When Sam Cooke sang a Bob Dylan Classic

I get a bunch of emails every month asking me how to write for a particular style. While there may be difference in musical arrangement for different styles, my answer has always been that a vocalist (and/or his/her band) will convey the song in their style - whether it be pop, rock, soul, country, R&B, Jazz or whatever. And this will ultimately define the genre it may sit in.

The example here is Sam Cooke who sings Bob Dylans classic 'Blowin In The Wind'. The song itself is a great one and BECAUSE it is, it allows singers of different styles to put their own spin on it, giving it a new flavour. For what was originally a great Dylan folk song (which I love) Sam Cooke; with his soulful voice has transformed it into a more gospel orientated offering.

I've always --and will continue to say--... focus on writing a good song. Then worry about if it's punk rock or R&B later.

Calvin

Folk love Seth

Fiddler Seth Lakeman is helping to make the F-word a little more attractive in music land.

The Brit folk hero has just finished a sell-out UK tour.

Plus he has just switched to major recording label Relentless, in order to re-release his third album, Freedom Fields .

But Seth reckons that some people find his brand of acoustic songwriting hard to define.

The 29-year-old's last record, Kitty Jay, was nominated for the 2005 Mercury Music Prize.

Made on a tight budget, he says he's still blown away by its success.

His latest single, Lady Of The Water, a mythic tale of love and loss, has already hit the airwaves.


[The above news was taken directly from www.itv.com]


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