March 2026 challenge response – Denise & Piney

[Denise]

Hi AMers

For this month’s challenge “play a rhythm and lead with yourself” I got inspired by JJ Cale’s rhythm of the song “Call the doctor” and played a simple lead on top in E minor and E Dorian.

I played the same lead two times which is purpose. I wanted to create the mood of a sick person.

The organ backing track is played by my son Mika on his e-piano (with a drum track). I like the swing rhythm feel Mika added to it.

Denise

More Blues!

[Jonathan Amos]

The organ adds a lot of richness to the mix. Good collection of blues licks. It certainly sounded dark but I didn’t feel the need to call a doctor.

Jonathan Amos, Matsuyama, Japan

[charjo]

Very cool, Denise. It had that slightly weird off kilter sound that lived up to the title perfectly.
So nice to see you with the strat. Great collaboration with your boy.
John

[Guido]

Very nicely crafted and played Denis!. The cycled chord progression is very simple but very evocative and your soloing over the harmony/rhythm is excellent, dark and atmospheric. The organ part played by your son adds a warm texture to the piece. Lovely rendition.

Guido

[Alan L]

Love the swinging groove, and the lead is super tasty. Well done!

[Werner]

I like this one, Denise. Your guitar playing is top-notch once again—or as always. The organ combined with the lead guitar (and the reverb) sounds to me like “The Doors” from the ’70s. Awesome!!!

Thank you, Werner

[John H]

Denise
So very cool and original. Love the organ vibe-adds so much texture. Your guitar play is subtle yet masterful. Like JJ Cale. This has that Southern California late 60’s vibe. So cool and haunting. The ending is tasty and leaves us wanting more! Impressive.

John

[Michael Krailo]

I really like your lead playing on this one Denise. Very good execution of the melodic ideas.

Go slow and practice correct technique, and your abilities will dramatically improve.

[Pap]

Denise, you are cool as a cucumber! I like that simmering chord progression in the background. You and Mika both sound fantastic. Make sure you tell him. Keep up the great work….you inspire me to keep poking away at this instrument:)

Pap

[James B]

Great tune, Denise. Loved the organ and your lead lines fit the mood of the music perfectly. The recording mix is excellent.

James

[wannaplayblues]

Very nice! Loved it!

"I hear you talkin' son, but you 'aint sayin' nothin'" - Will McFarlane quoting Muddy Waters hearing a really fast guitar player

[Michael L]

Hi Denise, so nice to hear you playing with your son on the organ. Great mix with an ethereal effect and strong groove. I enjoyed it!

[Raffaele S]

Only yours is excellent, Denise…..it didn’t seem as easy as you say….Your son’s accompaniment was also beautiful….well done

[JoeD1]

Really nice Denise. It sounded similar to The Doors.

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

[sunjamr]

Way to go Denise! I loved the addition of the organ by Mika. That’s not something we often get to hear on our monthly challenges. And now I’m wondering how it would sound if you played it on acoustic guitars. Or maybe one electric and one acoustic. Organs have a lot of sustain, and so do electric guitars. I’m just thinking maybe the melody notes played on an acoustic would stand out better against the organ. What do you think?

Sunjamr Steve

[AndréM]

Yep very strange feel in a good way.
First time I think I see your Strat, so you didn’t trade it for a LP,lol.

AndréM

AndréM

[Mark T]

I was a little nervous about listening to your submission, Denise – I’m not sure I wanted to feel the “mood of a sick person” 🤔🤔. However, I found your tune was actually quite pretty, although I could see how it would fit a scene of solitude and sadness. – Mark 👍🎶😎

[Laurel C]

Good move to collaborate with Mika and the organ. At times I thought of the Doors, it had that ‘pleasure and pain effect’ which you aimed for in Calling the Doctor. Creative work.

[Manfred M]

That’s a really nice “Riders of the Storm” vibe, Denise—thanks in no small part to your son’s organ part. I love these family collaborations.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be May/June
There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum
I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Paul S.]

I was disappointed not to see Mika on camera, but I was otherwise very impressed. Does he hire out for backup work?
The music was powerful, clean, captivating and definitely J.J. Cale-esk with the finger-picked rhythm.

Not sure what the mood of a “sick person” is, but I am pretty certain it does not involve nausea. Also, that’s the only natural finish Strat I have ever seen.

[Wayne Nunez]

Love it Denise sounds really good reminds me of good ole music from the 60’s,nicely done,well played by all!👍

[JoLa]

Really cool vibe, Denise! Not that I like to be sick but I sure loved the mood you created with Mika; JJ Cale meets The Doors. The short repetitive rhythm bit sounds very intoxicating to start with, and the organ chords add depth and texture. And then the very strat-sounding solo takes it to another level. Awesome tones, great work both of you! It must be so nice to have another musician in the family to bounce ideas of!!!

🎸JoLa

[Martin W]

Hi Denise , love the theme you’ve created with this arrangement, the JJ cale tune certainly inspired it , and the Dorian sound goes hand in hand with it .
Talent must run in the family with that tasteful organ backing track , the groove sounds great with that dark lead improv.
Looking forward to your wales trip , the weather has been a bit up and down this last week with the temperatures, but hopefully it’ll sort itself out soon .

Martin

[Dieter]

Perfect teamwork with yourself and great ideas.
That sounds wonderfully harmonious.

Dieter

[Gary W]

Very good and very interesting Denise – I was intrigued by your sick person idea, because I quickly imagined walking along after one too many (ahem) refreshments! Original & captivating – well done. (You’ll like Pembrokeshire btw, I spent a lot of time there)

Gary

[snakechisler]

It had a real feel to the piece the Organ in the backing track really helped get that mood you were looking for

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