May 2026 Challenge Response – JoLa

[JoLa]

Hello everyone 🙂

Well, this challenge almost broke me. With such a wide spectrum of possibilities I was totally lost for about a week searching for a lick to borrow and then a jam track to play it with. One never seemed to work with the other. And so I questioned my monthly commitment, seriously considered taking a break…

Then I remembered a backing track I put together a few years ago to practice bass. It had no guitar on it but it was also a bit awkward to play with, I could not find any licks that would work with it 😩 And so I decided to call it quits with the challenge again, I was too busy working anyway, too tired and uninspired….

One day I decided to revisit EP098, one of my favorites because it was quite easy to play and easy is all I can do now. And that’s when I realized that maybe I can use its ideas on my old bass track, it was even in the same key! Still had to put some work into it to make it fit and come up with other licks to fill the space but I had a bit of fun with it. It’s a last ditch effort, a bit late to the party, but I made it – again! 😁🙂

🎸JoLa

[Scott W]

Well done Jola, the backing track plus your playing melded perfectly. It reminded me of something you would hear in a Tarantino movie.
I liked it a lot. Good job.

[Lights]

Hi, Jola!
I know what you are talking about, I felt exactly the same. But the final result worth 100% this crucifixion.
Little bit psychedelic with cosmic hints in final. Excellent!
Lights.

[Michael Krailo]

Way to power through the finish line JoLa and what a wonderful result. It has the spacey vibe and sounds spectacular.

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

[Alan L]

The backing track is super groovy! And your lead fills in the gaps perfectly. Well done. 👍

[Catherine Arsenault]

Wow Jola you really are an inspiration really well done got me mesmerized 🤩

[Denise]

That sounded fantastic with your spacey lead and that powerful track. Love the groove!
I would like to try out something like you, creating a backing track and improvise over it.
Great sound of your guitar.

More Blues!

[Manfred M]

In the end everything works out perfectly, Jola. Again! Great groove and your playing fits so good. It might be easy to play, but the feel wins the game.
And you put all lot of it in here.

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

[Mike W]

I’m glad you made it Jola – that was well worth listening to. I know you said it was easy but there were many bends (all executed perfectly) and your restraint with the tremelo was consistent and worked to make it such a mesmerising piece.

[James B]

Wonderfully creative, JoLa. Love your backing track and bass lines with the percussion. And then your borrowed licks on top with the tremolo sound great. Just a fabulous production. Sounds like you’ve been hanging out with your producer friend. 👏 👏 👏

James

[AndréM]

I couldn’t decide if it was an african or latin vibe, but don’t matter it’s so good.
Love the piece you have created.
Great tone.
Nice video effects.

AndréM

AndréM

[Richard G]

Well, I was transported onto a never-ending escarpment. Beautifully rendered JoLa with exactly the right amount of fills against a very dark & haunting backing.

Richard

[JoeD1]

Wow, I’m glad you stuck with it JoLa. It was real moody and a really spacey vibe for sure. Nice!

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]

Excellent! I love the jamtrack you built. I wanted to grab my bass and lay down some bass licks, but it’s in the other room. I wonder why you’re having to work so hard. I remember that of all the countries I’ve ever lived in or visited, America has the most OCD work ethic. I used to have a 60 person company in Florida, and I know that most companies there used to only give their employees one week vacation per year, and 2 weeks after you’ve worked there for 5 years. I doubt that it’s changed much by now. Here in NZ, most people take off at least 4 weeks per year. Fun and relaxation take priority over work. Maybe you should immigrate to NZ and relax a bit.

Sunjamr Steve

[JoLa]

Oh, Steve. To answer that question I would have to open a can of worms.
I’ll get some rest when I retire, I guess …🥹

🎸JoLa

[Andy N]

That’s one cool backing track! It had me tapping BOTH feet from the start! But it’s hard to imagine something more different to that of EP098, so melding those lead ideas into it was a masterstroke! I guess there’s nothing like a deadline but this didn’t sound like a last minute composition at all. It sounded thought out and complete. Even the title sounded right! Brilliant 🤩

[JoLa]

Thank you, Andy, appreciate your comments. The composition was definitely not last minute effort but the recording was. I had to work pretty hard on it because the track I built is not exactly easy to play along with 😆 As for the title, it came from the name of the GB’s “night walk echo plucks” percussion loops I used 🤣

🎸JoLa

[Dieter]

A very interesting piece with such a mysterious atmosphere—wonderfully performed.

Dieter

[Brendan G]

Well, after doing 100 or more of this submissions your got the hang of it.
Production, fantastic. Sound prefect.
Well doneBrendan

[Jonathan Amos]

The backing track was a nice change and I enjoyed the journey out to space and back. I like the way you let the guitar do the talking, letting those single notes ring out, creating space – it’s a long journey after all.

Jonathan Amos, Matsuyama, Japan

[Martin W]

Hi JoLa , glad you made it and the inspiration came from something that you already created
Clever stuff working those lesson ideas into that catchy bass track .
Dark moody and atmospheric with fine use of space letting each phrase standout , it certainly tells a story.
Excellent take on the challenge criteria .

Martin

[Wayne Nunez]

Love it very creative and very well played Jola

[wannaplayblues]

That was incredible – amazing production and recording, let alone fantastic guitar playing and ideas! Awesome work

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

[John H]

I like the space you create and the restraint you show so the listener can savor what you play.. Very tasty and well choreographed Jola. I’m glad you didn’t take a break. This was very refreshing and inspiring. It’s telling that this Challenge seemed to ‘break’ people…. you and Krailo self-admittedly. It can be maddening when you have a deadline and nothing seems to work. Your submission gave you the chance to enjoy your new guitar-which is totally cool. Great submission Jola. I really enjoyed the creativity and smoothness with which you played.

John

[Serena C]

What a creative submission JoLa! I love both the backing track, the Ep you played on it and how the blend together in such an unexpected way! So cool!

If I wasn't making mistakes I wouldn't be the kind of player I want to be. Perfection is dangerous.
It's all about taking risks, sometimes you get to some place, sometimes you get to a different place. (Brian May)

[Laurel C]

Oh Jola, you do create well under pressure and from times in the past it has been proven again and again. This is exceptional as it is so expressive and reinventing something over an old bass track. Your work to blend them both was a perfect match.

[Michael L]

Hi Jola, so glad you made it again this month. Hate to see an incredible streak come to an end.
And, wow, you made it in style. Love the groove on this track, and your laid-back playing enhanced the mood. Melodic, yet mellow and easy. I loved it!

[Pap]

Really creative and well done/played Jola! Its great that you were able to use a bass track from a previous project. It shows your versatility and ability to adapt to any challenge. I am always impressed with your videos too. Great job with little time. Pap

[Author]

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