should probably know of mr Knowles, but I don't .. yet .. I'll keep my eyes open. Thank you for your support Bill!
Check out my latest song called Nu tändas tusen juleljus
said 1981 days ago (December 20th, 2007)
Lovely...
simply, lovely... peacefully hitting the spot one hopes is hit at this time of remembrance, the birth of the Son of God, Jesus.

Thank you, Curry.
Cori Ander said 1980 days ago (December 21st, 2007)
_
Thanks a lot Jack and a Merry Christmas to you!
PS I dig your latest post a lot!
Check out my latest song called Nu tändas tusen juleljus
Ed Hannifin said 1980 days ago (December 21st, 2007)
You're getting right to the heart of the tune...
...where Bill has really crafted a standard...

Judging from the long list in my email that I haven't gotten to yet, there are lots of versions out there that I haven't heard, but this is exceptional. You've set the melody very simply and recorded it with a sweet resonance from the guitar...

A great gift from you to Bill, and a great gift from you to the whole MacJams community... Nicely done...

Ed
Cori Ander said 1980 days ago (December 21st, 2007)
.
Thank you Ed! Your words are like a nice warm fireplace in cold and dark December. Kind of reminds me that Christmas is coming in.
Check out my latest song called Nu tändas tusen juleljus
sky shoes said 1979 days ago (December 22nd, 2007)
I knew
I wanted to hear some Christmas music. Somehow I knew if I clicked on Master Anders page I would not be let down. As my friends say in the Caribbean when something is really lovely.... Sweet mon.... sweet.

Have a Merry Christmas Mr. Anders and all MacJammers
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VicDiesel said 1979 days ago (December 22nd, 2007)
Pretty
A charming tune, played simply. That's the way it should be.


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timothy devine said 1975 days ago (December 26th, 2007)
Sweet
Real sweet
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richardhowardjones said 1813 days ago (June 5th, 2008)
.
Love this version as much as the original
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Char said 1732 days ago (August 25th, 2008)
I don't think I've listened
to anything else of yours. I came from the original, though I waited awhile. This is so intimate. It is easy when you have good music. Wonderful. Thank you.
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Artist Info
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Name: Johannes Curry
Location: The west coast of Sweden
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Guitar player since 11. Can't play other instruments than acoustic guitars, well maybe aside from instruments that are tuned the same way; like ukulele or bass guitar. In younger years I took inspiration from classical guitar, American acoustic... [see more]

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