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#856442 07/03/25 03:48 AM
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Morning folks, the latest from us is a Blues Rhumba:


Audio only link for those that don't like videos: Can't Judge a Book

The Band:

~674:Organ, B3, Background Blues Roadhouse Ev 120
3985:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm RumbaBluesPat 120
BluesRumbaPercEv^1-TomSSt,SnarHH

Marty Straub (BabuMusic) on bass guitar
I'm playing the lead guitar, and used EzDrummer3 to build the drum track.
Chris Spruit helped out with some BGV's

Mixed in Reaper with Plugins from iZotope and Waves, mastered with Ozone 11

Can't Judge a Book (2025, Dave Bell and Chris Spruit)

They say you can't judge a book, by looking at it's cover
And I can tell you right now, she was no ordinary lover
As we dance in the shadows, moving slow
Underneath the moonlights glow

They say with time the fire dies down, but hers grew stronger
With every move that she made, I wished the night was longer
In this world full of noise, her silence spoke
No need for words, they just provoke

Chorus:

We were dancing in the night
Flying high beneath the stars
You have me under your control,
A spellbound prisoner to your soul.


All comments welcome!

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Excellent vocal, and your guitar work is second to none, Dave. Good write, too. Chis, although subtle, adds SO much. Your lyrics conjure up strong visuals and fit the whole sound so well. Love it!


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Dave,

Wow! This sounds tremendous! Love the combination of vocals. Love Marty's bass as well.

Mix and overall production is excellent.

Loved it all!

Bob

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NIce.

That could easily be on any of the Santana albums.

I really like that smooth tone. Tasty fill licks too.


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I agree: a smooth Santana-like solo guitar.

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Dave, Chris and Marty...Dave you are just amazing...your guitar work here is some of your best and until I hear your next one that's where I stand...Marty, transparent man...so smooth and subtle on the bass line...ever present and right on...I love Chris's voice anytime, anywhere...and Dave this song fits you well vocally...almost whispered and mysterious...loved it all guys...it has a "black magic woman" vibe.


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Wonderful, great listen. I esp liked the "female" rhymes ( emphasis on first syllable), and the way you kind of "chopped" the 2nd line rhyme (LU-ver, not Luuuu-ver)--made it nice and crisp. I also liked the overall feel, the whispery voice and the BKG so effective, esp at the end. My only "suggestion"--I think the rhymes were so perfectly fitted, that I wanted that 2nd line in the chorus to rhyme with the first--my obsession with rhyming I guess.
Nonetheless, really enjoyed it and took it as an inspiring lesson to do better in my own work.


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I reiterate what I wrote on YT:
Superb song, excellent lyrics and all around great production. Particularly love that guitar - wonderful style and always so tasteful - plus the Chris Spruit backing vocals really adds to it..


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#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
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I was just thinking the same thing! Vocals are an awesome blend.

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Great stuff, Dave. Love the guitar, of course, but everything came together on this one. Way to go!


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Originally Posted by BabuMusic
Excellent vocal, and your guitar work is second to none, Dave. Good write, too. Chis, although subtle, adds SO much. Your lyrics conjure up strong visuals and fit the whole sound so well. Love it!

Thanks for adding the perfect bassline, Marty, as per usual!

Originally Posted by rsdean
Dave,

Wow! This sounds tremendous! Love the combination of vocals. Love Marty's bass as well.

Mix and overall production is excellent.

Loved it all!

Bob

Appreciate that, Bob!

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Black Magic in a box! Super job, Dave (and Marty and Chris). This sounds amazing! The guitar and bass are especially tasty. Super vocals. The overall mix really pops. Ya'll are great!


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BA,

Your best guitar work (in a long line of good work). Top-shelf soloing.
Nice note choices, cool tight patterns. Hitting both expected and unexpected places. Musical.

Y'all write the Best Rock songs!
Love the vocals and harmonies.
Good drums, good mix.
Marty is so solid, it just becomes expected...

Artists at work.

fj

Brno #856781 07/06/25 01:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Guitarhacker
NIce.

That could easily be on any of the Santana albums.

I really like that smooth tone. Tasty fill licks too.

Originally Posted by Brno
I agree: a smooth Santana-like solo guitar.

Santana works for me. Thanks Herb and Brno!

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Dave, Chris and Marty this is an outstanding song.
As always outstanding guitar, bass, and vocal.
This is better than most songs on Alligator Records.
Santana rides again.
Loved it!


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The first lines are important both in a book and in a song, and the start here is very inviting: "They say you can't judge a book, by looking at it's cover/And I can tell you right now, she was no ordinary lover". And I like to mention also the insightful "In this world full of noise, her silence spoke/No need for words, they just provoke", not so many lines but very much idea.

Great vocals, I really enjoyed your duet, so calming.

The band sounds very pleasant, the rumba guitar sets the right tone, Marty's bass creates the organic flow of the rhythm and Dave's guitar work is once again phenomenal.

Janne


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The non-BIAB musicians are exceptional. This is one of your best vocals. Excellent lyrics. Great song.

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Your vocals have REALLY upped and you now sound like an heir to J.J.Cale.
The band is cool, the bass is insane, the guitar tone & licks are fab then CS drops in to sprinkle magic woofle dust bvox.
Yeah.


Cheers
rayc
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Originally Posted by firesong
Dave, Chris and Marty...Dave you are just amazing...your guitar work here is some of your best and until I hear your next one that's where I stand...Marty, transparent man...so smooth and subtle on the bass line...ever present and right on...I love Chris's voice anytime, anywhere...and Dave this song fits you well vocally...almost whispered and mysterious...loved it all guys...it has a "black magic woman" vibe.

Thanks for all of that, Dan, very much appreciated!

Originally Posted by Tano Music
Wonderful, great listen. I esp liked the "female" rhymes ( emphasis on first syllable), and the way you kind of "chopped" the 2nd line rhyme (LU-ver, not Luuuu-ver)--made it nice and crisp. I also liked the overall feel, the whispery voice and the BKG so effective, esp at the end. My only "suggestion"--I think the rhymes were so perfectly fitted, that I wanted that 2nd line in the chorus to rhyme with the first--my obsession with rhyming I guess.
Nonetheless, really enjoyed it and took it as an inspiring lesson to do better in my own work.

I needed to google female rhyme, that is a term I had never heard before wink Thanks for the listen and comments!

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Dave
Excellent work from all.
I often hear Gary Moore in your playing - nice!

Peter

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