Electone arrangement of 今宵多珍重 (Cherish Tonight). The Danny Chan, Pop-Latin version.
If you’re familiar with Hong Kong television and 80s Cantopop history, you’d know why I’ve taken a break from Joseph Koo compositions to arrange this. But for the record:
- I watched a few episodes of the strange, strange, Barrack O Karma (金宵大廈) series. Can’t say I enjoyed the show, though it was my sort of Anime-ish, Twilight Zone story. But it reminded me of this classic Chinese composition by Wang Fu-ling.
- Oct 23rd isthe death anniversary of Danny Chan. So yeah, this is (again) a belated tribute to this great 80s Cantopop artiste.
As for the arrangement style, I briefly toyed with the idea of doing Kayee Tam’s version for the Electone i.e. the ethereal, soulful rendition that was used for the theme song of Barrack O Karma. (BTW, what a cheesy English name for the series!)
In the end, I’m just too “80s.” Hate to say this but the new version is too dreamy for me. As a long-time lover of Latin music, I also find Danny’s Pop-Latin version much more affecting.
Free Yamaha Electone Score & ELS-02C Registration Data for 今宵多珍重 (Cherish Tonight)
Warning! The registration and Finale PrintMusic files are zip files! You might need to disable your virus/malware protection before downloading.
As I have disabled the function, do not right-click to save as. On PCs, simply click on the links and the file should auto download in a separate window.
Electone Registration Data for Stagea ELS-02C
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Arrangement Notes
- I wasn’t able to finish this on the week of Oct 23 because I initially messed up the chords. While they were easy enough to figure out, every cover of Cherish Tonight has its own variation. In the end, I based mine mostly on Danny’s version, with minor differences.
- I was also undecided about the accompaniment i.e. the left-hand. Were I to mimic the guitar strums/picks in Danny’s version, I would have to forgo luscious strings and pad accompaniments. So as not to make the song too “dry,” I ultimately opted for a simpler accompaniment that relies on the auto-backings of the Electone Stagea.
- There’s a high E in the bassline, one that ought to be played with the right foot for true coolness. I … didn’t do this in my recording.
- Similarly, the Alto Sax solo will benefit from some … P.B. (Which I “forgot” to do)
- The stark contrast between the Flute and Alto Sax leads is straight from Danny’s version. Lots of fine-tuning here with brilliance, delay, and EQ before I achieved anything acceptable. The two leads, obviously, must be played differently too.
- I’d be the first to admit – I have a lacklustre ending. Feel free to switch to a refrain of sorts. If you wish to mimic Danny’s original recording, adjust Rhythm Sequence 4 to end with Memory 8 and User Rhythm 3B.
Full List of Downloadable Electone Sheet Music and Stagea ELS-02C Registration Data. ( English / 中文 / 日本語 )
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