HarpNinja
302 posts
Mar 22, 2010
8:12 AM
|
My band is a part of the local competition to decide who is MN's rep for the IBC in 2011. Bands are scored the same as the IBC. The categories are blues content, insturmentation, vocals, originality, and stage presence.
These are weighted as follows:
Blues x4
Inst. x3
Vox x3
Orig. x2
Stage x2
I am not worried about inst, vocals, originality, or stage presence. However, I would like some feedback on song selection.
We have five songs picked out thus far. Two of them are on our MySpace. Are they "blues" songs? Please listen to "Leave Your Light On" and "Gotta Keep Moving".
Listen Here
The other three are for sure "blues". One is a slow blues, the other a box, and the third is shuffle. They aren't straight traditional blues, but they are surely going to be heavy in blues content.
I would like to think that even if these two are a little out, they are going to be really well balanced with the other three. I apologize for not having online versions of those three songs to compare to. Two are originals off our first CD and the third is on the current disc, and it was decided they would not be shared online currently by the band.
These two songs up for discussion also have background vocals (which is something that would help our vocal score). One features the keyboard player (helpful to inst. score). They are also rather original (bonus) sounding, but maybe I am way off here.
The other bands competing range from a Susan Tedeschi-sounding band, a straight funk/R&B band, a swamp blues band, and a couple of traditional Chicago sounding bands.
We are the youngest band competing and the only one with harp. As a matter of fact, I think other than a sax player in one band, we are the only group with more than one solo instrument.
----------
Mike Fugazzi
vocals/harmonica
MySpace
YouTube
Twitter
Facebook
Album Ordering
|
toddlgreene
1076 posts
Mar 22, 2010
8:39 AM
|
Mike, I can't access your stuff right now to listen, but I competed in the New Orleans IBC last year, and I can tell you they take the Blues Content part pretty seriously, but it's all subjective and depends on your judges. I would say that if there's a doubt in your mind that a tune is a 'blues' tune, I'd not include it.
----------
Todd L Greene. V.P.
|
HarpNinja
303 posts
Mar 22, 2010
8:48 AM
|
Incase there are others in your position...Leave Your Light On is a funk blues with a 12 bar progression for the chorus, a vamp for the verses, and a b section for the solos.
Gotta Keep Moving follows a 12 bar format too, but has a unique turnaround and a b-section as well.
So both songs technically follow a blues format in their format, use of D7 chords, and solos using similar scales to the blues scale. They are right on the verge of blues-rock in my mind. They aren't SRV or Joe Bonamassa sounding, but...
----------
Mike Fugazzi
vocals/harmonica
MySpace
YouTube
Twitter
Facebook
Album Ordering
|
toddlgreene
1077 posts
Mar 22, 2010
8:54 AM
|
You don't need to try to fit in any molds, as you mentioned Bonamassa or SrV, but definitely pick your most crowd-pleasing songs, and those might not necessarily be the ones you are most proud of for the sake of songwriting, etc. And groom your crowd-bring every follower you can to the competetion when that day arrives, get 'em to whoop and holler and dance-the crowd reaction is a big factor as well.
----------
Todd L Greene. V.P.
|
waltertore
299 posts
Mar 22, 2010
9:25 AM
|
I went down there a few years ago representing the Columbus Blues Alliance. I can tell you this. Contests create anixtey and there is a lot in Memphis. It seemed some came for the experience, but the better players came to win. You have to set up quick. That is not my style. I also talk to the audience alot. That is also a no no. You will lose points for going overtime or being late. Check some of the videos of the winners. That should give you an idea of what is expected.
Most venues in Memphis are filled with family, friends and blues society members of the contestants. It is kind of like a beauty pagent, with all on pins and needles hoping their contestant wins. I am glad I did it, and may go for it again someday. I said all this so you will be forwarned. As far as what to play, I would suggest you do what you normally do. That is what has got you this far and has been the most fun - right? Good luck! Walter
----------
walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year.
2,000 of my songs
continuous streaming - 200 most current songs
my videos
Last Edited by on Mar 22, 2010 9:34 AM
|
MrVerylongusername
1020 posts
Mar 22, 2010
9:32 AM
|
Sounds like blues to me (and great stuff too!), but I guess it all depends on how conservative the judges are.
|
waltertore
300 posts
Mar 22, 2010
9:37 AM
|
the judges sometimes are clueless to what blues is. They are all volunteers. They send your scorecard to you in the mail. I loved mine. It had comments like - no originality, hurt my ears, highly talented, impressive. It is a subjective thing from the local contests to Memphis. So, do your thing and burn the joint down! Walter
----------
walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year.
2,000 of my songs
continuous streaming - 200 most current songs
my videos
|
Tuckster
442 posts
Mar 22, 2010
9:54 AM
|
Yes,those are probably OK,but as has been said,it depends on the judges. For my own tastes,I thought "North Wind" and "Scooterbox" were "blusier". Just have fun and give it your all.
|
HarpNinja
304 posts
Mar 22, 2010
10:46 AM
|
Noted...I had thought about Scooterbox, but then went with a similar style song that had vocals. That tune has a similar feel to "Down at the Juke" off of Jason Ricci's Blood on the Road.
----------
Mike Fugazzi
vocals/harmonica
MySpace
YouTube
Twitter
Facebook
Album Ordering
|
ZackPomerleau
830 posts
Mar 22, 2010
11:08 AM
|
Just do your thing. I did my thing and my band got some horrible scores from some and good from others. Some people just won't like certain sounds.
|
harmonicanick
679 posts
Mar 22, 2010
11:20 AM
|
Mike
If I were you I would do scooterbox and gotta keep movin', not leave your light on, its not bluesy at all
|
