MN
350 posts
Nov 07, 2014
3:00 AM
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Guys:
The band I've been playing with has a gig later this month and the singer just got the opportunity to make a bunch of money elsewhere that night (out of the country, actually). He's asked if I can front the band on the gig. I'm reasonably comfortable singing, but the most I've ever done on a gig is maybe five or six songs. This will be all three sets! I need to throw together a list of blues standards and stuff that a guy with my limited vocal range can dig into. Vocally, I'm sort of in the Tom Waits meets Randy Newman meets Charlie Musselwhite area.
Any suggestions?
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J_Bark
27 posts
Nov 07, 2014
3:58 AM
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As a fellow struggling vocalist, i'll toss out some ideas:
"Fattening frogs for snakes" is a very cool little song that is very easy on the vocalist. If I can sing it anyone can! If you use it contact me for my own extra verse.
"Boom, Boom" comes to mind as does "crosscut saw"
"Texas Flood" does not have a lot of range,
Now throw in crossroads and cold shot you all know my set list.
Cheers,
Jerry
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MN
351 posts
Nov 07, 2014
4:17 AM
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Great suggestions. Thanks!
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2chops
291 posts
Nov 07, 2014
4:55 AM
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Before You Accuse me and Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone are good ones too. Quick to learn and not a difficult stretch by any means.
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I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
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jawbone
557 posts
Nov 07, 2014
6:08 AM
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The easiest thing might be to use a lot of the songs that the original vocalist used. That way the band is familiar with the songs already. Having said that,
Everyday I have the Blues
Little Red Rooster
Kansas City
Flip Flop n Fly
Still got that Old Time Rock n Roll
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If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
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MN
352 posts
Nov 07, 2014
6:12 AM
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>>>>>"The easiest thing might be to use a lot of the songs that the original vocalist used. That way the band is familiar with the songs already."
=================
Problem there is that he's a great singer, very soul influenced with a wide vocal range.
Again, thanks for the suggestions, folks. Some are most definitely doable.
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jawbone
558 posts
Nov 07, 2014
7:37 AM
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Darn - "Hard act to follow" sort of thing.
Have lots of stories and insights into each song and do lots of kibitzing with the audience between songs.
I got my Mojo Workin' - you can stretch that song forever.
Mustang Sally - I don't care what anybody says - that song works and the audience will love it.
A little trick I used if I went off key and couldn't get back - just start "talking' or "shouting' the lyrics - do it with enthusiasm and expression - then at the turn around get back in tune.
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If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
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paulbunyn
104 posts
Nov 07, 2014
9:23 AM
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I just found out that the Blues tune "EASY" has words to it. Look up "SINCE I LOST MY BABY" by Pinetop Perkins featuring Susan Tedeschi, Album is Pinetop Perkins, Ladies Man.
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Gnarly
1155 posts
Nov 07, 2014
10:32 AM
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Wild About My Lovin'!
Here's Bill Barrett rendering it in his inimitable fashion.
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arzajac
1504 posts
Nov 07, 2014
10:55 AM
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You don't have to sing every song exactly like the original. If you can sing the blues scale in one octave, you can sing any blues song as long as you pick the best key for your voice/vocal range.
The hardest part if not range but pitch. It's as hard to nail a blue third vocally as it is hitting the 3D bend blue third just right. And both have the same impact - it's the difference between the song sounding okay or really packing a lot of feeling.
You don't need crazy range. Often, if an original song reaches up into the stratosphere, you can substitute the highest notes for ones of lower pitches and still do a great job. For example, pick another note in the blues scale; instead of hitting the octave, go for the flat seventh or even the fifth.
You really can put emotion into what you are singing by using the blue notes like the flat fifth or the blue third correctly.
Example (from memory - I don't have an instrument with me at the moment): Eyseight to the blind SBW II:
"Her daddy used to be a millionaire" is sung twice.
First time using the blue third ("daddy"). The second time he hits the fifth "daddy". Both ways work. On the four chord (the second time around), you could use the fourth for "daddy", if you don't/can't hit the fifth or even stay on the flat third, just make it a full minor and not blue.
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Nov 07, 2014 10:56 AM
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A440
239 posts
Nov 07, 2014
2:37 PM
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if you're adding a lot of songs, pick ones with easy lyrics, or lyrics you already know by heart. i find that trying to remember all the words or verses adds another level of stress to singing.
a few easy ones that i sing:
ice cream man
baby, what want me to do (runnin'/hidin')
T for Texas
deep elum blues
red rooster
not fade away
fixin to die blues
Last Edited by A440 on Nov 07, 2014 2:37 PM
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jbone
1800 posts
Nov 08, 2014
5:45 AM
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Going from one small set to three sets is a big load. You will want to pace yourself carefully but still deliver with energy and excitement. I've been there.
Will you get to rehearse with the band? Would be good to sort of get the feel and go over some material at least. RE: song choice, you don't have to duplicate anyone else, if you can sing in the keys the usual singer uses, just do what YOU do.
If you have some good harp chops do some extended solo stuff but not every song or the crowd may get bored.
We do some Jimmy Reed to good effect. Wolf. Couple of Little Walter. Muddy's Mojo and I'm Ready. Classic old stuff like Summertime and Stormy Monday and St. James Infirmary can be successful with good dynamic delivery.
You will probably benefit from some basic warmup exercises. Yoga breathing and voice training basics are available on youtube.
I think for me the most important things about singing esp. all night are, staying relaxed, having a good time with the band and the audience, and also having my vocal volume set right. Too low and you strain your cords to try and hear yourself, too high and everybody can get irritated.
Carry yourself with confidence no matter what, Relax and deliver with competence, and Have a blast! It is not a job, it's a gift.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbTwvU-EN1Q
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2chops
292 posts
Nov 08, 2014
7:59 AM
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I almost forgot, but Work Song makes a great instrumental that can go for 3 minutes or you can really stretch it out and let your guitarist get in on it too. Just a thought.
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I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
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KingoBad
1559 posts
Nov 08, 2014
8:38 AM
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MN,
I would go with the songs you already have memorized regardless of range - just change the key if you need to. If you will be reading lyrics as you perform, well then all suggestions for easy stuff will work.
I find that unless I am very very familiar with a song already, that it takes me a while to work it up to performance level delivery.
Since your gig is later this month, I'm not sure what it practical for you. My memory just isn't that good to pull something like that off..and I don't perform songs that aren't memorized and worked out (of course I leave room for improv and changing lyrics as the situations arise).
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Danny
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BronzeWailer
1515 posts
Nov 08, 2014
1:23 PM
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Key to the Highway, Trouble in Mind; Bring it on Home to Me, Nine Below Zero, My Babe, Got to Move, Hoochie Coochie Man, Walking My Blues Away
BronzeWailer's YouTube
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MN
354 posts
Nov 10, 2014
7:33 AM
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Thanks again for all the tips and advice, guys. I generally sing in G or A, some in E (and "My Babe" in E or F).
Below is the list as it stands now. As much as I hate to, I reckon I'll need to hide a "cheat sheet" of lyrics on my harp case for this. I have the lyrics to about half of these memorized, and they're ALL tunes I've been singing in the shower for years.
Wang Dang Doodle
Dust My Broom
Sound The Bell
Juke
Mean Old World
My Babe
Highway 61 Revisited
Promised Land
Folsom Prison Blues
Dimples
Spoonful
Ain't Nobody's Business
Don't Start Me To Talkin'
Big Boss Man
St. James Infirmary
Messin' with the Kid
Scratch My Back
Route 66
Born In Chicago
West Side Baby
Down At The Juke
House of the Rising Sun
Texas Flood
Low Rider
Willie and the Hand Jive
Tush
Black Dog
Georgia on a Fast Train
Mellow Down Easy
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jawbone
559 posts
Nov 10, 2014
8:49 AM
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Hey MN - good list - No shame in a cheat sheet !! My poor old 63 year old brain needed some help. Some songs I just could not memorize and others would plant themselves on one go round. I made myself a music stand that had about 14 round slots (the pole of a patio umbrella quietly disappeared) attached to the bottom. I always tried to tilt it so that it was the least visible to the audience. I also tried to keep the sheet shuffling to a minimum and also hid that from the audience. I wore tinted glasses that had Reading glasses at the bottom so nobody could see were I was looking.
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If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
Last Edited by jawbone on Nov 10, 2014 8:50 AM
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BronzeWailer
1518 posts
Nov 10, 2014
12:24 PM
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List looks good. Here's advice you may not need: I don't always forget lyrics or where I am in the song, but combining lines and/or repeating a verse works a treat.
BronzeWailer's YouTube
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JTThirty
256 posts
Nov 10, 2014
2:31 PM
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Yeah, anything Jimmy Reed or Slim Harpo fits the easy(ish) bill.
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Ricky B
http://www.bushdogblues.blogspot.com
RIVER BOTTOM BLUES--crime novel for blues fans available at Amazon/B&N and my blog
THE DEVIL'S BLUES--ditto
HOWLING MOUNTAIN BLUES--due out early 2015
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jbone
1803 posts
Nov 10, 2014
4:05 PM
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Sheet HELL. I need a BOOK!
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbTwvU-EN1Q
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mlefree
226 posts
Nov 13, 2014
9:49 AM
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Mellow Down Easy. Simple lyrics, good foot stomper.
Michelle
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SilverWingLeather.com
email: mlefree@silverwingleather.com
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groyster1
2707 posts
Nov 15, 2014
8:29 AM
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just keep a loving her by little walter
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