Re: [Harp-L] Top 10 Blues Jam Songs

I look at jams as a chance to do anything (as long as it's a I, IV, V in 12 bars) I feel like. The idea of a jam is improvisation. You're not under any pressure to sell drinks. Playing a gig is a different thing altogether. The set list from hell is a tool. "Texas Flood," for example, is a wonderful tune. The original by Larry Walker with Fenton Robinson on guitar is one of the great blues singles of all time. It's a really fun song to sing. People recognize it immediately and always respond positively. I have no idea how SRV sang it (never heard his version) and have no interest in singing the way he did. I look at it as a chance to fool around with the words and the tune. I don't have to sing it the same way every time. It opens the door to songs by Washboard Sam or originals.

I once heard R. J. Mischo do "Kansas City" as a rhumba. That's an extreme example of putting a new spin on another member of the set list from hell. Junior Parker's version of "Driving Wheel" is strikingly different from the original by Roosevelt Sykes. Darned near any song, no matter how overdone, can be reanimated if you can figure out a new way of doing it that works. That's what we're here for. After all, the standard classical repertoire has a lot of tunes <g> that are over three hundred years old. Conductors and soloists continue to come up with fresh approaches. Symphony concerts often feature the classical equivalent of set list from hell components for the same reason that blues bands do.

ChipComcast wrote:

What audience?

Indeed.. and make sure you wear the ripped up jeans & beret too!

:-)
----- Original Message ----- From: "Joel Fritz" <jfritz666@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 7:20 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Top 10 Blues Jam Songs




Hmmm....

People like these songs, they're familiar with them, and they request
them.  You don't have to make them the cornerstones of your repertoire
but you ought to know them and play some of them just to get the
audience's attention. People aren't necessarily going to listen to
originals or covers of tunes that they haven't heard before unless you
hook them with something familiar that they like. This isn't art; it's
entertainment.  If it's artistic too that's a bonus.

If you can interpret a song that seems like a cliche in a way that gives
it your personal stamp and doesn't drive people away that's at least a
high level of craftspersonship.



Hear Barrelhouse Solly on the internet--that's me

http://www.soundclick.com/barrelhousesolly

Yes, it's what everyone has been clamoring for--pictures of the cats:

http://ratemykitten.com/my/?gallery=willie_mctell

ChipComcast wrote:


Denny,

But please please please, once you are in a working band DO NOT play any


of


these songs. :-)

Weeeeeeeee Happy Weekend all!


----- Original Message ----- From: <icemanle@xxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 5:04 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Top 10 Blues Jam Songs





Stormy Monday (please please please learn the chord changes to this one,


as they don't follow the usual simple 12 bar blues)



Red House
Hootchie Kootchie Man (ask Buzz)
Messin' With the Kid
Mustang Sally
Born in Chicago
Dust My Broom
Key to the Highway
That Stevie Ray Vaughan tune in "E" (can't for the life of me remember


the


name)



I believe I saw a great list of blues tunes compiled by David Barret on


that harmonicasessions.com site that every serious blues guy should


know -


included keys/artist etc. Good resource



The Iceman

-----Original Message-----
From: Denny Noreikas <harpmessin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Harp- L <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Fri, 6 Jan 2006 16:36:25 -0500
Subject: [Harp-L] Top 10 Blues Jam Songs


I have been messin' with the harp on and off for about 5 years. It's


time


I start playing music not just the instrument (New Year's resolution). I
want to participate in some Blues Jams but want to get better acquainted
with songs I might encounter. With that in mind, I need your help. What


do


all of you Blues Jammers feel are the top 10 songs most played at a


Blues


Jam? Your help is greatly appreciated.



Denny

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--
Hear Barrelhouse Solly--that's me--on the web.
http://www.soundclick.com/barrelhousesolly

And now...What everyone's been clamoring for, pictures of the cats.
http://ratemykitten.com/my/?gallery=willie_mctell



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