My band "Harmonica Bill Lifford & Marked Deck" just played its first gig, a Long Island Blues Society show to raise funds for our Long Island IBC champions.
The YouTube videos were filmed and posted by Mike Osip, who is Longs Island's archivist of live music and other cultural events. His YouTube channel would definitely be of interest of you live on Long Island or have roots there.
I'd love to hear your (hopefully constructive and not just mean) criticism and comments. We could definitely use some pointers. Most of us haven't played out in a long time, so we were thrilled to actually book a show and get out there. We're going for a 1950's-era Chess Records-type of vibe here.
And I'll call myself out here first... I mess up the lyrics to most of the songs! Here is "Help Me" and "My Babe":
Here's some more clips. "Who's Been Talking" and "Juke", which is definitely not a note-for-note cover:
"Crosscut Saw" and "Dust My Broom":
and the last one, "Nine Below Zero" but done with the "Deep Down In Florida" groove:
I'm playing a mixture of Crossover and Big River harps, most of which have either Blue Moon or Arzajac replacement combs.
The amp is a kit Weber 5F2H that I bought from Rick Davis. I love it because it has only two knobs. I'm using a Lone Wolf Harp Tone+ pedal as well, to try and "crisp" up the sound and help it cut. The amp was not mic'ed or lined into the PA. I just played it as is.
My mic in the videos is a Turner desk mic chopped shell that I had Jeff Spoor powdercoat, with a black label CR. I'm also using one of those little screw-on volume controls that Greg H. makes.
Hey Cliffy / Bill, Your band brought it! Bravo! I thoroughly enjoyed your harp playing. My only critique is that it felt like the PA was shy on your voice because you were really working hard to be heard. I think if your vocal mic was set at a louder level and you let the PA carry your voice, you wouldn't have to strain so much and the songs' melodies would come forth in a better fashion while you were singing. All in all a really good set. Thanks!
Agree with Owen. You guys sound great. Hard to tell it was your first gig.
You also have a really nice voice for this music. Thanks for the clips. ---------- Everyone has a right to quality health care.
Last Edited by jack whale on Oct 12, 2015 10:14 PM
Thank you so much to all of you! I have played in other bands before, but this band has only played together in a rehearsal studio. We were thrilled to get a chance to play with the Blues Society, because we had a sympathetic crowd that really dug the music we were playing.
We should have taken a few more seconds to sound-check the vocal mic. The guy who played before us has a louder voice than mine, so my voice wound up being a little low in the mix. We had no sound guy or monitors, so there was nobody who could have helped us with it mid-gig.
I agree that sometimes we got a little busy, particularly on Crosscut Saw. There are a few kinks to work out, but overall, I'm pretty happy with how we played.
Very hasty and spontaneous impression of the harmonica: you appear to go for a rather trebly/raspy tone -- is that intended? I´d suggest a little less treble. Also, some reverb/delay on the harp would give more liveliness to the sound. (But perhaps that´s just not coming through on the video?)
@Martin: I was trying to set my rig up so that the harp would cut through. I have a Bassman that I had modded for harp by Kendrick, but sometimes it sounds a little muffled. On this amp I had the tone control set up around 8 or so.
@hvyj: I'm playing in third position on that song. I'm using a C harp to play in Dm.
That's what I thought. Mr. Burnett did the original in first position which is problematic for soloing. The hook lays out well in fifth position which is also good for soloing. FWIW. Cool tune.
I would come out to hear your band sometimes if I lived in the area. It looks as though you host a good party with competent performances.
Some of the above suggestions may be valid, but I hesitate to jump in on the topic of levels, balance, and tonality based on a YouTube video. I would have to hear it in the room.
Some of the issues identified appear to be based in individual musical tastes and to what extent your band fits those tastes. Your band is free to create its own interpretation of songs and each listener will decide if they like it or not.
I think both guitar players pull their weight and it is your call as to whether you want one or two guitars in the band. Two are not necessary (and leave less room for harp), but if you are satisfied with the sound (and less money) I don't see a problem. ----------
Cliffy, having competed in the IBC last year and getting eliminated in the first round here's what I can tell you
1. Song Choice: The judges have heard all these songs covered before, so if you're going to perform covers, pick the few you think sound best and focus on improving them further; they need to stand out. My group performed all original content and I think that helped us a little bit. Most other groups in the venue we played at did a mix of orignal and covered content.
2. The Venue: We wound up playing at Wet Willys on Beale Street. Probably not the best venue by any stretch, but I wouldn't be surprised if you wind up there to. They place groups in venues based on the bands particular needs (number of pieces and equipment required). Groups with Hammond/B3 players or horn sections will all get lumped into a larger venue that can accommodate that type of equipment/size of band. Be ready... You WILL have many, many bands with harmonica players at your venue because there are going to be multiple 4-5 pieces bands with harmonica. I think we had 6 or 7 out of 10 bands at our venue with harmonica players. All the more reason to stand out with your song choice.
3. The Equipment: The backline is provided. You don't get to bring your own amp. You will have to select the amp that best suits you without having played it until you pretty much get on stage for the first night. Hope you aren't somebody that feels too tied to their own gear! Most likely there will be a Bassman or similar amp available.
4. Presence: The groups that moved on from our venue had the best stage presence (talking to the crowd and keeping them engaged, dynamics, overall showmanship)
If you want an example of #1,#3 and #4 together check out Nico Wayne Toussaint doing a version of The Creeper at the Semi Finals this year. So much energy, animated, equipment agnostic and has the crowds attention.
Above all else, remember to have fun. Good luck! ---------- Ridge's YouTube
Hey cliffy, if I stumbled into a bar and heard your band you would keep me there all night no probs and I like your voice it's natural from what I can hear.
That Nico Wayne Toussaint vid... great harp... but his stage antics would irritate me after one number that's how I would imagine one would behave if it was presented at a Vegas casino 'blues night' or if I was 14 years old watching an adult 'dad dance' blues is meant to be cool! ----------
"Those British boys want to play the blues real bad, and they do"
Last Edited by marine1896 on Oct 15, 2015 10:20 AM
@marine1896 - Yeah, it's over the top antics. That's not how he is for every song. This was a point to illustrate how to cover a song and make it stand out. He is a pretty energetic guy and does move a lot, but NOT like THIS on every song!
I guess as a general disclaimer, my above post wasn't meant to be a "How To" guide, but I would consider it valuable information that you can use to prepare yourself for the competition. These things were not well known to me before arriving in Memphis.
Again, good luck to all my harmonica brothers and sisters competing this year!!! ---------- Ridge's YouTube
@Ridge, I know what you mean and I do own one of his CDs and have checked him out on YT in the past but I'm not really a fan he is one of many great harmonica players who play blues music but doesn't have that certain something that makes him a blues musician .... to my ears that is! ----------
"Those British boys want to play the blues real bad, and they do"
@ridge: It's funny, back in September I posted another set of YouTube clips and your response would have been perfect for it :). In September I competed, but in the solo/duo category.
In this gig -- the clips posted above -- we are only playing at a fundraiser for the band that won the Long Island Blues Society contest. Although we might do the contest as a band next year, so I definitely read your points and am making a mental note of them.
Overall, I'm pretty thrilled with the responses to this post. It seems like most of you liked what you heard, and everybody's criticism has illuminated a few things that we could fine-tune. So I really appreciate everyone's opinions and contributions!
The only thing I would say is that I'd link it a little bit to Adam's video on acoustics (the one with the automatic toilet flushing from a couple days ago). The room sounds a little bright and echoey to me. I'm not sure if it's the recording device or the room. The room looks to have a lot of hard surfaces so that's probably the culprit. You might be able to adjust either the recording, your settings or the room for that. I probably wouldn't have even noticed except it was on my mind from Adam's video and we keep having the same problem at one open mic we play (that and no monitor).
Again, great job. Just being picky because there is always a little room to improve a take (or a lot when it's me playing!)
There was nothing to soak up any sound waves in the room. I'm not sure what kind of camera Mike used, but I know that for some parts of the video he was standing right in front of my amp.
With my rig, I'm trying to go for a tone that's thick but still cuts, like Gary Primich on his best recordings. I haven't gotten there yet... Mostly, I want more dynamic-ness (is that even a word?), where the sound is a little cleaner when I blow lightly, and then thicken/dirties up with more breath force. Right now, it sounds like the amp is going to explode even when I am playing more softly.
I also would like one of the guitarists to play with a more muffled sound that cuts less but still sounds warm on the jazzier chords and rhythm playing, and have the lead guitar cut through more. In these clips, each one cuts a little too much and sometimes the treble tones clash with each other.
