How To Play 'Rock And Roll' by The Velvet Underground - Cam Forrester

Background - 5:17
Tutorial - 7:27
Multi-instrumental artist CAM FORRESTER performs an authentic cover version of perhaps the most famous song of all by The Velvet Underground; 'Rock And Roll', explains the background of the three best-known recorded versions, and offers a comprehensive tutorial on how to play the song.
LINKS TO THE ORIGINAL VU RECORDINGS:
[1969 MGM Demo]
• Rock And Roll ("1969" ...
[Live At The Matrix, San Francisco, 1969]
• Rock And Roll (Live)
[1970 Atlantic Demo]
• Rock & Roll (Demo Vers...
[1970 ‘Loaded’ Album Version]
• Rock And Roll (Full Le...
[Live At L'Olympia, Paris 1993]
• Rock & Roll (Live)
Performed, recorded, mixed and mastered by Cam Forrester.
Performance, background and tutorial video filmed & edited by Cam Forrester.
Written & composed by Lou Reed © 1969. All Rights Reserved.
Unauthorised copying, hiring, lending, public performance and broadcasting of this recording is prohibited.
'Surreal' is the euphoric new 'Rock'n'Soul' single, written and performed by Cam Forrester.
CHECK OUT THE MUSIC VIDEO HERE ON KZbin:
• Surreal [MUSIC VIDEO]
ALSO AVAILABLE TO STREAM ON SPOTIFY:
open.spotify.com/track/07YyOx...
Cam Forrester's debut album 'What's Going On Upstairs?' is a unique fusion of ethereal soul, gritty indie rock and dreamy shoegaze.
CHECK OUT THE ALBUM TRAILER HERE ON KZbin:
• What's Going On Upstai...
STREAM THE ALBUM ON SPOTIFY:
open.spotify.com/artist/5KIXS...
- Also available via KZbin Music, Apple Music, Amazon Music and Deezer!
PURCHASE A LIMITED EDITION GATEFOLD CD COPY by sending £10 (Price incl. Global P&P) to the following PayPal link (please write your postal address in the message box before submitting payment): www.paypal.com/paypalme/WHATS...

[@christy7698]

Lou might have written this song but it is MY anthem! This song describes just how much music means to me, perfectly. Throughout the good and bad times of my life, music has always been there for me. "My life was saved by rock and roll", indeed!!🤘

[@MIB_63]

Mine too 😎🎸🎙

[@kipjackson7514]

You’re doing amazing work!! Love your attention to detail while at the same time allowing the spirit of each song flow through. Incredible that you’re doing this on your own. Thank you!

[@CAMFORRESTER]

Thanks so much for your feedback; indeed it's very much a labour of love for me. I'm just happy that people are enjoying the songs/videos as much as I enjoyed creating them!

[@hankmobley]

Me too!

[@Powerneck]

Great Song 🎵 🎸

[@johnmille2267]

Your vocal delivery of the Velvet Underground songs are spot on and thought you are from NY or the east coast of the States. Didn’t know you are British. That is a pleasant surprise. Hope you’d cover the rest of songs from White Light White Heat. Amazing performance!

[@CAMFORRESTER]

Thank you so much...I did wonder if my NY singing accent would be convincing lol. I think my British accent comes through here and there but it's always felt unnatural to me singing in my own accent, it's like I just become American when I sing without even realising haha!

[@HarrisonProductions]

2 weeks but wow. Rock N’ Roll has always been my top three favourite songs by VU and always loved the loaded version and (for better or worse) the version on Lou Reed’s Rock N’ Roll Animal album But, this is what I wanted from the best moe tucker version and Loaded version all in one Brilliant job as always mr. Forrester. Keep it up!

[@CAMFORRESTER]

Thanks mate! Glad you appreciated the fusion of those different elements!

[@rjdmccarthy]

Love your authentic covers. Didn't realise there was a bigger Velvets nut out there than me, great to have found your channel !

[@outtathyme5679]

Just awesome

[@edwardmulholland7912]

Great! I like how you incorporated Moe’s drumming. I like some of the songs on Loaded, but I remember being disappointed with the album when I first heard it. It just didn’t sound like The Velvet Underground - today I know why, Moe was a huge part of their sound and she was missing. Rock and Roll is such a great song. Enjoyed this, Thank you.

[@CAMFORRESTER]

Yeah it has a completely different feel - it's a tricky one for me as the Loaded version of Rock And Roll was one of the first songs I ever heard by the band, and as such I do still have a soft spot for it, but with time I've realised it's the sound of Lou's droning C guitar that makes me love that recording - nothing else in particular stands out, other than Doug's awesome solo of course...so to combine those elements with Sterling and Moe's original ideas, gives us a glimpse of what it could have sounded like if they'd waited for her, and kept Sterling's part in the final version.

[@smithy7034]

Great stuff Cam. Love it. Thank you very much. ❤️👍🏻

[@bosseraven9180]

Excellent work! 👍🏻🥰

[@MrLouRules]

Just fantastic. Keep them coming!!

[@CAMFORRESTER]

Check out the latest: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpmtYWOlnr6EmLM

[@AmazonCrime]

Best cover I ever heard.

[@millineryindustrialaccomplice]

this is fkn brilliant

[@Chris.B.72]

Amazing cover

[@erickfernandoelizalderiver813]

Tus vídeos son increíbles. Gracias!

[@CAMFORRESTER]

Gracias por tu apoyo!

[@joniphone4125]

Well done Cam.

[@markrefoy]

Fantastic version 👍

[@CAMFORRESTER]

Thanks I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@neilwhetham8978]

Excellent as always….. how about Lisa says live version?

[@CAMFORRESTER]

I'd love to cover their entire catalogue...ideally in the live show I'm trying to get together - and film the whole thing for an online release! I'm just having trouble finding someone to play Moe Tucker...if you know any female UK drummers, do let me know!

[@neilwhetham8978]

Live show would be brilliant…….. you should have miles more subscribers! Keep up the good work!

[@FlipSideCT]

Great to see this and well done musically and video presentation ! I am so torn, is Live better the Studio?? My mom always asked me, why are you playing so fast......she was right, playing a melodic lead does the job. 12 fret capo, nice. Great to have combo'ed this. Just shows how Lou was so ahead of the curve, and credit the band also!! Best of all luck with your new album. it sounded wonderful, and was flowing with your talent! cheers

[@CAMFORRESTER]

Thanks so much for your feedback! I'm really glad you enjoyed these videos and also took the time to check out my original material - much appreciated. If you are able to share my work in any way I'd be very grateful! Thanks again for your support 🙏🏻

[@brohemian]

Really sweet cover

[@brohemian]

also yeah I love that sterling morrison part, I still remember how I felt when I first heard it

[@CAMFORRESTER]

@@brohemian It really completes it, doesn't it!

[@cjm5781]

Nice job combining the different versions. My favorite is the version on Another View.

[@CAMFORRESTER]

Thanks I'm glad you enjoyed it...and same here! It's the most VU-sounding of all the different versions.

[@fanofanimation4293]

If you could do a similar tutorial for Oh! Sweet Nuthin', that'd be lovely :). Or at the very least the second guitar solo. I don't think there is a single tutorial on KZbin on how to do the second solo in that song.

[@CAMFORRESTER]

It's not one I've ever considered before as I'm not the biggest fan of 'Loaded' to be completely honest...but I may get to it at some point!

[@magraretsbane6274]

I’d love to see you break down I Can’t Stand It, such a deceivingly powerful song

[@CAMFORRESTER]

I'm sure I will get to it at some point! Make sure you're subscribed! ;)

[@BenCDaugherty]

I feel like rock ‘n’ roll highlights the happiest Lou ever was

[@darrell6800]

I'm going to try to hear Sterling's open D capo'd at the Matrix. I was just hearing D triad to C to Em with open D ringing., Did Yule ever mention anything about this in print? Loved it

[@CAMFORRESTER]

To be honest with you I'm not entirely sure that he would have used a capo - he may have done, or he could have just played the bottom three strings in the verses/choruses and used bar chords in the bridge...I tried a few different voicings, then tried with the capo, and that sounded the best and was just a more efficient was of playing it for me. Another example of this part, other than the Matrix and '69 MGM demo versions, can be heard (even clearer) in the 1970 Atlantic demo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJqbg5JjoZKda5Y What was you referring to with regards to Yule mentioning in print?

[@darrell6800]

@@CAMFORRESTER on that demo, it sounds like the "Em" is going up, instead of down to 12th fret, Hence the higher chime?

[@CAMFORRESTER]

@@darrell6800 EDIT: Just re-listened, and tried it on a guitar again, and yes I get what you mean now, his bottom D definitely does ring out at the beginning of the bridge actually - so it appears he did not use a capo! Otherwise the voicings are the same in my cover, I just left out the bit where he goes higher (the chimney bit) until the breakdown at 9:27

[@paulinebuckles2310]

I think you have channeled Lou Reed😍

[@CAMFORRESTER]

I did my best to do him proud!

[@darrell6800]

I'm dying for the next tune! Please Here She Comes Now or the most mis covered Velvet song of all time - Femme Fatale

[@CAMFORRESTER]

I've got a lot on at the moment mate, just started a new job and in training...but I'll get back on with more videos in a few weeks when I've settled in! Femme Fatale has been recorded but I'm awaiting vocals from a singer who lives abroad, so it will all depend on when she's next over and able to record. It shall surface at some point in the not-too-distant future though!

[@darrell6800]

@@CAMFORRESTER thanks buddy. good luck on the new gig

[@hankmobley]

Said it before ....you have done your homework ! How did you figure out the guitar tuning ?

[@CAMFORRESTER]

Years ago when I was trying to learn it, it didn't sound right in just regular D standard because you couldn't strum all the strings in that tuning, and when I listened closely to the original recordings I could hear the droning C, so tried detuning the top string and, hey presto!

[@user-cm5eg6vv1v]

Hey, do you know about a band called Les Rallizes Denudes?

[@CAMFORRESTER]

I didn't until now...just had a little read about them. A very interested story! I shall have to listen to some of their bootlegs!

[@diegolar]

@@CAMFORRESTER 'heavier than a death in the family' is a good starting point imo

[@AV9000x]

Another great video. Do you have any reccomendations for guitar picks for playing Velvet Underground, or playing guitar in general?

[@CAMFORRESTER]

Now that you've asked that, I can't seem to find my guitar pick lol 🤣 (I've had the same one since about 2014...with no exaggeration!). I'm 99% sure it's a Jim Dunlop Nylon Standard .73mm... Although I did try a friend's pick recently that was considerably lighter (perhaps .60 or even lower), and found it was great for faster strumming and rolls, like on 'Run Run Run' for example. It's something I actually need to experiment with more myself!

[@AV9000x]

@@CAMFORRESTER Thats awesome, thanks man!

[@CAMFORRESTER]

@@AV9000x No worries mate thanks for your continued support!

[@thebaddestgene8853]

Hi man, is anything new on the way?)

[@CAMFORRESTER]

Indeed there is; and you're gonna absolutely love what I've got coming very, very soon!

[@TheFuzzman66]

Gear?

[@CAMFORRESTER]

What gear do you mean specifically?

[@TheFuzzman66]

@@CAMFORRESTER Hi Cam! General gear inquiry I suppose! Curious to what amps, guitars, fuzz pedals, mics, etc you use for your videos. Your sound reproduction is very authentic and I am a gear nerd! Thanks!

[@CAMFORRESTER]

@@TheFuzzman66 No worries! I used a Vox AD120VTH amp (the big stack behind me in the videos) which has several different amp models, I use the AC30 now but at the time I recorded I was using the UK Blues one (I think it sounded better at lower-volume, whereas the AC30 does not, but does has more of an authentic Vox tone at higher volume), the overdrive and fuzz effects are all from the built-in effects in the amp head. I have owned and used several different valve Vox amps over the years (AC15s and AC30s mostly), but I've settled on this amp , as it replicates several vintage amps very well, and is a million times more versatile for live use...and the icing on the cake is that it looks absolutely stunning, just like the original US Super Beatle amps: www.voxshowroom.com/us/amp/beat.html I recorded the drums with an SM57 [snare], RE20/D112 [bass], and condenser overheads (can't remember which; they weren't mine!), guitar parts were stereo line-outs direct from the amp, bass direct to interface (Focusrite Scarlett), and vocals with a Shure SM7B. The main factor in replicating the sound from an old recording is not necessarily the specific recording equipment (although of course it helps to use the best quality gear you can afford to!), it's primarily in using the same or similar instruments in the first place, and ultimately having a sensitive ear during the mixing & mastering process.

[@33nnn3]

Do what goes on

[@CAMFORRESTER]

In progress ;)

[@markcrowther6953]

@@CAMFORRESTER Great. I love what you're doing. Made me appreciate VU even more. There are many fabulous live versions of "What Goes On", the one they did at the Hilltop Festival is my favourite. They performed What Goes On in quite a few different ways. Also is it "Let it be good" or "Lady be good"? I think Lou might sing both, I always thought it was the first but seen the second in published lyrics.

[@CAMFORRESTER]

@@markcrowther6953 Yeah it was always a strong live track for the band! I've recorded all the instrument parts (along with several other songs), but it still needs vocals adding (need to buy a new microphone) and I still need to film the tutorial etc., so it's on the shelf for the next few weeks at least while I finish working on the next batch of songs that are complete...but I shall get to it before too long! The lyrics are "Lady, be good" - I used to hear it as "Baby, be good", but like you was corrected by the official lyrics.

[@markcrowther6953]

@@CAMFORRESTER I'm now almost sure that Lou sings "Let it be good" sometimes if not mostly. Maybe it's what you convince yourself it is.

[@CAMFORRESTER]

@@markcrowther6953 Both lines sound very similar when sung in a NY accent - it could have been misinterpreted. I don't know if there are any original lyrics notes written by Reed available as I've never looked into it myself.