I will admit my assumption is partly based on the repeat-bookings aspect. After the first gig, the bar knows what it's booking. And a bar that deliberately books a blues band, either really knows what it's doing or really doesn't
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Another gig where we quit early because the crowd left.
- Thread starter 51PRI
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I will admit my assumption is partly based on the repeat-bookings aspect. After the first gig, the bar knows what it's booking. And a bar that deliberately books a blues band, either really knows what it's doing or really doesn't
I will admit my assumption is partly based on the repeat-bookings aspect. After the first gig, the bar knows what it's booking. And a bar that deliberately books a blues band, either really knows what it's doing or really doesn't
That first gig's probationary, BTW, for both the band and the bar.
There are plenty of bars that don't care or don't know what they want to be when they grow up. We try to avoid those.
Just to clarify...at our bands core we are a blues band and at festivals that's what we play. For bar gigs though, we play a little bit of everything from classic rock, blues and old country, although with a touch of blues based on the styles of the band members.I will admit my assumption is partly based on the repeat-bookings aspect. After the first gig, the bar knows what it's booking. And a bar that deliberately books a blues band, either really knows what it's doing or really doesn't
Thanks for the clarification! But how much of your set is 12-bar I-IV-V? I went to see some American artist (I live in Europe) once and every single song was a twelve-bar humping dum da dum da du-da dum. He announced a song featuring just him on vocals and the bassist. Sure enough, 12-bar dum da dum ...
For the record, what you just described isn’t Blues. At all.
Here are a few references, FWIW. None of which fall under this description.
If you don’t like any of that, then fine. Some people don’t like bourbon either. But, enough of this “twelve-bar humping dum da dum da du-da dum” business.
It is a fact that Blues has the mating dance in its rhythms and lyrics. So what? It is music that developed in clubs where people socialize. Any band calling itself a “Blues” band that can’t hold a crowd just isn’t a good band; or the club has issues. Both happen.
PS: I just linked to a LOT of music. For those interested, please take your time to listen through the multiple links.
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You seem to be taking it personally. I mean it's not like anyone is walking out on your band. Or...
Just correcting inaccuracies. Blues is at the heart of most of our music. Although it has fallen out of “fashion,” much of the criticism is pretty highly uninformed. I had the privilege to spend 3 - 4 years as house bass for a high energy Blues open mic back in the late 80’s / early 90’s. One of the most rewarding and informative musical experiences I’ve had.
As for your inference about my (lack of) playing capability, knock yourself out.
All of these are fine examples of blues being played at a high level. Not everything being played in local neighborhood venues is at this level and that can taint the musical taste buds of many on the blues and promotes those stereotypes I'm afraid.
Definitely. Garbage in = Garbage out.All of these are fine examples of blues being played at a high level. Not everything being played in local neighborhood venues is at this level and that can taint the musical taste buds of many on the blues and promotes those stereotypes I'm afraid.
I still put on my Blues mix on in the car driving home from gigs late at night. The energy level helps keep alertness happening.
BTW, I particularly like that James Cotton tune “No Cuttin Loose” at 3:35 in the Alligator compendium. Killer bass line. I gigged for several years with a guitar player who toured with the Cotton band. Lots of stories there.
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Again, you're taking things personally. I was just fooling around. Apologies.
Perfectly explained. Thanks.All of these are fine examples of blues being played at a high level. Not everything being played in local neighborhood venues is at this level and that can taint the musical taste buds of many on the blues and promotes those stereotypes I'm afraid.
Exactly. I was fooling around. I apologized once and will again. I'm sorry. If that doesn't do it I'll move on and leave you alone.
No sweat. The internet isn’t very good at reflecting intent. No worries.
That's my point, you're listening to high-quality blues. You are not going down to your local tavern to hear Sidney and the Sedates playing their guitar's 'n bend the strings like Reent-toont-teent-toont-teent-toont-teenooneenoonee to a “twelve-bar humping dum da dum da du-da dum” business. With 96 bar guitar solos.
No one wants that, yet it happens.
I suppose I wouldn’t actually know. My gigs these days are either large outside festivals during the summer or Animal Clubs the rest of the year. I haven’t been in a local bar in 3 or 4 years; and definitely have not hung out in local clubs when other acts are performing in several decades.That's my point, you're listening to high-quality blues. You are not going down to your local tavern to hear Sidney and the Sedates playing their guitar's 'n bend the strings like Reent-toont-teent-toont-teent-toont-teenooneenoonee to a “twelve-bar humping dum da dum da du-da dum” business. With 96 bar guitar solos.
No one wants that, yet it happens.
My current gigs are mainly covers of some kind or other, and there is minimal interest in more improvised material. Sad really.
So, I honestly don’t know what passes for Blues these days. As I mentioned, back in the 90’s, it was a thing and VERY competitive. Back then, we were driving distance to both Detroit and Chicago; and those scenes were big on Blues. It would kind of break my heart for that form to fall into the shadows.
BTW, a lousy band is a lousy band independent of genre; no?
You've missed the point altogether.
I am sure everyone here would understand that "The Blues" contains a ton of different styles, and the bog-standard-12-bar-rumpty-rumpty-rumpty feel with 9 minute guitar wankery solos is only a subset of "The Blues".
That's not the point.
The point is, that OP's in a band where the bandleader insists on calling bog-standard-12-bar-rumpty-rumpty-rumpty feel with 9 minute guitar wankery songs, and the audiences don't like it and walk out, but the bandleader either doesn't notice and doesn't care; and OP's getting tired of it.
True, but a lousy blues band is a special kind of lousy. A mediocre band can get by playing songs people want to hear (ask me how I know
).
