March 2015 SOTM - Secret Agent Man

[jimmylh]

Hello, I have accepted the honor of picking the March song of the month. I picked the song "Secret Agent Man". For those of you not familiar with the song, it was a hit sung by Johnny Rivers in the mid 60's. The first version of it was only a one chorus version written for the US opening of "Danger Man", a spy show re-named Secret Agent for the US TV market. The theme became popular enough that they wrote more lyrics and released the song on a record.

Chris was kind enough to provide the sheet music and a backing track. After I picked the song I decided I also wanted to do a guitar back track for myself to see if I could do some of the songs riffs. I have included my back track for download if anyone wants to use it. BE WARNED! My back track does not fit the sheet music. It's also in a different key and contains some flub ups so use at your own risk. I used some guitar tabs I found on the web so I'm not 100% positive what key my track is in. I'm thinking Em, but I could be wrong. You play by ear guys won't have any problems. I just winged it myself and hoped for the best. The drums and bass is BIAB, all the rest is me. My guitar skills are about on par with my sax playing so there you go....

Back track for the sheet music: https://app.box.com/s/92s76yfmdbcdtb4walob3xzq9jztg0cn

Bb sheet: https://app.box.com/s/vb32jhxnlwce58i78jk36qgkzb7sbhtv

Eb sheet: https://app.box.com/s/m1xy316x0e7zdf57by6qvp1bgnmnk5yr

My guitar back track: https://app.box.com/s/0fec2p5m6krg2elr24u9bnza03dj7gsa


Finally, here is my entry for this month: "Secret Agent Man:

https://soundcloud.com/jimmylh%2Fsecret-agent-man-v2

View: https://soundcloud.com/jimmylh/secret-agent-man-v2

 

[zelda]

Great choice.

 

[Chris]

@jimmylh it's a cool tune for the song of the month thread Jimmy. It gives guys a choice of following the sheet or going off on there own and playing around with it

Just enjoyed your version right in keeping with the original

Chris..

 

[Chris]

I'm surprised how quiet it is round guys.

Anyway this is my version, not my normal ballad, But it was fun.

"Secret Agent Man"

Chris...

 

[jimmylh]

I'm surprised how quiet it is round guys.

Anyway this is my version, not my normal ballad, But it was fun.

"Secret Agent Man"

Chris...

Good job Chris. Thanks for participating.

I guess this song is not well known in other parts of world? Or perhaps my age is showing. I always considered it to be a catchy tune.

I even thought maybe Colin the Bear would give us a singing version.

 

[Chris]

Jimmy, give it time. It's a great pick for this forum as it lets guys just read or play
around a little bit and it's not jazz yes I really typed that Thanks for
the listen.

Chris..

 

[Jeanette]

Nice one @Chris really catchy yet had a slinky undercover feel too, loved the pic again

Jx

 

[Chris]

Cheers Jeanette, I just hope more guys post on this one as it's a cool tune to play with
Glad you like the pic

Chris..

 

[Duck]

I had a bit of a muck around today, it's debatable what was worse, the playing or the recording quality. Still I had fun and will return to it, but unless I can improve my recording setup no amount of practice will make it listenable!

 

[jimmylh]

I had a bit of a muck around today, it's debatable what was worse, the playing or the recording quality. Still I had fun and will return to it, but unless o can imprudent my recording setup no amount of practice will make it listenable!

Having fun is what counts.

 

[Chris]

Come on guys, it's way to quiet round here. Get some Sax played and get a version of this tune posted.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,..........................................., STOP PRACTICING


and start playing music

 

[Duck]

Sadly, or possibly thankfully my new Jupe has had to go in for a service as it turns out that at least part of the reason I've been struggling with it is that it's leaking air from most of the main pads. I could try my Danor, but that holds air as well as a hula hoop with an extensive ventilation system.

Still, let it never be said that a lack of ability or instruments held me back from giving this a go. It's not on Sax, and it's only half a track, but trust me, thats more than enough.

https://soundcloud.com/duck-37/sort-of-secret-agent-man

 

[jimmylh]

Good effort Duck! If not sax, are you playing clarinet? Thanks for participating.

 

[Jeanette]

I had a few goes at this but it highlighted my lack of ability to count

It always seemed to finish long before me!

Jx

 

[Chris]

I can't believe the lack of postings on this months song folks. I know it's not a well known tune, but it's fun to do something different every now and then. So lets make the next 10 days or so really buzz on here

Chris..

 

[Jeanette]

I did have a go early on but the backing track seemed to finish before me. It is a fun tune though

Jx

 

[jimmylh]

Might as well get an early start picking next month's host. The first person to volunteer, gets it. Raise your hand if you want it.

EDIT UPDATE: Host for April found.

 

[Duck]

I did have a go early on but the backing track seemed to finish before me. It is a fun tune though

Jx

Give it another go! This is the perfect tune for listening to once, looking at the notes once, and then making it up as you go along

 

[Jeanette]

Give it another go! This is the perfect tune for listening to once, looking at the notes once, and then making it up as you go along

Will do if I get time

Jx

 

[billbluesnjazz]

I didn't know this song. We had tv in the early 50s, first one built by my father from army surplus parts, then a 9 inch Bush set! When the Bush gave up the ghost we did without television so I never watched the series Danger Man, though I had heard of it.

I listened to the original version and decided to reharmonise it and use it as a vehicle for improvisation. Oh and I changed it to a medium bossa feel. Sacrilege if you like the original, but that's what we jazzers do ;-)

https://soundcloud.com/billbluesnjazz/secret-agent-man-sequoia

I used my Sequoia unlacquered soprano sax, with my standard setup of dark straight neck, Pillinger PJ piece, Vandoren M/O lig and Marca American Vintage reed, strength 2 1/2.

Bill