Okay, this is us playing at a small blues festival.
"Keep Your Lovin' Tucked Away" -
"I Don't Need This Anymore" -
These are my two favorite tunes to play. The first one is just a slow blues where I add Eastern pieces to it, but the second one was a fusion rock mix we had, and we added tritones to it, which is something I have never heard before. Enjoy!
Oh, by the way, the Gear is an SM57 into a pedal board which has a LoneWolf HarpAttack, a LoneWolf Deley v1., a Boss OC-2 Octave pedal (it cuts volume for sure, I'm still working on that), an Electro-Harmonix LBP-1 Booster Pedal, and a Vox Wah-Wah pedal.
Zack man, that is awersome!!! I love your style. The only suggestion I can make is to buy yourself a Zoom Q3. It will allow you make studio quality recording in any life situation. I've got one myself unfortunately it will also highlight all my fuckups :) But anyway, very well done..
One thing that struck me was "stagecraft" - that during the guitar solo, you were just dawdling around the stage, like you were waiting for a bus :-) Admittedly, on a slow number, with a subsequently long solo, it's hard to maintain a constant degree of excitement & interest, but if you look bored on stage then the crowd will pick up on this. Most of the crowd aren't usually players, so no matter how good anyone really is, they will still notice arbitrary things like a musician that frowns a lot, or looks uncomfortable & it affects their perception/enjoyment..,perhaps more than you, or I, think it really should.
I see it a lot, a pal of mine likes doing unaccompanied harp solos, with some of the guys he worked with there was a tangible sense that they were "knocking off" when not needed - looking bored, disinterested, chatting amongst themselves...it can really detract from the performance.
Perhaps work on dropping back out of focus during long guitar solos, perhaps with a few well timed "acknowledgements"towards the guitarist...no need to totally "Estrin" about it :-), but something to think about?
Last Edited by on Aug 18, 2010 7:09 AM
I have to agree with Sandy88 on this one. I would not perform in a tshirt and shorts (even though it is my preferred attire).
You gotta bring a sharp look. Maybe some flash. Find something you really like to wear. Maybe all black, maybe a hawaiian shirt, perhaps just throw a blazer on top of your tshirt and shorts.
You gotta bring a better self presentation or people won't think you take yourself seriously. You are performing a VISUAL show, even if you think you are just playing music.
Oh, and very nice playing too...
Last Edited by on Aug 18, 2010 6:36 AM
Zach, the look you guys sported would be OK if you were playing to a totally young rock audience but blues has older crowds and also very mixed crwods and dressing a lot sharper is a necessity and the way the clothes are fitting detracts from the stage presence. Please don't take this as a personal diss because that is not the intent. Stage presence is a very important and highly overlooked aspect. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
hey zach, great stuff. in keep your love tucked away, the slow solo parts need more conceptual focus, in my mind. They sound like you are playing chromatic scales and thinking more about getting from one place to another than actually where you end up. When you start the fast bits, the solo actually seems more thought out in that you are using flurries of notes to make rather simple statements that fit the melody and the genera better. Sort of around 8 minutes. Does that make any sense? You just keep getting better and my comments are a matter of taste.
and i agree, when someone else is playing a solo, if another band member is not totally into it, then who can expect the audience to be? also, lose fitting cool clothing can be more dressed up without being too hot.
With the clothing thing, that was simply because it was supposed to be a 'closed-knit' audience and it was just that. With the soloing part, I truthfully can say I wasn't bored and I suppose you just can't see that. Why I was wobbling? That's what I do, can't help that. Thanks guys,I'll be looking into it all. My other shows I've worn full suits, etc, but this just wasn't the place for it.
I only watched the first clip, but I agree with the comments about your energy on stage when you aren't playing; this is developed though and I've just started to do it. Put on a smile at the very least, it helps! :)
I think you are developing alot of good technique and agility on the harp. More than I recall hearing last time I watched a clip of you; undoubtedly you will continue you improve in that area.
BBQ Bob didn't mention dynamics, so I will. You have a great guitar player and it seems like the rest of the band is paying attention to your lead, so maybe work on getting them to quiet down so you don't have to be going full throttle the whole time you solo. Try leaving some space in your playing: I know it's hard, but I think that would be the best improvement you can make at this point. I'm also working on doing this myself.
Kick ass though as usual. Looks like you have a great thing going, I'm happy for you!
I'd rather see someone moving on the bandstand than looking like a complete stiff.
Ridge has a good point and when it comes to dynamics, it is VERY important to give clear signals all the time unless you have the luxury of playing with truly world class pro musicians who pay attention to everything that's going on 24/7 and going full throttle isn't always the right thing to do, ESPECIALLY on a long solo.
Leaving more space also goes hand in hand in letting the groove do the driving and not trying to push the groove all the time (classic white rock musician thing) and even use some long holds of a note say at least 4 or more bars at some point so that the tension builds.
Walterharp is basically telling you something I'd tell you, and that's let the groove do more of the driving.
You don't have to wear a suit all the time, but unless this is a private party gig, don't dress like you're in band practice in your house. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
sort of bob, but i was saying that in the first video, he actually plays the groove better when he plays lots of notes...that is not usual, but in this case i think zach was overthinking when he was playing fewer notes and he was playing a bunch of notes like playing even fewer notes and finding the groove... if that makes sense i mean what is going on at about 6:45 vs 8:00 in the first video
Ridge, thanks! I'll definitely work on all of this. It's sort of odd because each show differs and some shows I prefer the 'slower' parts. I can tell you I wasn't happy about this show because of the way it was set up and wear it was. But thanks everyone, I'm definitely going to do some more work with originality in my sound. The clothing thing, I promise this was a rare occurrence.
Check out what I wore in Memphis and other videos if you want that (except for jams). I see nothing wrong with dressing like this on occasion, we're playing clubs and such, not private restaurants (which if we played those, that'd be a different story).
Hi Zack: Thanks for keeping the dressing up alive. I can tell you I dressed the same as when I played no name texas dives with no a/c in august heat as I did when I played the elite clubs around the world. Every gig is the same dress and playing wise. I learned this from the greats like Lightning Hopkins. Lightning said everyone needs to know who the man is whether he is on the can or on the stage. People will remember you for that and if you really take it in your soul, old blues spirits will visit you when you are playing. I am not lying! Walter
I posted some youtube videos of me in my studio. I am dressed like my normal bum self when not onstage. I am embarassed when I watch them for the clothes. This was the first time in 35 years that I didn't dress and I won't do that again. From now on I will put on the suit for the studio videos.
---------- 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. " life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
I suppose so, but I think there ARE appropriate times where a suit isn't need. It depends on the situation, person, crowd, etc. That's just me, though.
Well, here we go. Man, I am really going to piss you off...but I just gotta say it. STAGE PRESENCE IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOO IMPORTANT! You have none. First of all, you don't look believable. You gotta lose that long hair, ace, that just doesn't make it anymore and you're too baby faced to make it work anyway. Second...lose that roll of fat around your belly. Right now you look like the Pillsbury Doughboy with a harmonica. I can get away with being overweight because at my age, women just want to pat me on the head or use me as a sugar daddy. But YOU are young and should be the killer stud boss..and you don't look it. See if you can find some early pics of a guy called Little Willie John...(was not a harp player, but looked to be FOR REAL. Even as a 20 year old) ALWAYS PLAY TO THE LADIES...the men will follow. Get some veins showing in those forearms too, get on those weights or the squeezer grips...the women will just eat you up. Your harmonica playing is what it is. Not for my tastes but I hear no wheezing, whining reeds or half ass bends. Your tone is good but has not one ounce of soul in it...however that will come with mileage. And NO NO NO NO..."mileage" doesn't mean you have to be broke, called racial names, worked for ole massa at the big house, sat on the back of the bus, or have "rocks as your pillow and the cold ground as your bed". It means as Johnny Lee Hooker proclaimed....."let that boy boogie woogie, if it's in him, it's got to come out". You'll find out if it's in you or not, just keep on working gigs...you'll either pull it off or die dead at it and give it up. The first song, the slow one about Keep Your Love Tucked Away is just BEGGING for some 3rd position work with either a chromatic or diatonic...either will work. And there you are wandering around with some incongruent foolishness that doesn't sell the tune. You brought a hacksaw to slice ice cream, my man...LEARN WHAT TOOLS TO USE and when to use them. Go thou and blow.....I hope you become so good that everyone is copping your licks, including me..and I will steal in a heartbeat too. Now, everyone can beat up on me for a while. Regards
Funny to hear the old school dudes giving fashion advice to the youngins. Two words... Jason Ricci. Follow you own path mang and if these dudes want a lesson in style tell them to check out your website.
from what i can tell from the times i have seen him, and the images available on the web, jason is always very aware of what he is wearing and the image he projects. in a non-conventional way, jason is proving what the old school dudes are saying here.
Joe, I am not John Lee Hooker or any of those old guys. I'll be honest and say I won't cut my hair much shorter than it is nor will I go against my roots to appeal to others because truthfully that's just wrong. I play for me, and I have a fun time doing it, I sing about stuff I know and I put feel in my music. If you hear no soul then I don't know what soul is, soul isn't just a one definition word. It is quite universal. I don't play blues I play music, and I'm definitely not a Little Walter wannabe or anything like that. I appreciate what you have to say but if you're playing music to impress other people, quite frankly I think you're doing it for all of the wrong reasons.
ok, ok, ok....you win. You just got from me about $5000 worth of good advice about being an entertainer. "I play for me" will ensure that you have many years of no pay gigs ahead of you. Enjoy.
I sure hope to meet you at the Hill County! I like your style. If I lived in GA and you were taking students, I'd be there in a heartbeat... Respects and regards to you sir...
Yo Joe 1st you Broke MBH creed by insulting a fellow member uncalled for he did not ask for your ingnorance towards his journey, you may have worded your post differently say be more kind:)
see at the moment you have come of as a big fat speed hump you are his 1st he rolled right over you man, Our Bro will have to roll over many more in his Journey he did a good t="_blank">
Last Edited by on Aug 19, 2010 8:00 AM
I don't think any of you have anything WORTH to say about fashion in music TODAY. It's not even worth 2 cents.
If you did, then the Blues would be a lot more alive now. We'd be seeing more shows. But are we? NO.
Do you guys honestly think todays masses are going to take the same old template that all of you have been using for the past 60 over years? Sure for a Jazz festival and some small time Blues thing. You know, it's bad enough that we are so TYPICAL as blues guys that we already play the same boring 3 chords and 12 bars everytime. And you guys think we should all look the same too? (outdated and corny)
I think you guys have totally forgotten why guys like Muddy and Little Walter looked sharp. They did it because it was relevant to the young girls of that time. I can tell you from COUNTLESS amounts of female friends and "fans" that the standard blues image is A TURN OFF and VERY VERY UN-SEXY to the demographic that spends the most cash.
I've been told that a nice t-shirt and jeans can get a better response than a monkey suit can.
You guys are all CRAZY if you think your primordial sense of fashion has any mass appeal now.
There is only 1 MAN who has ANYTHING worth saying about the Subject. Rick Estrin. The rest of you are just trying to be like him.
He said he would take any comments and criticisms. Most people don't get good honest advice like this.
Zack can call foul for himself if he would like, he seems to be taking it well and in his own stride.
Zhin,
I would partially agree with you in that it needs to look NICE and appropriate to the venue. I think you are kidding yourself if you think that given the same looks and charm that a woman would not hang out with the better dressed guy. IF you can pull of stage presence without all the getup - fine. but stage presence is what we are talking about.
Last Edited by on Aug 18, 2010 9:53 PM
Hey, anyone else can say what they want about the others, I never said I was the only one who could comment, nor did anyone else say that. I personally think his (Joe's) idea on performing is just ignorant, old fashioned, and just a game. I prefer musicality over everything else.
@KingoBad Thanks for the compliments. Yes, that Hill Country Jamboree of Adam's will be a fun thing. I myself am looking forward to "thieving" all the new licks I can find from worthy players. I'll do my best to help you with playing tips or advice in any way I can. At these types of things, fees are waived from me. (except you got to furnish the booze for a few drinks). I drink whiskey and water....and if you run out of water that's okay. I'm bringing my guitar player so what you will hear is exactly what I do on gigs. Can't afford to underwrite expenses for my bass player and drum also, but I'm sure there are guys there who will be thoroughly competent when Adam asks me to do a set. Regards
Old reliable Jack Daniels is my fav bourbon and when it comes to blend, it's hard to top Crown Royal. I'm a little spooky of the "brewed in the woods behind old Willie's farm stuff". Regards
I would think that "roll of fat", "Pillsbury dough boy", and "incongruous foolishness", to a lesser extent, would qualify as insults. And that's clearly against the rules here.
Here's my $5,000 worth of advice, Joe: Take a look at how waltertore and barbequebob present constructive criticism, and carry themselves in general. It's evident you've got plenty to learn still, and that's a good place to start.
I've got to give my vote for T-shirt and jeans. I think if you try to make yourselves look like historical blues players you'll end up turning off some of the younger audience members. Dress like the audience does.
Last Edited by on Aug 19, 2010 8:00 AM