Halfway Home (Tommy Emmanuel) -- fingerstyle acoustic cover by Craig Relyea

My cover of Tommy Emmanuel's "Halfway Home," with added synth string arrangement (wish I knew some real violinists!).

I'm playing the song at a slower speed than Tommy, mainly because I'm still getting comfortable with the song while also learning to play with a thumb pick for the first time -- hopefully I'll get it up to speed some day... (although I like the slower groove as well).

I developed the midi/synth accompaniment after hearing Tina Simpson's arrangement for string quartet -- a video of Tommy playing with Tina and the Endless Road quartet is available on YT, it's brilliant.

Guitar is a Cole Clark Triumph FLAC2, John Pearse light strings, recorded using a matched pair of Rode NT5s. Hope you enjoy it!

My attempt at covering Tommy Emmanuel's melodic Christmas tune from his album "All I Want For Christmas." I added an arrangement for violin and cello, which I laid over the second half of the song. This one's dedicated to our good friend Kelly -- feel better soon!

I'm playing a Lowden F25c with John Pearse strings, using one Rode NT5 mic, Motu 828 interface, Logic Express, Final Cut Express for video.

Best wishes to all for the holidays and the New Year!

- Craig Relyea

[CraigRelyea]

Thank you, makes me happy to know I'm contributing to more smiles out there in some small way! Thanks again for listening, take care!

[CraigRelyea]

Thanks so much for your kind comments, it means a lot to me. Hope to visit your beautiful country again some day!

[CraigRelyea]

Thanks, I really appreciate you coming back for a second listen and for the kind comment.

[CraigRelyea]

Hi Tina, thank you so much for listening and for the gracious comment -- I'm honored!! Best, TD

[CraigRelyea]

Greetings, thank you so much for stopping by and listening!

[CraigRelyea]

hi, thanks for listening and for sending along such kind comments. So glad you've discovered Tommy's music, it has really enhanced my life and my enjoyment of the guitar. I'd like to do a tutorial of Halfway Home but I don't have much time these days, unfortunately -- but hopefully you can pick up enough from all the videos (including Tommy's) to start working at it. Best of luck and thanks again!

[CraigRelyea]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate you dropping by to listen and comment. Best, TD

[CraigRelyea]

Thanks Babs, your generous comments are always much appreciated. Take care, and thanks again... TD

[CraigRelyea]

Kique -- thanks so much for listening and commenting, I appreciate it! Hope you are well my friend.

[CraigRelyea]

Thanks Edwin, I've become an instant fan of your playing so your encouraging comments mean a lot. Much appreciated!

[TinaSimplify]

Terrific performance! I'm glad you enjoyed my little string arrangement - thanks.

[CraigRelyea]

Hi Mitchell, thanks so much for the kind comments. Sorry to hear about the surgery, but getting back into guitar-playing shape is good motivation! All the best, TD

[CraigRelyea]

Hi Gary, thanks as always for the encouragement. I'm really enjoying your posts, keep it going! Best, TD

[CraigRelyea]

Thanks for listening and commenting, I really appreciate the encouragement!

[CraigRelyea]

Hi Wolfgang, thanks so much for the kind comments. I moved the microphones away from the soundhole a bit more than usual because this guitar produces a ton of bass and it was booming a little too much (particularly with the thumb pick). Thanks again...

[jazzmoou]

Lots of work has gone into this piece! Thanks for the efforts. It was well worth your time! Just excellent! Smooth, even, great nuance! I always smile when Thinkingdog videos come up in my "new videos" folder! You're one of the bright stars in my YT experience! You did Tommy proud!
Encore, Encore!

[soundproof]

sorry, couldnt resist, lol, everytime i come to your channel i have to listen to this amazing composition again and again my friend, so beautiful!!

[ringostarky]

That's beautiful Thinking Dog! I love your videos, you play beautifully and they are always superbly recorded. More more more, it's inspiring.

[sexton]

I cant stop listening to this video! It's just gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing! : )

[CraigRelyea]

Hi Allen, thanks so much for the kind and encouraging comments.