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Posted By: ROG GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/12/20 12:06 PM
Hi All,

I grew up listening to the blues.
In the sixties it was John Mayall - the "Beano" album with Eric Clapton
and "Hard Road" with Peter Green. In the seventies I discovered Albert Collins
and so began my love affair with Telecasters, but that's another story.
In the eighties, JJ Cale and Robert Cray showed me that a blues didn't necessarily
have to be a 12 bar and that it could contain a mix of major and minor chords.
So here I am, back to my roots with a blues track.

The guitars, bass and vocals are down to me.
The lead sax and BV-oohs are RTs.
The horns are a mix of Forte and Edirol Orchestral.
The drums are our own samples of a sixties Premier kit with a chrome 2000 snare.
Live tracks were recorded in PowerTracks.
RTs were added in RealBand.
The whole thing was mixed and mastered in Harrison Mixbus 32C v.6

GET A JOB - BLUES
I was running out of bourbon
I was running out of time
I was running out of credit
And I could use another line
I threw a marker to the barman
I said: "Put it on the tab"
Well the barman turned around and then he looked at me
And he said: "Get a job"

I was down on my luck
I was down on my knees
I was praying the The Lord
I said: "Lord can you help me please
I owe money to the bank
I owe money to the Mob
Lord is there anything that you can do?"
And The Lord said: "Get a job".

As usual, I'm always grateful to anyone who has time to give it a listen.
Hoping you're all staying safe.

ROG.
Posted By: sixchannel Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/12/20 12:26 PM
Spot on, Rog.
Yeah, I grew up with JM & the BBs and the like before I lost the 'vibe' to play it with 'meaning'.
This is real Class and I enjoyed the wry ( or is that 'rye') humour of your vocal.
The horns are amazing for midi!!
The Tele sounds superb. Was that an amp, micced up or straight into DAW viama sim? Creamy as cream.
Cheers
Ian
Posted By: BlueAttitude Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/12/20 12:33 PM
Wow, this is outstanding!!

Easily one of the best blues songs I have ever heard on this site, everything just spot on!

Love the tone on the tele, what are you playing through if you don’t mind my asking?

I smiled when I saw your list of influences, pretty much the same as mine! I have the Beano album in a frame hanging on the wall of my studio.

Great work, Rog, I’ll be listening to this one again wink
Posted By: tommyad Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/12/20 02:51 PM
ROG, I loved every moment of this. I too had those influences. Great tone on the tele. I really liked the progression. The blues are alive and well on the other side of the pond! Well done, Tom
Posted By: floyd jane Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/12/20 03:00 PM
ROG,

Great overall sound here. Haunting drums & horns combination. Sweet guitar tone. Cool vocals.

And a fun Blues write. Got a chuckle from the last line.

I hear a Robert Cray influence (only Blues records I ever bought...)

Much enjoyed.

fj
Posted By: Scott C Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/12/20 03:10 PM
Wow my favorite genre. Guitar and tone were absolutely awesome. Super vocal and lyric. Excellent mix and effects.
Well done Rog.
Posted By: MarioD Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/12/20 03:58 PM
I love the blues and you could easily have this one sold on Alligator records and this is better than a lot of what they sell.

Outstanding guitar tone and chops! A great vocal, super backing tracks, and a perfect mix.

I agree that this sounds like a Robert Cray song.

I have many of the same influences. I have a number of blues vinyl in my collection. Have you listened to Albert King? Taj Mahal?
Keb Mo?
Posted By: Robertkc Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/12/20 06:56 PM
ROG,
This all works so well- the humour in the lyrics, kind of deadpan vocal delivery, great bass lines and awesome guitar.
Very, very good... longer wold have been my only wish!

Robert
Posted By: PeterF Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/13/20 07:07 AM
Rog

Enjoyed that a lot, very nice.
Had a Pink Floyd like blues sound - especially the vocal.

Excellent.

Peter
Posted By: Greg Johnson Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/13/20 07:57 PM
LOVE THIS!!! It is such a rich mix, and has that great old 70's rock sound!!!.....reminds me of Dire Straits! GREAT!!! Take car.e Greg
Posted By: Leon1 Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/13/20 08:36 PM
Hi ROG
It was the Beano album that first led me to explore Clapton's influences and started my life-long love affair with the blues. Really enjoyed this. Great work on the tele. 'Get a job' made me think of the Silhouettes' 1957 hit of the same name, which always gives me a chuckle.
Regards,
Leon
Posted By: rayc Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/14/20 05:49 AM
It's blues cool.
There's a fair bit of sibilant sounds esses tch etc that the reverb is accentuating.
Is that amp buzz through out?
Posted By: ROG Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/15/20 07:37 AM
Originally Posted By: sixchannel
Spot on, Rog.
Yeah, I grew up with JM & the BBs and the like before I lost the 'vibe' to play it with 'meaning'.
This is real Class and I enjoyed the wry ( or is that 'rye') humour of your vocal.
The horns are amazing for midi!!
The Tele sounds superb. Was that an amp, micced up or straight into DAW viama sim? Creamy as cream.
Cheers
Ian

Hi Ian,

Thanks for looking in and pleased that you liked the track.

The Tele was recorded through a Midas preamp and then straight into PowerTracks.
The Midas preamp is great because I can push it into clipping where it starts to
gently add a bit of crunch. I set it so that it's just on the edge of clipping, which
allows me to control the degree of crunch by how hard I play. You can maybe notice how
the sound changes as a phrase gets louder.

Unusually for a Tele, this was played on the neck pickup, but this is an old instrument
from a time when the pickups weren't wound as hot, so they're that bit brighter.
The bridge pickup would have been just too aggressive for this track. The only effect that was
added was a touch of the Harrison G+ reverb.

Once again, thanks for the review.

Cheers, ROG
Posted By: ROG Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/15/20 07:47 AM
Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Wow, this is outstanding!!

Easily one of the best blues songs I have ever heard on this site, everything just spot on!

Love the tone on the tele, what are you playing through if you don’t mind my asking?

I smiled when I saw your list of influences, pretty much the same as mine! I have the Beano album in a frame hanging on the wall of my studio.

Great work, Rog, I’ll be listening to this one again wink

Hi Dave,

Many thanks for the kind words - you made me blush!

About the Tele, check out my reply to Ian (above) - he asked much the same question.
I'm definitely a Fender man and the Tele is still my "go-to" guitar for most things.
It's simple and basic, but it just works so well, which is why the design has endured
through nearly seventy years I suppose.

I rarely use a lot of effects and if I'm playing live I just plug the Tele straight into
a thirty year old Peavey Backstage 50. Fabulous amp that!

Thanks again for the review.

Cheers, ROG.
Posted By: TuneMonger Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/15/20 03:31 PM
Yeah, really good with those live instruments and def gave me that Smoking Gun Robert Cray feel. Excellent work!
Posted By: ROG Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/17/20 07:17 PM
Originally Posted By: tommyad
ROG, I loved every moment of this. I too had those influences. Great tone on the tele. I really liked the progression. The blues are alive and well on the other side of the pond! Well done, Tom

HI Tom,
Many thanks for the listen and review.
It's appears that quite a few of us were listening to the same blues artists back in the day.
Pleased you liked the track and the Tele and yes, the Blues are certainly alive on this side of the water.
Cheers,
ROG

Originally Posted By: floyd jane
ROG,

Great overall sound here. Haunting drums & horns combination. Sweet guitar tone. Cool vocals.

And a fun Blues write. Got a chuckle from the last line.

I hear a Robert Cray influence (only Blues records I ever bought...)

Much enjoyed.

fj

Hi Floyd,
You know I always value your opinion and many thanks for the review this time.
Hey, good to know you get something out of Robert Cray - he has his own on take on
what constitutes The Blues, but it goes down well with me.
Hope you're staying safe in these strange times.
ROG.
Posted By: dani48 Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/18/20 02:13 AM
Hi, ROG !


Outstanding has been used as
an accolade for this absolute
superb blues and ....well what
other superlative could come
in question regarding it !

Hey ROG this is one of your
absolute best so far !


Stay safe !

Cheers
Dani
Posted By: Chris Dent Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/18/20 03:16 AM
Great stuff.

I could cite those exact same influences!
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/18/20 05:01 PM


Wow! Janice's first comment was that it reminded her of Mayall. It would've fit right in on his 70th Birthday Album...particularly with the horns.

Your voice, tele (great tone) and bass absolutely nailed the groove. When it comes to the blues you either have it or you don't...not much in between smile

You and the sax guy sound like you've been sitting in together for a while...really great use of that RT.

Oh yeah, the lyric is super cool.

MORE!!

J&B
Posted By: ROG Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/20/20 07:00 PM
Originally Posted By: Scott C
Wow my favorite genre. Guitar and tone were absolutely awesome. Super vocal and lyric. Excellent mix and effects.
Well done Rog.

Hi Scott,
Many thanks for the listen and review.
Coming from a guitarist, the comments were particularly appreciated.
Cheers,
ROG.
Posted By: ROG Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/20/20 07:03 PM
Originally Posted By: MarioD
I love the blues and you could easily have this one sold on Alligator records and this is better than a lot of what they sell.

Outstanding guitar tone and chops! A great vocal, super backing tracks, and a perfect mix.

I agree that this sounds like a Robert Cray song.

I have many of the same influences. I have a number of blues vinyl in my collection. Have you listened to Albert King? Taj Mahal?
Keb Mo?

Hi Mario,
You're very kind with your comments.
Once again, coming from a guitarist I really appreciate those kind words.
Cheers,
ROG.
Posted By: BabuMusic Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/21/20 12:56 PM
Oh, man, Rog, I grew up with the same diet. I've read your menu and they are all some of my favorite foods. You have really digested them well and spit out some incredible blues here. EVERYTHING in the mix is superb. Great band, GREAT BLUES. Makes me hungry for more.
Posted By: ROG Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/22/20 06:54 PM
Originally Posted By: Robertkc
ROG,
This all works so well- the humour in the lyrics, kind of deadpan vocal delivery, great bass lines and awesome guitar.
Very, very good... longer wold have been my only wish!

Robert

Hi Robert,
Many thanks for the positive review - much appreciated.
I'll try to make the next one longer!
Cheers,
ROG.
Posted By: ROG Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/22/20 06:56 PM
Originally Posted By: PeterF
Rog

Enjoyed that a lot, very nice.
Had a Pink Floyd like blues sound - especially the vocal.

Excellent.

Peter

Hi Peter,
Many thanks for the nice comments, especially the Pink Floyd reference - very pleased with that.
Cheers,
ROG.
Posted By: ROG Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/22/20 06:58 PM
Originally Posted By: Greg Johnson
LOVE THIS!!! It is such a rich mix, and has that great old 70's rock sound!!!.....reminds me of Dire Straits! GREAT!!! Take care Greg

Hi Greg,
I'm a longstanding fan of Dire Straits, so pleased about that.
Thanks for the review and all the nice comments.
Cheers,
ROG.
Posted By: ROG Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/22/20 07:02 PM
Originally Posted By: Leon1
Hi ROG
It was the Beano album that first led me to explore Clapton's influences and started my life-long love affair with the blues. Really enjoyed this. Great work on the tele. 'Get a job' made me think of the Silhouettes' 1957 hit of the same name, which always gives me a chuckle.
Regards,
Leon

Hi Leon,
It seems there are lots of us who were listening to the Beano album around that time.
I think it was the second blues album I bought - Lightning Hopkins was the first!
Many thanks for looking in and the kind review.
Cheers,
ROG.
Posted By: ROG Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/25/20 06:48 PM
Originally Posted By: TuneMonger
Yeah, really good with those live instruments and def gave me that Smoking Gun Robert Cray feel. Excellent work!

Hi TuneMonger,
Thanks for looking in and the review - much appreciated.
Cheers,
ROG.
Posted By: ROG Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/25/20 06:50 PM
Originally Posted By: dani48
Hi, ROG !


Outstanding has been used as
an accolade for this absolute
superb blues and ....well what
other superlative could come
in question regarding it !

Hey ROG this is one of your
absolute best so far !


Stay safe !

Cheers
Dani

Hi Dani,
Always pleased to see your name on my review list.
Many thanks for all the nice comments.
Cheers,
ROG.
Posted By: ROG Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/25/20 06:52 PM
Originally Posted By: Chris Dent
Great stuff.

I could cite those exact same influences!

Hi Chris,
Many thanks.
Yes, it seems quite a few of us were listening to the same artists back then.
Cheers,
ROG.
Posted By: ROG Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/27/20 07:04 PM
Originally Posted By: Janice & Bud


Wow! Janice's first comment was that it reminded her of Mayall. It would've fit right in on his 70th Birthday Album...particularly with the horns.

Your voice, tele (great tone) and bass absolutely nailed the groove. When it comes to the blues you either have it or you don't...not much in between smile

You and the sax guy sound like you've been sitting in together for a while...really great use of that RT.

Oh yeah, the lyric is super cool.

MORE!!

J&B

Hi J&B,

You really are too kind!
Back in the 80s I played on a lot of sessions with the same sax guy and he
always left these little gaps for the guitar to fill. After a while, you get
to know how the other guy is thinking and on this track, I thought it might
be fun to try to recreate that with an RT. I enjoyed doing it and I'm pleased
it worked for you as well.
Many thanks for the listen and all the nice comments.

Cheers,
ROG.
Posted By: ROG Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/27/20 07:07 PM
Originally Posted By: BabuMusic
Oh, man, Rog, I grew up with the same diet. I've read your menu and they are all some of my favorite foods. You have really digested them well and spit out some incredible blues here. EVERYTHING in the mix is superb. Great band, GREAT BLUES. Makes me hungry for more.

Hi Marty,
Thanks very much for looking in on this and for all the positives - much appreciated.
Cheers,
ROG.
Posted By: Guitarhacker Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 05/28/20 01:05 PM
Sweet tone. That's also some good lyric crafting.

Good song and I enjoyed it.
Posted By: ROG Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 06/01/20 07:24 PM
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
Sweet tone. That's also some good lyric crafting.

Good song and I enjoyed it.

Hi Herb,
Many thanks for the listen and review - much appreciated.
Cheers,
ROG.
Posted By: Belladonna Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 06/03/20 10:41 PM
Always love a good blues song, so heartfelt and emotional. Love the moral of the story "Get A Job", right on!! There's no free lunch.
Posted By: ROG Re: GET A JOB (BLUES) - 06/04/20 09:46 AM
Originally Posted By: Belladonna
Always love a good blues song, so heartfelt and emotional. Love the moral of the story "Get A Job", right on!! There's no free lunch.

Hi Belladonna,
Some fifty years ago I was playing guitar on studio session and this old guy, one
of the brass section, said to me - "Always play from the heart and you won't go far wrong".
It's some of the best advice I've ever received and I've tried to follow it ever since.
It's one of the things I liked about your recent song - you sing from the heart.
Many thanks for looking in and for the review - much appreciated.
ROG.
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