SurfGuitar101.com | Forums: The Belairs - "Bedlam" - anybody here perform a shorter version?

Las_Barracudas

Joined: Apr 24, 2011
Posts: 1087
Surf City, NC
United States

Posted on Feb 25 2012 02:50 PM

I love the song, but we don't have sax player and I believe the original version is almost 5 minutes long. I'm wondering if anybody plays a editted version and if it still sounds cool.

Often times with original "anthems" like that I hate to fool with them much, but I'm thinking a 3:00 version might be more like it for our band (4 piece, 2/guitars)?

Anybody currently performing "Bedlam"?

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METEOR IV on reverbnation

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reventlos

Joined: May 23, 2006
Posts: 209
Costa Mesa
1 News Pin

Posted on Feb 25 2012 02:59 PM

Here's a tidy version we did at the Eddie Bertrand benefit last year (with three original members!). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAbfqO5n7mM

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Las_Barracudas

Joined: Apr 24, 2011
Posts: 1087
Surf City, NC
United States

Posted on Feb 25 2012 03:06 PM

Very nice!

Makes me think you almost have to have a sax to do the song justice though...uugh.

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METEOR IV on reverbnation

Last edited: Feb 25, 2012 15:07:10

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TheCruelSea

Joined: Feb 25, 2012
Posts: 129
2 Map Pins

Posted on Feb 29 2012 10:05 PM

Wonderful version!

Does anyone have tabs for the original by the Belairs?

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pjmoto

Joined: Jan 04, 2012
Posts: 32
Los Angeles CA
5 News Pins

Posted on Mar 16 2012 12:54 AM

Hey there fellers —

I appreciate your interest in my tune... maybe I can be of some help here...

The earliest recorded version of "Bedlam" is the one on the Belairs' "Volcanic Action" album; it goes on and on, seemingly aimlessly; fact is, the song was brand new at the time of this recording, and we still hadn't come up with a final arrangement.

Interestingly, for the most recent re-release of the Belairs' "Origins of Surf Music" CD, we included an edited version of that same recording; this was intended to bring more structure to the tune and approximate something closer to the final arrangement we eventually did come up with for the tune back then. Here is the audio for this latter version:

http://www.pjmoto.com/_AudSt/Bel_orig_Bedlam.mp3

Years later, I recorded the tune again with the Packards, (for the Pray For Surf album in 1980). This time, I settled on an arrangement to fit our no -sax format and this is how that came out:

http://www.pjmoto.com/_AudSt/Pkd_PFS_Bedlam.mp3

And just for grins, here's an even more recent version, in which I played the tune backed by the Tornados (yeah, the "Bustin' Surfboards" guys) for a CD project of theirs in the late '90s):

http://www.pjmoto.com/_AudSt/PJ_misc_Tndos_Bedlam.mp3

I'm hoping that between these three versions, you may find some ideas to work with in coming up with your own interpretation of the tune. I look forward to hearing any such results!

—

PJ -

Paul Johnson
Belairs / Galaxies / Packards / Surfaris / Duo-tones / etc.
www.pjmoto.com

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hlieboff59

Joined: Jun 27, 2008
Posts: 576
Marlboro, New Jersey
5 Download Pins

Posted on Mar 16 2012 08:03 AM

I hadn't seen this video up to now...excellent version wow! Matt, great tone on the fender. what amp are you playing through?

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Las_Barracudas

Joined: Apr 24, 2011
Posts: 1087
Surf City, NC
United States

Posted on Mar 16 2012 08:58 AM

From the man himself!

Thanks so much Paul.

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METEOR IV on reverbnation

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ChrisPlatt

Joined: May 28, 2013
Posts: 25
Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York City
United States

Posted on May 28 2013 07:54 PM

IMO the "call and response" between guitar and sax is essential.

Chris

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vintagesurfdude

Joined: Nov 28, 2011
Posts: 795
Prescott Valley, AZ
United States

Posted on May 28 2013 09:15 PM

Paul, thanks for your input !! Can't get any better than the man "his-self"!

IMHO, all three version are cool, but I prefer the two uptempo versions. I think it works fine without sax. But then again the "saxed up" versions are cool too!

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dp

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
United States

Posted on May 28 2013 09:44 PM

this thread is exactly why SG101 absolutely rules... <<< sticky please!>>>

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hbrookes

Joined: Mar 21, 2013
Posts: 15

Posted on May 29 2013 07:44 AM

GREAT Stuff!!!
Harry

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Las_Barracudas Joined: Apr 24, 2011 Posts: 1087 Surf City, NC	Posted on Feb 25 2012 02:50 PM I love the song, but we don't have sax player and I believe the original version is almost 5 minutes long. I'm wondering if anybody plays a editted version and if it still sounds cool. Often times with original "anthems" like that I hate to fool with them much, but I'm thinking a 3:00 version might be more like it for our band (4 piece, 2/guitars)? Anybody currently performing "Bedlam"? — METEOR IV on reverbnation Top
reventlos Joined: May 23, 2006 Posts: 209 Costa Mesa	Posted on Feb 25 2012 02:59 PM Here's a tidy version we did at the Eddie Bertrand benefit last year (with three original members!). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAbfqO5n7mM Top
Las_Barracudas Joined: Apr 24, 2011 Posts: 1087 Surf City, NC	Posted on Feb 25 2012 03:06 PM Very nice! Makes me think you almost have to have a sax to do the song justice though...uugh. — METEOR IV on reverbnation Last edited: Feb 25, 2012 15:07:10 Top
TheCruelSea Joined: Feb 25, 2012 Posts: 129	Posted on Feb 29 2012 10:05 PM Wonderful version! Does anyone have tabs for the original by the Belairs? Top
pjmoto Joined: Jan 04, 2012 Posts: 32 Los Angeles CA	Posted on Mar 16 2012 12:54 AM Hey there fellers — I appreciate your interest in my tune... maybe I can be of some help here... The earliest recorded version of "Bedlam" is the one on the Belairs' "Volcanic Action" album; it goes on and on, seemingly aimlessly; fact is, the song was brand new at the time of this recording, and we still hadn't come up with a final arrangement. Interestingly, for the most recent re-release of the Belairs' "Origins of Surf Music" CD, we included an edited version of that same recording; this was intended to bring more structure to the tune and approximate something closer to the final arrangement we eventually did come up with for the tune back then. Here is the audio for this latter version: http://www.pjmoto.com/_AudSt/Bel_orig_Bedlam.mp3 Years later, I recorded the tune again with the Packards, (for the Pray For Surf album in 1980). This time, I settled on an arrangement to fit our no -sax format and this is how that came out: http://www.pjmoto.com/_AudSt/Pkd_PFS_Bedlam.mp3 And just for grins, here's an even more recent version, in which I played the tune backed by the Tornados (yeah, the "Bustin' Surfboards" guys) for a CD project of theirs in the late '90s): http://www.pjmoto.com/_AudSt/PJ_misc_Tndos_Bedlam.mp3 I'm hoping that between these three versions, you may find some ideas to work with in coming up with your own interpretation of the tune. I look forward to hearing any such results! — PJ - Paul Johnson Belairs / Galaxies / Packards / Surfaris / Duo-tones / etc. www.pjmoto.com Top
hlieboff59 Joined: Jun 27, 2008 Posts: 576 Marlboro, New Jersey	Posted on Mar 16 2012 08:03 AM I hadn't seen this video up to now...excellent version wow! Matt, great tone on the fender. what amp are you playing through? Top
Las_Barracudas Joined: Apr 24, 2011 Posts: 1087 Surf City, NC	Posted on Mar 16 2012 08:58 AM From the man himself! Thanks so much Paul. — METEOR IV on reverbnation Top
ChrisPlatt Joined: May 28, 2013 Posts: 25 Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York City	Posted on May 28 2013 07:54 PM IMO the "call and response" between guitar and sax is essential. Chris Top
vintagesurfdude Joined: Nov 28, 2011 Posts: 795 Prescott Valley, AZ	Posted on May 28 2013 09:15 PM Paul, thanks for your input !! Can't get any better than the man "his-self"! IMHO, all three version are cool, but I prefer the two uptempo versions. I think it works fine without sax. But then again the "saxed up" versions are cool too! Top
dp Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3546 mojave desert, california	Posted on May 28 2013 09:44 PM this thread is exactly why SG101 absolutely rules... <<< sticky please!>>> Top
hbrookes Joined: Mar 21, 2013 Posts: 15	Posted on May 29 2013 07:44 AM GREAT Stuff!!! Harry Top

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The Belairs - "Bedlam" - anybody here perform a shorter version?