Kirk said he wouldn't mind hearing a bit less overdrive on the guitar - so I did another take today with a cleaner sound and some different melodic material. I also experimented with adding in some extra color that I think adds to the feel of this little blues piece. I agree that a lot of distortion and blues in this case just don't seem to go together and so, I took Kirk's advice, and also listened to Ben's take and I think learned some from how he treated this. I know bends and vibrato are essential in the blues, but I think I overused them and perhaps abused them by not being careful enough about how and where I applied them.
So here's a much cleaner, and a little more colorful (I hope), little blues!
Many thanks to Kirk and Ben - and to all who have given me feedback and advice in the past - for helping me learn what it means to play the Blues...
Jim
James V. Signorile, ASCAP