Callin' Your Bluff - With Cleaned Up Vocal

The original vocal picked up some static right at the end. We live in a 70 year-old house and the wiring gets a little testy at times. I redid the vocal and took just a bit of bass off the the original vocal track, as well as it has no static at the end.



It's been a while. Lots of things going on - some tragic news for Di. But I'll be here as much as I can.

Here's a simple Acoustic Blues number I worked on now and then for the past couple of weeks. It's simple and minimalistic - somewhat in the style of Leon Redbone. Hope you like it.

Will be over to hear some of the newer songs as I can.

Title: Callin’ Your Bluff
File:Callin’ Your Bluff.SGU
Key=G, Tempo 90, Length (m:s)=3:54
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,

Style is _CARRYON.STY (Carry On Even Acoustic Blues)

Title: Calling Your Bluff
File:Callin' Your Bluff.SGU
Key=G , Tempo 90, Length (m:s)=3:59
tyle is _CARRYON.STY (Carry On Even Acoustic Blues)

RealTracks in song: ~2475:Bass, Acoustic, HeldSimple Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 2677:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm BluesStraightBrent Ev 085
RealDrums in Song: DrivingPop8ths^01-a:HiHat, Snare, b:Open Hat, Snare

(Yep - just three instruments)

Note: That "glitch" at 2:51 happened in the upload to Soundcloud - tried several times but it was there each time. Not on my original tracks. Cyber mysteries!



Callin’ Your Bluff
© 2018 Alan D. David, BMI

(v1)
Now listen honey, I don’t need you here no more
Go pack your things, take them with you to the door
I liked my life, exactly as it was before

(v2)
You’ve been sneakin’, baby you been messin’ around
You can’t deny it, cuz the word’s all over town
And while you’re packin’, don’t forget your cheater’s crown

CHORUS
I gave you everything that you ever wanted
But I guess that just ain’t enough
You have a wayward heart, and a need of the evil sort
Such a mean disposition and an attitude that’s off the chart
Goodbye baby, cuz I’m calling your bluff

INSTRUMENTAL VERSE

(v3)
Don’t come cryin’, I got no will to dry your tears
If you got no hankie, they probably got one down at Sears
I’m done as your fool, like I was for all those years

REPEAT CHORUS

TAG
Adios baby, I'm callin' your bluff

Loved this Al! Great song. It reminded me a lot of this classic:
Tracy Chapman - Give Me One Reason

Wishing Di well!

Alan,

Sorry to hear about Di - sending some good thoughts your way...

The song is great. I love the feel and vibe of this one - the pacing and delivery is outstanding.

Bob

Alan, Now that's some good stuff. You have a very good knowledge of several different genres. Your voice fits this one particularly well. I love the blues and this song as well. My best to the both of you, Tom

Really well done! Your voice really suits this type of material I think. Enjoyed the listen!
Wishing all the best for Di.

"If you got no hankie, they probably got one down at Sears"

LOL. Loved that line, Alan.

This is nicely done. Good mix. Nice use of the BAND with just those 3 tracks...

Wishing you both good things.

fj

Really well done, Alan The way your voice and instruments and contrast sounds so smooth here. I really like the laid back, mellow vibe of the this tune. It really pays off that you didn't over-complicate the arrangement, and kept it stripped down to the necessities. It gives it room to breathe, and helps all the different aspect hit you harder.

You should be proud of this one - thanks so much for sharing!

Very nice stripped down blues. Your voice really shines here Your real guitarist plays your nice chording flawlessly.

Janne

Hi Alan,

First of all, our thoughts are with you and Di. I'm full of respect for how you keep going through the difficult times.

The song? Well it's just superb.
Why would you need more than those three tracks, when they work so well together.
Great story-line, wonderful vocals and a perfect mix.
Fabulous!

All the best, ROG.

A chill and relaxed blues - sort of an oxymoron, but as Deryk says, very smooth.

Alan

Great stuff - sounds great.
Best wishes to you both.

Peter

Hi All,

I quick reply to everyone who has commented. I w9ill start listening to and commenting on the other great songs tomorrow evening. Looking forward to it!

Alan

Hi Steve,

First, thank you for the kind thoughts for Di. We both appreciate that very much. And I appreciate your very nice comments on the song. And yes, that particular Tracy Chapman song is a favorite of mine and Di's. And you;re right - there are some similarities. Thanks for the reminder.

Also, I'm originally from suburban St. Louis (St. Charles). I was born in St. Louis (Bethesda Hospital) and grew up in Troy and then St. Charles - moved to St. Charles in 1959. I now live in northern Alabama.

Best to you.

Alan

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the thoughts on Di - we both appreciate that.

Glad you enjoyed the song. It took me a couple of weeks to get it done but it was one of the easier songs for me to write, musically and lyrically. Best to you.

Alan

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the kind thoughts. Much appreciated.

Glad you enjoyed the song. It was fun to put together. We like the Blues, too - great music! I've always liked almost all genres of music and try to get a grasp on their construction and deliveryz. I'm pleased to hear that some of that effort shows through.

Best to you.

Alan

Hi Dave,

Thanks a bunch! I'm delighted you like the song. Thanks for letting me know. Wishing you well.

Alan

Hi Floyd,

I hate to pat my own back, but I liked that line, too. It just came to me ... didn't have to ponder it. I like it when that happens! Thanks for all the wonderful comments. Sure do appreciate that! Best to you and yours,

Alan

Deryk,

You are much too kind - but don't stop! Contrast is always good in a song as long as it compliments the two sides. glad this one came across that way. Di, my wife, made a similar comment when she listened. Thank you very much. I'm enjoying my 2018 BIAB update! Best to you and everyone at PG Music.

Alan

Janne,

Thank you very much! Not very many of my vocals "shine"! So I appreciate that so much. My singing voice is mediocre, so I enjoy all kind comments in reference to it. And yes, those backing tracks are marvelous - a big shout-out to PG Music! Best to you.

Alan

Hi ROG.

Thank you for the kind words for Di. Her issues agree complicated, serious and varied. Keeping her alive is often a full-time task.

Your comments on the song are very kind. PG Music really hit the bullseye with many of their new tracks. I just massaged what they gave us. Apparently it worked out ok this time. I was very happy to hear the comments about the mix - that is not my strong point. Again, many sincere thanks. Best to you.

Alan

Hi David,

I like that oxymoronic observation! I hadn't thought of it in those terms but that's a great perspective. Thank you noticing and commenting on that. Di often says I'm an oxymoron minus the oxy!

Wishing you well.

Alan

Hi Peter.

Thanks for the kindness - musically and otherwise. We sure do appreciate it. Glad you enjoyed the song. Wishing you well.

Alan

Alan,

I'm so sorry to hear about Di. Please let her know that I'm sending prayers and healing thoughts her way.

What you've managed to achieve with three instruments is a testament to your skills as a composer, a performing musician and an arranger. I absolutely loved the journey that you took me on. Not only do you have a flair with words but you also have a very well honed ability to set them musically so that prosody is the star of the show. The net result is that the lyrics flow effortlessly and without fuss, and they fit perfectly.

I always love listening to your music.

May good things come your way.
Noel

Hi Alan.

Your voice is spot on for this song.
The accompaniment is also spot on.
I do like music with coherent phrasing and breathing room.
Thumbs up. Best wishes to you both.

Cheers.

Man! You know how to write a song

Hi Noel.

Thank you for the kind thoughts. There are other folks on these boards who also have unfortunate circumstances, so we wish all them the very best. But we appreciate your thoughts for Di very much.

You are very kind with your comments. You put a smile on my face! I have no formal training in music, recording, production, etc. So I do all of that by the seat of my pants. It's encouraging to know I get some of it right once in a while! Thank you very much for all the kindness. Best to you and yours.

Alan

Hi Rich,

Thanks for the visit, the listen and very nice comments. I'll take a "thumbs up" any time - thank you! Wishing you well,

Alan

Hi Rob,

Sweet and to the point. That's probably the nicest, short comment (or any comment) I've received on any of my recordings. You made my morning ... thank you very much! Wishing you the best,

Alan

The very best wishes to y'all...

"And while you’re packin’, don’t forget your cheater’s crown"

Love that line

Love the vocal

Love the arrangement

What a cool mellow blues...it all works!

Kudos!

J&B

This sounds great as always Alan. I really enjoyed it.

Please know that there are continuous prayers for you and Di coming from this household.

Al,

I like the bare bones arrangement here that puts your fine lyrics front and center:
You have a wayward heart, and a need of the evil sort
Such a mean disposition and an attitude that’s off the chart

-like that ( and the other cool lines already quoted!)
I`m glad you still find time and inspiration to keep making music and sharing with us.


Robert

Alan, I liked this straightaway.

And the more I listened, the more I liked it.

Quite remarkable, and as Floyd mentioned, I really got a smile with the hankie line

Sending positive thoughts to Di, and you. Stay strong.

Not sure how I missed your tune Alan but so glad I checked it out. Loved this tune. Excellent vocal and the guitar was superb. Well done

I live over on the Illinois side in Collinsville. St. Charles has really exploded in population over the past 20 years or so. If you haven't visited in a long time you may be surprised.

Alan,

Great job on this one! Sounding good.

Sorry to hear about Di's health. Just know that I am praying for you both. You have a lot of "friends" here on the forum. One of the things I really love about Band In A Box. There is such a good family feel to this place. We appreciate you and Di!

Steve

Thank you so much, David. Glad it sounds good in your ears. And yes, Di and I are very aware of your compassion and kindness. And we appreciate the prayers. God Bless, my good friend!

Alan

(Di says "Hi, David! Big hugs headed your way.")

Robert,

Thanks a bunch! I really appreciate those very nice comments. When I heard this new style in the 2018 BIAB upgrade, I immediately marked it as a favorite and knew I would do something with it. I'm delighted that something seemas sound okay. Best to you.

Alan

Hi Trevor,

First, thanks for the warm and positive thoughts. We sincerely appreciate it.

And your comments put a huge smile on my face. Like I told Floyd, that "hankie at Sears" line just came to from out of the blue as I was putting the lyric together - no considerable thought went into it - it was just there. I just wish that would happen more often!

Again, many thanks.

Alan

Hi Scott,

Thanks so much! I know you are a big Blues fan, so comments mean a lot. Thank you for the kind words! Wishing you well.

Alan

Hi Again, Steve.

I left St. Charles in 1965 and went back in 2001 and stayed until 2010. But I'd visited several times during that extended absence. My son-in-law was shocked when he heard about the rapid growth - he's never been anywhere near St. Louis. I told him to look it up because he didn't believe me. What he discovered, pretty much as I'd told him, the population of St. Charles County in 1990 was a little over 100,000. In 2010, the population was 385,000. He was shocked!

My late uncle lived in both Collinsville and Belleville in the 1970s and 1980s before he moved to Bowling Green, KY, where he died.

Best to you.

Alan

Hi Steve,

Yes, we are so appreciative of the big hearts that reside throughout these forums. We've received a number of PMs from folks wishing Di well and expressing their kindness and, prayers and best wishes. That's really special to us. And we appreciate your prayers. I know you are a leader in your church and have a strong faith. Your encouragement and kindness warm our hearts. God Bless.

Alan & Di

Cool song Alan!! Really great attitude-clever and sharp. Vocal is nice, and I love the sparse arrangement (I could listen to Brent play for hours!). Enjoyed this a lot!! Take care. Greg

Nice work Alan! The laid back approach works well on this! Good to see you around again! Thanks, Torrey

Hello, Alan

This is a very cool acoustic Blues.
Really nice guitar work!
As Tom said, you have a very good knowledge of several different genres.
Your voice fits this one particularly well.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

There is certainly the "glitch" at 2:51 on Soundcloud track.
If it's not on your original tracks, really cyber mysteries!

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Thanks Greg!

And yeah. Mr. Mason picks a mean guitar! If I were even 1/10th that good, I'd be terribly happy. Again, appreciate the kind words.

Alan

Thank you, Torrey!

I try to get by more often but my time is pretty well taken up. But, hope to drop in a little more often as things settle down - to the point they will. Wishing you well.

Alan

Hi Shigeki,

I'm delighted you enjoyed the song and the sparse arrangement. And yeah - cyber mysteries can be perplexing! Thanks again!

Alan

If I've overlooked anyone, please accept my apology -0 it wasn't intentional. Wishing everyone the very best.

Alan

Thoughts and prayers to you and Di.


This is brilliant! What a great song! I love the "just three instruments"!