Blues in Reverse

First the disclaimer: I blame this song on Steve Strummer. A couple of years ago, we worked together with Grant Starr and bayoubill  and Dave Logan on the Sonar Blues, which is probably enshrined in the Cakewalk Hall of Fame ( and still resides on my music page). The result of the brief association is that ever since I've wanted to do something heavy. Finally I had to exorcise that demon. The culmination of that catharsis is the Blues in Reverse, which I hereby present to you for your consideration.

Sure, it isn't truly HEAVY, but it's about as close as I'm likely to get. Sure there are a few minor timing issues, which I rationalize this way: many MIDI players strive to "humanize" their music; for me it's effortless  I could have retracked or fixed it manually, but it fits the music so I let it be. I don't often whammy and very rarely use a wah, but I rely upon both for this effort. And it was really, really fun. This sort of thing has been done a lot, and now I've done it too. But have a listen and tell me what you think. Your feedback is invaluable.

The link:


Thanks for taking the time.

Mark

Oh yeah: PLAY IT LOUD!


Steve pointed out to me that I provided the wrong link, here's the right one:
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10312684

cool tune...not a huge fan of the efx on the vox or bvox...

but its bluesy to be sure!

Awesome Mark, "Sonar Blues" lives. I was planning on a better mix one day. It sure is great hearing this again and so much clearer and cleaner. Loved it then, love it now. Sure is good to see you around old friend, we'll have to do it again sometime.

Well, youse boyz are doin da blues.  The vocals are good and could be a bit louder IMHO.  I had a hard time hearing the lyrics.  What I heard was great.  If I didn't know you are from LA I'd call this British Blues.  Why?  I'm not sure.  Either way, this is my home base genre and I loved it. 

SteveStrummerUK

mcourter


First the disclaimer: I blame this song on Steve Strummer. 

 
LMAO
 
Mark, I'm loving this my friend - the guitars sound awesome
 
Great stuff!
 
(PS - Your link in post #1 goes straight to Sonar Blues, not Blues In Reverse )

  Oh Strummy's correct, located "Blues in Reverse" Love that dirty rhythm sound. A really well constructed melody for the lyrics, love the tone and style of that solo and that bump and grind groove going on. In a club this one would be sure to get them off of the chairs and out on the floor. Awesome work Mark!

Wow, I'm likin' this song too.  Which song did I listen to?  OK, it was Sonar Blues.  I never noticed the title.   I like the way this moves.   Good bass line.

Great title Mark!! :)

First..you know I've always been a fan of your guitar style and I like the tone & the playing on this one. You always have a bit of 'dirt' on yer tone, but not so much that it smothers the notes. It cuts thru nicely!

This is one of those 'down 'n dirty' songs IMO and I like the fx on the vox that adds to it.

While listening to this, I kinda felt you had to let this out....

Thanks, Larry. Now, when you say I had to let it out, that's just because I had to practice hard to get those lead licks right. But, like  I told Stephanie the first time she heard it and looked at me questioningly, I write fiction, largely. But the best fiction contains a grain of truth, n'est ce pas?  But it's good to hear from one of my favorite musicians.......yeah, you, pal.

Mark, I know what you mean about not hanging around the forums. It seems I only get by here every other month or so. But thanks for the comments on the playing,  I worked hard at this one (considering how little time I actually get to devote to it). Glad you liked it.

Club vibe. (played loud!)

I always felt like the day would come when I could find some home grown too... Ground! Ground, sorry... 

Definitely has a live rock vibe going here. I'm trying to get a feel for what/where exactly? But I'm not able to pigeon hole it...

I mean it's a general 60s/70s era rock vibe. It's a little bit foghat, a little bit Clapner, a little bit Bad Co? kinda put in a blender, and you hit frappe? And it's not crappe? :-) I enjoyed this, felt like I was at a big party :-)

I like the lyric - nice idea.  Has a live feel, which I personally think is best for this style. Well played and I enjoyed the listen.

Thanks, Freddy, good to hear from a fellow bluesman.

Robby, I'm just a general 60s/70s kind of guy, I guess. An amalgam of ideas frappeing about in that blender between my ears. Glad you liked it.

Phil, thanks for the comments, but for that dilemma: let me recommend the volume knob. Turn to the right. Yeah, this song is meant to be loud.

Paulo, thanks for listening. We all need an audience.

Mark, that means a lot coming from a guy whose playing I admire so much. I work at it as hard as being domesticated allows me. Thanks.

I appreciate all the feedback, fellas. No comments on the mix, so I guess it must be okay. No news is good news, you know?

Mark

I really like this tune... love the vocal, but I think it's too loud...
I can't hear the kick at all...

cool lyrics...
 

I'm sure it sounds wonderful, but it won't load for me. I'll be back. 

Thanks, Vicente- While my girlfriend listened to this for the first time, I had to remind her that I usually write fiction, but that the best fiction contains an element of truth.

Frank, I'll have to see what I can do with the kick. Probably just back off on the other tracks some. Thanks for the comment.

Mathew, actually I did compress the vocals and add a touch of reverb, but I tend to overdo the latter so maybe I overcompensated here. And I EQed each guitar track, but I still consider myself a novice when it comes to mixing. I'd be happy to entertain specific suggestions. I appreciate the detailed response.

Janet, do you mean soundclick wouldn't load? Listen if you have a chance, I value your feedback.

Hi Reece. Sure I remember Cakewalk Blues. It was current when I first began visiting the forum. I'm sure I had that somewhere in mind when I did this. And I'm glad you (et al) like the lead. I worked really hard at it.

Again, thanks to all my friends for listening.
Mark

Hey, Mark,
 
I almost missed this rockin' little gem, but I'm sure glad I didn't!
 
Killer job on this authentic sounding, vintage blues number, especially the great lyrics, powerful vocals, and the dynamite guitar solo.  It really has a nice vintage "live concert" feel to the mix, like the good old days when the whole band played in a studio all at once, which provided a punchy, raw energy to the overall sound.
 
Excellent work, buddy, have a good one!
Bob