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Once upon a time some college buddies and I had a soul band with our first steady gig in Atlantic City, NJ. Up until then, we had played only now and then.

After four nights of doing my James Brown routine, my voice vanished into silence. We (I) blew the gig and my voice didn't return until about 3 weeks later. When I heard it for the first time, I was shocked to find that it was about an octave lower, had half the volume and tired easily. A specialist said my cords were covered with fibrous scar tissue.

If you followed JB during his life, you may have seen a similar process at work - his voice was really shot well before he passed away.

Recently, Dani48 posted some sound advice for singers concerning voice protection and preservation. Let me add this suggestion:

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME (or any place else):

https://soundcloud.com/aleckrand/i-feel-bad-i-got-the-flu


Sweetwater Creation Station. BIAB 2018, Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio, Izotope Nektar 2, Ozone 8, KEYBOARDS: Kurzweil Artis 7, Crumar MOJO, Hammond XK-3, BASSES (fretted & fretless by Ibanez, LTD, Warwick. GUITARS by Guild, Gretsch, Ibanez, Eastwood (12 string)
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LOL! I'll bet you needed some bed rest after that one...

Bob

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Ouch, Aleck, that even sounds painful. Wow! lol

Nice parody though.

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Lol !

Dean, my good partner, I hope
you´ll overcome that flue as soon
as possible !:))(chuckle) !!!:))
....and start writing a jazzy tune
for us to perform !:))

Cheers
Dani

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Dean,

LOL! I really like this! Clever lyrics. Now, rest your voice! smile

Steve


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Dean,

This is AWESOME! I say "More!" - but I'm not usre you should be doing that too often....

floyd

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haha "I got the flu" hahahaha

in stead of the "OW" at the end it should have been "ACHOO" and a nose blow!
I really enjoyed that

Alyn

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Alyn, how could I have missed that "ACHOO!" ending?! That's two quick, really constructive comments from you.

Thanks.

Dean


Sweetwater Creation Station. BIAB 2018, Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio, Izotope Nektar 2, Ozone 8, KEYBOARDS: Kurzweil Artis 7, Crumar MOJO, Hammond XK-3, BASSES (fretted & fretless by Ibanez, LTD, Warwick. GUITARS by Guild, Gretsch, Ibanez, Eastwood (12 string)
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Bob, Don, Floyd and Steve:

Thank you for your comments and concern. I'm doing well here at the Convalescent Home for Voice Therapy. The specialists say I'll be able to speak again shortly, within just 6 to 8 months.

And I should be up and walking again in a matter of weeks.

Dean


Sweetwater Creation Station. BIAB 2018, Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio, Izotope Nektar 2, Ozone 8, KEYBOARDS: Kurzweil Artis 7, Crumar MOJO, Hammond XK-3, BASSES (fretted & fretless by Ibanez, LTD, Warwick. GUITARS by Guild, Gretsch, Ibanez, Eastwood (12 string)
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Was a fun listen. Enjoyed the lyrics


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
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Dani,

Don't worry. We'll be doing it again after I recover, which should be soon.

In his early days, James Brown was known as "Mr. Dynamite" and "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business." He would put on his incredible show almost every night. His voice was so powerful that he could keep it up for years.

But even James couldn't escape the lesson of your voice advice forever.

Dean


Sweetwater Creation Station. BIAB 2018, Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio, Izotope Nektar 2, Ozone 8, KEYBOARDS: Kurzweil Artis 7, Crumar MOJO, Hammond XK-3, BASSES (fretted & fretless by Ibanez, LTD, Warwick. GUITARS by Guild, Gretsch, Ibanez, Eastwood (12 string)
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Hi Scottt709,

Glad you enjoyed it.

Dean


Sweetwater Creation Station. BIAB 2018, Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio, Izotope Nektar 2, Ozone 8, KEYBOARDS: Kurzweil Artis 7, Crumar MOJO, Hammond XK-3, BASSES (fretted & fretless by Ibanez, LTD, Warwick. GUITARS by Guild, Gretsch, Ibanez, Eastwood (12 string)
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Hi Dean,

you outdid yourself.
Must have been very painful!
I enjoyed it throughout.

Guenter

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What a blast! Played it for my other half who's been sick for the last two days as a dedication. He could really relate. LOL!

Love it Dean.

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All the best to your other half, Josie. There is a lot of garbage going around now. I have a serious urinary tract infection and it has me down pretty bad. They have me on Cipro and it knocks me down.

Sorry for commandeering the thread.

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@Don, Thanks, he's much better. You'll be up and at em before long. Songs like this one by Dean that give you a chuckle help the medicine work I think. Dean did a great job on this song, perfect arrangement and one of the best James Brown vocals I've heard. Hang in there. Hugs and prayers.

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Just back on the forum after two weeks of being laid low by the flu and this comes up!

What can I say? Brilliant!

ROG.

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As soon as I can get soundcloud to play I'll give it a listen.

Edited: After opening about three other sound cloud songs
I was able to open this one . . . Aleck, FWIW I find that I have these sound cloud issues with your account more than others.

OK Da Song, very well done, in particular I loved the ending licks/guitar run.

Hope you feel better man.

Later,

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cool version.

Yeah, that whole vocal cord thing.... I played in a band where I sang about 25% of the songs and added harmony parts on the rest. So I kinda knew the entire show. So the drummer, who sang the vast majority of the show quit. That very next weekend, with a new drummer who didn't sing..... I had to sing 2 shows of 4 hrs each.... not fun. After a few weeks, I was able to still talk after the shows as my voice became stronger quickly.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Now that was impressive and brought back tons of memories! Saw JB several times in the 60's.

Hey, I read not too long ago that Johnny Winter when he was a teen practiced singing as loud as he could into a pillow! Guess it worked. Just sayin..........

Last edited by Janice & Bud; 09/30/13 08:42 AM.

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