99 Miles From LA

This one is a bit different, in fact, I’d never heard it until I heard my friend Denny cover it on his YouTube channel (@thepezz13). I first met Denny when he had a regular gig at the Embassy Suites Santa Ana in SoCal back in the 90s. We’ve kept in touch over the years. In fact, at one time we both lived in Florida and later Las Vegas. He’s still performing in Vegas. So when I heard his version, I was inspired to try it for Rocktober. I think it was originally done by Art Garfunkel but also Johnny Mathis and Julia Iglesias.

PS - The desert part of the video is from the back roads of Las Vegas, which is farther than 99 miles from LA, but this song reminds me of driving back to LA from visiting my stepdad’s family in the Valley and climbing the grapevine about 70 miles north of LA. Close enough. The beach scenes are of Cabo (Mexico).

i never heard this song before but i like the way you do it. and the road footage is marvelous.the drum solo is also very interesting, as is the general tempo, which is not what one expects from a road song.

Thank you. I forgot to mention that I brought in my Logic session players for all the instruments.

Oh, about the tempo, it’s more fitting when you realize he’s imagining her presence and hoping she’ll be there when he finally gets to LA. I had to read the lyrics…

I have heard the original and also a cover by a Canadian band, The Grapes of Wrath. This is definitely a unique take on it-- you make it your own!

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i susally associate those themes with guys who are in a hurry to reunite with the girl. …six days on the road, the letter…what i like in your song is the sense of resignation toward her absence, knowing that he will soon be with her.

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You’ve actually heard this song - how cool is that?! Thanks for the compliment.