Description : My friend, fellow musician, and all around great guy Mark Ratcliffe approached me about doing a blues tune and I jumped at the chance to work with Mark again. He's got a great voice for the blues....I once described it as a mixture of gin, cigarette smoke, and ministry. He sings the blues like he's been there and that is the way it should be done.
This tune sounds like a live recording....like we were there with Muddy Waters and the boys and I love the feel of this one. Mark Ratcliffe - vocals, lyrics, lead guitar, drums, bass, harmonica. Barry Morgan - rhythm guitars, organ, horns. No animals or cops were harmed in the production of this. A huge thanks to Mark for providing the talent (he also mixed and mastered it). I hope you all enjoy listening to it as much as we did making it.
You can find more of Mark's work here:
So far 33 users have left a comment on this track.
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Well I left behind that old town yeah
Changed locations on the fly
Well I left my life down south yeah
Had no choice except to ride, ride on
Threw some clothes in an old backpack bag
Jumped on my bike and headed out
Life behind in the mirrors, man
A little teardrop in my eye
Or maybe it was just the wind
The lawman never liked me there
Never had much trouble until him
He used to get all wound up yeah
Come by my house all full of gin
Well I couldn't get to sleep and
I heard his car a pulling up
Jumped right out of bed now
Louisville Slugger on the shelf
I could hear him yell my name
Then he shot out the front door lock
Well I was swinging for the fences
Old Babe Ruth might have been impressed
He went down before me
In a dead old crumpled mess
But he's got the badge man
And a judge in his pocket, oh my yes
So I'm riding like the wind now
The yellow line my only friend
I got the Lawman Blues
Watch he ain't gunning for you
I got the Lawman Blues
He's as crazy as a coot
Description : I found this track here...on the loop...I'm sorry I misplaced the track info, but once I find it, I will credit the tracks creator! I am only assisting in placing a possible direction for his sounds!
Description : The basic play by Cody Tripp, the idea by mnk66, the rest - by me.
Description : 3 string fretless cigar box guitar blues done for Ghost of a guitar art 3 string electric cigar box guitar, 5 string bass see them here http://imgur.com/gallery/ugZL2 and addictive drums.
Description : Of all the classic Monster tales the Wolfman is definitely one of the saddest. Cursed, and destined to live as both man and monster. During the day he sits alone with his guitar, a prisoner of lonely existence, crying his heart out through his music. Then at night, the beast emerges, and in the dark under a full moon, he cry's as he rips the hearts out of his victims! Such is the life of a cursed bluesman!
Description : One another guy who ordered this track then didn't pay and doesn't respond to my messages.
Boogie crossover (its just a fragment), every instrument is performed and recorder live. Piano, double bass, drums.
Almost 8 hours of work.
Description : A gentle, reflective and beautiful shuffle blues piece featuring one of my best ever electric guitar solos (for about half of it). Also has bass guitar, synth bass, two programmed acoustic drum kits, two types of sample-based sitars, a heavenly pad and a distinctive main string part. Special, text-based prizes to be awarded to the best comments!
Description : My thoughts for a Halloween track this year was to work up some foreboding Drone music with a little Delta Blues slide guitar mixed in. My inspiration being the classic story of Robert Johnson and his infamous deal with the Devil.
In Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1930, Robert Johnson supposedly made a deal with the devil at the crossroads where US highway 49 crosses US highway 61. Johnson had been playing down in Yazoo City and was on his way back up to Helena. He had hitched a ride that dropped him off next to the levee. It was a cool October night and a full moon glowed in the dark sky. He continued walking up the highway, guitar in his hand. As he approached the crossroads he was thinking about his friend Son House preaching to him about giving up his guitar playing. He really wasn't a good player and most people would joke and mock him when he was on stage. He hated it and was thinking he would give anything to be as good, no, better than his friend Son House. It was at that moment he noticed a figure in black standing there at the crossroads. As he approached him, a deep voice issued "Let me see that guitar boy"! He then took his guitar from him, tuned it and upon returning it asked if he would trade his soul to become a famous Bluesman. He agreed and the rest is history. Johnson's ability was seemingly transformed overnight to the amazement of everyone who knew him and he went on to become a Mississippi Blues legend. However, his fame was short lived. A mere eight years later the Devil returned to make good on the deal.
So this Halloween, be careful what you wish for, especially at the crossroads.
Description : This is a tune dedicated to my friend, Nancy, who followed me to the clubs I played at for years, and is still following me with my studio work. Why do I dedicate this to her? Onnacounta cause she's soooooo naughty! She never liked violins, but loved her sax! Here's to you, Nancy. Anyway, this is a little blues track with some nice guitar and sex...oh, sorry, I mean sax.
Enjoy and download away.
Description : A comfortable rhythm, simple yet incisive. Contains a loop from GuitarGuru plus a number of Sony Music Studio loops. I hope you enjoy it.
Description : Just some fun instrumental sliding in open G, GDG, on The Lone Rider fretless 3 string guitar. Rythym played using a ceramic slide by Evolution stoneware, lead using a Mojoboneworks bone/wood slide, both handcrafted as well as the guitar. Been a while, good to be back B-)
Description : Felt like doing a Bluesy track. Getting used to working with Addictive Drums. Still have a lot to learn. Reviews and comments, as always, are welcomed. Drums: Addictive Drums Guitars and Bass:myself
Description : Homemade 3 string fretless cigar box guitar, 5 string bass, addictive drums. Getting closer to that cbg album completion, 'Vastlands' :D mix may need tweaking, these headphones add bass. Try and stay dry in that cave, but be careful, you never know what lurks in the darkness behind!! Very pink floyd like,. Enjoy.
Description : Cosmic Eastern chillout atmospheric shuffle blues with loads of bluesy/Eastern electric guitar playing and warm sub bass (the same synth patch I've used in about 20 tracks). No drum loops and just two programmed acoustic kits - probably the simplest drum setup I've ever used. One day I hope to make a track containing only one drum kit. Also: a few female vocal samples (including a heavily timestretched one), one section of bass guitar, a few sample-based string instruments, a few notes of organ and two synth pad instruments. So, quite a minimal instrument lineup for me. It goes uptempo around 4:31 into a grooving, stomping bit of shuffle blues and I wonder if I should have brought this section back at the end for a triumphant finale. But I'm trying hard these days not to make things too long and this is already a decent length. Also contains some darker, Eastern sections but nothing too dark. Have a listen and leave me some interesting feedback - the more detail, the better.
Description : Been away for a while. I am doing something I usually don't do with this one. Here is a blues track I put together in a day. It features everything being done by me, with improvised solos for each instrument. This was done using Fl Studio 12 and my Korg M50 keyboard. I plan on adding lyrics to it down the road and having everything much cleaner. Anyhow, enjoy!
Which Solo did you guys like best?
2:18 Guitar Solo
3:57 Piano Solo
5:34 Synth Solo
7:13 Bass Solo
Description : Here is the final mix of the Looperman family blues track featuring:
PlanetJazzBass ~ Guitar
Laser ~ Guitar
Shortbusmusic ~ Piano
Phatkatz4 ~ Bass
Doudei ~ Organ
Blondiemaze ~ Harmonica and additional piano
Patricia Edwards ~ Vocals
Darkreine ~ Vocals
Produced by Mallyob
Harmonica sounds absolutley insane!
I absolutely love this track! I'm just getting into the blues and this song is only going to make me love it more! Brilliant!
Hey Bear!
Man, this is amazing! I don't how I missed this one for so long. Mark Ratcliffe and Barry Morgan are amazing on this track. There is so many talented musician on this site and you have been blessed, skilled, talented, or whatever you got going over there Bear to work with some of the best because you are the best! I can only listen awe and amazement on this brilliantly done Blues song. It's got that Kentucky and Tennessee style feel to it. We need a resurgence of the Blues here on this site Bear. This song sounds excellent. The arrangement is professional grade, Mark's vocals, truly amazing, the harp (harmonica) really brings it all home. Well done Bear! I hope to see you out here but I truly understand if you cannot. Great Song! Stay Blessed!
Cheers from Joe!
This is growlng bulldog music. And is has rave reviews from nearly all of the people I know and respect from Looperman. They are a bunch of Loopergiants. Well done.
vic
Hey Barry
Awesome stuff! Great blues track you have put together. It makes me think I'm standing in a pub three or four deep with people straining to see the band!! Really excellent feel to it. Great job.
Richie
Great one Bear you know I love the blues. :-)
I like the mix down also. I always appreciate when the tune sounds like I am in a club with a cold one in my hand.
Very nice production. The singing and the accompaniment works very well together. Nice work and nice mix.
BEAR,BEAR,BEAR, haha, fkn awesome. You and Mark have created smooth chaos in this track. When it started I kinda thought it sounded a little smooth and tame but as soon as Marks voice came in the whole character of the track became apparent, full of vibrancy, character and a touch of humour, if I'm not mistaken.
Amazing job by you both
Simon
U plus Mark , in a blues track = an obviously throughbred cast for a very welldone blus ......
untold it's clear that true is the existance of this equivalence & it doesn't need mine or no one's words to mention this obvious fact ...
...uummm and also I should congratulation to Mark ...who has sung this blues so good & as usual his lyrix are interesting ....
&.....well ....despite we all know I'm never prof enoug to
critique this throughbred & americasn cast of this blues track specially & especially about blues genre (the genre which have never been my genre) , but cause I'm sure U master won't mind y honest idea I want to say maybe a faster ( a bit ) tempo could make this
even better & more groovy , more catchy & attractive ...
.....
despit U know this young retired musician doesn't know too much things about blues & U - by far- know better than him about what is better for all yours & especially these types of your tunes ...
....
Bear , by the way & beyond music , i wish granddaughter , grand son & grandma & grandpa all are fine ....
yesterday while listening a briliant tck of your which U had sent it to me in our email swaps , I was looking that sent photo of yours , I was asking myself : '' how has been Bear's youth look ? ...
I'm sure good , lovely ,sane & gentle ...
ja ? ...
smile& my friendly wink :)
___B
Mark's delivery is full of personality. I've grown to be a big fan of his over the years. Hats off to all of you. Super professional, super enjoyable track. All the best!
Awesome track Bear! I really loved the live vibe it gives off. Mark is a very talented singer and musician. You guys have captured that blues flavor for sure. It was a very enjoyable listen. The overall mix sounds great too. This one’s a Fav and it’s downloaded. Truly nice work to all involved.
Very nice - vocals are perfect for the vibe - listened to other tracks from Mark Ratcliffe - what a talent! Need to take the show on the road. well done.
-clindsay
*adds to 'Champagne and Reefer' playlist*
Brilliant collaboration!
Signore Bear,
I very much enjoyed the track you and your collaborative friend have created. This is so much better than the stuff we hear on the radio these days. I will certainly be watching for your future endeavors in fine quality music.
Ciao,
M.
Hey, this is a killer song from two of my favorite blues rock buddies! Blues is nice in a similar way to jazz for me, as the musicians can take a simple basis or chord progression and just so easily flesh it out into a really enjoyable creative work. Definitely sounds very professional as a finished track as well. Definitely can't complain about the subject matter either (even though my wife was talking about becoming a cop yesterday heh). Had a great time listening! Fave!
Hey Bear and mark, this blew me away right from the first note. The production sounds great, nice big mix and all the tracks were well performed, recorded and mixed. You both brought something special here, congrats fellas!
Not enough blues here but this one makes up for all that! Mark has a great rock tone to his voice and the blues seem to work for him. I didn't know he played the harp? This one ranks up as one of my favorite collabs I've heard!! I'm not worthy!!!! lol
Wayne
Real Cool Track !!! Mark has a dope sound...here's something you guys should cover for the up coming Holdays. http://youtu.be/hY2_jUDQHVc
Great Job Fellas !! Faved
Have a good 1 Mr Bear
Peace !!
Jody
I am truly appreciative of the comments from everyone and I thank each and every one of you. Comments like these help to strengthen my confidence (believe me - as a vocalist it really helps). Bless you all.
Bear, you have given me most of the cred but I have to tell you my friend, you gave me an awesome foundation to build on. The building cannot stand without a good strong foundation. It was solid and tight as a rock. Your tracks were very easy to work with; response to effects, compression, eq'ing, etc was superb.
I think you need to take a bow Bear.
Bear…gotta love the guy.
Mark.
Dirty Cactus Blues!With a Psychedelic twinge! I liked it my friend.
Steve
I'm not much of a blues guy, so I don't think I would be the right person to comment, but I totally thought this song was well done.
From what I've heard in the blues world sounds great. The guitar work was sweet, and the singer is fantastic.
Well done, you earned a fav from me. FT
hi again Bear and thank you for your reply! This blues bassline is on the 'Lila's Dance':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSh0nmretso
but still I think the wah-guitars are on some other track. I can't remember.
Anyway I have listened the other Mark's songs already and I really like some of them eventhough I am not so much into a psychodelic rock genre.
This blues is very fine: stylish and well produced! - with some nice backing vocals and good riffs in between!
Alex
Really loved the bluesy feel of this track! 5/5 stars from me!
This is class mate. No messing around, just straight in with some good old fashioned blues. It's all splendidly recorded and i can see why you were happy to work with Mark. That guy can belt a tune out. This sounds like a propper recording session done by a true pro and really demonstrates how it should be done. I'm always impressed and a little envious of your stuff Bear and once again i feel that way. Just the quality of the mix alone blows me away, everything has it's own little place in the mix and it all gels together perfectly.
Best track i've heard for a while.
FR
Fantastic job, guys! This is a rarity to hear here on Looperman and precisely because of that it's so much more
precious. This blues you did is absolutely "real thing"..:)
BIG FAV !!
I will also take this oportunity to say thank you again for the T-shirt which I received few days ago...I will handle it with special care..:)
Hope all is well______Orlando
hi Bear. I really like this one.
The wah rhythm guitar reminds me of some tune from a band called Mahavishnu Orchestra. They have used this specific sound in one section on some of their tracks. I cant remember actual title but it was interesting cause they added some a little bit more to each 4 bar patterns creating asymetric and odd structure using this simple blues riff.
I say this only to let you know that I like this particular sound yet I do not usually listen to the blues like this.
Very nice work + I enjoyed the vocals also!
Best, Alex
About time we had some blues around here.....and who better to do it than you two....good blues goin on here...I`m diggin it....I`ll just sit here at the back table (kudos on that live sounding mix guys)...order up a Kilkenny Cream Ale and enjoy the show.....great stuff on the stage and in the glass......Ed
Dear Mark and Bear
first of all Bear my apologies for not being part of the mixing contest like i said. i had to postpone this endeavor and kept the stems in a safe and sound environment.
in fact i have already planned a gentle introduction into mixing and mastering for one of my few close friend who started showing some interest in learning more about the craft.
not much else to say here dear Mark and Bear. it can't get any bluesier than that, i cant imagine anyways.
cheers for sharing that 10/10 blues experience, guys.
it has been educational on several levels as always.
the blues can teach us many things, if we only listen.
Hi bear!
Really like the vibes off this one. Really like the song, so keep it up!
-R.P.S
Hello Bear!
Don't have to say to you how happy we are to hear live music on this site...and if it's a quality stuff, there won't be more question...
Everything is on high standards...
Back to the roots kinda stuff with a special voice of Mark...
Really all my hats off :-)
Long live blues!!!
Hope all is well, Danke
Hell of a job, Bear. I always know I'm getting some quality ear candy when I click on one of your tracks. Kudos to all involved...Great musicianship.
Cheers,
Scott
Bear,
As always a lot of fun. Cred bud and many thanks.
Mark.
swingin at the fences indeed
fightin the law
and the raw won
damn, fellas! (echo Pete)
Ah, nothing like the blues...the way and open road to many genres. What a fantastic collaboration, so good to hear you both again. Mark has really blossomed to be a fantastic musician and producer. And Bear, you are just all around an incredible musician, songwriter, producer, and friend. Remarkable effort from the both of you, mad props brother!
Pete