Willie's Blues

[Pine]

If you ask most non-musicians if they like the blues, i think a slow blues most often comes to their mind. Most say "mmmm...not really". When asked why, comments are usually like "it's boring"...it's depressing"..."the lyrics suck and ya can't dance to it".
As you all know, doing a slow blues isn't nearly as easy as it would seem. Trying to write something besides "my baby left me" and keeping the song fresh musically is tuff to do. I don't think a slow blues has EVER made it big on the charts (except on the blues charts  ) and that just goes to show the blues was, is, and probably always will be a bit of a cult following. Blues lovers are passionate about their blues though and most musicians respect it. Personally, i love them, and think that you can tell an interesting story, keep it alive with instrumentation and dynamics, and create a song that might even hold a non-musician listener. To me, the biggest obstacle in creating a decent slow blues is the patience it demands. I never had alot of that but i'm workin' on it.
    This is a song about one of our mini dachshunds, Willie. When a female of our clan was in heat and he was not allowed access, he almost died. Seriously! Couldn't eat, sleep..peein' on stuff..and sometimes this mournful howl ...i just had to write this song for him..

had to crunch it to 112kbps...

"Willie's Blues"

[Greeny]

Love the contrast of the lowdown bluesy chug with the clean, jazzy chords riding over the top. Poor little Willie! I have a feeling anybody not in possession of the REAL story might think you're singing about something else! But that would be in the proper blues tradition, ha ha. And man, you really let rip on that solo! Excellent playing, production and all-round blues feel. Way too cool.

[Pine]

  Thanks Tim...ya know that never crossed my mind initially but several folks at SC also pointed that out...and you're right, it could definitely be construed as an anatomical blues 

Ya know, i think the blues is kinda like drag racing...it's way more fun to do than it is to watch. Thanks for the listen Tim, i respect your opinions.

Willie, by the way, got neutered 

[Satchwood]

Fun song PDog!!  Funny lyrics!! 

               Cool guitar layering & flippin rippin solo!!

Howlin Willie's got the bluez!!!

[Pine]

Howlin Willie's got the bluez!!!

He did indeed...thought i was gonna lose the poor little guy!

Wish i'd of had a camera when he played those solos..thank god for paw guards...

[Bluesberry]

You have the laid back, slow blues vibe going for sure, great playing, great song.  I like that solo, great bends there.

[Pine]

Thanks BB...i think musicians are the vast majority of folks that could ever listen to a 5 minute slow blues...lol. It's so hard to "hold it down", ya know? I think it was John Lee Hooker that said, "you rush the blues, you kill the blues". Probably really hard for drummers in the midst of a hot set. It was for ours. The singer would often give him "the eye" when the tempo began to creep up. One slow blues a night is about all we could ever get away with 

[The Reverend 48]

I'm with you Pinedog there's nothing like the Blues..........
I could listen to this all night!
the rhythm is soooo tight and that scorching solo left me breathless...
It reminds me how far I have to go! (in a good way)
keep em coming!

[Greeny]

Anyone who's really into the blues will get this style. Interestingly, I've been trying to explain to my 9 yr old son what the blues are. One of the basic building blocks - for me at least - is the 'heartbeat' rhythm of classic, delta blues. This has the heartbeat feel, which makes it very authentic to my ears. If the playing and lyrical interest is there, the listener will be hooked. You hooked me!

[Wiley]

LOL  I loved this.  And your poor little Willie.  Mines name is Wiley. Ha Ha but he is a schnauzer.  And when you said long I almost lost it. These words are hillarious.  When he's willing. Hopefully not your leg. Your solo was ****  don't know what to say.  I got to download this. Howling LOL OMG  when the harmonica kicked in it was like willie howling.  Should have had more of that.  GREAT JOB!!