Zoot Suit, Anyone?

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

th6YZTC292  Download Instrumental    If you’re not performing the song “Zoot Suit Riot”, well, you should be. I never have more fun than when we break out this jitterbug tune about halfway through the third set.  It’s got a beat that is just infectious.

Funny thing is, there actually were riots in Los Angeles in 1943 where zoot suits were the focal point.  We were in the middle of World War II and the government had put restrictions on wool and zoot suits in particular.   Mexican workers in and around L.A. ignored the rationing primarily because they knew American women loved the look of those suits.  U.S. servicemen considered this un-American and actual riots sprang up in the city.  I suspect our boys were also just a bit resentful of the attention the Mexican men were getting – but that’s just a theory.

In 1997, the “Cherry Poppin’ Daddies” decided to write a song about those riots (only in America).  The backing tracks are on the “Jazz” list.  Do this one – it’s a riot to sing (no pun intended)…

Fly Like an Eagle

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

bald-eagle-flying--tom-munson  Steve Miller is a blues-oriented guitarist and leader of “The Steve  Miller Band” (didn’t take long to come up with that name).  He was born in Wisconsin in 1942 and grew up in what you might call a “musical family”.  Hell, his parents hung out with Les Paul and Mary Ford.  Les Paul, mind you!  He eventually made his way – via the Chicago blues scene – to San Francisco and put out a slew of pop hits in the ’70’s – among them “The Joker”, “Space Cowboy” and “Fly Like an Eagle”.

The United States Post Office used “Fly Like an Eagle” in their advertisements for 10 years.  And it was named “best song-ever about birds” by Birds & Blooms magazine. Okay….

Anyway, it’s a great tune and this is an excellent sequence.  The guitar riff at the beginning is instantly recognizable onstage and your crowd will get on the floor.  If you’ve got the chops for this one – sing away!

 

Somebody That I Used to Know

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

Somebody_That_I_Used_To_Know_Music_video_screenshot  A song by Gotye, whose voice is somewhere between Peter Gabriel and Sting.  Whatever, his vocals are extremely pleasing and mellow and this song is one of my favorites.

This number is best suited for you male/female duos out there.  Kimbra brings a soulful, deep retort to what Gotye is attempting to convey in this song.  This free sequence is excellent and will bring the house down if you do it right.

Louie, Louie

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

louie_louiehttps://stageworthymusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/louie-louie.mp3 Jack Ely died last week at the tender age of 71. He was the lead singer in The Kingsman – a one-hit-wonder group second only to Norman Greenbaum (Spirit in the Sky).  Jack and the boys were the house band in a Portland, Oregon teen club and played “Louie, Louie” every night – but it sounded nothing like the original version.

The song was actually written in 1955 as a Jamaican ballad in which a sailor laments being so far away from his lady love.  He’s telling his bartender (whose name was Louie, by the way) how he wants to sail across the sea to the island where she awaits his return.  Sweet, huh?  But then Jack Ely comes along in 1963, completely changes the style, and – in the worst recording session ever – cuts the song in one take and sells millions of records. And not to forget the word “F**k”  screamed by the drummer when he hits his metal rim 57 seconds into the recording.  Amazing they let that go.

The sequence I’m giving you is a more modern version but will work decently in any venue (click the play button above).  It’s listed under Pop/Rock and the lead lines are on tracks 4 and 9 (take ’em out if you’re going to sing it).  Download to your keyboard and perform ‘Louie, Louie”  on your next gig – just one more time for Jack.

Oh, yeah… the lyrics aren’t really obscene (too bad).  A source named ibji on YouTube has translated the words and now they make perfect sense.  Unfortunately, the song isn’t anywhere near as interesting as you thought.  Click below:

Locked Out of Heaven

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

LockedOutofHeavenWhen I first heard this song three years ago, I thought “Sounds like ‘The Police’ to me”. I could hear Sting singing it even better than (who’s this guy?) Bruno Mars.  I’ve since read that Mars was, and probably still is, greatly influenced by “The Police”.  Well, if you’re gonna be influenced by anybody, Sting ain’t a bad place to start.

If you’re a singer without a band, most likely by choice, this sequence makes a great back-up for this tune.  Take out the sax lead on Track 1 and go for it.  This is a great tune and who doesn’t love Bruno Mars?  Download the midi on the Pop & Rock list…

Rolling in the Deep

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

Beautiful-Girl-With-KnifeThis song is just plain scary. The woman is pissed off and doesn’t care who knows it. She has fantasies of revenge and retribution for a lover who apparently decided she wasn’t good enough for him.  “See how I leave with every piece of you – don’t underestimate the things that I will do”. Watch it, guys…. have a little respect.  Oh, and “You’re gonna wish you never had met me”.  Scary!
Adele is bluesy, dark, and at the top of her game on this one.  Take out the pan flute on track 4 and sing it yourself. (Pop-Rock list)

Shoop Shoop

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

Kiss Cartoon Can you say “shoop shoop song” quickly ten times?  Didn’t think so.  Originally titled “It’s in His Kiss”, it became shoop-shoop from the heavy background vocals.  I thought this tune had disappeared forever (I was hoping), but Cher brought it back in 1990 and I kinda liked it.  I do remember Linda Ronstadt and Phoebe Snow doing it as a duet on “Saturday Night Live” in, oh, ’79 or so.

It’s just a fun song and the right crowd might love it. (Pop-Rock category)

Addicted to Love

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

220px-Addicted_to_LoveThis song has everything a big-time rock’n’roll hit should have – growly guitars, driving beat, a great singer, and a famous video.  Rumor has it that the very weird models in the video were “encouraged” with wine before filming.

Robert Palmer, an English rock singer, was supposed to record this with Chaka Kahn.  Her record label wouldn’t allow it and I’m very glad she was left out of the mix.

Download the midi off the Pop/Rock list.  Take out the lead on tracks 8 and 9 if you’re going to sing it.

All My Ex’s Live in Texas

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

3772016c8fc87ce2e493e06956648bf6The singer narrates that four of his ex-girlfriends live in four different cities in Texas, which is why he now lives in Tennessee. I always thought they were ex-wives, but if George Strait says they were girlfriends, then so be it. An old tune, and now a country standard. I have to do it every time my father comes to a show.  Not one of my personal favorites but, hey, he’s my Dad!

Download it from the Country list.  I used jazz organ in place of one of the guitars for better tonal quality.  Cancel Track 16 (vibes) if you’re going to sing it.

Kissing a Fool

Posted by Dave Zobrist on

https://stageworthymusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/kissing-a-fool1.mp3jazz band  Why WOULDN”T you perform this song?  George Michael – a definite jazz feel – lush arrangement not overdone – George Michael – raw emotion – wonderful lyrics – and did I mention … George Michael.  Notwithstanding his personal problems, the man is a genius.  If you’ve got the pipes for this one, download the midi off the Jazz-Swing list.  I let guitar take the vocal lead, but douse track 4 and you’ve got the lead all to yourself.