Smoky Blues

Guitar Toad

Guitar Toad

Toadily Stratologist
How do you describe blues? Any blues you hear in a bar where there are cigars and cigarettes? :D

I understand smoky blues as meaning fat and midrangy.

What say you, Smokey?
 
Re: Smoky Blues

Atmosphere and mood...it's all about the atmosphere and mood when you're describing a blues as being a smoky blues.
 
Re: Smoky Blues

Lewguitar said:
Atmosphere and mood...it's all about the atmosphere and mood when you're describing a blues as being a smoky blues.
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That, and slower, grinding blues. Not a rocking kind of blues at all.Even with a sad theme, almost an erotic feel to it.
 
Re: Smoky Blues

When I hear bands playing blues it's either:

1. They really feel what they're playing, and they understand and love the blues, or->

2. They're just a bunch of older (white) guys (in my age range), with some disposable income, who might have played back in the day (or maybe not so much), who think they're "blues guys", but miss the boat.

Sorry for the late afternoon rant:rocket: , but I'm at work and I'm cooked, and the work day's not done for a few more hours:headache: .


Thanks for listening,


Jeff
 
Re: Smoky Blues

Jeffrec said:
When I hear bands playing blues it's either:

1. They really feel what they're playing, and they understand and love the blues, or->

2. They're just a bunch of older (white) guys (in my age range), with some disposable income, who might have played back in the day (or maybe not so much), who think they're "blues guys", but miss the boat.

Sorry for the late afternoon rant:rocket: , but I'm at work and I'm cooked, and the work day's not done for a few more hours:headache: .


Thanks for listening,


Jeff
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S'all right, Jeff. Keep on singing d'em blues. Get those blue devils out.
 
Re: Smoky Blues

Guitar Toad said:
S'all right, Jeff. Keep on singing d'em blues. Get those blue devils out.
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You know, you're right!. I have to work for myself, that way I can keep an amp & guitar at work, and crank it up when I get the urge:bigok:

As far as "smoky blues" goes, I think it's a Zen thing. When things are just right and all the pieces fall together, it just sounds right. It can't be forced. That's one reason a band can be "hotter than a pepper puddin'" (as Albert King once said) one night and just "ok" the next. Same thing when you pick up the guitar: sometimes you're inspired, and sometimes you just have to put it down.:smokin:

BTW, it's early in the morning and I feel great....plus it's Friday!!!!!!:dance:

Thanks again for listening, guys:biglaugh:

Jeff
 
Re: Smoky Blues

Jeffrec said:
But Jeremy, you can always smoke on guitar:smokin:
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yeah but i used to be able to have a fresh lit smoke in my mouth, a dead burnt one jammed between the strings and headstock and rip a slow blues solo. my schtick was i wouldnt really let go, keep it at a simmer, till the cig was about to burn the filter or my lip. then id spit the butt on the floor and let fly
 
Re: Smoky Blues

Jeffrec said:
When I hear bands playing blues it's either:

1. They really feel what they're playing, and they understand and love the blues, or->

2. They're just a bunch of older (white) guys (in my age range), with some disposable income, who might have played back in the day (or maybe not so much), who think they're "blues guys", but miss the boat.
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What advice do you have for the group 2 wannabees?

Do you advise them to bang out John Lee Hooker and Hound Dog tunes until they get it right?

HotSEXJ said:
The Stevie Ray Vaughan song "Tin Pan Alley" = smoky blues
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Good example; I like that one.
 
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Re: Smoky Blues

Anything off of Buddy Guy's 'Sweet Tea' album . . . . I can almost taste a smokey bar when I listen to that . . .
 
Re: Smoky Blues

To me, super heavy strings help with the smoky feelin'. Gotta be haulin' them notes outta the mud, ya know.
 
Re: Smoky Blues

I tend to think of "blues" as any situation where the guitarist is playing sweet and slow . . . and I can actually "feel" what he/she is trying to say with the guitar.
 
Re: Smoky Blues

jeremy said:
yeah but i used to be able to have a fresh lit smoke in my mouth, a dead burnt one jammed between the strings and headstock and rip a slow blues solo. my schtick was i wouldnt really let go, keep it at a simmer, till the cig was about to burn the filter or my lip. then id spit the butt on the floor and let fly
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Very cool:laughing: I like that. You'll have to come up with a different prop. how 'bout a toothpick. You can still spit it out into the audience, whip the voluume control up, then let 'er rip:bigok:
 
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