[Jim]

These backings were most likely never played over by Eric Clapton, but I received my Clapton CrossRoads Pedal (made by Digitech) yesterday, and so this is my first time trying it out (these use the "Reptile" tone - with the Reverb on it turned up). I also had my Dunlop Crybaby wah pedal as input to the Clapton pedal - I hadn't really used it much except for my recording of "White Room" - and I thought it would fit in well and it was about time I started putting it to use. I guess I should have played these through my Clapton Strat to make it as pure Clapton as I could, but I picked up my Les Paul first today and that's what I had in my hands when I turned the recording on - and that's what you'll hear here!

Since these are blues improvisations - all 3 recorded in a period of about 15 minutes, one right after the other - I decided to post 3 takes since you can hear this way my attempts to approach each take a little differently. Hopefully there is at least one you'll like out of the bunch!

I must say that this pedal is fun, and I'm looking foward to trying out the other 6 tones that it produces too.

Please let me know if the lead or backing are too loud/soft on your system. I have this multi-tracked, so I can adjust either... I have WOW off and it sounds OK to me, but I'm just hearing it through PC laptop speakers.

Jim

[Jim]

After going down to the car and listening through the car stereo (there has got to be an easier way ) I think some of you will find the lead too loud, so here are the same takes mixed with a lower lead:

[scotty_b]

hey Jim
I have had a listen to your second attempts on my laptop, and they are probably a little too upfront with the guitar as well. However I am on my laptop, so that could be the reason.
I am looking forward to hearing the rest if the tones you can get.
Great stuff

[Jim]

Thanks Scotty.

Well, I can mix the guitar even further down. It's maddening because on my laptop I was afraid some of the second set actually had the guitar too low. But, I'll give it a try and post them as soon as they're done.

Jim

[Jim]

OK - this is about as low as I can go and still hear it clearly myself. I really hope that somewhere among all these is something that sounds good to someone....

[allthumbs]

The second bunch was perfect for my speakers Jim.

[Jim]

Originally Posted by allthumbs

The second bunch was perfect for my speakers Jim.

Thanks Marty! I made that second bunch with you specifically in mind - I knew from past postings how you'd hear what I heard (if that makes any sense)...

I literally spent more time today remixing and uploading than I did playing!!

Maybe GFB&B should issue a standard mp3 playback device and speakers/headphones so we can all hear music the same!



Jim

[nocat]

I love the swing feel you gave to the tune, Jim...!!! Bro, you have improved your playing
by leaps and bounds, and your recording prowess has increased as well... I agree with
AT, the second bunch sound best on my system as well...!!!

Keep up the great work Jim... I look forward to hearing a lot more from you...!!!

Cheers
Ben

[Jim]

Thanks so much Ben!

I took me a while yesterday to find the right way (for me) to play over that simple progression so I really felt it was right. Once I found it, then playing became a lot easier because it just fit right. I think having the right tone also spurs the creative juices to think and play in new ways - which is one of the reasons I got the Crossroads pedal. Originally I was going to use the "Layla" tone for this, but I just couldn't get into a groove that felt good. I switched around among the 7 tones on there, adjusting them, and when I hit the "reptile" one with reverb, and then put the wah in, everything else fell into place.

Thanks again Bro! You're a big time inspiration for me!

Jim

[CanuckTodd]

Pedals, patches, tone, wah, crybaby, reptiles: I don't know what language you guys are speaking! It all sounds like great music to me! Nice job Jim. It's nice for us newbies to drop in and see you folks push the performance and recording envelope. I think I'm learning by osmosis!

[Jim]

Hey Todd - thanks for taking the time to listen and comment!!!

You know, I think it may be better to NOT have to think about patches and pedals, wah, reptiles and all that nonsense - and have the music be just about you and your guitar! I wonder if all that is an improvement or just the opposite...

But I really appreciate your comments - there had been so few on this one I wondered why??? I want to say more about this, but have to be off to work, so maybe later...

Thanks again!
Jim

[si16]

Sounding good, Jim. I only listened to the second group of tracks that you posted but they sound good on my system, very much in balance.

Nice playing too, hitting all the right notes. I would have liked it if in some of the versions you had brought the playing down an octave or so, brought in the lower register of the guitar.

I love the wah wah sound too. 'Up from the Skies' is an unheralded Hendrix gem from the Axis Bold as Love album, it has great usage of the wah-wah on it.

[spider]

VERY SWEET JIM!!! KUDOS!! I LOVED IT! Ihave to find some backing material for me to play against! AWESOME JOB MAN!!

[Rockerbob]

Sounds good. I like the second mix.

[Jim]

Originally Posted by si16

Sounding good, Jim. I only listened to the second group of tracks that you posted but they sound good on my system, very much in balance..

Thank you si16! I wonder if I confused listeners by having so many versions of the tracks posted in this thread... and I wonder if I should - well actually "should have" (since it's a bit late to do it now) - just picked out the second group (which most people say has the best balance) and reposted them as a separate thread to simplify listening. I apologize for the level problems - it's something that's hard for me to get right the first time, but hopefully I'm learning and will do better in future recordings and get it right the first time!

Originally Posted by si16

Nice playing too, hitting all the right notes. I would have liked it if in some of the versions you had brought the playing down an octave or so, brought in the lower register of the guitar.

WILL DO! This is the kind of feedback I've been hoping for -- not just things I may have done right, but things that I should do to become a better, more rounded player. I will make sure to keep this in mind next time and see if it makes the music more appealing to you and other listeners. I really, really want to get better and I need all your help!

Originally Posted by si16

I love the wah wah sound too. 'Up from the Skies' is an unheralded Hendrix gem from the Axis Bold as Love album, it has great usage of the wah-wah on it.

I love Hendrix! I often wonder where blues/rock music would be today if he has lived a longer life and kept pushing the envelope! The way he and Clapton use the wah inspired me when I was a teenager, and although I couldn't afford the equipment back then, now I'm trying to learn from them and incorporate that into my own playing. I will re-listen to "Up from the Skies" again (it's been a while).

Thanks again so much!
Jim