Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,043
G
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,043
This is the first blues tune I've ever written. I was inspired by the cool stuff Tom Adams (my blues guru) has been doing (alone and with Janice). It stuck a chord in me (a blues chord, maybe a dominant 7th). Anyway, this is what I came up with. For some reason, the vocal seems to get compressed near the end of the first and second verses. I did not notice this until I burned it to disc. Aside from that, please tell me what you think. I think the vocal processing may be a little boxy. Still playing with it. Any feedback much appreciated. Take care. Greg

https://soundcloud.com/gjohnson-2/dont-come-around

Last edited by Greg Johnson; 07/13/14 08:48 PM.
User Showcase
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,719
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,719
Hi Greg. Enjoyed the lyrics very much and think your voice is excellent for the blues. Liked the bass and the solo guitar. Cheers.

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888
Hi Greg,

I have no problems with the vocals.
What is that nice guitar?
Although it's not the typical blues scheme it
sounds very bluesy.
Like it.

Guenter

User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,831
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,831
You've got the groove in the vocal and lyrics, and the drums, bass, and lead guitar are super!

The horns and rhythm guitar (I think it's a rhythm guitar) seem to be fighting each other. They are down in the mix and seem to be competing for the same rhythmic soundscape.

You may try one or the other, or perhaps a more legato horn section that holds its notes longer. I'm not sure.

Or even eliminate the horns and rhythm guitar?

Anyway great listen. Just my opinion.

User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,646
P
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
P
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,646
Hopefully this won't be your last blues, nice; thanks for sharing!


My Tunes

Psalm 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,415
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,415
Originally Posted By: gruverider
You've got the groove in the vocal and lyrics, and the drums, bass, and lead guitar are super!

The horns and rhythm guitar (I think it's a rhythm guitar) seem to be fighting each other. They are down in the mix and seem to be competing for the same rhythmic soundscape.

You may try one or the other, or perhaps a more legato horn section that holds its notes longer. I'm not sure.

Or even eliminate the horns and rhythm guitar?

Anyway great listen. Just my opinion.


Greg,

I'll +1 pretty much everything Lawrence said. A fine blues lyric. The vocal works. The guitar is perfect. The "problem" with the horns - they just don't have the pizzazz they need for blues or rock. They have more of a pad feel and get redundant quickly (the times I've tried them out) - they don't have the punch they need to carry something like this. More guitar!!! Good job on "your first blues number".... I enjoyed it.

floyd

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,340
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,340
Well for a first shot (or many shots later) at the blues that's a fine effort. All music connects emotionally on some level but for me blues is on a higher tier....and againthis is just my ole phart ramblings...but I think every component of a blues song needs to scream the blues.

John Lee Hooker said "every lines of a blues song has a meaning" and I'll add that every solo or fill or rhythm part needs to support the meaning. So....all this means is that I agree with gruve and floyd re the horns. They don't, IMO, support the feel that you've established. BIAB encourages a lot of experimentation and that is a great thing......so there are likely many, many folks who will think the horns work or don't distract. Heck, if you want more of a soul/RB sound than blues they sound fine. But I'd throw a gritty rhythm in there and see what happens smile

You definitely have both the vocal feel and voice timbre for this style -- many try it who don't and unfortunately never realize it.

Love the "unwelcome mat" line! Just my fav line of a great write.


Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more.
If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks!
Our Videos are here on our website.
User Showcase
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,052
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,052
Hi Greg,

a cool song! Well sung, and we like the guitar solo.
Which real tracks did you use?
mmm.. definitely inspires us to do a blues song too one-day.

Regards,
R & AM


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

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1gsdNLE7_Gy8qavoOplQow/videos
http://rnam.net/


User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,295
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,295
It's amazing how hearing a song can inspire one to write something cool.

Good job.

Instantly, as the song started it reminded me of Dark Eyed Cajun Woman by the Doobies. One of my favorite songs from that band back in the day. They had so many good songs..... and your tune reminded me of this one. Albeit, a bit slower.


Last edited by Guitarhacker; 07/15/14 12:07 PM.

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.
User Showcase
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Greg, First of all it is highly unusual that I am referred to as an inspiration. Most of my life I have been called a bad influence. So maybe I've turned a corner. Thanks for that. I appreciate it. Your ability to communicate the emotion of the song vocally makes you a force to be reckoned with in the world of the blues. Really solid write. Great chord changes! These kind of outside the box chord progressions push this into a more modern blues sound. I agree the horns and rhythm guitar don't work. I have found that one of the most difficult things in the blues is to get those backing instruments right. There's a lot to choose from and I have sometimes spent hours just trying to find the right rhythm guitar part. I have taken it to the point where it would have been easier just to play it. I have been wanting to do something with horns but like floyd said they sound very generic. I am taking a run at one that I found buried deep in the archives of BIAB that has midi horns but it is going to take mucho massaging and may not work. Congratulations on a fine song and another outstanding vocal. I'll be watching closely. Tom

User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,494
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,494
Hi, Greg !:))


I did enjoy your blues
really much ! :)) It is
no easy genré but you did
just great !:))


Cheers
Dani

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 506
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 506
Do I detect a little Santana influence here?

User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 216
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 216
Great job. Your vocals sound great on this as does everything. Loving the guitar solo. Made me want to turn it up... which I did.

Last edited by Frankp; 07/18/14 03:51 PM.

Frank

Some tunes from me and my collaborator: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGqM6ktMW5ltTnyit1KWPg/videos


Band-in-a-Box Ultrapak 2019, Windows 11, Reaper, Behringer u-phoria UMC404HD, Kali LP-8
User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,811
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,811
Hi Greg,

I enjoyed listening to this a great deal! Tommy is DEFINITELY the man to be inspired by when it comes to blues. You sure took that inspiration and ran with it!

All the best,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2025
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 277
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 277
Great first blues indeed. Enjoyed the lyric. Now I am wondering if she will be there or not at the end of your road . Yikes! Thanks for posting.

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,043
G
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,043
Richard, Guenter, and Robert, thanks so much for your attention and your kind words. It means a lot to me. I really appreciate the encouragement.

Floyd, Lawrence, J@B, and Tom, I think you are all correct in your analysis. The vibe is too cluttered and too mixed in style. I am working on a different feel and will post it soon. Really appreciate your great ears and your comments were extremely helpful. And, Tom, Yes, you are very inspirational--dig the way you play them blues! I, unfortunately am a totally incompetent musician so I have to rely totally on the box.
Much appreciated all. Take care. Greg

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,043
G
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,043
Herb, R and AM, and Dani, Thanks so much for the positive words. Very much appreciated, and I always enjoy hearing from you guys (music and feedback).

Robb, it's funny you mention Santana. It was only in the past few years that it really hit me that Black Magic Woman is really minor blues. The Thrill is Gone is another great minor blues tune. I guess I'm kind of drawn to that. It was Tom's interesting changes that made me think, "Maybe I would like to write a blues tune" THanks for listening and for the kind words. Take care. Greg

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,043
G
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,043
THanks Frank and Noel!! And, yes, I agree, Tom is definitely the blues guru! Thanks for the kind words and keep posting. Take care. Greg

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.

Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Mac Videos — we’ll be adding more videos as they’re released!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Mac 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.

If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!

Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.

Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.

Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano

Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!

Bonjour à tous,

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music

Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:

BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation

Voilà, enjoy!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!

Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:

https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025.exe
https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025RB.exe

Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!

Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.

Stay up to date—get the latest update now!

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,187
Posts776,185
Members39,595
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
gestes, TSIRY10, Albertcolin, Snow, Siggi D
39,594 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 156
zedd 113
DC Ron 82
WaoBand 81
rsdean 79
nonchai 71
Today's Birthdays
Rusty Wilson
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5