A very old blues

Dav

Something really old school. Felt a little nonstalgic last Tuesday, which was "Fat Tuesday" here, and recorded a bunch of old jazz songs. I used to play trumpet in a New Orleans style jazz restaurant years ago, and we sometimes played this 100 year old blues called "Tin Roof Blues" (the song is now in Public domain). Thought I'd share that one here.

Recorded in AUM. Piano is Ravenscroft, The bass is the "Double Bass" from Total Bass lib in Beathawk. The banjo sound is actually an Asian stringed intrument from the Asia Beathawk library. Added a soft hi-hat sound on beat 2 & 4. Didn't use a metronome/click track so it's not perfectly steady (I just don't like playing to a click).

Svetlovska

I like it - the lazy slop of it, the sort of bar room swing it has. When you mentioned trumpet, I kept on expecting a muted bit of wah wah brass, and some whiskey soaked grizzled old vocalist to start rumbling away, but, hey, I’ll take it.

filo01

Great feel, great play, I wish I could play like you. Also appreciate that it's something completely different than what I'm used to hearing here. I really enjoyed it, good job!

Dav

Thanks, @Svetlovska and @filo01. I’ve been lazy playing trumpet lately, maybe I will add trumpet to a longer version of this. In the restaurant I usually used a plunger for this. Always used a mute of some kind (unless playing flugelhorn) because the dining tables were so close to the band, and the space not so big. Had to be on the low.

Thanks for listening!

McD

Nice re-creation of New Orleans style. The internal logic of this genre of blues is as solid as the inventions of Bach with the added benefit of compelling danceable rhythmic grooves based on sophisticated syncopations.

This genre led logically to the era of Ragtime which added a little even more syncopation but turned down the sexy dance vibe. Scott Joplin intended to make his music more respectable and take it from the brothel to the sitting room.

Personally, I always opt for sophisticated rhythms over esoteric and yet… I’m not much of a dancer.

Dav

Thanks @McD. Scott Joplin was a great composer, and his rags are still popular. About once a month someone will ask me for a Joplin rag. I only know 2 by heart, so it’s either the entertainer or maple leaf. Funny you should mention Bach, I’m writing a fugue now. I do one every year for Bachs birthday. Started that in college when I learned it’s the same as mine.

I’m not much of a dancer either, my wife says I dance like Fred Flintstone.

LinearLineman

My mom taught me my first blues, in stride bass fashion, when I was twelve. St. Louis Blues. Your playing made me think of her. Thx, bro. Maybe I’ll give that a go, too. It’s been a while.

Dav

Hey thanks for the listen @LinearLineman. Glad it brought back a happy memory.

Dav

Hey @LinearLineman, since you mentioned stride piano, thought I’d share this incredible stride playing video with you because I know you would probably dig it also. This guy was a real player. I use to watch his tv show where he would have various musicians. Always impressive.

Paulieworld

@Dav said:
Hey @LinearLineman, since you mentioned stride piano, thought I’d share this incredible stride playing video with you because I know you would probably dig it also. This guy was a real player. I use to watch his tv show where he would have various musicians. Always impressive.

Wow! Ironically, I recognized it from the Jaco Pastorius version of the same. I really enjoyed your Tin Roof Blues. Like Mike, my first piano recital piece was St. Louis Blues. I love that style. Great track.

GeoTony

Lovely human feel to this, thanks for posting @Dav 👍
Also thanks for the OP video, he was one of the greats !