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PeterF Offline OP
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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.



Last edited by PeterF; 02/09/22 07:10 PM.
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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.


Cheers
rayc
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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. smile

Love it!


-- David Cuny

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Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

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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 ;-)

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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 wink

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

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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

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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!!!

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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.


Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.

When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.

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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 are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.

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PeterF Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: rayc
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.


We really appreciate that Ray.

Peter

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


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

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Originally Posted By: rayc
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.


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

J&B


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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


my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..)
https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs
(90 songs created useing bb/rb)
(lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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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 smile Good music+good teamwork! Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

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PeterF Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: dcuny
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. smile

Love it!


Thanks David. Glad you liked the door knock.

Peter

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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.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Originally Posted By: dcuny
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. smile

Love it!


Thank you David. I do love the blues!

Janice



Originally Posted By: PROJECT M
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 ;-)


I appreciate that Andi!

Janice


Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more.
If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks!
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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.


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