First, some of my latest releases. Below them, there’s a new 11-song “Billy Joel as sung by Dave Yarin” section, followed by songs for my soon-to-be dropped “Vocals by Dave Yarin Greatest Greatest Hits” album. I like the way these songs came out both vocally and the mix on the recording. With thanks to Brian Lee of Grammy award winning Bob Ludwig’s Gateway Studios here in Maine for mixing and mastering a few of them. Thanks to Adriana Balic for teaching me how to actually sing instead of yell, and finding the emotion in the songs. Thanks to my friends who listened. But big big thanks to my lovely wife Beth and awesome kids Jennifer and Michael for a lot of listening to the good, the bad, and yes the ugly at times; and some great feedback too! Michael (aka “Beatle”) – the LA music producer, engineer and entrepreneur – taught me a heckuva lot about singing and recording. He oughta know – it’s what he does. And thanks to you for listening!!
Latest Releases
My lovely wife and I had the good fortune of seeing Stevie live back in 2013. He was doing his album Songs In The Key Of Life from beginning to end, and this song is on that album. I get goose bumps just thinking about it. It was like seeing da Vinci or Picasso paint one of their paintings in person.
The 80s Wham pop song re-arranged in a jazzier send-up for George Michael’s MTV Unplugged show in the 90s…
While I’m not yet 64, I’ve accomplished the first line of the song…
Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Paul Shaffer, Brian Setzer, Nile Rodgers producing, et al….ladies and gentlemen – The Honeydrippers 1984
I might want to either quit while I’m ahead…or behind…with this one. I dunno – you be the judge. Tough song to sing. Art’s vocals on this song are truly one of the great singing performances of all time.
Dave Yarin sings Billy Joel
As a fellow Long Islander and M.O.T., I’ve loved Billy’s music for as long as I can remember. Studying The Stranger’s album sleeve, pictures, liner notes and lyrics as a 10-year old when it came out – and all of Billy’s albums going forward, I worked my way back to his older music through the Songs In The Attic live album. Awesome piano playing and songwriting aside, I’ve always loved the range in Billy’s singing voice and the way that he used it – particularly for a guy who never took voice lessons. And he could sing all genres – rock, ballads, doo wop 50’s…you name it. Long Island’s own…Billy Joel – as sung by me.
Recorded July 2023 in Hush Money Music Studios (hushmoneymusic.com), produced and engineered by Beatle
All effects on my vocals – reverb, ambience, compression…you name it – turned off on this one (I never use pitch correction/auto-tune fyi – what you hear from me on this website I share warts and all). I might as well have sung into a Radio Shack (reference added for age significance) tape recorder. You might say that’s what it sounds like. So be it…
If I keep this up, I will record all of the songs from Billy’s Songs In The Attic live album. This is absolutely one of his best pre-Stranger songs.
“Doo wop Dave” trying something very different with a song from Billy Joel’s 1983 homage album (An Innocent Man) to the 50’s doo wop groups that he grew up listening to. This song’s chorus uses the second movement of Ludwig Van Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata, and Beethoven is credited as one of the song’s writers on the sleeve of the album as “L.v. Beethoven”. The 50s doo wop singers are the creme de la creme vocally – they used every vocal technique there is and combined it with beautiful vocal ranges, emotion, melody and soul that’s very hard to re-create.
Commissioned Work (aka more Billy Joel)
I was commissioned to provide the vocals – set to Billy Joel’s Piano Man – to this video which, along with the creative lyrics – were created by my customer to honor his late mother-in-law. Audio recording mixed and mastered by the one and only Beatle. Sing us a song to honor Perk! Watch the video here… https://youtu.be/qZqG7FaCikE
Other Recent Releases
Inspired by standing along the banks of the Ashley River in Charleston, SC – this song came on my shuffle and it seemed like a good day to lay down the track…
I have absolutely no recollection of my life before or without Stevie in it. Thank you to my elementary and high school music teachers Mr. and Mrs. Gibson (yes – an amazing married couple that gave me the gift of music) for shining a bright light for me on this brilliant artist and even better person.
I have the 2 most wonderful kids. When they were young, they were described by teachers, coaches, other parents etc. as “willful” – always in a good way. Meaning, they knew what they wanted and they weren’t afraid to go get it. A wonderful life skill. And fast forward, both of them have headed West to fulfill their dreams and purpose in life. To do what matters to them. They are inspiring to say the least, and this one’s for them…
I always loved that the drummer in ZZ Top was Frank Beard, and he was the one guy in the band without a long beard. Van Halen did an awesome cover of this song in concert. Michael Anthony singing the other lead vocal with David Lee Roth was incredible. Eddie’s guitar work needs no further superlatives – RIP EVH.
Vocals by Dave Yarin Greatest Greatest Hits
Next Album
A third take on this one over a year after first recording it, but it’s still a fun song to sing and one of my favorites.
Mrs. Gibson – our grade school music teacher – taught us this one, lyrics on ditto paper and all. She asked us to guess who we thought the song was about. Guesses?
Before Sheryl Crow sampled the guitar part for All I Wanna Do Is Have Some Fun, and before Gerry Rafferty did Baker Street, he did this. If you want to have more fun with this song, see Malcolm In The Middle, Season 1 – Episode 11. Not as much fun in the movie Reservoir Dogs.
My very favorite Who song…every component of this amazing band was on display in this song; the raw energy and power that was The Who.
A great song from Elton’s best album – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
For all you Daisy Jones and The Six fans out there, here’s the song played over the opening credits…
Here’s a blast from the past – a one hit wonder; one more than I’ve had but this is one of those “Oh yeah remember this song?” Scratch version I missed the timing with my backup singers here and there and promptly fired them from the band, but what can ya do? Happy 4th of July! And Rock On!
I was introduced to this song as the title track of the same-named Clint Eastwood movie. The song caught my ear then, and it still does now. Jamie Cullum is an extremely talented guy, and there is something about this song that – although you may think it’s sad – I think it captures a lot of different emotions in it. Some sad yes, but reflective, hopeful and looking forward too (“better dreams grow”).
I love the energy of a live audience. Now I just need to find a live audience. Thank you Beth, Seaver and Stella for coming to my show!
It’s the title track from my absolutely favorite Elton John album, and one of my favorite Elton songs. It’s a really challenging song to sing – I hope I did it at least some justice. Watching a few Elton live performances of this song provided some inspiration.
My favorite Led Zep song from my favorite Led Zep album – Physical Graffiti. Everyone talks about Robert Plant’s vocals (for good reason), but they forget how great a lyricist he was/is. Here’s proof…
Live album alternate working titles: “Yarin Comes Alive” or “Dave Yarin Live at Long Lake.” Vote for your favorite…
To my one and only Valentine Beth – it’s one of her favorites. And to you all you Valentiners out there – Happy Valentine’s Day!
We were watching Fleishman Is In Trouble last night – great new show. They were playing this song in the episode and I said “Dang It that’s one of my favorite Neil Diamond tunes.” So here ya go…
From Sun Studio here in Maine – Elvis enjoyed a turkey leg or two…or three as the years went on. Happy Thanksgiving!
Heard it on the radio – thought “what the heck I should try that one.”
This is a Tom Waits song that The Eagles covered, and I love The Eagles version. Apparently Tom didn’t, but Glenn Frey had the last laugh in concert when he said “Tom will come around when he gets his check.” I love the dual vocals between Frey and Don Henley in The Eagles version, but alas I’m only one man so I took a shot at both. And I threw in some lyrics from another Eagles song at the end if you stick around till then.
…In honor of the documentary of the same name that came out last year. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. The video and dialogue between John, Paul, George and Ringo (and Billy Preston) are so clear that it feels like these events happened last week or something. I know, I know but just let me have my dream ok? This has always been one of my faves from the Fab Four, and I really came to appreciate John’s lead guitar work on this song. From the rooftop of Apple Corps headquarters at 3 Savile Row in Central London…
Back Catalog
To Beth…every word, lyric, note, emotion…she made this song incredibly easy to sing…and re-sing.
Ah what the heck – one more song from “Long Island’s own” – Billy Joel. Another one of my favorite’s from him. “Slow down you crazy child…” – I’ve heard Billy interviewed about this song, and he wrote it about and for himself. There’s a message in there for all of us. 🙂
The second song that The Beatles played in their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show back on that evening in February 1964 that changed the world. For you Beth…
Seemed like a good song for finally getting my cast off last year and spreading my wings again…
Updated mix in progress. Stay tuned on this one!
Hang on I’ll be adding Anytime soon…
First song recorded since my achilles repair surgery. Under anesthesia, I heard the voice of Jim Morrison calling to me and saying “Dave – it’s me – Jim” …well not really but it sounded like a good story. Anyway, a song from their last album. One of the few groups who broke out with an incredible debut album, and also had their last album be a classic.
Such a beautiful song, and amazing vocals from one of my all-time favorite singers – Robert Plant. The dynamics and range in his voice, especially earlier in his career, are out of this world.
Nilsson was an amazingly talented guy, wonderful singer and songwriter, but ironically this song – probably his best known one, wasn’t written by him. Best buddies with John Lennon and Ringo Starr, and did an amazing album of standards which somehow got lost in the shuffle, but his vocals on it (along with most of his songs) are incredible. His health failed him (in large part his own doing) and he unfortunately left us too soon. He never achieved that super-stardom status that he should have, but by talent standards he was on par with the best – big reason why all 4 Beatles respected and admired him.
Jerry Lee Lewis wrote this humorous little ditty, and I enjoy Rod Stewart’s cover. The instrument track was in a lower key than I wanted to sing it in, so I cranked it up a few steps, which is why the mouth harp sounds a little funny in the background…
Always loved David Bowie, and always loved this song. Killer guitar on this was Stevie Ray Vaughan. Bowie was not only one of the greatest artists who ever lived, but one of the best humans to ever walk this planet. Before you judge the song, here is it’s true meaning as The Washington Post reported:
“If you ever took Bowie for what was on the surface, you were missing something,” said Tiffany Naiman, whose work on Bowie was published in “David Bowie: Critical Perspectives.” “I think he was well aware of his elite cosmopolitanism. He was able to move through different cultures because of his privilege but he understood otherness and wanted to highlight that.”
“Bowie was donning the role of a racist womanizer not only to decry racist womanizing but to condemn the West’s demeaning view of the East as a whole. “China Girl” was a parody of racism and stereotyping.”
“The message that they have is very simple,” Bowie said. “It’s wrong to be a racist!”
By Ruth Tam
“How David Bowie’s ‘China Girl’ used racism to fight racism”
Washington Post
January 20, 2016
The great Nile Rodgers produced this song and album (and I believe played guitar on this song), and combined with John Taylor’s bass playing it made for an absolutely fantastic soulful funk album. This was my favorite song off that album. Come to think of it, Nile Rodgers produced David Bowie’s Let’s Dance album that China Girl (above) is on. No doubt that Nile Rodgers is one of the greatest musicians, performers and producers there is.
Because who among us didn’t have an imaginary childhood friend? Mazel Tov Neil!
Just to make sure that I can sing this better than Kendall Roy from Succession…
True story – Paul and John had repaired their relationship to the point that John was going to join Paul in New Orleans in late 1974 – early 1975 to write and record a few songs together on the album on which this song appeared. But at the last minute John cancelled; having just found out that Yoko was pregnant. Needless to say they very sadly didn’t get an opportunity to write and record together again.
Sort of a raw take with this one and a little clean up needed (check back soon I’ll update this one), but there is something redeeming about it. My Billy Joel listening experience growing up started with the album The Stranger and forward. Around 1980 Billy released a live album – “Songs In The Attic” – that included a lot of his earlier songs, and this instantly became one of my favorites. I like the sentimental journey he takes lyrically in the song, and I too can honestly say that I love these days.
Back around 1977 and already really into music, my grandma took me to Newberry’s (the “five and dime”) to buy me my first record album. Truth is before I got really into The Beatles, my first musical memories are of Paul McCartney’s solo music, and the best I could tell my grandmother at the time was that “this guy was once in a really big band.” Understatement of the century. Anyway, my grandmother bought me a Paul McCartney live album, of which one of the songs on it is this one. Oh and by the way…here’s the album. Still with me after all these years…
If you’re not tapping your foot during this song, something’s wrong. Check pulse, take a deep breath…rinse, lather, repeat.
Produced and mixed by Beatle (aka my son – Michael Yarin)
Definitely one of my all-time favorite Van Halen songs, this one goes out to the late great Eddie Van Halen. Off their first album, when the sound was raw, sounded like they just plugged in and hit record. Eddie’s guitar on this one is absolutely amazing. Rock on! And thank you again 1Beatle !
To ma boys, ma homies, my Green Acres MOTs. Five guys who grew up loving The Who. The Who forevah. Best friends forevah.
A lesser-known but great George Michael song. First take on this one…
This is a song called Plush.
Happy Holidays
Five of my favorite Christmas songs below. Elton being Elton. Combining Motown and U2 is like putting chocolate and peanut butter together, and I’ve loved the John Lennon and Greg Lake songs ever since I can remember remembering. I first heard Please Come Home For Christmas by The Eagles when I was a kid, but over time I’ve discovered several other versions that are equally as good, the best of which is by Aaron Neville. Four of my favorite Christmas songs, with Happy Holiday wishes from me and the “band” to everyone!
“I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave new year
All anguish, pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear“
The Best Of The Rest…still in a barrel aging…
Theme song for life here in Maine. But seriously the guitar work between Joe Walsh and Don Felder on this one! Love it! I added lyrics in the outro from another 70s super group from a song that came out around the same time. Recognize the lyrics, the song, the group?
I don’t think there is any group with a sound as unique as The Doors, and certainly no singular talent like Jim Morrison. Beth and I made a pilgrimage to his gravesite in Paris a few years ago, although Beth likes to remind me that we went to Paris for a lot of other reasons. Long live The Doors!
To my favorite Auntie Cynthia of San Diego…I believe this is one of your favorites…