Silent Night (blues version) - Mark Laurent

Sometimes if we look at the old diamond through a fresh lens it suddenly comes to life. I've never liked Christmas songs very much, but Silent Night is an exception. A few years ago I was asked to come up with an alternative version for a couple of events I sang at, and this is what I did. People seem to really resonate with it. You wouldn't think blues would be a suitable genre for a carol, but somehow it works - it surprised me too.
Lyrics (loosely) by Joseph Mohr, music by me. I decided to video at night, to keep faith with the vibe of the song.
#marklaurent #silentnight
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[@totaratree99]

Very nice!

[@garpko4623]

Love this version!

[@LaurentMark]

Thanks - I was asked to come up with something for a concert of alternative versions of Christmas carols a few years ago. I'm generally not very fond of carols but I like Silent Night so agreed to have a go. This is what I came up with.

[@garpko4623]

@ I think it’s really a winner!

[@LaurentMark]

@@garpko4623 hehe, well I've always hoped that one of my songs would go viral one day, so maybe this is the one. :)

[@Kiwi_Col]

What a beautiful version of this song! And your voice and guitar playing is magic. I'm amazed more people haven't hit the 'like' button.

[@LaurentMark]

Thanks heaps Col - well I think people are so busy that they flit from thing to thing in a bit of a hurry. I know I sometimes forget to hit the 'like' button too when I've seen something good, but I'm trying to remember to do it more often as I really appreciate it when it happens to me.

[@Kiwi_Col]

@@LaurentMark I'm sure you're right, sadly. That's something I've been forced to learn recently, is how to slow down, and appreciate what's around me..

[@LaurentMark]

@@Kiwi_Col ah yes well that's one of the great human achievements, when we can do that. I'm trying too. I find it best when I go for walks. For the first few minutes I'm pacing along, getting into a rhythm etc, then after a bit I start to slow down and it's then that I start to notice things - the small details of things by the road, fascinating little things, and I always come home feeling enriched. I'll take a bit of time to look for a nice flower or some play of the light, and get my phone out and take a picture - usually without a lot of pre-meditation - just point and shoot really, and not even look at what I've taken, just move on. When I get home I can take some time to look at them, and I'm often pleasantly surprised by what's been captured. It's almost a kind of meditation, and it always leaves me feeling thankful.

[@SimonGaiser]

Beautiful guitar tone, with very, very interesting blues picking. Love the bridge part too. Great take on an old favourite.

[@LaurentMark]

Thanks Simon - yeah my old Gibson responds particularly well to finger-style, though it's ok with a pick too. I use quite heavy strings to bring out the richness of tone - means you have to work a little harder but it's worth it.