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Posted by: sted Jun 16 2009, 03:09 PM

Hey guys,

I am currently rehearsing every night to try and get my "pub gig" repertoire to a point where i can start going out gigging, I will be on my own at first with decent backing tracks (Small venues need a licence for more than a duo which limits my options before i start!) I was wondering how many songs do I need seriously nailed for a classic pub gig?

My set list I am practicing up to now is as follows, any suggestions for ordering of tracks and additional tracks would be welcome though I am conscious not to include too many blues numbers as i have to appeal to mainstream audiences, hence the classic rock tracks! These tracks have relatively simple rhythm with decent solos as I will be singing and playing them myself

1. While my guitar gently weeps-Beatles/George Harrison
2. Gravity-John Mayer
3. Red House - Jimi Hendrix
4. Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix
5. Hotel California - Eagles
6. How Blue can you get - BB king version
7. The sky is cryin - SRV
8. Comfortably numb (What else!)


Cheers!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jun 16 2009, 05:23 PM

1. Hotel California - Eagles
2. Gravity-John Mayer
3. Red House - Jimi Hendrix
4. Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix
5. While my guitar gently weeps-Beatles/George Harrison
6. How Blue can you get - BB king version
7. Comfortably numb (What else!)
8. The sky is cryin - SRV

Possibly something like this?

Posted by: jafomatic Jun 16 2009, 05:24 PM

I wouldn't open with Hotel California. The pub crowds love that song, but it is a little down tempo and best reserved for the higher blood-alcohol levels of the middle of your set.

Posted by: Velvet Roger Jun 16 2009, 05:54 PM

Yeah, have the same feeling personally as well. I think the first song should be definitely a strong song which gives the audience a reason to get more excited. Maybe that's what I am missing a bit in your current setlist: most songs are relatively slow (which is fine), and I would take a couple of songs as well which get's the crowd moving a bit (a funky song or so ).

Posted by: jafomatic Jun 16 2009, 05:58 PM

Yeah. Like Roger is saying, a lone guy with a guitar shouldn't open with Hotel California. The Eagles themselves, can.

What about something a little bit rockish, like Hard to Handle? It's upbeat and I think it's not too challenging. The earliest rendition of it that I heard was Pigpen-era Grateful Dead, and sorta blues-rock.

Posted by: Velvet Roger Jun 16 2009, 06:01 PM

Yeah that's kinda swinging indeed .

Btw this post made me think that I could do a similar thing, as it seems I can sing a bit as well (based on what others are saying though )

Posted by: sted Jun 16 2009, 07:19 PM

yeah, I like the Black Crows version of that song, I am quite restricted in what I can play as it has to have a good available backing track, simple rhythm during the singing and a cool solo, but this may fit the bill if the backing track is out there, thanks for the input guys, any ideas welcome!

@ Roger: Hey man, if I can do it I'm sure you can!!

Posted by: Stephane Lucarelli Jun 16 2009, 08:34 PM

I would suggest you some Bob Dylan and Neil Young songs - Quite simple and always well appreciated for pub gigs.
I don't know in the UK, but here we need to play between 2h - 2h30 (sometimes more...). It's about 35/40 songs !

Posted by: jafomatic Jun 16 2009, 08:44 PM

It's a little depressing if you listen to the lyrics but the tune seems like it's always a crowd pleaser & singalong: Like a Rolling Stone lets you really belt it out if you want.

As for Neil Young, I guess Rockin' in the Free World is the right energy but ... I dunno, sounded a bit more American than I'd endorse for a british pub crowd, y'know? Might as well play Springsteen's Born in the USA at that point?

Posted by: Iluha Jun 16 2009, 08:50 PM

I would switch Gravity with Little Wing, and I think you have a tight set list.

Posted by: Martin la guitarra Jun 16 2009, 09:20 PM

awesome set list! Although i really want to see nothing else matters by metallica in there

Posted by: MickeM Jun 16 2009, 11:25 PM

Bob Dylan and Neil Young, for sure! I guess the number of songs is right, maybe a little less like closer to 30. Problem is when people start requesting songs
My buddy who used to play pubs on acoustic never bothered to learn the songs but only the lyrics. Hundereds of lyrics. Then he had a good feeling on how the song went and picked it out by heart, faked it so to speak.

I'd suggest (no order)
Heart of gold
The Joker
Cowboy song
Dancing in the moonlight (is that the title, Lizzy?)
A couple CCR, Bad moon rising, Who stopped the rain, Fortunate Son

A a couple you can't enter stage without No joke!
The tavern (see my sig - Those were the days)
The Boxer

Posted by: sted Jun 17 2009, 10:06 AM

Hmmmm... I dont know any Neil Young songs but I'll check em out, I dont mind Dylan but it would have to be one of the more upbeat numbers



I can just see the looks on their faces!! I would consider it actually but its a bit long and the solo is quite raucous too, thanks for the input though Martin!

I found a decent backing for the Black Crowes Hard to Handle and the blues scale sounds great over the solo, perfect for me!

Posted by: Paiva Jun 17 2009, 10:20 AM

Layla or Cocaine?

There is this guy thats usually does lots of pub gigs and he's my friend what he does is he starts with acoustic where he plays wish you were here, hotel california, to be with you and stuff like that. Then he pickups up the electric guitar and plays van halen, led zeppelin (wholle lotta love is a good one to learn), whitesnake, deep purple (playing smoke on the water is always good) etc

Posted by: sted Jun 17 2009, 10:30 AM

Wish You Were Here is a definite addition, I cant beleive i didnt think of this as i've played it for years too!! Cheers Paiva!
I've got a backing for cocaine but it just didnt float my boat, maybe I'll give it another listen.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jun 17 2009, 11:41 AM

Almost all the songs on the lists are a bit slower (it doesn't mean they are not good! ). I recommend Purple Haze for the beginning of the set, or perhaps Another Brick In The Wall.

Posted by: sted Jun 17 2009, 07:58 PM

Hmmm... Purple haze is good, I actually know another brick in the wall rhythm and solo and have the backing but the vocal is very flat and droning so I discounted it, maybe I'll rethink it.

I decided to give these a try as well:

Lynard Skynard: Freebird; Dont know the slide bit yet or what tuning its in but the backing is quite good and at 9 mins its a rocking track!

Lynard Skynard: Sweet Home alabama: Started to learn this a few months back but got taken over with other stuff

Free: Alright now: shouldnt be too difficult by the sounds of it!

GnR: Live and Let die: No way can I do most of Slash's stuff but this is fairly easy, has a vintage beatles angle (Great for Merseyside!) and sounds killer.

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jun 17 2009, 08:42 PM

Maybe you can swap in something like :

1. James Brown - Sex machine
2. RHCP - Otherside
3. Nickleback - How you remind me
4. REM - Loosing my religion
5. Scorpions - Rock you like a hurricane
6. Mustang Sally (I don't know the author - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustang_Sally_(song) )
7. Oasis - Wonderwall

Posted by: sted Jun 17 2009, 09:59 PM

I was trying to keep a rock/blues influence as there is no one doing that sort of thing at the moment, my mate is a singer and he does a lot of these songs so they are good popular choices but I was aiming for something a bit different and guitar orientated.
As for James Brown I just cant picture myself "Doing a James" ina local pub I think my wife would divorce me!!

Posted by: Ian Bushell Jun 18 2009, 12:59 PM

The more repertoire you have the better!

Hotel California is always a crowd pleaser I double time the arpeggio solo second time round at the end of the song. It always adds a bit of tempo, excitement and speed to the song. From my experience works anywhere through the night.

Besides for great suggestions already mentioned here's some more that work well:

GNR - Sweet child o mine
Bon Jovi - It's my life, Living on a Payer
ACDC - Highway to hell, thunderstruck
Incubus - Drive
Def Leppard - Pour some sugar on me
Van Halen - You really got me
Reef - Place your hands
Michael Jackson - Beat it

That's all i can think of off the top of my head right now

Hope it helps!

Posted by: Sensible Jones Jun 18 2009, 01:29 PM

Personally i play the slide part in normal tuning, although I'm pretty sure the original was in Open G!

PS. If you need any B/Tracks let me know which ones and I'll see if I have them!!

Posted by: Jesse Jun 18 2009, 01:42 PM

really... the original is in standard tuning I believe!
And for the record, it's Lynyrd Skynyrd not LynArd SkynArd xD

Posted by: sted Jun 18 2009, 03:09 PM

thanks Ian, all suggestions are welcome!!




Oh I do apologise young sir!

I worked out the slide bit last night, not too difficult, just need to learn the solos now

Posted by: Sensible Jones Jun 18 2009, 03:50 PM

Some other suggestions:-
Cream ~ Sunshine of your Love, White Room and Crossroads,
Prince ~ Purple Rain (Check out Aynsley Listers version on Youtube!!)
Bob Marley ~ I shot the Sheriff (always goes down well!)
Perhaps some Bruce Springsteen?

Posted by: FilipofCroatia Jun 18 2009, 04:07 PM

Led Zep - Whole Lotta Love

A personal fave id love to play out one day:


or also from Beano:


PS i think both of the bluesbreakers tunes are quite doable solo, providing you have a decent backing track - i have one for Little Girl if you want it - both tunes have crushing Clapton solos which are not too complex

In addition, John Mayall is hardly renowned for his singing so it may prove quite an easy tune to cover

Posted by: sted Jun 18 2009, 09:54 PM

Purple rain would be good, crossroads would take a long time to learn and as for Springsteen, I cant see Born In
The USA going down well in Liverpool!!



Two amazing tunes there mate, if you could pm me the backing for little girl would be most grateful! It sounds very doable for a solo gig, thanks for the input!!

Posted by: FilipofCroatia Jun 18 2009, 11:16 PM

No worries dude

Ill send ya the guitar pro files i have as well (once i figure out how to add attachments to PM)

Keep us up on your progress - id like to see your stage ready version

Posted by: Sensible Jones Jun 20 2009, 09:06 PM

I was thinking more of things like My Hometown, Glory Days, The River..
Good old sing-along stuff!!!