Comment

Comment by Michael Schaefer on April 23, 2009 at 11:30am

Ahh, the band in the box explains what I was hearing. I look forward to hearing some live tracks. If you come down to Texas, plan a stop in Dallas. I'll take you to one of the local jams and we'll record a 3 or 4 song set with one of our great rhythm sections. You'll love what you hear.

MS

Comment by dabluezpreacher on April 22, 2009 at 9:26pm

I sincerely dig the comment, great feedback! I hear you on every level, and I do have a different sound and feel when im with a band, the tracks you heard where recorded by me on a loop pedal so it has the "band in the box " feel, so i hear what your saying. I love all feedbacl, good or bad, only makes us musicians stronger, we cant be all sensitive with critique. I appreciate the feedback, keep em coming

Comment by Michael Schaefer on April 22, 2009 at 1:55pm

Feedback on something as personal as someone's music is always a risky proposition. There are too many variables. Are you a beginner, for example, or have you been playing professionally for years? Depending on the answer, you could get much different responses. Also, anyone who makes a comment immediately puts there own credibility as a musician on the line. I'm no expert for example and I don't pretend to be. So I don't want to come across as one. But I know what I like and I know what I feel.

They way most people get around this on the internet is to simply say "sounds great" to avoid any conflict or controversy. However, since you've asked, I'll share a few thoughts with you. I think there is definite promise in your voice and guitar playing. Both seemed to contribute something to the songs (I listened to NBNWJB and "Since I Met You"). And as a home recorded internet submission, I'd give it a thumbs up.

That's the good news. The bad news is that if you bring that to the stage here in Texas, you are missing a few key elements in your arrangements. All of these can be wrapped up into a simple concept ... the blues feel. It's an intangible thing that is hard to explain online. But when you sit and watch one of the great blues rhythm sections perform down here in Texas, you can feel it. The rhythm is key to a blues song. It has to shuffle and swing and make you want to shake your money maker. Know what I mean?

My opinion is that your songs didn't grab me this way for a number of reasons. They lack an African rhythm and feel. Most of us white folks that get into blues fall too easily into the trappings of straight 4/4 time and feel that we listened to growing up all those years. That clock has been programmed into our brains through years and years of listening to Toto, Flock of Seagulls and Simon and Garfunkle. LOL. So it's a hard thing for us to change.

I would slow everything down and record the drums and bass live. I would take a minimalist approach on the lyrics and simplify some of the things you are trying to say. It gets a little busy at times. And other times, it flows well. So a little work there could smooth things out. And most of all, you gotta lay back and evoke a groove. And it needs to make people want to move.

One song that grooves is worth a million that don't. And you won't get a groove using backing tracks. You need a human being with soul on your rhythm instruments. It will make a world of difference.

I'm not sure if that helps or not. I thank you for submitting your music here on the Roadhouse. I hope more people will give you their feedback as well.

Michael