Thinking Blues

A public domain (in Australia & Germany where Soundcloud is located) Bessie Smith song.

From Wikipedia:
Bessie Smith (April 15, 1894 – September 26, 1937) was an American blues singer widely renowned during the Jazz Age. Nicknamed the "Empress of the Blues", she was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s. She is often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era and was a major influence on fellow blues singers, as well as jazz vocalists.

We modernized the song a little.

Janice - Vocals
I played the guitars.
Bud - recording and muse.

The Band:
RealTracks in song: ~2312:Bass, Acoustic, JazzBalladRonIn2 Sw 085
RealTracks in song: ~943:Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment JazzStrideBallad Sw 085
RealTracks in style: ~1795:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm DixielandMedium Sw 110
RealTracks in style: ~1789:Banjo, Tenor, Rhythm DixielandMediumSimple Sw 110
RealTracks in song: ~1977:Trumpet, Soloist DixielandMediumA-B Sw 110 (Bluesy)
RealDrums in style:NewOrleansShuffle^04-a:Kick Shuffle , b:Ride, Shuffle

The trumpet whilst "bluesy" did not play the blues so I edited what he played in Melodyne.

Thinking Blues

Did you ever sit thinking with a thousand things on your mind?
Did you ever sit thinking with a thousand things on your mind?
Thinking about someone who has treated you so nice and kind.

You'll get an old letter and you begin to read.
You'll get an old letter and you begin to read.
Got the blues so bad tell that man of mine I wanna be.

Don't you hear me baby, knocking on your door?
Don't you hear me baby, knocking on your door?
Have you got the nerve to drive me from your door?

Have you got the nerve to say that you don't want me no more?
Have you got the nerve to say that you don't want me no more?
The good book said you got to reap what you sow.

Take me back baby, try me one more time.
Take me back baby, try me one more time.
That's the only way I can get these thinking blues off my mind.

COOOOOOOL.
Particularly letting the trumpet establish the countermelody structure.
The solo -s good fun half reminds me of Ry Cooder's slack key stuff and half a 30s recording.
the outgoing solo brings things into the contemporary with that tasty play off against the muted trumpet as the hark back.
Wonderful stuff.

This is Janice in her element! Her voice is great for blues, and really shines here.

The edited trumpet was a treat - really excellent.

As was, of course, the guitar solo.

The "knocking at your door" on the drum was good silliness.

Love it!

Hello Janice, Peter and Bud
Great song with incredible vocals from Janice
This takes the song to a whole other level
The sound is very good
Excellent use of BiaB
An all around great production
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

Yeah! Sing it, Janice! Great vocal.

I really dig your guitar work on this one, Peter, that solo at 1:45 is pure class.

The trade off at the end with the trumpet was lots of fun, very effective.

Really good in all aspects. On my second listen as I type

Hi Peter, Janice and Bud
The heart of Blues is beating in this song.
Bessie wouldn't say the contrary.
Kudos to you !

Peter & Janice,

Wow. Killer.

Truly solid Blues. Excellent BAND.

Sweet guitar throughout.

How that girl is not at the tops of the Blues charts is one of the great mysteries of the world.
A crying shame.
A true Star.

Luckily, WE get you all!

Killer.

fj

Outstanding. You all get better and better with each passing day. Janice sings it with consummate ease, as if nothing could be easier or more natural for her. The guitar and the trumpet are superb, as is indeed the whole arrangement. What is there to say, other than congratulations to all? Absolutely nothing else, as far as I'm concerned. Well done!!!

Outstanding!

You all should be on Alligator Records!

Blues at it absolute finest.

Super vocal, guitar, arrangement and mix.

You all are pros IMHO.

Loved it.

Hi Peter, Janice and Bud,

Really very well done!
Exactly the song that's suitable for Janice. Sounds great Janice!
Trumpet is very well done this way as are the guitars.

Lovely blues!

Rob and Anne-Marie

We really appreciate that Ray.

Peter

Great work all... excellent singin' and playin'...
I really enjoyed this...

Top marks to all. Thanks for posting, most enjoyable.
Rob4580

Yeah man, Peter did some cool work with the trumpet arrangement and note changing!

J&B

loved the entry at 39secs.
superb vocs as always. plus nice emotion.
loved that guitar leads tone...very sweet.

this is an excellent song effort.
includeing the trumpet/gtr interchange.

best
om

Peter and crew,
A very classy production. Sounds very authentically live. A+ choices
of band, super job with working out that trumpet. Peter, excellent guitar playing. But most importantly, Janice is a perfect singer for this. Fantastic vocals! I am sure, muse shared his talents too Good music+good teamwork! Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

Thanks David. Glad you liked the door knock.

Peter

Outstanding rendition, Peter. Your guitar is so sweet with a large taste of blue. Janice, you are becoming my favorite blues singer. Bud, you ARE my favorite muse. Peter, great work on the Melodyne trumpet. PB&J has always been known as a great taste, and you guys are far better than peanut butter and jellyroll.

Thank you David. I do love the blues!

Janice





I appreciate that Andi!

Janice

Janice singing Bessie Smith is heaven on earth for me. Manipulating the horn was brilliant and the laconic guitar was perfect. One of my favorite tracks so far this year. I'll be returning often to listen to this one, it's that good.

Peter,

You did such a great job capturing that old jazz feel on this! This track is excellent! Every piece of the puzzle fits perfectly! I really enjoyed it! Great work by all involved! Thanks, Torrey

Thanks Dave!

Janice

Appreciate that Andi.

Peter

Dave

Thanks a lot

Happy with the trumpet, a bit of fun altering what he played.

Janice really shines on this.

Peter

Thanks Chris

Peter

Yep, that's the blues! As usual, a great vocal delivery from Janice.

Bud does a top job on the mixing panel.

Lots to like about the guitars too!

A great rendition - thanks

Keith

Hi Peter, Janice and Bud,

Today this is the second old song I heard in the forum that's brought back to the now. Wonderfully done!
And Janices' singing is so well suited for the Blues. But I told her before, she falls for the wrong guys... (except Bud).

I enjoyed everything of it, like all the others here.
So enjoy all the compliments. You earned them!

Hans

Thank you Chris!

Janice

Loved it!
You've captured that 30's vibe.
Nice write, great band.

Just think 80-90 years from now people will be saying Janice ruled the blues back in 2020's.

Nice job everyone!

moto

I listened to the original first. You have done very cool modernization, luckily not too modern still containing the old vibe. Nice instrumentation and Janice's bluesy vocal is the highlight yet again. The calm solo fits well with the mood. Nice work also with the trumpet to make it sound very authentic.

Janne

Aw shucks big brother — that was so sweet of you!

Janice

floyd
Thanks.
It's always a joy to work with Janice & Bud.

Peter

Much appreciated.

Peter

Thanks Mario. We appreciate the comments.

Peter

Thank you. I do love singing the blues. We hear the blues everywhere in bluegrass, Americana, country and more!

Janice

Good resuscitation of an old song. I don't know the original but you guys made it your own. Good bluesy vocals and wonderful electric guitar playing. The mix is very good. Bravo to all involved with this recording. Good job.

Very much appreciate the comments Rob & Anne-Marie.

Peter

Thanks.

Peter

Thank you Mario. We have certainly listened to our share of Alligator Records!

Janice




Thanks y’all!

Janice

Peter and Janice,

Very cool cover of classic blues tune. That bluesy trumpet is sweet. And of course Janice’s great vocals really make the tune shine. Outstanding!

My best to you both,

Deej

I knew the vocal would be good when I saw the featured singer. Janice, I love the slides into those notes!

Yeah, the trumpet is cool. The guitar is the right touch. That is one of my favorite solos I've heard.

Everything nicely placed and balanced in the mix.

Thanks Rob.

Peter

Appreciate the comments.

Peter

Thanks Misha - it's always good to have Bud on the case.

Peter

Thanks guys!

Janice

Hey y'all. Very, very cool version of a classic.

Nice!

Sounds great.

Everything is good. Vocals, guitar, mix, production, everything.

Exceptional.

Appreciate all the comments Marty.

Peter

Glad you liked it.

Thanks

Peter

Thank you very much!

Janice



Thanks! It was a lot of fun interpreting a 100 year old classic

Janice and muse

Boy did you hit it out of the park on this. Love the trumpet on the intro. Just watched the Ma Rainey movie with Viola Davis. This song reminded me of the movie. Super vocal Janice. Peters guitar was perfect as well. Really loved the mix. Something a little different from some of your other songs. Maybe a little less reverb. Not sure. But did it very give the song a cool feel. Well done...

You are very generous Marty. Thank you!

Janice





Thank you so much! We have long listened to her.

Janice

Thanks Torrey.

Peter

Thanks a lot Trevor.

Peter

Hi PeterF,

It's the style of blues that I like. All the ingredients are there with the beautiful voice of Janice. Very good work.

Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

Thanks Torrey!

Janice



Thank you! Bud wanted me to mention that Peter was the mix man on this one

Janice



Thanks!

Janice

Thanks Keith.

Peter


Thanks Hans glad yo liked it.

Peter

Hans, thank you and in real life I fell for the right one!

Janice




I could only wish! Thank you so much.

Janice

Thank you Janne. I also feel that Peter did an excellent job with the guitar and trumpet!

J&B

Great comments. Thanks.

Peter


Thanks Janne - glad we maintained the old time mood.

Peter

Thanks a lot.

Peter

Thanks Deej.

Peter

Thank you for mentioning my vocal!

Janice



Thanks!

Janice



Thank you. I’m happy you liked it! It just happens that way

Janice

Appreciate the comments Scott
Peter


Thanks David

Peter

Thanks

Peter

Thanks David!

Janice




We watched that also Scott.

Glad you liked the song!

Janice



Thank you very much!

Janice