Active Melody March Challenge 2025 Response

[Laurel C]

Hi my fellow Amers,

It has been a victory to make this challenge after missing a few, just so much going on and little time to devote to challenges. As time is tight, I am really glad to bring this one to fruition as I wanted to use elements of one of my favourite Steve Cropper instrumentals. The backing track just seemed the right time to use this idea. So here it is.

[Guido]

I don’t know this artist, but the musical idea fits very well together with the BT and your rhythm phrases and licks on the guitar sound very nice and enjoyable to listen to: a joyful and at the same time relaxing melody! Very well done, Laurel.

Guido

[AndréM]

Very well played Laurel.
Sounds good with the BT.
Your harp added a melancholy vibe.

AndréM

AndréM

[Michael L]

Hi Laurel, great to hear you again this month! Really nice rhythm ideas on this one, and I love the harmonica. It layers together well. Fun listening!

[Catherine Arsenault]

well done!!!!!!! wow what a feeling!

[JoeD1]

Excellent Laurel! Very Booker T-ish!

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Alan L]

I love steve, well played!

[Garry]

Really cool Laurel. Love the mix of rhythm, riffs and single lines and … adding the harp was a master stroke! 👏👏👏🌟👏👏👏 I definitely caught the Blues Brothers Vibe here Laurel (I’m even wearing my BB T-Shirt in my video!). Excellent submission. Hope you survived the cyclone and floods up there. All the best! 😎🎸😎

[Bill]

Really unique take on this track Laurel. Cool driving rhythm, I can definitely hear the Steve Cropper influence. Nicely done!

[Paul S.]

An unusual and creative overlay of fast playing against a slow backing track. An engaging combination. Nice work!

[sunjamr]

OK, I remember that Steve Cropper song now. I like the muted effect you’ve achieved.

Sunjamr Steve

[Manfred M]

Nice that you paid homage to Steve Cropper here, Laurel. I really like his unique and catchy playing too. And you’ve captured that vibe very well here.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom.
The next Meetup will take place in May/June

There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum a few weeks before..

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[John H]

Congrats Laurel,
I’m glad you got to use one of your favorite songs/motifs for a challenge. Your performance is really nice. Love that you pulled in the harmonica. You are always progressing! Thanks for your inspiration.

John

[David H]

Yep, on Mr Cropper, most enjoyable!

[JoLa]

Great production! It definitely sounded familiar so I must have heard the Cropper’s song, you worked in the motif very nicely into your instrumental. And the harmonica – nice! I wish I could play it, such a nice addition to guitar, giving it a cool soothing vibe, kind of like a slide but played with air 😉 One of your best, Laurel!

🎸JoLa

[Bob Utberg]

Love this piece Laurel! I hear some Hey Sister, Soul Sister in there, too! Glad to see you are back on the gitfiddle!

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[JFL]

Nice Laurel. Steve Cropper is the man. So many cool iconic songs. Is that you playing harmonica too. Sounds like Neil Young . Nice one! Cheers.

JFL

[Dieter]

Sounds really good.

Dieter

[Guido]

I want to apologize because I said I didn’t know Steve Cropper in my previous comment! I didn’t remember his name, but of course he’s one of my heroes because he played in the Blues Brother movie, that is a cult movie for me since I was a kid 😅! Now, I read in the internet that he wrote a lot of masterpieces, like for example (Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay. I’m going to listen also other songs from him!

Guido

[Martin W]

Nice ideas Laurel , the motif works well and gives the track a mellow vibe , the harmonica enlightens it further.
I think this very neutral backing track has brought out the creativity this month.
Glad you made it this month
Well played.

Martin

[Alan O]

Hi Laurel, welcome back to the challenges! This one sounded really good and I like the harmonica which fit perfectly! Great submission!

Alan

[Author]

Posts