erika covers "Time for Me to Fly" by REO Speedwagon

[paranoiaagentk]

good job on the uke cover, you did great!

[helveticaukes]

@paranoiaagentk Thanks!

[MrGadha89]

Sorry to say it but you have a really weak voice.

[helveticaukes]

@MrGadha89 How very kind of you to be sorry!

[doofus0123]

@helveticaukes somewhere in some really small and remote isolated part of the world there must be a place where the phrase "weak voice" means "fantastic!" that was great! (and a great comeback)

[helveticaukes]

@doofus0123 Thanks! I appreciate the comment.:)

[matthewvaughan]

An excerpt...""For whatever reason, REO was opening for Foreigner. Now, I got nothing against Foreigner, but it just didn't seem right that they got top billing over Champaign's finest. Anyhow, Wes was picking me up in 15 minutes, and I started getting ready, which meant rocking out to "Time For Me To Fly.""...

[helveticaukes]

That imaginary guy is very articulate! I will check him out--thanks for the tip!

[matthewvaughan]

The Onion, in Columnists.

[helveticaukes]

How could I forget that? The Onion even started in Wisconsin, my home state, not 45 minutes from where I grew up...

[matthewvaughan]

You've got to check out Jim Anchower. He's the (imaginary) guy that showed me there was more to REO Speedwagon than "Can't Fight this Feeling".

[fourteentwelve]

Isn't it fun discovering a new song because someone requested it? I love that! You've done a fantastic job with it too. And it didn't look cheesy at all. It's great changing the angle around every now and then.

[helveticaukes]

It is indeed--if it weren't for requests I'd just end up playing covers of the same bands. And thanks!

[4stringsandme]

That was spot on ! great playing and singing Erika.

[helveticaukes]

Thanks so much!

[ken6675]

beautiful playing and singing erika

Ken G

[helveticaukes]

Thanks, Ken!

[russbuss415]

well done Erika!

[helveticaukes]

Thanks, Russ!

[ctrymaus]

I don't think singing not-to-the-camera is cheesy. To me it looks like you're really *feeling* the song! Great job!

[helveticaukes]

Thanks! I might just have to try this side-shooting again in the future...

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Nicely done, Erika.

[helveticaukes]

Thanks, Ken!

[kc8afw]

Great stuff! P.S. Dig the shirt!

[helveticaukes]

Thanks! I got the shirt this summer when I was attending a seminar up at MSU...and I also got it to piss off Buckeyes down here in Ohio (I wouldn't dare get a UMich shirt, though, because I might be killed).

[kempsa01]

Sounds great, Erika! I've never really been a fan of REO Speedwagon, either, but I like this song and your version of it.

Also, the singing-not-to-the-camera does not at all come off cheesy or pretentious. When I do it, it's less me trying to be arty or soulful and more due to having a crappy camera mic. When I sing right to the camera, I get all sorts of grossness happening on the vocals. But when I don't sing to the camera, I definitely feel cheesy, too! :-P Keep on rockin', bandmate!

[helveticaukes]

Thanks, Samwise! And you don't need to try to be soulful because you already are.:)

[MrPlatypus70]

Great, I have to say REO is not one of my favorites but your version is far better than the original!!

[helveticaukes]

Why thank you!

[kennymelodica]

brilliant!

[helveticaukes]

Thanks guys!

[ukeyermind]

I wouldn't worry about facing the camera or not - you could make a vid in the dark and it would still sound awesome! Nice job.

[helveticaukes]

I *should* make a video in the dark...it would be fun. Thanks!