Click to Play  Sometimes,  you just have to pick up a fishing pole and find a nice secluded place to drop your line in the water.  And, sometimes, you just feel like singin’ a song about it.  “Gone Fishin” is a “la-la” tune – makes you want to bob your head from side to side and sway your body just a little.  It’s just for fun and not for all venues.  I mean, you’re not going to follow “Sweet Home Alabama” with this little piece in a nightclub somewhere unless you’re feeling especially brave.  But there are times when you just want to make people smile…

I recorded this a couple years ago while searching for a song that didn’t offend anybody (that’s getting harder and harder these days).  You can click on the link to the right of the above picture to hear it.  If you listen carefully, you can hear Karen’s sweet backup vocals helping me stay on key.  Originally recorded by Arthur Godfrey in 1950, it didn’t become a semi-hit until the following year.  Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong sang it as a duet on Crosby’s radio show and it became mildly popular.  I’d like to be the one to bring it back, but times are different.

So if you’re feeling frustrated or cantankerous or just plain rude – grab a fishing pole, head for the nearest lake or stream, and hum this little tune.  You’ll feel better for it, I promise.

But you have to bob your head… just a little.

[Gone Fishing backups on the Pop/Rock List]

  Download Instrumental    File this one under OFM (Old Fart Music).  But if you want to draw your people out on the dance floor (and who doesn’t?), the drum, bass and guitar intro will do the job for you.  The “hook” is those three instantly recognizable guitar chords that play throughout the song (A, C#mi and Bmi). But, it’s really all about the beat, folks… you can dance to it – and they will.

“But It’s All Right” was released by J.J. Jackson in 1966 and peaked at #4 on the R&B Charts.  He recorded the song in the United Kingdom and the studio musicians featured some of Britain’s best jazz players – they would later make up his backup band on the road for a few years.  This one is listed as one of the top ten dance tunes of the ages.  It really should be in your repertoire.

This is dedicated to all the “snowflakes” on our college campuses right now who think their world has come to an end:  “But it’s all right”, boys and girls – get over it!

  Download   For some reason,  I have this sudden urge to play and sing this song called “SHOUT”.  I must be very happy about something but I’m not quite sure what it is.  Hmmmm… wait!  Now I know.   We could change this one-word title to “TRUMP” and I’d be just as happy.  Never express political opinions, Dave, but I can’t help myself…. it just makes me want to SHOUT!!!

“Shout” was originally recorded by the Isley Brothers and released in 1959.  Since then, it’s been covered by just about everybody – even The Beatles recorded a live version of it – not to mention Bon Jovi and Alvin and the Chipmunks.  It’s a happy, energetic tune that works great about halfway through the third set if you have a wild crowd that’s paying attention.  They’ll join in and hands will fly in the air every time the word “shout” comes around in the lyrics.  Magical.

We use a pretty straightforward version – slowing it down for 32 bars – then jumping back in and ending it fairly quickly.  A live band can perform this one forever – bringing the volume down to a whisper then slowly bringing it up again – very effective.  But if you’re working alone, you don’t have the luxury of screwing around with it for 15 minutes.  This sequence will work well for you solo performers and duos.  I used my “growly sax” for the lead just because it’s fun and has the intensity your vocals should have.

If you’re performing anywhere in California, I’d stick with the title “Shout”.  Screaming “Trump” at the top of your lungs might get you in trouble.  Just sayin’…

  Download   I’ve never walked into a calypso bar without hearing this song. It can be played a thousand different ways and the rhythm makes the Bahama MaMas go down a lot faster – and that is the point, after all.  We’ve always done it with a combination rock/calypso beat just to make it danceable.  It’s a happy tune and we love doing it, but it has its dark side.

“Mary Ann” was written in the 1940’s by a Calypso musician who called himself “Roaring Lion” – real name Raphael de Leon (close enough).  It immediately became popular with steel bands and revelers – especially during Carnival celebrations.  I had thought the lyrics were pretty innocuous, but now they tell me the words refer to Mary Ann’s rather dubious occupation: “All day, all night, Mary Ann – down by the seaside, sifting sand”.  I always had a vision of her sitting down at the water’s edge with a pail and shovel, but apparently that’s not the case.  My illusions are shattered forever.

You want a lot of rhythm in this one, which is why the extra guitar syncopation.  The backups are on the Pop/Rock list since I don’t have a Latin category – I have to work on that.  Now that I think about it, we did throw in a verse that said: “All day, all night, Mary Ann – who do you think I am, Superman?”  So deep down I must have known she wasn’t as pure as the driven snow.  My, my… the things you learn about yourself when you sit down to write something.  Pure magic…

  Download  ” The Mills Brothers” were actually brothers (four of them) who would gather in front of their father’s barber shop and sing for people passing by – no doubt for tips.  That’s always been a secret dream of mine – to be a street musician.  What a treat to set up my equipment on a street corner and play whatever and whenever I wanted.  It’s what I’ll do when I retire, I think.  Beats a club manager looking over your shoulder.  But I digress…

The brothers had a string of hits through the 50’s and 60’s, most of them becoming classics like “Paper Doll”, “Standing on the Corner”, “Nevertheless”, “Lazy River”, “Glow Worm”, and this terrific tune, “Cab Driver”.  This piece was their last hit and released in 1968.  However, the song would have had it’s problems in this day and age.

It’s about a poor soul who’s lost his girl and is pining away for her – even hires a cab just to drive by her house (her name is Mary, by the way) and reminisce about their lost romance.  But if you pay attention to the lyrics, it’s just a hair frightening.  The word “stalker” comes to mind.

First line: ” Cab driver, drive by Mary’s place – I just want a chance to see her face”.  Okay, this guy doesn’t want to talk – just wants to stare at her.  Hmmm…  creepy.

Next line:  “Don’t stop the meter, let it race”.  Apparently, price is no object – nothing worse than a stalker with money.  His next request is “Cab driver, once more ’round the block”.  Once more?  How many times has he circled the block – like 2 or 3… or 60? Then it’s “once more down the street” – then “wait here by her door”.  Now it’s getting serious – he’s moving in closer.

Finally, he decides “Cab driver, better take me home”.  Well… yeah.  Don’t you imagine by now Mary has noticed this nut job circling the block and called the cops?  And not to forget this joker has tricked a poor cabbie into the role of accomplice.  This guy is SCARY!

Still a great song, though… if you don’t over-analyze it like some people.

[Pop/Rock List]

  Download Instrumental   This great dance tune by “Kool & The Gang” has been played at every celebratory event since 1980 and should be in your repertoire.  I’ve been waiting for something extra special to feature it here on this blog.  Well… that time has come.  The Chicago Cubs won the World Series – the first time since 1908!  And to make it even sweeter, my second cousin, Ben Zobrist, was a HUGE factor in their victory.  Way to go, Ben.  The Zobrist clan is super proud of you!

For obvious reasons, I played a ballpark organ for the lead on track 1.  But you know how to take that out and sing it yourself.  “We’re gonna have a good time tonight – let’s celebrate – and Go Cubs”!

[Pop/Rock List]

  Download Instrumental   A songwriter by the name of Bob Crewe was sitting on a train one night in 1957, staring out the window as it slowed for a small town station.  He glanced over at a house nearby and happened to see a couple embracing through the windowshades (can you say “Peeping Tom”?).  Ever the opportunist, he immediately thought that there might be a song there and set about putting lyrics to paper.  By the time he got to his destination, he had a hit song on his hands.

Our “peeper” just happened to own a small Philadelphia record label (XYZ Records) and was looking for a third single for a group called The Rays.  “Silhouettes” reached #3 on the charts and was, unfortunately, the group’s only Top 40 hit.  It might not have gone even that far if it hadn’t been for a sleepy disc jockey.  Hy Lit was his name, and he fell asleep while playing a stack of newly-released singles.  This song happened to be the last to spin and kept playing over and over again, which caught the attention of his listeners.  Sounds like a made-up story to me, but who knows?  It was also recorded by The Diamonds and Herman’s Hermits,  but they couldn’t really improve on The Rays original recording.

The vocal backups were a bit of a challenge for this tune, but the Yamaha was up to it.  This is a terrific pick for a “classics” set.

[Pop/Rock List]