131 posts tagged with blues.
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Swamp
Watched You Drive Away
Just in under the wire for September's "transpo" Challenge theme.
Last Kind Words
Those familiar with relatively obscure early blues, and/or those who've seen the R. Crumb documentary Crumb might know this one, originally recorded in 1930 by Geeshie Wiley. Here's the Ghost Steppers (duo incarnation) performing the tune on August 16, 2010. The one-year-old who was gleefully running about the room and occasionally trying to ascend to the stage may occasionally be heard in this recording. He was damn cute. Video at YouTube.
Summer Home
Another quick composition, in the vein of blues or something. [more inside]
Dang Me
Woke up this morning with a sore throat and my voice about an octave lower than usual so I figured it was time to record a cover of Roger Miller's despicable novelty hit that was #1 on the country charts the day I was born. Despicable because it's a song written from the perspective of a complete cunt. So I brought some self loathing to the table, along with the sore throat and my complete inability to play blues guitar.
Show Me the Way to the River
Another tune from the same recent Medicine Bone show as this one, with special guest Ken Kawashima on harmonica. Video at YouTube and Vimeo.
Lonely Teardrop
From a recent live show with my band, Medicine Bone. The key we did this in wasn't the best for me, so I ended up kinda screaming it. And the recording is dirty and clipping. So, it turned out just about right. Oh, and the best thing is that old buddy Ken Kawashima (hear him with me here, here and here) was in town and graced us with some of his superb blues harpery. Video at YouTube and Vimeo.
Brother Joseph
Long time listener, first time caller...err...poster. It's a bluesy sort of number in the religious tradition. The recording was done at home with GarageBand. Comments or suggestions on arrangement, recording technique, instrumentation, whatever, appreciated.
Riding Your Train
Relaxin' at home with my new Marron Glacé Guitar, a diddley bow which was given to me recently by the maker, Mr. Tim Can. Thank you, Tim! Sometimes one string is all you need! Video of this same performance at YouTube.
Burnside
Another live recording from my new band, Medicine Bone (previously). This is one of band-mate Ken Shima's songs, which he's singing here. I'm on walking drums. I love drumming to this tune. Video of this same performance on YouTube.
Sitting On Top of the World
This is my other brand new band, the Ghost Steppers. We do old-time, early blues, jug band, mountain music: all traditional stuff, no originals. Here's our rough-and-ready take on an old favorite, originally written and recorded by the Mississippi Sheiks, that's been interpreted by many, many folks over the years. I've changed the lyrics a bit (maybe more than a bit) but that's part of the longstanding folk tradition, of course. Video of this same performance at YouTube here.
I'm Worried About You
Here's my new band, Medicine Bone, from our official first gig at Velvet Sun in Ogikubo, Tokyo, February 27, 2010. Ken Shima is on guitar, and sings plenty of his own tunes in the band too: it's a collaborative effort. This is one of my tunes, though, a blues. Video of this same performance at YouTube.
[more inside]
Napoleonic blues - second song posted
A song I wrote the lyrics for and worked up the melody and progression with the band. Me on ukulele, Jamie singing and on glockenspiel, Justin on guitar, Ella on cello, Tina hitting a a tin. This was recorded before Christmas, again not the most beautiful of recording quality but it gives you a sense of the band's fuller sound with the cello.
Any feedback or critique appreciated as always.
[more inside]
God Knows
I wrote and recorded this last summer about my asshole boss. Minor structural changes have been made since then, but the idea is there. [more inside]
HAPPY HOUR CAN LAST ALL NIGHT (Instrumental)
A little bit of Jazz topped with a few blues riffs on a funky little plate placed on a table of natural ambiance. [more inside]
Butcher (Leonard Cohen cover)
Had I my druthers, I would be in a blues duo akin to The Black Keys or The Pack A.D. But I'm not, so I have to make do with smacking my Epiphone around and putting amp simulation on my voice. If ever I find a drummer who shares my vision, we will cover this song properly. [more inside]
Vanity (Tattletale)
Regarding living among humans.
I've finally completed recording, mixing and mastering the first song using my new Logic Express-based studio. How's the mix? Can you hear everything? Does it have too much bass?
Heartsease
A pastoral blues...or something like that. [more inside]
No Brainer Theme
I wanted to do some backwards guitar over a little Bill Laswellish bass and ended up with some sort of half-assed Barney Miller thing.
Shit happens, I guess.
piano riff.. riff
And then one day I decided to jam on top of my iPhone's ringtone, the piano riff. [more inside]
River Rise
A song that was sort of spontaneously written just over ten years ago. One of my sad songs about water. [more inside]
Landlocked Memorial Day Blues
A song for Memorial Day, posted a few days late. [more inside]
Last Orders (aka Tom Waits For No Man)
Another one from an acoustic-based set recorded some time ago now. A giant cliche in a way, I suppose - but it has a kind of addled charm... [more inside]
Too Blue
"This was an improvisation, actually the second take (Blue 2, or "Too Blue"), during which I had the memory of the Monterey Jazz festival firmly planted in my head, remembering the incredible musicians and music I heard all over the fairgrounds, playing jazz, soul, and lots 'n lots of blues…" ~ Laurie Z.
Everyone Here Wants You (To Go)
Track 1 of our four-track demo EP. I shall be posting more in the future if this gets any kind of reception... [more inside]
what do you think about that? - vampire deer
song 10 of the rpm album
vacation - vampire deer
song 7 of my rpm project - more blues - i have better vacations than this
I'm Hard On Her But She's Down On Me
A raucous garage-band blues number, featuring ukulele, tambourine, and harmonica. Entry number 9 into the RPM challenge is a song about a mean woman. [more inside]
Can I Play Blues?
Essentially, I wanted to see if I could do a convincing blues instrumental. Recorded on my strat quite some time ago, don't remember all the settings. Hope its enjoyed by all!
How Am I Gonna Enjoy It When You Just Sit On It
Third RPM song for my puppet Sailor Martin. Ukulele, harmonica, and a whole lot of inappropriate. [more inside]
A Problem
(to your solution)
Where is Erykah Badu?
Some bluesy hiphop/dubstep.
The SoundBlaster Blooze
Strippers should definitely pole-dance to this one. [more inside]
alberta winter blues
americans have their desks, canadians have their cold. [more inside]
Mean to Me
Back to practicing new repertoire with my freakishly adorable guitarist Barry. Yay! Sooo, here's a pretty straight and peppy little version of an old standard tune by Fats Waller. [more inside]
Gone
A new song about my bad tendency to just pack up and leave without warning. [more inside]
Whisky For My Toothache
Been a long dry spell in terms of writing. [more inside]
A Man is Coming
Another new song, recording in the lowest-fidelity I can manage. This time a country blues song about scary things. [more inside]
Blue Train (the slow one)
I loved baby_balrog and his band's rollicking original of this tune. For this cover, I figured I'd take the train down another track: slowed way down (down on the ground), stripped way down (just vocal and strumstick), and with a little different shade of blue for the engineer's hat.
The Worst Decision
Laid-back, blues-inspired pop song for the June '08 lyric challenge. The phrase "life is all about conflicting desires" did not sink in initially. But on further reflection, I understood how this is true. Such conflict can lead to inertia or abdication of choice, resulting in disappointment.
I did all the parts on this track: vox, keyboard, drum programming, and electric bass. I'm happy with the music, but the mix needs work. Dedicated to Jessamyn, of course (for what became the bridge). Lyrics inside. [more inside]
Venom
This is a southern rock song about starting over, shedding your skin. It's my favorite song that I have ever recorded, and one of the first ones I ever recorded as well. [more inside]
Bucketful of Money
A characterization of a rich womanizing pimpy kind of guy. [more inside]
Sister in the USA
12 bar autobiography. From that classroom in Stockholm.
Every word is true.
But the harp is in a minor key. [more inside]
Ground Zero Blues (Rough Cut)
One week after 9/11/01, upstate New York. Worrying, whinging and existential musing with my friends. Karen says, "At least I'm not dust in New York City." [more inside]
Blessed Every Day
I was fooling around with a dropped "D" and found this little thing there. Ended up writing some kind of lyrics and sang a little bit. Enjoy!
Night Terrors
Written to satisfy both a Songfight challenge and the mefi music challenge. Who says you can't spook two horses with one chestnut? Featuring three buttons on my accordion.
Beat Guitar (or, Rags to Rags)
Raw bedroom recording of a song that will eventually end up on an album. Lyrics inside. [more inside]
Calhoun County Blues
This is a true story of my ventures right after Katrina.
I recorded the tracks yesterday on my birthday.
It is a condensed version of the song. The original story still continues today while living in Kentucky
Bridge In The Sky
Fellow wants to cross a bridge, but it floats up into the sky. Woman comes along but she turns into smoke. Fellow throws a fistfull of dirt in the air, gets a new idea, goes and does some other stuff. Then there's a happy ending. Written for the "bridge" challenge, but I reckon you knew that already. Guitar by Ken Kawashima, who can also be heard here and here. Lyrics inside.
Burn This Bridge
My first one in for the mefimusicchallenge! I won't get a chance to play with this before the end of the month so I'm going to post it as is, I think there's a lot more that can be done with it (aside from generally cleaning it up a bit) but I'd love to hear what you guys think!