Stephen April OSAM Amanda's Blues

[Stephen]

I wish I could say I was stepping out of my comfort zone here, but actually my very first band, as some of you may know, was primarily a blues band.
This song happened when I was toying with some drum loops, and just sorta fell into place after that.
Every track on this is first take, I didn't even bother to write any lyrics, just sang whatever came into my head, so it has a bit of a comical aspect in that regard.
Yes, that's my crappy voice, doing my best Clapton imitation, and very poorly of course, but hey, I'm no singer, we all know that, I had promised myself to do something other than the usual "chill", hopefully with vocals, and this is it.
I went for a live feel, and even thought of putting crowd noise in there.
The Harp work was done by a fellow named Wig Nelson from Florida, the rest is me.
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6384425

[ellll]

O.K.,

I get the message...pack up and go on home...

So smooooooooooothe and REAL...AND..unforgettable..Can't even comment...This is PENTHOUSE, my friend...!!!

Love IT Period!!!!!John

Edit:...You really got the licks on this one...How I would like to do this kind of work...It just STAYS good!!Concrats again!!!..John

[Diego]

Hey Stephen!!!
What a beautiful bluesy work here!!!
I've always been fascinated from bluesy-stuff, but never played or writed something in that style.

I love your playing and singing skills: great at piano/ep, organ, guitar, bass, voice...how can you be such a great one-man-band?!

I enjoyed a lot the listening!
Great work, and (through iPod earphones) great sounds!


Regards

[Diego]

Just wanted to add...
The voice processing is quite strange, but it sounds like you're singing live ina club, as I'm listening to a live performance: it's very nice!!
Strange, but nice!
And, to be honest, I would emphasize that in a more "extreme" way.


Regards

[JonSolo]

Man. This took me there. The last time I heard something this real I was drunk.

You captured the live feel very well, and it is cool. I mean REEEEEL cool!

A very nice departure for you this month, and the vocals are just fine! I would expect nothing less of blues vocals and you totally delivered.

Given the feel and arrangement of a live sounding recording, there is really nothing much noting...except...I would love to have heard an extended guitar solo. I know you are an excellent player, and even if it felt "showy" it would have been perfect for this song.

But as it is, I love it! So don't touch a thing! Wig did a great job on the harmonica as well!

Jon

[Stephen]

Thanks much guys, you're so kind, and I'm feeling a bit humble right now, after listening to all of your fantastic pieces of work.
I'll do better next month, I promise.

[georgeinar]

Good Lord, where did I put my beer? What a smooth, bluesy, vibe here, so tight and not trying to be more than it is. It is so easy to do this sort of thing badly. But while it's tight it's loose and oozing with atmosphere. I smell the cigarettes and the bar smells. Stephen, I just did a Boogie Woogie and you did the Blues. This is one classic OSAM so far. I do think you could add a signature guitar lead here, or some saxy thing would sound great too, but you know what, I love this so much. And people always want more. Leave them wanting more, as they say. I'll just have to listen again and again.

[ellll]

I am just amazed at all you guys, and Dee as our only gurll...

The whole club looks good to me....WoW..I am having a TIME tonite...this new stuff is worth many listens!!!

Thanks to everyone!!! John

[chordial]

Great stuff Stephen

Love this laid back easy style, some very classy playing going on here too.

Wig does and fantastic job too, and the lyrics and singing are spot on.

[Daz]

Excellent !

The funniest thing here is that it was all "first takes and gritty" but it came out sounding absolutely fantastic in terms of performance and the overall sound; it filled the room here. It's funny how that happens and there is something to be learned from that, sometimes less is more Or something.

Your voice was perfect for this and I loved all the little organ bits in there, I need to do more of that kinda detail work myself.

Daz.

[JonSolo]

Considering that when you are "live" everything is a first take, Stephen NAILED this one to the wall! The best part is...NO COVER CHARGE!!!

First round is on me!

Jon Solo

[Stephen]

I appreciate the comments guys.
Sorry to be so tardy with a response, just a busy weekend, 2 gigs, at 2 different clubs, so lots of travel, setup, teardown, and not much free time in between.
There are six of us, so setup takes two hours with the light truss, and all, kinda cuts into the day big time, especially last night's gig as the club owner wanted us set up before the dinner crowd started coming in, so we were there at 4:00 for an 8:30 start.

This was purely a case of luck.
I found the drum loop, and just started layering parts as I always do, thinking I'd replace them eventually, one by one, but when I got all the tracks in place, and started mixing, I realized I wouldn't be replacing anything, for fear of losing the live feel, that just seemed to happen.
Sometimes things just work, and frankly once you "get" the blues, it's not technically difficult, it's all about the Feel, and the vibe, and I got lucky here!

Regards,

[georgeinar]

Well, here's to luck. I do feel that much of what we do is luck at suddenly finding something that speaks to us, or a mistake that took off in a new direction. I'm glad you found your luck with this one for sure.

[Lorenzo]

Great Great Great!!! I like blues a lot and today I'm totally in the mood to listen to this song, now I really needs some beers to keep this mood... going out in a few minutes and will put a blues cd in my car!
Regards, Lorenzo

[Stephen]

Thanks guys.