Category Archives: Midi Backing Tracks

Robert Johnson and the Devil

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

The Devil and Robert Johnson

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 On November 23, 1936, Robert Johnson (blues legend)  recorded “Sweet Home Chicago” in Room 414 of the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, Texas.  It became his signature song, of sorts, even though other blues singers had put different lyrics to this exact same melody.  But that’s the common denominator of nearly every blues composition – you play the same three-chord progression over and over again, meanwhile inserting any words that come to mind as long as you repeat the same line at least twice in every verse.  The true beauty of the blues lies not in the lyrics.  It’s the soulful skill of the instrumental solos between the verses that defines the art of “the blues”.  I must admit, I do love to play piano behind a good blues guitarist.

Robert was born in Mississippi in 1911 and became interested in music at an early age.  His mastery of the harmonica was quite remarkable for a six-year-old and his talents on that instrument only increased as he got older.  What he didn’t have, no matter how hard he tried, was a talent for playing the guitar.  He was a traveling Blues player and guitar was imperative to his success, but he just couldn’t manage the finger dexterity or the ability to remember chords (even though there were only three of them).  His fortunes in the music business seemed bleak indeed.

Then one night, at a crossroad outside of town, Johnson encountered the Devil – yes, ol’ Scratch himself.  The two of them apparently struck a deal that Robert thought was worth his soul.  Satan took Robert’s guitar, tuned it (is that all it needed?), then handed it back to Robert, whose eyes reportedly then glowed like hell’s fire.  After that, there was no explaining his new guitar-playing talent that has rarely, if ever, been matched.  Today, such notables as Eric Clapton and Keith Richards proclaim Robert Johnson to be the greatest blues player who ever lived.  And if you don’t believe this story, remember that the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn’t exist.

Our hero died at the tender age of 27.  After being caught red-handed with a bartenders wife, she slipped him a bottle of whiskey which he eagerly guzzled down (that’s our boy).  Unfortunately, the whiskey was poisoned – by whom, we don’t know.  Could have been the irate husband, or the wife herself, or another woman angry at Robert’s philandering.  We don’t even know for sure where they buried the body.  Ah… a life fraught with mystery.

He only had a handful of recorded songs and “Sweet Home Chicago” is one of his best.  It’s on the Blues List if you want to perform some standard blues.  You can look up his lyrics, or make them up as you go.  Nobody cares… it’s the Blues, after all.

Happy

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

thULR76HXP  Download with Lead    I hate this song… I really, really do.  The lyrics are repetitive and banal, the music simplistic, and Pharrell Williams is just too damn happy to be real (the abrupt ending doesn’t help either).  I know, the rest of the planet loves this little ditty, but too much of a good thing gets tedious after awhile.

Pharrell wrote, produced, and sang “Happy” for the soundtrack of the movie Despicable Me 2, which was fun and stupid all at the same time (which kinda explains this song).  The instrumentation is sparse by modern standards:  bass, programmed drums (not even a real drummer, Pharrell?),  and a keyboard.  The vast array of backup singers pretty much makes the bass and keyboard players immaterial.  Bingo!  That’s why I don’t like this song!  I knew I’d figure it out if I whined about it long enough.

Sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to do, and this tune is one of them.  If you’re a singer without a band and using my backups, you’ll want to snatch this one off the Pop/Rock list.  You’ll get sick of it, but it’ll make your crowd…well, happy.

The video is sorta fun though:

 

 

My Funny Valentine

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

thVKIH4WY1  Download    This song ultimately became a jazz standard after it was first performed by child star Mitzi Green in the Broadway musical Babes in Arms.  In the original play, Mitzi’s character sings it to Valentine “Val” Lamar (played by Ray Heatherton), poking fun at some of his odd characteristics.  So, you see, this tune has absolutely nothing to do with Valentine’s Day, but musicians insist on playing it anyway on the big day.  We’re an insufferable bunch.

“My Funny Valentine” has been recorded by everyone from Sinatra to Ella Fitzgerald – all in the same boring, maudlin style.  They drag out that first “Myyyyyy” so long you’re sure that’s the only word in the song.  We arranged our own version as a slow foxtrot that your crowd can dance to without falling asleep on the floor.  If you’re going to trot this one out yet again on Valentine’s Day, give this arrangement a try.  It’s on the Jazz/Swing list.

Earth, Wind, Fire … and Maurice

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

th3ZVC2U4D   Download    Maurice White named his band Earth, Wind, and Fire because those were the elements in his astrological chart.  Do you know what your elements are?  Me neither.  Name notwithstanding, this band has put out some mighty fine music over the span of several generations.

Maurice formed his first “cookin’ little band” in a Memphis high school with his childhood friend Booker T. Jones, who later formed “Booker T. and the M.G.’s” (Green Onions).  Maurice went on to play drums for the Ramsey Lewis Trio in the late 60’s, performing on nine of their albums.  He left the trio in 1969 and began writing commercials with two friends in the Chicago area.  Why anyone would ever leave Ramsey Lewis is beyond me, but Maurice had bigger things in mind.

The song I’m featuring here and begging you to put in your stage act is “That’s the Way of the World”.  Earth, Wind, and Fire were commissioned to write the theme song for a movie of the same name about the darker side of the recording industry.  The movie was a bomb and the band knew it.  Maurice elected to release this song before the movie actually premiered and that proved to be a shrewd move.  It became their breakthrough hit and the rest, as they say, is history.

Maurice White died peacefully in his sleep last Thursday morning from the effects of Parkinson’s disease.  Another great one gone, folks.  I’m afraid this is going to be a very rough year.

 

Meditation

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

th45U0JU44  Download with Lead    If I had to spend the rest of my life on a deserted island (oh, please) and could only take one style of music with me – it would be Bossa Nova.  And it would be the Bossa compositions of Antonio Carlos Jobim.  He was the Brazilian songwriter and singer who was the primary force behind the creation of the Bossa Nova style.  His best known work is “Girl From Ipanema” (one of the most recorded songs of all time), but other gems like “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” and “How Insensitive” are just as gorgeous and oh, so romantic.  If you ever lose that sense of romance in your life, just listen to some Jobim and all will be well again.

“Meditation” is one of his best, I think.  I first heard it long ago by Claudine Longet (wife of Andy Williams).  Her sultry French accent coupled with a seductive bossa rhythm was intoxicating to this author at the tender age of 17.  Never mind that she couldn’t really sing that well – didn’t matter.  I loved this song the moment I heard it and it was a wonderful introduction to Brazilian music.  I think what I love most about Bossa is that the vocals are always just a hair behind the music. I find that incredibly sexy – don’t ask me why.

Karen does an outstanding job on this arrangement – always my favorite part of any set.  It really should have an acoustic guitar somewhere in the mix, but I opted for electric piano instead – so sue me.  Now…. what kind of food would I take to that deserted island?  I’m thinking…. pizza!

MaMa Told Me Not to Come

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

thOB61GA5Y  Right-Click to Download    “Open up the window – let some air into this room… I think I’m almost chokin’ – from the smell of stale perfume…And that cigarette you’re smokin’ – ’bout to scare me half to death… Open up the window – let me catch my breath”.

This is just one of the strange verses from a strange song recorded by the equally strange rock group Three Dog Night (remember, those guys also sang a song about a talking bullfrog who drank some mighty fine wine).  “MaMa Told Me Not to Come” is about an apparently sheltered young man attending his first “wild party” – his mother had warned him not to go and you should always listen to your mother.  It was written by Randy Newman for Eric Burden and The Animals in 1966.  The “Animals” version is just pathetic (google the video).  Luckily,  Three Dog Night came along in 1970 and put out a cover that was both rollicking and comic.  Worth re-doing today.

The problem with producing backups for this tune is the lead line.  The only real singing is in the chorus – the verses are all pretty much spoken words.  That’s hard to duplicate on a keyboard but you’ll get the idea (backups on the Pop/Rock list).  Learn this one and bring it back as a “golden oldie” – your mama will love you for it.

Moonglow

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

 Unfortunately, this tune is only popular with folks “of a certain age”.  Okay, “Moonglow” was first recorded in 1933, but it’s still a thing of timeless beauty.  If you’re under 30, you’ve most likely never heard of it – and that’s just sad.  Young performing musicians today should give this one a chance.  There are a hundred different ways to do this song, but don’t you dare put it to a “rap” beat.  I’ll hunt you down… and it won’t be pretty.

“Moonglow” is usually done as a slow foxtrot with a straightforward 32 bar arrangement in the form of AABA – that is,  verse-verse-bridge-verse.  We save this one for when we want to keep our dancers on the floor for a long time.  The singer takes the first 32 bars, then it’s 32 bars of a solo instrument, then another 32 bars for the vocalist.  That’s the entire song done three times, so there’s plenty of time for dancers to cuddle… and they will.  It’s just that kind of song…. and we all like to cuddle, don’t we?

I’m using piano as the lead line (imagine that) and also piano for the solo.  If you’re a single performer, punch out the piano (track 4) while you sing the first 32, then punch it in for the piano solo.  Of course, take the piano lead out for your final 32 (like I have to tell you).  Duos might do it a bit differently, but this arrangement is easy to play around with (never end a sentence with a preposition – just sayin’).  If you’re a larger group, you probably don’t need my backups at all.  Whatever… just do this song!  I don’t ever want it to go away.

Bohemian Rhapsody

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

th0UC91US8  Download    File this one under “bizarre”… but fascinating.  “Bohemian Rhapsody” has no chorus, but is a “suite” of music consisting of 5 separate sections: the intro, the ballad, the opera, hard rock, and a reflective coda – all in the space of six minutes.  Written by Freddie Mercury with the band Queen, it’s a song you either love or vehemently hate.  Personally, I could go either way… but a trio of singers in Texas requested backups to it and this is the best I can do.

The intro is gorgeous – 4 part harmony like nobody’s business.  The ballad section has nice piano and tells a story of our hero killing a man and informing his mother “it doesn’t really matter” (oh…okay). The operatic passage (the Mamma Mia part) is quite thrilling and again with the wonderful harmony.  I always think of  the movie “Wayne’s World” when I hear the hard rock suddenly come out of nowhere.  Then it’s a sweet, soul-searching ending that belies the inherent violence of the song.  It’s a journey through one man’s psyche that showcases innocence, loneliness, and utter acceptance of the inevitable – death.  Pardon me if I wax philosophical but, damn… this song is dynamic!

It’s also extremely difficult to play.  The piano part was no problem, but when you try to add intricate vocal harmonies (at least what sorta-kinda sounds like vocals) and distorted guitars and kettledrums, well…. it gets challenging.  Hope Texas likes this one – I know we’ll never attempt to perform it. 

You Raise Me Up

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

thQIXJNRUY  Download    Josh Groban had a hit with this contemporary hymn here in the United States, but the version I much prefer was done by an Irish boy band called “Westlife”.

“Westlife” originally auditioned for Simon Cowell of American Idol fame.  Mr. Cowell, being the totally honest brute that he is, declared he wouldn’t sign them unless three of the four members were replaced – they were too ugly.  Their manager was so salivating to work with Simon Cowell that he agreed to do just that.  He found three “good-looking” chaps who could sing and told the “ugly” threesome to take a hike… and Cowell signed them on for a record contract.

Our little Irish boy band didn’t want to record “You Raise Me Up” when it was first presented to them.  They thought it was “too religious” (so what’s wrong with that?).  But smarter people convinced them it was the thing to do and it became a #1 hit in England.  They later admitted it was a turning point in their career.  In their video, there is little to suggest anything of a religious nature,  but I don’t see how you can possibly miss the sacred quality of this great song.

I played cello for the lead vocal line in this backup because of the sweetness of the instrument.  Well, I didn’t actually play the cello, but used a cello voice on my keyboard.  Trust me, the cello is way beyond my meager talents.  But I think you’ll agree it works here.  This backup sequence is well-suited for a church setting and I hope you’ll download and sing it at your next service.  It’s on the Sacred/Gospel list…. without the cello.

Here is Westlife:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=you+raise+me+up&view=detail&mid=84F047342E244567F49584F047342E244567F495&FORM=VIRE1

Take It Easy

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

thYGUI2XO0  Download    It is not my intention to turn this little blog into an obit column, but we’ve lost several giants in the music industry in a relatively short period of time.  In recent days, Natalie Cole and David Bowie have been taken from us.  Now, Glenn Frey, co-founder of The Eagles, has passed away.  If you’re under the age of 70, you grew up listening to the many hits of this band:  Best of My Love, Lyin’ Eyes, Heartache Tonight, Already Gone, Hotel California, Tequila Sunrise – just to name of few.  Glenn Frey had a hand in writing and performing all of those songs – he’ll be sorely missed.

“Take It Easy” was recorded by The Eagles in 1972 with Glenn Frey singing lead vocals.  It was their first single and was the opening track on their debut album.  Jackson Browne (another super talent) actually began writing the song but never completed it.  Our Mr. Frey finished it for him by adding more lyrics and got permission to record it with his new band.   The most memorable verse is “Standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona – such a fine sight to see – It’s a girl, my lord, in a flatbed Ford – slowin’ down to take a look at me”.

Because that second verse got so famous, the city of Winslow, Arizona erected a bronze statue (life-size) and mural commemorating the song.  The statue stands near a lamp post, the male figure holding an acoustic guitar.  Above his head there is a sign with the words “Standin’ on the Corner”.  The mural behind the statue is of a storefront with a window that reflects a red flatbed Ford pickup driven by a blonde-haired woman.  If you look closely at the picture above, you can see an eagle sitting on the upper left window.  Very cool.

As a singer, you should have some “Eagles” in your repertoire and this song is a good place to start (download my backup track on the Pop/Rock list).  Easy to sing, a good solid rock beat, and now you have a story to tell as you introduce this great tune.

Watch Glenn and the boys do this song on the link below:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=take+it+easy+video&view=detail&mid=FDA4AB9CE2107322B79AFDA4AB9CE2107322B79A&FORM=VIRE9