Band Audition song ideas
HI All, I a new to bluesharmonic.com and new to the forum. I have been playing for about 2 years but am finally getting systematic in my learning. I have been enjoying the lessons and have learned a lot already. Recently I have playing at some open jams and as a result got invited to audtion for a blues/blues rock band as a vocalist and harmonica player. I have been asked to prepare three songs and I would love some suggestions from you all. I have only playing for a short time and can do all the draw bends but I am no prodigy so I would like some song ideas that have vocal and harmonica parts that sound great but sre not too crazy hard. Please share your ideas!
Thank you UkuleleRob65!
These are great suggestions. I was thinking born in Chicogo so I am glad you reinforced that idea. Thank you for turning me on Lou Ann Barton she is a new artist to me! I am going to get to work on all of your suggestions and see what works best for me. I appreciate the help!
Farmer Jim:
Good luck with the audition. "Break a leg," as my theater friends say.
It is hoped that the other musicians in the band are fairly adept. E.g., it's always a good thing to play with musicians who are better than you are. It ups your game. So it's also to be hoped that they are familiar with various blues and rock rhythms, stop-time playing, breaking, etc. In this regard, a good drummer is key. (I recently watched one of David's videos from a workshop, in which Rod Piazza opined that if your drummer knows what he or she is doing, you're going to be OK, even if the other musicians screw up.)
A rocker that could be a good demo of both harp and vocal stage presence is Nick Gravenites' iconic "Born in Chicago," as recorded by Paul Butterfield back in 1965.
A good stop-time standard is Rice "Sonny Boy Williamson II" Miller's "Keep it to Yourself."
And a good shuffle blues might be Junior Wells' "Little by Little." Especially if the musicians pick up the stops that Susan Tedeschi does in her version when she sings the words "bit by bit."
Finally, there are great one-chord songs that can get people up dancing, and can be great vehicles for demonstrating what kind of vocal and harmonica show you can present. Tho' for some reason, some bands really have trouble with the one-chord concept. Good examples are Charlie Musselwhite's "Strange Land," which has a strong two-beat rhythm, and Slim Harpo's classic boogie-beat "Shake Your Hips." (Check out in particular Lou Ann Barton's version.)
None of these songs require top-level harmonica player or operatic vocal training.
it's unlikely that the band is looking for someone who can sing like Big Joe Turner or play harp like Kim Wilson, and more likely that they'll be looking for someone who can work well with a band (including accompaniment and fills behind the band's other members) and can really connect with an audience. Re this latter, be thinking Bobby Rush, who may not be the world's greatest harmonica player or vocalist, but puts on one of the greatest shows on earth.
Knock 'em out!