Queensrÿche: Suite Sister Mary (Cover)

[@FenderSchonJPX]

Without question the most underrated guitarist on KZbin. You should have millions of views. That you figured out this song by ear doesn't even seem human, LOL But then DeGarmo never got the respect and notoriety he deserved either.

[@powerslave88]

Wow man, that's a hell of a compliment, thank you so much! Glad you watched it :) I agree, Degarmo is hands down a genius of our time, yet always gets overlooked. Kinda makes it more special for those in the know eh? Haha!

[@dubsbarry9963]

Agree totally. In fact I was all into George Lynch when this album came out. My buddy pushed Mindcrime on me and I refused because it seemed sacrilegious to me. He wouldn't give up though, and it grew on me as one of my all-time favorite albums. Still I never thought much about degarmo. I just enjoyed it as a whole. But now I see what you're doing and that is some great writing. This and Mission are my two favorites. Your cover is superb and you make it look easy. Being a musician though, I can tell it's not easy. Queensryche really liked their tritones didn't they. Lots of flat 5ths and modal at times. Thanks again, great job

[@kbdrox]

I was in 11th grade when this album came out. I've been playing that tune on my guitar every since. Just ran through it the other night. One of the best albums from the 80s. Nice job.

[@wyldbill100]

I've worked in the MAJOR side of the music entertainment for over 20 years. VERY IMPRESSIVE work you've done and the sound quality is WAYYyyy above average of what is seen on KZbin covers. KEEP SLAYIN' IT! Queensryche rocks!

[@davelloyd2963]

Phenomenal!! This is in my humble opinion the greatest rock album of all time and you have mastered it. Amazing!!!

[@1251wire]

Unequalled... For the hell of it.. I searched this ...glad I did...you can hear London in the composition...this is top notch.

[@patnicholson1006]

Ridiculously great 👍

[@Hippo007]

This is just genius song writing by the great Chris Degarmo! Alex, you did an amazing job on this one as you have all of your Queensryche covers! Thanks for posting this...

[@powerslave88]

Thank you for such kind comments!

[@Marlina66]

OH DANG! Quite an endeavor. You nailed it Alex! This album is a must-have for lovers of high-end premium music played by superhuman musicians.

[@powerslave88]

+Marlina66 Thanks Marlina! I agree, its a killer album!

[@eddiejr540]

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!!!....exceptional playing and the tone was spot on...IMO, this is Degarmo’s magnus opus!!!!!

[@tangotango256]

Love this song !!! Great job !!!! Wished my hands could do that again... .gettin old sucks lol.. live the dream !!!

[@timothycasey5749]

Alex... Phenomenal. I saw them live on the Empire tour... Unreal live.. But...thanks to you I can see how they did it.

[@tomquirk5974]

Amazing! Your covers are always great. Such a talent. Thanks for helping me to be a better guitar player!

[@amiskalo]

The best queensryche song! The best cover of it! Congrats!!!

[@powerslave88]

Thank you so much!

[@ericpiirainen3182]

Masterful job Alex...I've enjoyed all of your Queensryche covers! Thank You!

[@powerslave88]

Thank you for your support! Feel free to share :)

[@ericpiirainen3182]

+Alex Ward Will do!

[@CaribSurfKing1]

Degarmo loved his power chord inversions on the lighter strings. I started playing in 88 and tried to work this out as a newbie by ear after a few months in Uni, it made my head hurt. Good job!

[@powerslave88]

He certainly did! Thanks for watching and for the compliment!

[@MadMoses56]

Such an Epic song that just spans time i believe it is my favorite song of theirs

[@powerslave88]

195th Moses It really is a belter!

[@Stefan-Van-der-Pulst]

You nailed that one! And it's got a lot of tricky parts. Masterfully done!

[@ronnieroberts40]

Brilliant as usual Alex. I discovered Queensryche in about 1985, & since then they've become one of my favorite bands. I listen to this album at least once a week. Anymore when I want to hear it I just go to KZbin & watch you play it. Keep it up brother, you are awesome!!!

[@MoCatt]

Great job Alex! DeGarmo is one of my favorites. He and Wilton played perfectly off each other.

[@powerslave88]

MoCatt couldn't agree more!

[@biffspandex]

Flawless! Brilliant! So impressed how you nailed this masterpiece! Wow!

[@irmacacoayala5003]

Ridiculously awesome rendition. Congrats Alex!!

[@SK43853]

so good Alex!!!!! touching on every detail, very nice..

[@axmancometh5959]

You were catching the dynamics of the guitar and that's what makes this one of my Favorite QR songs. And I was just watching a Geoff Tate band performance of this and incredibly that guy who plays for Tate was playing it wrong, specifically the clean intro, the timing alternates but he plays it like the first measure without the alternating timing of the riff straight through. Alex your spot on as usual, but I would think Geoff would have guys that know these songs and play them correctly. But this is about Alex and another awesome video. Great musicianship and a tough tune to pull off which you make look easy.

[@powerslave88]

john lindsley Thanks dude! Yeah this one was a challenge, especially as a lot of the guitar lines are tricky to hear because there’s a lot going on! Really appreciate the support man!

[@marinemedic68]

Well, I would probably never leave my house if I could play that well! Just awesome

[@powerslave88]

Haha! Thank you for the kind words Daniel, glad you enjoyed!

[@LuisMorales-xr1gm]

From 1 guitarist to another, that was absolutely amazing and a joy to watch Alex. That's my favorite QR song of all time. Other than what appears to be a Teli, and Les Paul, what other gear are you using on this, amp,pedals etc?

[@powerslave88]

Hi Luis thanks for the compliment! That was very kind of you and very much appreciated! Yep, tele and les paul into my Axe Fx 2 direct into logic - if I remember rightly I was using a Friedman HBE sim into a Marshall 4x12 cab sim with a Tube Screamer sim pushing it in the solo. The clean was most likely a twin sim into a 2x12 sim but I can't remember for sure. Hope that helps!

[@craigmorse5685]

Wow very well done. Impressive

[@MrDweb]

Excellent job friend.

[@renatostella5772]

Excelent Job!. Thanks for the material. Now off to the other tracks. Really, really good. Be proud.

[@christschinwon]

Without doubt one of my fav guitar covers. The effort paid off. Stunning work esp no tab cheating! Subsribed to see more!

[@nuthouse99]

Brilliant man. Awesome job

[@purplecow5150]

So amazing😮 great job🤘

[@jamesrosnack449]

I love Chris Degarmo's style and watching you jam on one of my fav tunes was great! Nice job, very fluid and well played. IMHO Suite Sister Mary is up there with Diary of a Madman as far as genius Rock guitar arrangements.

[@jamesford8164]

Great job Alex!! Well played and a pleasure to watch, you captured this song perfectly.

[@powerslave88]

James Ford Cheers for the compliments James, and thanks for your support!

[@ApriliaRacer14]

Great job! This album captivated me as a kid.

[@adam872]

Fantastic job on this song and what a great track it is. So much tasty playing and a great arrangement.

[@powerslave88]

Thank you! Yeah phenomenal track, was fun figuring it out!

[@johnrembecki]

Amazing job with a brilliant song!

[@powerslave88]

+John Rembecki Thank you John, glad you enjoyed it!

[@JohnRobbfl]

Dude - seriously ridiculous again! Between your playing and the tone from the Axe-Fx you are spot on.

[@powerslave88]

+John Robb Thanks John! I appreciate that - the Axe Fx is really great!

[@JohnRobbfl]

I had an XL when I was playing a band but sold it over the summer, 1 day after Quantum was released...

[@powerslave88]

Ah man, gotta do what you gotta do I guess!

[@JohnRobbfl]

I just play at home for fun with an Atomic AmpliFIRE through a CLR Neo. If I join another band in the future I'd probably get an AX-8.

[@SABBATAGE2013]

Alex - thank you so much for doing these songs from the Mindcrime album. Fantastic covers and they helped me no end when I was learning the album. You've managed to perfectly capture the tone and feel of all the QR quirks that made their compositions so genre-defining and instantly recognisable. Definitely one of the best albums of all time and your work is a huge tribute. I remember seeing QR playing Mindcrime in its entirety at the Royal Albert Hall back in the early 90s (along with some off of Empire - my second favourite QR album). Still rates as one of my best concerts. Yeah, agree - I think DeGarmo was the unsung genius behind QR in their heyday. Wilton nowadays is only a shadow of what they achieved, although Condition Human was a pretty good album, albeit a bit plodding in some parts, trying to re-create the QR sound of old. You definitely get a +1 from me to replace Parker Lundgren. Thanks again mate, brilliant work. Beautiful JP guitar too :-). Wish I had the money for one :-(.

[@cxr1969]

Dude. This is awesome. I'm a huge queensryche fan I remember rushing to the music store when this first came out. Bravo buddy.

[@wordy1968]

Alex, i'm very impressed with this...a joy to listen to. I was twenty when Mindcrime came out, all these years later and i'm playing it in the car at the moment. A work of art as far as i'm concerned.....now i'm off to check out your other stuff!

[@powerslave88]

Couldn't agree more on Mindcrime, and thanks so much for your kind words! Yeah, take a look around and I hope you like my covers! \m/

[@ICANJAM1]

Alex's great job, well put together video. Also great ear I had a check of a time learning this song and still don't know it as well as you do. thanks.

[@frankmacino4800]

Great job dude, you freaking nailed it

[@matthewvelissaris379]

Spot the f on! Well done Alex

[@Twobarpsi]

So good, I can't believe it 🤘🤘🤘!!

[@eddiejames2635]

Dude you are crushing it!

[@powerslave88]

Thank you!

[@stevedamien638]

Great videos 🤙

[@princeofcats6883]

Nailed it! Great job

[@pdglock19]

How in the world did you do this by ear?!!!! I thought it was Chris Degarmo doing the video. Unreal brother. I play bass by ear and trying to learn guitar. You're my hero!

[@powerslave88]

pdglock19 That is the ultimate compliment man, thank you so much! Degarmo is my biggest inspiration so believe me when I say I can’t thank you enough for that! Not sure how heroic I am haha but I’ll take that! :D \m/

[@Bee4cats]

Alex - dude, this is fantastic! I've been wanting to learn this amazing song (to me it's exceedingly difficult), and have tried before, but never got anywhere near as far as you. You are very, very good, sir! Very cool to see it being played and be able to learn from it. Ah, the joys of KZbin and the Net. Thank you!!!

[@powerslave88]

Bryan Chancellor Thanks man! Hope it helps you out :)

[@mandible2002]

That reminds me a little bit of an old Peavey T-60 I used to have. God it was heavy but the action and sound were insane. BTW, great playing!!

[@powerslave88]

+mandible2002 Thanks dude!

[@nestleigh1]

great work, wish I could play like that...

[@shreddinjoe]

Man queensryche was so different with there chord structuring...i love this album. Good job on the cover by the way..I went to see them on the Empire tour..with Suicidal Tendencies opening...(what a combo huh) at any rate Queensryche sounded fuckin monstrous..and their stage show was clean and 2nd to none

[@bjrnmagnusun9750]

Holy moly! Freaking amazing!!

[@BPoweredLove]

9:26 I was like "Alex is definitely going to do the palm-muted part here!"

[@pdxpete48]

way cool!!

[@mrericdodson]

Wow!!!

[@johnanderson2112]

Fantastic

[@carltonec]

Awesome!

[@powerslave88]

+Carlton Chase Nice one Carlton, cheers!

[@marknewell7556]

I'm new to the party but dayum lad this is awesome...I saw them with Suicidal Tendencies and you could've been on that stage....it was that good.

[@powerslave88]

Thank you so much!

[@Judezki92]

Epic cover, rock on Alex!! \m/

[@powerslave88]

+Judezki92 Thanks man!

[@Zacsondy]

I have been wanting to learn this song for years but have shied away from it. I still haven't. However, I have been listening to this album from day one and I know each guitar nuance inside and out. You nailed them all as far as I'm concerned.

[@powerslave88]

Zacsondy Thanks so much man, whenever I do a QR cover I spend a lot of time to try my best to get the little things right - CDG is my inspiration when it comes to guitar and songwriting so I try my hardest to do him and the rest of the band justice. Glad you enjoyed it, feel free to check out my other QR covers (including the whole OM album)! Cheers again!

[@loveguitars]

Alex, Superb playing man!! You are very talented musician! One of my favorite albums of all time. Was wondering if you plan on covering Two Mile High? It's a cool song and you the best to cover it! Thanks and Happy New Year!!

[@powerslave88]

+Mark Love Cheers Mark! Maybe one day - its a great song, but my acoustic is a bit out of shape currently! Happy New Year to you too!

[@jimhinkle7245]

How in the hell do you hear all of the notes???? Nice job, but thanks to you, I've cut all my guitars in half and burned them in a pile. Now, I'm going to start kicking small animals for a hobby!!! lol

[@timothycasey5749]

Um, sir! There are perhaps better ways to express your frustration. Perhaps..say..crocheting?

[@palerider364]

Great job! That riff at 2:56 is one of my all-time favorites! Which model Gibson is that and which pick-ups does it have? Sweet tone!

[@powerslave88]

Pale Rider Thank you so much!! It’s a ‘93 Classic loaded with whatever it came with, can never remember the name of them. I’ve swapped them out for some Eternal Pickups (my signature GST and a PAF replica and they sound MINT)

[@palerider364]

@@powerslave88, thanks for responding. That axe sounds killer. I was not sure if it was a custom or not. I am thinking about getting a Les Paul Classic with the Burstbucker 61R/61T combo or a Custom with 490/498 humbuckers. Keep up the great work!

[@leedavies6386]

Still watching in 2024 dude!!

[@FenderSchonJPX]

After 10 years of wanting one I've FINALLY go the Axe FX on it's way. It's coming on Friday. As a fellow QR aficionado I would love to get your presets that you did for the Mindcrime Cover you did. Would be happy to pay for them. I've got pretty good presets for my Guitar Rig 5 system, but nothing sounds as good as what you've got on the AxeFX system. Thanks

[@timothycasey5749]

Interesting, DeGarmo used a chord shape on this track and on Eyes of a Stranger.

[@rogerosborne486]

Wow. Great job. What are the pickups in the Les Paul?

[@PickMyCockScabs]

Damn my double jointed fingers!

[@dhannegan]

Amazing dude. I think you have an alien pinky finger tho. Cheers 😂

[@FergusScotchman]

Ok, man, did you really play that, or was it the album and just video of you playing? Cause if it's you, it is awesome Queensryche.

[@powerslave88]

It is me playing over the top of the original track - I recorded all the guitar parts over the original in logic using my Axe Fx 2 - that's a good sign if you couldn't tell the difference! Thank you so much for watching and please feel free to subscribe and share!

[@kylemorgan1520]

it's unfortunate this video only has 639 views

[@powerslave88]

Thanks for being one of them! I think the fact that many can't view on mobile devices due to copyright claims is a big factor - I love playing these tunes though so it's all good! Please feel free to share! \m/

[@jakeqwaninne8502]

dude , what happened to the little chopped notes at the end, lol, just fuckin around, that was INCREDIBLE , the magic of editing can hide alot of shit, but i don't you cheat, all those chord structures, man, just wow

[@powerslave88]

Jake Qwaninne Haha if they were on a guitar I woulda done ‘em! ;) Seriously though, thanks so much for the kind words and support - a lot of time goes into these vids so that means an awful lot! Thanks!

[@timothycasey5749]

Well, it also helps that he can mimmick degarmos twisted finger movements...insane.

[@powerslave88]

Haha thank you!

[@timothycasey5749]

Saw them live twice on Empire tour... Phenomenal... You allow me to see HOW they did their did it...thank you.

[@timothycasey5749]

Alex..some technical questions about this track.. 1. What key is it in? 2. Is the way the chords are played an example of inversions? If so, what inversion are they in... 3. The harmony parts... 3rds? Or which?

[@kim6261]

Fucking awesome!

[@rezolution6272]

What effects are you using on the clean sound?

[@guthriegovan3672]

Excellent job. IMHO, Operation Mindcrime was absolutely their magnum opus. The production techniques, unfortunately, were comparitively primitive by todays standards. I struggled for months trying to learn this back in the day.

[@jakeqwaninne8502]

i hope you do this for a living, you should

[@panzerdivizzion]

amazing! I love Mary. I dont care about her past. lol.

[@powerslave88]

Hahaha! Thanks for watching!

[@TheBent139]

Bravo! Now that sounds like Queensryche of old. Tate should hire you for his band because they do not sound anywhere near this good.

[@powerslave88]

TheBent139 Thank you so much for that mega compliment! Would happily take the call!!

[@TheBent139]

​@@powerslave88 I know this music quite well, you got all the fine details right. The tone is particular is exquisite. very close to the original. You should be proud of what you have done. The massive effort you put into this is obvious.

[@powerslave88]

TheBent139 Ah man thank you so much! Classic QR is all about the nuance, it is what makes their music so special in my eyes (and ears!) and it speaks to me (pun intended) more so than any other artist on the planet - thanks for the compliments on those nuances in particular- I can’t say it’s 100% but I gave it the best I could - the material deserves nothing but the utmost respect, I just hope I’ve done it justice and that if they were to ever see it they’d enjoy it.

[@ronnieroberts40]

Brilliant as usual Alex. I discovered Queensryche in about 1985, & since then they've become one of my favorite bands. I listen to this album at least once a week. Anymore when I want to hear it I just go to KZbin & watch you play it. Keep it up brother, you are awesome!!!

[@powerslave88]

Thank you so much man! I'm glad you like what I do :)