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Hi, I was playing around with _BLSHUFF.STY the other day and it led to a new song. I thoroughly enjoy listening to blues and thought that I'd try and write a song in that genre. If you are interested in having a listen you can find it at... http://www.songu.com/yearbooknew/songinfo.aspx?ID=706&LockerID=29827This one was a challenge for me to get the balances "right". I'm not sure that they are actually right yet! Anyway... Hope you enjoy it, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Hi Noel,
Straight into my keeper file. Just how 'blusey' is it? I really don't know, all I know is I liked it. :>) Just yesterday, I was playing around with the =SHUFROC.STY, trying to practice a 'blue' lick or two on the guitar. Like you, I thoroughly enjoy listening to the blues, but I have my problems trying to play it. But I'm not a purest at all, and I think you did a fine job here. I haven't had a chance to check the balances real close, but it sounds good in my cans. Keep up the good work, thanks for sharing.
Jim
I'd be completely happy if I had just one more guitar.
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Very nice vocals, nice pharsing... got that "sophisticated" blues sound.
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Hi, Noel -
I really liked this. Stylistically, it has a real "Denver and the Mile High Orchestra" feel to it (minus the brass).
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Apprentice
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Noel,
That is a real keeper. Vocals are great. Great mix !
Thanks for sharing
The Powderman
Learning something new everyday
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Quote:
Very nice vocals, nice pharsing... got that "sophisticated" blues sound.
I could not have said it better myself . . . Ditto Jazzman.
Later,
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You know what, Noel, I believe this is my favorite of your songs that I've heard so far. Too fab!! And I agree with the "sophisticated" and "Denver and the Mile High without the brass" sound. Lyrics, vocal, mix - all A+ to me. Cool.
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Speed up the tempo a bit and you'll sound like Bryan Setzer, lol
I enjoyed this one, very nicely done Noel. Great mix and vocal.
Trax
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Hi Jim, Thanks for listening. This song was a bit of a step away from my usual. I don't know how bluesy it is either! I'm glad you're not a purest because I'm not sure that I'd pass that hurdle. Good luck with your practicing  Once again, thank you. I appreciate your comments. Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Hi jazzmandan,
Thank you for your words of encouragement. To be honest, I wasn't sure that this song would pass the test. I'm glad the arrangement worked for you. Blues is such a great style to work with and it really helped take my lyrics to a whole new place. (Thank you to Peter Gannon and his team for making such songwriting excursions possible.)
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Hi John,
Thank you! Denver and the Mile High Orchestra are sensational. I wouldn't mind being able to sing like that! Maybe if I practice a bit more....
Glad you liked the song. As I said, I was worried about the balances and so your positive feedback was appreciated.
All the best,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Hey Powderman, I appreciate the feedback! I think my singing has picked up a bit since I got some tips from Beth Nielsen Chapman. At least I now know how to work at it. It must be your turn to post a song now Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Hi Danny C.,
I'm flattered that you took time out to have a listen. Thank you for your feedback. It's always good to know that I'm "on the right track". This mixing thing is the hardest aspects of production, I reckon! It's like Mt Everest to me.
Thanks again,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Gosh Josie, If I was there in person, I'd be speechless. As I'm on the other side of the world, though, I guess I must be type-less. That's a terrific compliment. I really appreciate your comments because it means that I must be traveling in an overall forward direction. I don't know how you find songwriting but sometimes, after sitting in front of my computer trying a bit of this and that, I can no longer hear how words work together (in meaning or in sound), if the melody is complimenting the lyrics well enough, or if the mix does the best job possible. That's why I really appreciate feedback. It really helps. I'm ready to listen to your next new song, now All the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Hi Trax, Quote:
Speed up the tempo a bit and you'll sound like Bryan Setzer
If only it was as easy as a tempo change, I'd be there! I appreciate the positive feedback. Actually, I'm listening to Bryan Setzer on Youtube while I'm typing and I really wouldn't mind trying a song in that style. Maybe the muse will hear my plea....
All the best,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Hi Noel,
Yes I like it very much - really good phrasing with vocals. I thought you got the balance just right. The organ sounded good. Very well done Noel. I liked the lyrics and they went well with the melody. Very well done.
Jim
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Hi Jim (enjb), Thank you for taking the time to have a listen. I appreciate your comments - especially about the balance. I'm also glad to hear the the lyrics worked for you. Quite a number of days went into getting them as good as I possibly could. When I thought I'd finished, a friend suggested a whole new way of looking at the 3rd A-section (the "eye's meeting" scenario) and then it was back to the drawing board! It never ceases to amaze me that fitting so few words to a melody can take so long. Again, thank you for listening and for your thoughts All the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Hi Noel, Very good attempt at converting to Blues  Joking aside, I know how difficult it is to move to a new genre when you are songwriting. You have done yourself proud with this song. Very well done. P.S. now we just need a nice waltz next  Best regards Michee
Windows 11 64 bit, Biab 2026 (1237), Realband 2026 (10)
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Hi Noel,
I thought I had commented yesterday, but apparently I exited the dialog before the message was recorded, so I am replying again. Lots of things to say...
1) I think your excursion into "spoken lyrics" is a particularly good fit for the blues style. it sounded very natural in this particular application.
2) the message of the song is not just a little upbeat... it is downright encouraging, not what one normally expects from the blues. Nobody's wife left, no dogs died, no trains wrecked etc. So in that sense it isn't blues as *I* know it... maybe you just invented a new genre.. "upbeat blues" (or maybe "pinks", a blues song seen through rose colored glasses) ;-)
I'm not a musical purist by any means... I like it when songs step outside our expectations and accomplish what the songwriter was trying to make happen. These lyrics are unlike any I've heard, very original IMHO. It has become stylish to write depressing songs, and I am tired of it... so I appreciate the upbeat message
3) You did a great job of keeping the instrumentation sparse, adding accents occasionally with other instruments. Each time I listened to the song, it reminded me of the DOORS "Riders on the Storm" for some reason... possibly because both songs are bluesy variants populated with mostly bass and drums with the occasional embellishment from other instruments
4) Mix sounded good to my ears... nothing overpowered anything else, and the vocals were right on top . All of it was very clear, not muddy.
Keep up the good work Noel. I admire your technical approach to songwriting. It seems to be working!
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Hi Noel,
Not much left for me to add except I enjoyed it very much.
Don S.
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