Rory Gallagher - Out on the Western Plain

This is a live performance by blues and folk musician Rory Gallagher. He plays his version of the classic folk song "Out on the Western Plain".
The song was originally a folk song performed by the artist known as Leadbelly or Lead Belly. He was a folk and blues singer in the late 1880's up until his death in 1949. He was known for his strong voice, his virtuosity on the 12-string acoustic guitar, for playing the accordion, harmonica, piano, violin and concertina and for introducing a huge catalogue of folk standards.
Gallagher's version is quite different from the original recording though the lyrics are the same. Gallagher plays it with a pick and his fingers in an Open-D tuning. Leadbelly also used low tunings, but it was a baritone standard tuning (B-E-A-D-F#-b) on a 12-string acoustic. The Open-D also gives that low feel which is what I think Gallagher went for intentionally when he decided to interpret the song.
A good song that really sets the mood. You just feel like you're out on the Western Plain after listening to it.

Enjoy ; )

Kansas - Dust in the Wind

This is the music video to the classic Kansas single "Dust in the Wind". The song was released as a single in 1977 and peaked at no. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song was written by Kerry Livgren and it was a departure for the band as they had not done any acoustic tracks prior to this one. The main melancholic acoustic guitar part is played on two acoustic six string guitars. One is in standard tuning and the other is in what is known as Nashville tuning. The two guitars together create the same sound one would get on a 12-string guitar. On top of this Robby Steinhardt plays the violin and viola on the instrumental bridge of the song.
I really like this song and I think it is one of the best acoustic guitar songs ever, period!

So enjoy it ; )