Backing Tracks The snake

[eb424]

page 4

 

[eb424]

One of the great things about the original is the change in voice for the snake’s narrative at the chorus - hissy and whiny. It is another challenge when attempting to do what is basically a poem as an instrumental.

sounds like my everyday playing tbf hissy and whiny...

 

[thomsax]

One of the great things about the original is the change in voice for the snake’s narrative at the chorus - hissy and whiny. It is another challenge when attempting to do what is basically a poem as an instrumental.

When I heard it the first time I started to think who would be able to do "The Snake" as an instrumental with the tenor sax out in front? Two names popped up; King Curtis and Jr Walker. They have turned vocal songs into instrumentals. Probably more sax players who can do this. Red Prysock was also a sax player who could turn vocal songs into instrumentals. What do these three sax players have in common beside being fantastic sax players? The were also good singers .... . Maybe I'm wrong, but most sax players I listen, are also singing.

 

[thomsax]

Sorry still lagging behind work etc..ive transposed now got to put onto the lyrics....I can then try it..Ill play along to the lyrics on the kv backing track for a week before removing them..

No hurry. Take your time. I just think it's fun to talk and play. Some feedback and checking up keep us busy with our saxes

 

[eb424]

When I heard it the first time I started to think who would be able to do "The Snake" as an instrumental with the tenor sax out in front? Two names popped up; King Curtis and Jr Walker. They have turned vocal songs into instrumentals. Probably more sax players who can do this. Red Prysock was also a sax player who could turn vocal songs into instrumentals. What do these three sax players have in common beside being fantastic sax players? The were also good singers .... . Maybe I'm wrong, but most sax players I listen, are also singing.

Surely all songs are poems or stories...all my songs have been vocal...ive been working on the premise that i have to make the sax sing the vocals because i cant..lol

 

[Pete Thomas]

Surely all songs are poems or stories...

Some much more than others. IMO with this one the words are way way more important and interesting than the lyrics. It would work well spoken or as rap.

 

[Targa]

Some much more than others. IMO with this one the words are way way more important and interesting than the lyrics. It would work well spoken or as rap.

Well spoken and rap, excellent example of antonyms.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Well spoken and rap, excellent example of antonyms.

OK, work well either spoken or as rap. (Spoken as in narrating a poem)

 

[eb424]

Some much more than others. IMO with this one the words are way way more important and interesting than the lyrics. It would work well spoken or as rap.

You don't think its a matter of context then..kind of knowing the words to a song..so you can sing along to the saxophonist..I had never heard the song before 10 days ago..it was the words and music together that got me hooked and wanting to play it..I dont know where it would fit in..i think if it was played in a northern soul club back in the day it would have gone down a storm maybe not in a care home lol...For me music should make you passionate wanting to dance and sing, but you have to like and know the genre..for me the words are kind of silly...a talking snake..lol, its the passion, beat, rhythm, combo of words and music in that song that stirs something up..I wasn't going to do it as it's a lot of work but thanks to @thomsax at least i've picked the sax up again...much to the annoyance of my neighbours..;-)

 

[jazzdoh]

.i think if it was played in a northern soul club back in the day it would have gone down a storm maybe not in a care home lol.

Not without paramedic's standing by.

 

[thomsax]

You don't think its a matter of context then..kind of knowing the words to a song..so you can sing along to the saxophonist..I had never heard the song before 10 days ago..it was the words and music together that got me hooked and wanting to play it..I dont know where it would fit in..i think if it was played in a northern soul club back in the day it would have gone down a storm maybe not in a care home lol...For me music should make you passionate wanting to dance and sing, but you have to like and know the genre..for me the words are kind of silly...a talking snake..lol, its the passion, beat, rhythm, combo of words and music in that song that stirs something up..I wasn't going to do it as it's a lot of work but thanks to @thomsax at least i've picked the sax up again...much to the annoyance of my neighbours..;-)

The music and words lyrics was written in 1963 and it was an era when you had a different way to communicate. 1968 became a watershed. And the rest is history.

Singing/talking like a snake .... or a frog or a little girl ... it's the same, it's more how and when it is was done.

Clarence "Frogman" Henry (Lee Allen on one of tenor saxes) sang like a frog and a little girl. And so did Madeline Kahn when when performed "Ain't Got No Home".

View: https://youtu.be/qIvy9nSlZf0?si=E98AAqLAJAodWPgQ

View: https://youtu.be/Kd4LZ5d9j5U?si=za4fmx1bhYPaiogO


As it goes for the to sound like snake, cow, chicken .... on your sax I think Boot Randolph was the master.

View: https://youtu.be/U8PX9MbSS-k?si=mnv81rC4O20Vhkwp


Buddy Lucas did "Holy Cow"