In 2 threads here during November 2020, Demo versions of the songs "Hog Trough Bridge" and "Slaughter Sink" were posted on MBH. Links to the 9 unmastered Demo version tracks found on my son's YouTube channel were also provided.
To start the new year 2022, I thought I would share the one chromatic harmonica song, "(Mad About) Cindy" found on my 2020 "OZARK COPPERHEAD CURE-OIL" CD. This song incorporates lyrics from the public domain folk song "Cindy" in an original musical composition different from the traditional folk song music.
I think that Hobnob String band did a wonderful rendition of my original music in recording this song and the others:
Thanks to those who checked out this recording!
On 01-18-2020 I recorded a 9 song acoustic music CD live in studio. We recorded two takes of each song in a local home studio. Of the 9 songs on the CD 8 are original songs by me and one is a reworked traditional folk song with new music. The band that played my songs with me is a local group called Hobnob String Band. The CD release party planned for March 28, 2020 was canceled due to Covid.
I have been doing a slow soft release of hard copies of my CD locally and sent the CD to a few other friends.
No CD tour is planned, and any proceeds from the CD have been going to our local nonprofit C-U Folk & Roots Festival.
I recorded the CD because I wanted to get some of my original songs and music out there...
For this song I used my key of C Hering 6164 Deluxe Chromatic 16 hole harmonica playing in the key of D. It is played in 3rd position, blues style, mainly Dorian mode with embellishments using the button.
I often use 12 hole chromatic harmonicas in various keys when a song calls for chromatic. I am able to play each one in several keys which gives me flexibility in finding the chromatic key and position where I think a song best plays for me.
When you play octaves on a 12 hole, 3 octave, chromatic it allows 2 octaves of room to move while playing. When you play octaves on a 16 hole, 4 octave harmonica it allows 3 octaves to move about.
On the other 8 songs I used diatonic harmonicas, using 2 different keys on "Gold Advice". ----------
Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Jan 04, 2022 10:51 AM
Thanks to all who took the time to listen to my posted song.
Thank you jbone, Bluebird, Tonyblues, and KC69 for your positive feedback about my song, "(Mad About) Cindy"!
More of my music, including the entire CD DEMO version of "Ozark Copperhead Cure-Oil" (not completely mixed and mastered) is available on dougharps YouTube Channel. ----------
Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Jan 10, 2022 8:38 AM
I like to mix up playing single note lines, then playing octaves and chords in a song. I like variety in what I play to keep interest. Usually I have played this 3rd position blues style chromatic through a cupped mic into a tube amp at electric gigs.
I seldom use this chromatic style into a vocal mic on a stand, and I never tried recording it this way before.
This cut and the entire CD was played live in the studio with the 4 of us each playing into 2 different mics each placed differently. I sang and played into the same 2 mics. My understanding is that each of our 2nd mics were not needed for mixing most of the tracks. One mic each might have been sufficient, but we used 2 each to make sure we got good recordings.
I wanted to capture the feel of musicians playing live together, without stopping for overdubs. I also wanted to limit studio/recording time to save money!
With this string band I wanted only acoustic instruments not plugged in, playing live together.
In arranging this session I wanted to hold to the KISS principal. (Keep It Simple, Stupid!) ----------
Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Jan 17, 2022 7:29 AM
Jo and I record as simply as possible when we record. While I've been in a few studios lay harp tracks or sometimes vocals with multi piece bands, it's always seemed cumbersome and time consuming. The end result has varied. We do Raw, Real Right Now. No scratch tracks, no overdubbed parts, set a mic or two and go. If we miss and have to do a song again so be it. With a light mix/master the end product is pretty much what you hear if you see us on the street or on a patio. That's what we want. Over the years I noticed, even with "big" artists, sometimes their live work would be great but their albums would be kind of flat and overprocessed. It always felt like a ripoff to me that I was not getting the same thing recorded as live. Hence the idea of grabbing songs as they were played. ---------- Music and travel destroy prejudice.
