Well one good reason is that you can lead your own band. besides, it makes you a more valuable player. in the following clip- Sorry for the sound quality- it's just a room mic and a small tape deck on a table- i am being the understudy for the real singer; he would be the Black fellow in the still shots playing a Gibson 335.
as it turned out, the charts were written, the program was in set order, etc..but JP {the real singer) was unable to do this tune because of time constraints- It is a nine piece band, so by default...it fell to me. unfortunately i didn't quit smoking till yesterday and the show was last friday. i apologize in advance for the lack of mixing and other warts. Aloha, Mark Prados
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"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
Very smooth, MP! I am converted to the cult of harp players learning to sing (while still learning to harp). I do about 30% of the singing in my band and 50% in my busking duo. I am learning to sing as fast as I can...
thanks Bronze! after quitting smoking just yesterday i already have acquired 1/2 an octave that would would have helped me immensely on the chorus last friday.
oh well... ---------- MP affordable reed replacement and repairs.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
I could not agree more with the harp player learning to sing. Learning singing is similar to learning another instrument. I have started taking singing lessons plus I purchased the book Singing For Dummies which I think is very good.
At our bluegrass gatherings I often found that I was sitting out large chunks of the action until they complimented me on my singing & suggested I do a lot more. I am now really enjoying it and taking a more active role both with harp & vocals. ---------- HARPOLDIE’S YOUTUBE
Rubes, Pizazz? well, i did drink an entire flask of Laphroaig, save what i shared w/ the Tenor player. ---------- MP affordable reed replacement and repairs.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
Very nice. Has soul. I hear a little Van Morrison in your vocals - not his recent stuff but the stuff from 20 years ago when you could make out the words he was singing. I dig it!
Are you singing the song like you sing it or like the original/scheduled singer sings it?
I have few regrets in life. Starting to sing earlier in my life would have been one of them. I like that i have control over the tubes that i play. Being able to pick material that is meaningful to me its really fun. Additionally, being able to sing helped me make more effective use of my harp playing.
Nice work MP,like the old actor said remember your lines,and don't trip on the furniture.Really must of felt Frank Sinatra like with the big band.
There are real singers oozing with talent,and then the rest of us mere mortals.Through our lives we have all heard regular people that have surreal voices,but never utilize them,besides maybe karaoke.Most are shy,and cut loose once in awhile,i am not one of them. My voice is somewhere between Johnny Cash and Godzilla,so many cigs,whiskey,dusty jobs,although when I hit my pitch on chosen material,the raspy echoes of a monster unleashed raises the savage soul in listeners ears.I am driven to start to vocalise more,only if said material fits my key,Bb is one.
I recall reading an interviewer trying to pin charlie musslewhite on what the clown said was a monotone type delivery.Charlie kind of chuckled,and replied he never said he was a singer,just a vocalist portraying his original words and feelings.I love the old timers they show you where the bear Sh*& in the buckwheat.
Last Edited by on Aug 16, 2012 8:27 PM
i learned the tune- that is i wrote some words down on a piece of paper- on tue. practiced it thur. then sang it friday night. it's a bobby bland number and i was terrified. i attempted blands phrasing. he's my absolute fav blues singer. i'm weak on the chorus. the song is missing a verse and two choruses. van morrison never came to mind, but thank you. it was sink or swim.
capnj, sinatra and johnny hart were my late wifes favorites. i wish she could have been there. i'm sure you miss your wife too. there is nothing quite like the feeling of singing with four horns, piano, acoustic bass, drums, and two guitars to float you. TOTAL RUSH!! like Musselwhite, i never said i was a singer. i try my best to convey the emotions of the music we all love to play. everytime you turn around there is someone who can mop the floor w/ you singing or playing. whatever..i only worry about what i'm doing.
my own band is bass,drums, guitar, and yours truly.
but tonite i play in a duo w/ the producer/arranger of the above show. just guitar,harp,two vocals. we love being stripped down bare bones too. nothing to hide behind:-)
can't stand fake drums. too sterile. would rather do w/out. give me chuck james on drums (above video) any day. ---------- MP affordable reed replacement and repairs.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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Last Edited by on Aug 17, 2012 10:58 AM
