I appreciated the moments you created by using the entire stage - moving to the keyboard player and guitar player...stepping out front for a solo, singing away from the mic stand. Varying the use of the vocal mic and amped sound for harp was also cool.
Those tunes seemed to be blues songs that were meant to encourage dancing and having a good time. Not everyone in the band looked like they were very confident of that.
That is a very competent band with some really fun covers and tones. There should be no shame in putting pressure on the audience to make more of a connection through body language, etc. That is one of the last things musicians think about (and I was guilty of that for a LONG time), but the first thing the crowd noticed. On the whole, I didn't see anyone else on stage look like they were having much fun.
You were really close to doing that on the 2nd and third song (edit: I couldn't tell if you were always looking at the keyboard player or if you were trying to make eye contact with some of the audience). Getting the music stand out of the way and maybe having the sax and harps behind you might help. In this vid, you had quite a few barriers between you and the audience.
You are a very strong singer and harp player. Don't be afraid to step out front and make eye contact with people and encourage the dancers. By being paid to perform there, you've been given permission by the club and patrons to "own" the place. ---------- Mantra Customized Harmonicas My Website
Last Edited by HarpNinja on Apr 26, 2013 12:10 PM
Lovely sound on that amplified harp -- and great playing! Being not very inclined towards the "acoustic" harp sound, it´s always too harsh, I´d preferred a cup on the first song. But of course that would require an extra mic, bit of bother. (Then again ... arn´t you the mic guy?)
Last Edited by Martin on Apr 26, 2013 12:25 PM
Not to shabby,nice honkin and singin on delay.Your band sounds fairly tight,maybe to tight,ditto on what Harpninja said.Glad you guys are out there keeping the blues alive.Bravo
@ HarpNinja - your comment about the rest of the band having fun is right on the money. They ARE having fun but they don't show it. We've heard that before. I'm going to pass it on. I agree with you 100%
@Rick - I know, I know. I DO go up on lyrics - in fact I did in B Movie. But also as you can tell all our tunes are arranged. Not only do I have to sing and play harp, I have to play sax (and there are a few things I have tabbed out) and run the band. They keyboard player is new so I could blame it on needing to be sure I cue him properly - but even I don't remember the arrangements all the time. We don't play that often, and I have CRS! SO - the stand has to stay. That IS why I try to get out from behind it as much as possible.
Greg, I can poke fun because I don't sing!!! I'd have cheat sheets somewhere if I sang, but my bandmates would hoot me off the stage if I dragged up a music stand. I print the set list in big fonts and put it on the floor or the monitor.
You sing, you play great harp, you do it in public, you get paid (?), what's not to like? I've been trying to get by just putting a 4 inch piece of metal to my mouth; no singing.
Here's what else I like-- I heard some funky rhythms. I love shuffles, but love variety too.
Your band rehearsed; this is good.
Like Paul deLay, you've got a great keyboard player. Paul was the soul of his band, Louis Pain was his soulmate.
One last thing. Don't jump on me. I need to see every bluesman, every time, get caught up in the passion. If you're looking at the lyrics on a music stand, one part of your brain is thinking, not feeling. Get to where it's all feeling, and the true blues will shine.
I love Paul deLay, and thank you for doing one of his songs. You got some of his vocal timbre as you did it.
Cheers,
wolf kristiansen
Last Edited by wolfkristiansen on Apr 26, 2013 10:56 PM
I wish the drummer would alter the beat occasionally, especially on the first song when the guitarist did that real laid back solo, he could have accentuated that by playing behind the beat. But as far as harp and vocals go, you are killing it.
