> 'ROLLING BLUES!'
RELEVANT, REFRESHING, REGULAR UPDATES Rolling news, clips, tips, insights, suggestions and info.
'RB'#8 : 22.06.20 > 25 BLUES LEFT-HANDS > MODEL BASS FIGURES FOR BLUES KEYBOARDISTS
YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc5CXRisrYs&list=PLr-LaMpXAu8Hm2ZuJ5sT5gdeUzbCCKkze
The first in a series of instruction manuals of key ingredients for the blues, jazz & boogie pianist. The 'ingredients' are being uplifted and converted into YouTube formats from daniel's 'Basic Blues & Boogie Piano' 1996 instruction manual, with new additional content.
'RB'#7 : 15.06.20 > BIRD'S-EYE BLUES > MODEL PIANO PIECES FOR BLUES KEYBOARDISTS
YT https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLr-LaMpXAu8Ey9xwDQryYS1rURKemmOgD
A new YouTube resource, modelling pieces viewed from above. I've started with 6, as below, and will slowly 'populate' the playlist with as much material as possible, covering all styles, but always with a blues and improvisation slant, if not an overt blues & boogie piece.
ORIGS: 'Dreamtime', 'Homespun Blues', 'Some Sunny Day';
COVERS: 'Blue Moon', 'Mercy Mercy Mercy', 'Mr. Freddie Blues'. Get in touch for more input on any of these numbers!
Meanwhile, keep safe, keep healthy, keep creating, keep the blues alive. Dan Smith
'RB'#6 : 01.06.20 > A TUNE FOR JUNE > SONG-WRITING MASTERCLASSES
'BECAUSE I’M WORTH IT' YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUI277yWQYc
GET CREATIVE! Write, develop or finish that song or instrumental you’ve been mulling over for so long.
Add codas/middle sections; develop the chord progressions; devise a great intro; identify the best key; iron out the melody; embellish the solos; enhance the piano accompaniment; nail that age-old 'lyric/melody-first' conundrum; polish the lyrics; seal it with a punchy ending; and much more!
2, 4 & 6-hour intensive song-writing Skype masterclasses & input with Daniel, starting in June. Get in touch for info. Get in touch for info.
And Here's the low-down on one of his! ‘BECAUSE I’M WORTH IT.’
<I want lots of money, and obscene amount; Personal advisors and an offshore account.
Film-star looks; fast Porsche cars… 30-year malt whisky and big fat cigars – I want it now!... etc
I want a big mansion in acres of land; Servants and butlers and chefs on demand.
Breakfast in bed on a silver tray… Champagne on ice and caviar every day – I want it now!... etc
I want a personal jet and a limousine, An entourage that’s fit for the Queen.
Red-carpet treatment and executive seats; 5-star hotels and penthouse suits – I want it now!... etc>
For reference, many more originals on all the albums in the SHOP section.
'RB'#5 : 28.05.20 > BLUES PIANO WITH DANIEL > 9 YOUTUBE TUTORIALS
This 'RB' issue in educative: with some free Daniel Smith Blues Piano Tutorials...
Introductions & Breaks / Left-Hands / Left-Hands in Boogie Woogie /
Right-Hand Riffs in Blues & Boogie / Turnarounds / Improvising /
Jazz Chords / Endings in Blues / 12-Bar Formats in Blues //
Get in touch with Daniel if any questions or queries about these tutorials.
Likewise, for your own personalised blues piano course! See also the TUITION section of this website.
Meanwhile, keep safe, keep healthy, keep playing, keep the blues alive. Dan Smith
YT https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLr-LaMpXAu8GIZTB1BVMCTLvahVmHdY1d
'RB'#4 : 25.05.20 > "DEAN'S BOOGIE" > A SPECIAL DEDICATION
The Daniel Smith Blues Band (2004 ‘Chicken & Egg’ & 2019 ‘Whole Lotta Boogie Woogie Goin’ On!’)
I was privileged to record this track in 2004 with the wonderfully experienced, much-in-demand & eminent London 'Chicago Blues' exponents of
Dino Coccia (d) & Jim Mercer (b). It was written for/dedicated to Dino's then 14-year-old foster son - Dean Hajir.
Despite his cerebral palsy needs, Dean H was a regular and vociferous attender at DSBB gigs!
My 2006 move from London to Scotland led to me having 14 years of little contact.
Now, combining London, Greece, Ireland & Spain, we've reconnected. Dean H is 31 years old; and we'll definitely all 4 meet again in 2021!
In the meantime, Dean H - this is for you!.. 'Dean's Boogie'... and we'll see you again soon!
Keep safe, keep healthy, keep the blues alive and keep in touch! Dan
YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-1iFeQOZGw
'RB'#3 : 20.05.20 > BOOGIE WOOGIE FLAMENCO FUSION > ‘RESISTERÉ’! (Manuel de la Calva & Carlos Toro Montoro)...
Daniel's boogie piano arrangement with Isabel M. Pérez Puig on castanets. The 1988 Dúo Dinámico classic, collaboratively re-recorded by an array of modern Spanish music stars & artists, became an anthem of gratitude to Spanish health workers during the Covid crisis lockdown. Loudly blaring from balconies around the country (including the flat opposite Daniel's, in Huelva!) at 8pm daily... for a musician, it was a melody hard not to become ingrained, and this is Daniel & wife Isabel's own personal tribute to their friends in the Spanish health service.
'RB'#2 : 18.05.20 > WONDER-WOMEN OF BLUES, BOOGIE & SOUL-JAZZ PIANO/KEYBOARDS 1.
Inspiration for my female blues’n’boogie piano tutees… and indeed, any pianist! Here is a selected list of 10 fabulous female pianist/keyboardists, playing a mesmerising mix of blues, jazz, boogie and related genres. There are of course so many many more.
Thanks to Pete Miles, for his input. Arranged alphabetically - check them out. More to come! And naturally, my mother is always my personal no1!
Martha DAVIS YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DKaSoxJ43AS
Dorothy DONEGAN YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dpg3zClqhI (check the boogie @ 3m50secs)
Shirley HORN YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCzO7R1vFNg
Camille HOWARD YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctlqJFBHR98
Marian McPARTLAND YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-zo0FggV3c
Christine PERFECT YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4CZ975ijB4
Jan PRESTON YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJFT0MoLvug
Shirley SCOTT YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G4pR4jKEFg
Katie WEBSTER YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHIw5U1VaXc
Mary Lou WILLIAMS YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3-B9vSFSb4
'RB'#1 : 10.05.20 > JAZZ-FLAMENCO FUSION POETRY.
A new & unique art form... A family affair - DS and Isabel Perez Puig perform a poem by the late Bryan Smith for Daniel's mother's 82nd birthday - Mieke Smith-Portier.