Category Archives: Midi Backing Tracks

Proud Mary

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

thOLNQEL5G  Right-Click to Download    This iconic tune was written by John Fogerty and recorded with his band Creedence Clearwater Revival  in 1969.  The bands’ name came from three sources:  Fogerty’s friend Credence Newball (the spelling changed to creedence for “creed”), a commercial for Olympia Beer (clear water), and the band’s almost religious dedication to their music (revival).  Cool, huh?  I first heard them in my dorm room in college and I’ve been a fan ever since.  Fogerty loved Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony… you know the intro “dit, dit dit…dah”.  Those notes inspired the first two chords of  “Proud Mary”, C and A.  Who knew we were listening to classical all along.

“Proud Mary”, however, is probably the most over-played song in America (other than “Brown-Eyed Girl”, which I’ve grown to despise).  I mean, EVERYBODY played this song, and I’m as guilty as the next guy.  First we all played it like Creedence for, like, ten years.  Then we had to do it like Ike and Tina Turner… well, I never did that – hated it!  So if you’re tired of performing it the same old two ways (there’s always a request for it), here’s my version for you to try.  Be brave – trot this one out there for fun and see what happens (the midi backing tracks are on the Pop/Rock list).  And if some idiot says, “Hey, that ain’t the Proud Mary I know” – pat him on the back, buy ’em a drink, and suggest that he get a life.

Stuck in the 70’s

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

thDSJEW3TN  Right-Click to Save    Actually, I’m stuck in the 60’s, but 70’s makes me sound younger.  But from 1975 to 1979 I was in a “wedding band” (of sorts) and I’m pretty certain we did this song.  There are people who can set me straight on this, but if we didn’t do it… we should have.  We had a fabulous “chick singer” who would have more than nailed “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon.  But I digress…

Fans of Carly have always wondered who the song was about.  Personally, I suspected it was Warren Beatty, but no one knew for sure… except Carly, of course.  I started this little article 2 days ago with the intent of revealing Beatty as the culprit.  Doncha’ know this morning I read in the paper that Carly is now telling all… and it’s (yep) Warren Beatty.  What a coincidence, huh?  Thanks a lot, Carly.  Steal my thunder, why don’t you.

Anyway, this would be a great song in your repertoire if it’s not already there.  An interesting aside…. Carly confirmed Warren was the second verse, but is not telling who the rest of the song is about (clever lady – keep the mystery flowing).  Despite her explanation that only a part of the song is Beatty, she said, “Warren thinks the whole thing is about him”.   What a guy….

Check out the lyrics on the link below:

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/c/carly+simon/you+are+so+vain_20354877.html

Just a Closer Walk With Thee

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

th3DSPKNTK  Right-Click to Save    The original author of this hymn is unknown, but evidence suggests it was first heard on the plantations in the South. While working in the fields, slaves were heard singing a song about walking by the Lord’s side.  It wasn’t actually put on a record label until 1941 by the Selah Jubilee Singers, but it didn’t reach the ears of very many people. Red Foley sold a million copies in 1941, but it really didn’t get heard until Tennessee Ernie Ford put his incredible voice to the melody in the late 1950’s.  And it didn’t hurt that Elvis recorded it either.  By 1970, over one hundred artists had recorded “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” with some degree of success.

I thought it would make a nice addition to the Sacred/Gospel Instrumentals list.  I hear it like Fats Domino might have done it, so it’s an interpretation you’ve never heard and might not like.  I hope that’s not so…

Green, Green Grass of Home

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

thNATNPUR0  Right-Click to Save    Tom Jones had a worldwide hit with this in 1966, although it was first recorded by Porter Wagoner the year before.  It’s about a man who returns to his childhood home after many years.  As he steps down from the train, his parents are there to greet him and his beloved Mary comes running to join them.  With Mary, he strolls at ease among the remnants of his childhood, including “the old oak tree that I used to play on”.  And he pontificates that “it’s good to touch the green, green grass of home”.  Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?  However, the music and words are hinting that something isn’t quite right here.

The third verse switches abruptly to speech rather than singing – “Then I awake and look around me, at four grey walls that surround me”.  He realizes he was only dreaming and, in fact, he’s on death row in a prison.  He’s awakened on the day of his execution – “There’s a guard, and there’s a sad old padre, arm in arm, we’ll walk at daybreak”, and now we know he’s returning home to be buried ‘neath that old oak tree.  Very sad, and cleverly written.

Whenever we do this song, it brings a lump to my throat and I can barely sing it.  It was a favorite of my brother, who passed away many years ago.  Steve… this one is always for you.  I miss him.

You Belong to Me

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

Pyramids-at-Sunset-Cairo-Egypt2  Right-Click to Save    At any given moment, you’ve got a song in your head. Oh, you may not be conscious of it – but it’s there – churning away the rhythm of whatever you’re doing. You may have heard it on the radio 30 minutes ago, or maybe it’s an old favorite, or perhaps you heard a repairman whistling a certain tune and you stole it from him. You can’t help yourself… you’ll suddenly be humming that melody and you can’t get it out of your head – until the next tune comes along.  The song I most often hear (when I’m paying attention) is “You Belong to Me”.  I’ll burst out with “see the pyramids along the Nile” for no reason at all…. but I’m a little strange anyway.

You Belong to Me was first recorded in 1952 by Sue Thompson (who’s that?) on a country label (groan).  Then Patti Page gave it a shot (not good).  Then, at last, Jo Stafford did a cover version and it became the hit it was meant to be.  And The Duprees had a bebop hit with it in 1962.  This is our arrangement and Karen does a mighty fine vocal of this old standard.  I used an ocarina for the melody line, but a “chick singer” works much better.  Download the midi off the Pop/Rock list.  Musicians, this should be in your set list – that’s an order.

What Goes On?

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

thED2K3AX1  Download with Lead   This tune was released by The Beatles in 1965 and was considered their first venture into country music.  It was written by Lennon and McCartney, but Ringo had a hand in it too.  He always says he only wrote five of the words and hasn’t done a thing since (probably true).  George Harrison idolized Carl Perkins, and you can easily recognize Carl’s style in George’s lead guitar on this song (that’s Carl and George together in the picture above).

It was recorded in one take with overdubs in the studio.  If you go back to the original recording, you can hear Lennon say something and they just left it in.  After the lead break when Ringo sings “Tell me why”, John muttered “We already told you why” – which was a reference to the song “Tell Me Why” recorded a year earlier.  Just a fun fact, folks…. bear with me here.

What I like about my arrangement (and I do like my arrangements)…{smart ass}… is the ability of my keyboard to imitate backup vocals.  If you listen carefully, you can hear the “ooohs” behind the lead organ.  If you have backup singers, just mute tracks 3 and 4 – but if you’re singing by yourself, mute the organ (track 2) and leave the backups (like you wouldn’t know that).  Try it at your next gig (it’s on the Country list).  It’s different and fun.  If they boo you off the stage, don’t blame me – you didn’t do it right.

 

Peace in the Valley

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

6f69b237f7813b404d1456759d138dc4  Download     This song, originally written for Mahalia Jackson, was a hit for Red Foley and the Sunshine Boys way back in 1951.  When Elvis covered it in 1957, it became a classic country-pop favorite.  I like the Elvis rendition, so I loosely based my arrangement on his (I have no shame).  I included a harmonica solo in mine cause I thought it fit the mood.  Elvis NEVER gave his musicians a solo… what a schmuck!  But a talented schmuck, nonetheless.  I also channeled Floyd Cramer on the piano style (grew up listening to him).  I guess I’ve never had an original thought of my own…

I’m including this sequence in the country file for singers who might want to perform it.  However, I’m also using this great tune to introduce my new “Sacred/Gospel” category.  My Yamaha has some really nice sounds suited for religious and gospel music and it’s time I started using them.  I lean more toward the traditional Christian music, so don’t go in there looking for “comtemporary” files – not my style.  I can’t help giving some of these songs a kind of “jazz feel” (it’s in my DNA).  So don’t get mad if you hear an old favorite done like you’ve never heard before.  If you like it, download it for your collection.  If my interpretation isn’t your cup of tea, don’t tell me.  I tend to burst into tears when criticized…

 

Please, Mister Postman

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

thWLL0ID09  Download with Lead    I always thought this was a Beatles song and it was one of my favorites.  Paul and George had wonderful, clever backup vocals, and John Lennon on lead was just – well… John (the best rock’n’roll voice of all time).  But, in truth, they only covered the song – as was the case with a lot of the tracks on their first two albums.

This song was actually the debut single by The Marvelettes (warning… girl group) in 1961. “Mister Postman” was the first Motown recording to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 list.  It soared to number one on the R&B charts as well.  Then the Beatles covered it in ’63 (by far the best version) but, in 1975, The Carpenters again took it to the top of the Hot 100.  Obviously, this tune has a lot of mileage on it, but we’ve decided to work it into our repertoire as an “oldie”.  My arrangement is kind of a combination of  The Beatles and The Marvelettes  (Beatlettes?).  If you’re interested in performing it, best if you have at least three singers or a harmony box.  The sequence is on the Pop/Rock list without the lead.  Feel free to download and use my version if you like… my lawyer won’t call your lawyer, I promise.

Teddy Bear

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

th1C0KGTLA  Download with Lead    Everybody can sing like Elvis… at least they think they can. Why else would there be so many impersonaters? And don’t tell me you haven’t chortled “Love Me Tender” at least once in the shower.  But I’m here to tell ya nobody sings like “the King”.

“(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear” reached No. 1 on the charts for 7 weeks in 1957.  Elvis recorded it for the soundtrack of his 2nd movie Loving You.  This was the first time he was actually the star of a movie.  In 1956, he had a supporting role in Love Me Tender, which apparently  impressed the right Hollywood people who thought Elvis should be a film star.  Personally, I’d rather have him sing than act – but that’s just me.

Download the song off the Pop/Rock list without the lead and sing along in the shower.  You’ll sound just like Elvis, I’m sure.

Stars Fell on Alabama

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

thGUM91GI3    Jack Normand was a friend of mine.  I met him when I was a senior in high school and he influenced my entire music career, such as it was.  Jack was the “music man” at the Grand Hotel (when it really was a grand hotel), where he and his band performed in the dining room and lounge for upwards of 40 years.

Jack and the band were popular in New Orleans when they were contracted to play at the opening of the Grand Hotel in Point Clear in 1941.  They stayed for six weeks but missed the excitement of the “Big Easy”.  They ended up playing back and forth between the two locations for the next ten years.  Finally, Jack and his family moved to Fairhope in ’51, and the rest is history.

Sitting in the living room of his home one night, “jamming” with him and his kids (all musicians), he told me, “Dave, you can play the heck out of that accordion (I was playing an electronic accordion at the time)…. but if you want to make any money in the music business, you must play piano”.  That was good enough for me – I immediately crossed over the dark line into piano lounges and weddings and nightclubs.  No Zydeco bands for me!

Years later, when I’d go back to the hotel for a visit, Jack was always interested in what I was doing and where I was playing.  He’d even let me sit in for a number or two, which thrilled me to no end. I loved the guy.  He had a grace and dignity about him that is rare in a human being.  And the man could play a piano like nobody’s business.

Jack died in 1990, and they say his ghost still haunts the Grand Hotel.  He ended every evening with this song – “Stars Fell on Alabama” (this is my arrangement, Jack played it much better).  They say when it’s late night, and the wind is just right, and you listen very carefully – you can hear Jack playing this melody from somewhere far away….. oh, I hope so.