Of all the musicians, songwriters, and visionaries we have lost over the last few decades, George Harrison ranks among the most devasting. A unique and undeniable talent, George Harrison’s influence and legacy are unsurpassed, and twenty years after his death, he’s still inspiring artists. Today, we’re shining a light on a very special tribute to the man, with Ferris Durden releasing his most touching cover to date, a take on the timeless classic, ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’.
A gorgeous re-work of The Beatles’ epic, Durden’s version is a brilliant full-band arrangement that effectively layers keys, guitar, and bass into a soulful medley of sound, blending piecing, emotive vocals with a timeless sense of self. A shifting, visceral piece, the song builds perfectly with the music, delivering a passionate sound that is driven by heart, soul, and respect for a great musician.
Musically, the piece is absolutely flawless, offering a genuinely uplifting and wonderfully euphoric space that artfully recreates the emotion and scale of the original track. A collaborative wonder, Ferris’ version of ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ is worth every second of your time and attention.
Speaking openly about the new release and his time with vocalised Paul Wesley, Ferris explained, “It may have been fifteen years ago when Paul got his first Pro Tools rig. We both had logged some hours in the studio, but neither of us had much experience engineering. One of us had the idea to do a cover to learn the ropes with his newfound software and equipment. We chose ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’.”
“As a teenager learning my way around the fretboard, this was the first Beatles’ song I connected with. I was wrapped up in Clapton during his Cream years when a good friend turned me on to this song. I still remember how difficult the bends were. Bending a full step with control was difficult enough, but a step and a half, with fast, wide swings of vibrato? Who knows how long I spent, but I eventually got it note-for-note. I tried to not colour outside the lines too much here. It felt appropriate, perhaps, as a sign of respect, given the 20th anniversary of George’s passing. Or maybe it just felt too damn good touching greatness.”
While anyone can cover a song, to do so this perfectly is a very rare thing. With their version of The Beatles’ classic, Ferris and his friends have been able to faithfully recreate the power and emotion of the original, while also placing a new spin on the piece, infusing it with their own passion and respect for the world George Harrison helped create.
A gorgeous, emotionally charged, and undeniable impressive piece, this is one of the most instantly ensnaring covers you will hear in this or any other decade.
Connect with Ferris Durden,
