Keep going? Or give up?

[Robusto]

No need to be polite.

Here are three rough front room recording of tunes you might recognize. They were recorded with a friend and we wouldn't mind the odd gig at funerals (think about that) for ?100 quid each for starters. With the cash we'd go to a local studio and try and do justice to the songs.

We swap piano/voice duties.

Full of flaws.
Keep going? Or give up?

Track 1:
Bryan - Vocal
Max - Piano

Track 2:
Bryan - Piano, Harmony Vocal
Max - Vocal

Track 3:
Bryan - Vocal, Organ
Max - Piano

TRACK 1 - YOUR SONG

TRACK 2 - TINY DANCER

TRACK 3 - BENNIE AND THE JETS

[larrysputnik]

Keep going!

You guys both sing and play the keys well. I think you could pull off some gigs with just the two of you. I say keep going, but I think you should also put your talents together on composing some originals too.

And a cigar box keyboard might be a really cool addition to your image. You should consider that.

[Montesmoke]

Very Good Bry, entertaining

[Montesmoke]

The dynamic duo:d

[Robusto]

I am desperate to get back to writing original stuff. It's fine playing in a very good covers band, but some of the best times have been spent with keen musos writing separately and collectively. The stuff won't necessarily see the light of day when recorded.

Reliability is so important here. You don't have to be the best musician in the world, but you do have to organised. I am past the stage of putting up with lateness, no turn-ups, material not learnt, and so on, and don't associate with such folk.

I created a term "ToytownShowbusiness" because I know I play in ToyTown. In the little league. I won't escape it. Local pubs, clubs, weddings.

But at least I do it, and keep doing it and loving it.

I've got another life.

And I believe I'm in the best band around here. We are the Kings of ToytownShowbusiness in our area.

I will call my band ToytownShowbusiness.

Thank you for helping me make up my mind.

[larrysputnik]

Well if you ever want to play here in the States I can probably arrange a gig or two for you in some small clubs. Of course it'll probably cost you more than you'd make, but I guarantee you'll have a lot of fun.

[Robusto]

Larry - A gig in Pennsylvania would be cool!

We're being checked out for some Norwegian festivals - surreal - and lost a couple of gigs in Monaco and Paris last year when war broke out in the Middle East and stopped our employers from travelling.

I play in a blues band locally and we were invited to play next month at the Himalayan Blues Festival. We had to pay our flights and take the kit. Couldn't do it.

I am desperate for the band to play in France. Last Sunday, there was a French guy at our gig who loved it. I went straight into French to get him to scratch his head and find us some gigs at French festivals.

Poor guy. I imposed myself upon him.

We were also offered a gig in the Bahamas last year. Too dear to go there.

[smokiejoe]

Well done bry mate,elton john is fairly hard to sing as ive tried,the octaves are all over the place and some you gotto hold for a while,also elton is a very strong singer he can push out the sounds in short breaths whice is also hard and the hardest bit is you have to believe you can sing it better than anybody and blow there minds,its gotta come from the heart as they say.,i helped my daughter on as she is now should be coming back from belguim as she has been out there touring with the band she is in,she is a cracking singer,makes the hair stand up on your neck,know the feeling.Anyway i thought that you were very talented on the keys mate but you have a very low soft voice as to the other singer has a more perkier and higher voice and seem to almost sound like the origanal artist,see your voice is more blues i think as i would like to hear more of that part of you.sorry to woffle mate as its hard to try and do covers but easier to sound the bollocks if you write your own stuff.like that litte song you done for monte,see that was good because it was you and not a cover.anyway hope this sheds light,sorry again to woffle.best of luck.

[rokkitsci]

No need to be polite.

Musicality is very good.

I honestly think you need a stronger lead singer, though.

(sorry)

[Robusto]

K. Thanks for that.

[Deano]

Don't think I agree with rocketski (my little joke there), yeh the piano/keyboard is excellent, but I like the singer. However I suggest that maybe Bennier and the Jets for example, doesn't suit his voice as much as other songs could. Your Song (one of my favs btw) does more so.
I'd like to hear him sing some FYC - I imagine his voice would certainly suit that.

[Robusto]

Well Your Song and Bennie are me and I'm having singing lessons to strengthen my voice.

No money passes for this, you understand.
Just random cashless sex-event dogging swaps.
The deep joy of a quick-flick barter by the bollards.

I'm the cigarette packet that catches fire first in that glorious animation.

I'm trying to sing - and I envy those sods who have distinctive voices. I like to sing high like The Eagles, The Doobie Brothers, T.Rex, Elton John's band.

Better after a good cigar when you sing.
I'm convinced of it.

[smokiejoe]

Hey bri dont get me wrong mate,you have a good voice but your more suttle,see as i said before, singing has loads of ways of expressing ones voice.ive sung before as i may of said in one of my posts,its a real sod when you want to sing a cover and when you have a go it just doesnt sound right,luckly i can get my voice fairly high and hold on to it,ive heard so many singers and some just doesnt have what it takes but at least they have a go.its a real damm shame your so far away as i would love to jam with your band as i miss it so very much,i just love to have a laff with the boys and get the crowd going.i envy you mate a you play very very well and the band your in sounds good to,try and write your own stuff mate as your voice will adapt better to that.perhaps try some bryan ferry as that always seem to go well and bad company.here is my mobi num.07934413666,have a chat sometime.

[Deano]

I can sing like Jeff Buckley. But I'm tone deaf. Hehe.

Personally I don't think you need lessons, though I'm sure it must benefit even the best.

I had presumed it might be you (I've only just noticed you listed who sang/played what doh), and I loved Your Song. Bennie was great but I reckon it doesn't suit your style perfectly, nothing to do with how good etc you are. Might be worth expanding your repitore to see what matches your sound perfectly.

[Robusto]

Maybe we should have a herf jam!