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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 24, 2007 14:33:12 GMT -5
As promised in my previous post in this thread I am back with some insights as to what is going on in the music... "Jambalaya" opens with Bob Messenger's flute keeping a "high steppin'" tempo (vivace) and continues in swirls of sound throughout the song. Behind the flute, in the opening, we find Hal Blaine, equally as dynamic, keeping perfect timing with his sharp yet delicately rhythmic drum work. Within 8 seconds a duo of guitars appears to create a mesmerizing harmony. The guitars include Buddy Emmons with his tasty country sounding pedal steel guitar in one channel and clusters of Tony Peluso's electric guitar in the opposite channel. Putting the guitars in separate channels helps to give distinction to each instrument. Along with the entrance of the guitars Richard's keyboard shows up in the middle keeping the balance of all the instruments. Richard's keyboard blends in well with the guitars and at points almost sounds like a guitar itself. At 32 seconds the music opens up completely. We hear more of Buddy Emmons' pedal steel guitar and Joe Osborn kicks in with his subtle yet infectious bass line. The bass line is the glue which helps to keep the rhythm strong and potent. The bass line, if you listen closely, sounds like a fuzz of soft guitar chords plucking away in the background. The sound is deep and generally resonating. The bassline grooves around with cheerfulness and is most evident in the chorus. The first instrumental break showcases Bob Messenger's superb flute-work along with drums and the ever present bass line. (Love the laughter which shows up here). The second instrumental break comes in at 2:10 and brings Tony Peluso to the forefront of the song with a short, yet very tasty electric guitar solo accented by Buddy Emmons' pedal steel guitar, Hal Blaine's drums and Joe Osborn's bass. Right after the second instrumental break Peluso continues with tufts of countrified electricity. There's clapping and tambourines and everybody's having a great time in this zesty buzz-filled song which suitably closes with Tony Peluso's stylish electric guitar chords and a few pounds on the drums by Hal Blaine. The tight musical arrangement of "Jambalaya" was composed by Richard and keeps the Carpenters firmly in the middle of what was cutting edge and up with the times in musical technology in that time and age. As a matter of fact the song still sounds quite fresh and crisp by today's standards. Here are a few links which will help to understand some of these instruments: Bass guitar: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_guitarBass line: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BasslinePedal Steel Guitar: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedal_Steel_GuitarStereophonic sound (describes channels): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereophonic_sound
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Jun 24, 2007 17:07:48 GMT -5
As promised in my previous post in this thread I am back with some insights as to what is going on in the music... "Jambalaya" opens with Bob Messenger's flute keeping a "high steppin'" tempo (vivace) and continues in swirls of sound throughout the song. Behind the flute, in the opening, we find Hal Blaine, equally as dynamic, keeping perfect timing with his sharp yet delicately rhythmic drum work. Within 8 seconds a duo of guitars appears to create a mesmerizing harmony. The guitars include Buddy Emmons with his tasty country sounding pedal steel guitar in one channel and clusters of Tony Peluso's electric guitar in the opposite channel. Putting the guitars in separate channels helps to give distinction to each instrument. Along with the entrance of the guitars Richard's keyboard shows up in the middle keeping the balance of all the instruments. Richard's keyboard blends in well with the guitars and at points almost sounds like a guitar itself. At 32 seconds the music opens up completely. We hear more of Buddy Emmons' pedal steel guitar and Joe Osborn kicks in with his subtle yet infectious bass line. The bass line is the glue which helps to keep the rhythm strong and potent. The bass line, if you listen closely, sounds like a fuzz of soft guitar chords plucking away in the background. The sound is deep and generally resonating. The bassline grooves around with cheerfulness and is most evident in the chorus. The first instrumental break showcases Bob Messenger's superb flute-work along with drums and the ever present bass line. (Love the laughter which shows up here). The second instrumental break comes in at 2:10 and brings Tony Peluso to the forefront of the song with a short, yet very tasty electric guitar solo accented by Buddy Emmons' pedal steel guitar, Hal Blaine's drums and Joe Osborn's bass. Right after the second instrumental break Peluso continues with tufts of countrified electricity. There's clapping and tambourines and everybody's having a great time in this zesty buzz-filled song which suitably closes with Tony Peluso's stylish electric guitar chords and a few pounds on the drums by Hal Blaine. The tight musical arrangement of "Jambalaya" was composed by Richard and keeps the Carpenters firmly in the middle of what was cutting edge and up with the times in musical technology in that time and age. As a matter of fact the song still sounds quite fresh and crisp by today's standards. Here are a few links which will help to understand some of these instruments: Bass guitar: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_guitarBass line: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BasslinePedal Steel Guitar: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedal_Steel_GuitarStereophonic sound (describes channels): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereophonic_sound Your instrument by instrument review was very nice. Thanks. I was not aware that it was Buddy Emmons who provided the steel guitar. He's quite a tastful player. Tim
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 25, 2007 7:17:11 GMT -5
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Jun 26, 2007 14:00:33 GMT -5
I will have to give this a listen-to through my headphones, soon. It's been a long time since I actually listened to any CD's through my headphones. I hadn't, then, noticed the guitar seperation you speak of, Rick. Buddy Emmons is a widely-know steel guitarist. He's performed with many people and made his own albums. In fact, Buddy has (apparently) worked in the studio so much and with so many people, that his own website doesn't even list the studio work he has done. I have heard his work before, having seen him listed on other's credits. He really knows what he's doing, and plays the "pedals" well, too - a skill not many know about anymore. I believe he has 4 pedals. Don't ask me what they do - I just know this is something important for a steel player. What I like about this song is Karen's vocals, and Richard's arrangement. It's a straightforward tune, but there is nothing straightforward about it, done in this fashion. I used to sing Jambalaya a completely different way, and accompanied others who sang it completely differently - until I heard Karen's vocal version.....then, the magic truly began. Tim
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Post by smoothie2 on Jun 26, 2007 16:10:41 GMT -5
On computer...the Wikpedia definition of pirogue: " a small flat bottomed boat of a design associated particularly with West African fishermen and the Cajuns of the Louisiana marsh ." Guess we all knew it was some type of boat. But now, HOW ABOUT THE FOOD mentioned in Jambalaya? I haven't a good idea what jambalaya is but I think it can include all types of stuff: shrimp, okra, hot sauce, oysters...and or is that different from "filet gumbo"?I have eaten catfish but not a Catfish Pie. I'm afraid, speaking for myself, that I would leave this party a mite hungry since I don't care for those things except...if it's fried shrimp...! Anyway, a few times in my growing up yrs., my family would go down to way down East tx and then on the edge of Louisiana. I was always afraid of snakes, so I was always on the lookout for those. (okay, to tell the truth, mom says I was always afraid of my own sshadow). Soooooooo ::)As far as music goes, I love Bob Messenger on flute. I love the whole gang is having fun....I think when I first heard Peluso on his electric guitar on this song, I just thought wow..this guy really knows his stuff...he can play just as well or better than many well known accomplished artists. I just wonder why the C's chose this song. Perhaps, a real fave of her dad, or ...?..... Rick what kind of guitar do u know how to play and or what is your favorite to play?
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 26, 2007 22:30:29 GMT -5
Rick what kind of guitar do u know how to play and or what is your favorite to play?
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Post by GoodOldDreams on Jun 26, 2007 23:00:51 GMT -5
I have dug up some interesting tidbits on the history, derivations and alternative takes on the meaning of "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)" from wikipedia:
Authorship
With a melody based on the Cajun song "Grand Texas", some sources, including All Music Guide, claim that the song was co-written by Williams and Moon Mullican, with Mullican un-credited but receiving ongoing royalties. Other sources claim that this was one of several songs which Williams purchased from other writers; a practice that was relatively common in "show business" at the time.
Released in 1952, crediting Williams as the sole author, it was performed by Williams as a country song. It reached #1 on the U.S. country charts, and remains one of his most popular songs today.
Theme
Williams' song resembles "Grand Texas", a Cajun French song, in melody only. "Grand Texas" is a song about a lost love, a woman who left the singer to go with another man to "Big Texas". Jambalaya, alternately, is about life, parties and stereotypical food of Cajun cuisine. The song has a Cajun theme, possibly inspired by Williams' time with the Louisiana Hayride, though Louisiana Hayride was recorded in Shreveport, a city with very little Cajun cultural influence. Referenced within the song are such Cajun dishes as jambalaya, crawfish pie, and filé gumbo. Williams sings of "Yvonne" in the song, referring to her as his ma cher amio, which is considered poor Cajun French for "my dear" (redundantly Williams uses the word "my" before the French "ma"), and has caused some confusion among listeners, particularly given his pronunciation. The refrain "son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou" has become a well-recognized and often repeated phrase. Williams composed a sequel to the song from the female perspective, "I'm Yvonne (Of the Bayou)", with Jimmy Rule. It was not as popular. As with "Jambalaya" there is speculation that Williams may have purchased this song from Rule.
Cover versions
Another, even more popular at the time, version of the song was the 1952 cover version recorded by Jo Stafford, reaching #3 on the Billboard pop charts (and making the song well known to people other than country music fans). It was further popularized in a Rock'n'Roll version by Fats Domino.
Other artists who have performed the song include Dash Rip Rock, Jerry Lee Lewis, Emmylou Harris, who included it in her 1976 album Elite Hotel, Moon Mullican, The Carpenters, John Fogerty, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Brenda Lee, Harry Connick, Jr., Lucinda Williams, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Residents, Dolly Parton, The White Stripes, and Tommy Funderburk (appearing in the film Steel Magnolias), among many others. International, translated or derived versions do exist at least in Dutch, French, Italian, Polish, German and Estonian. In 2005, two versions of Jambalaya surged in Mexican Folk Music, one by Banda Limon and the other from the Duranguense style group K-Paz de la Sierra. But in Mexican Banda, the most famous cover version is by Los Felinos (which was also the first Mexican interpretation).It was later discovered that Adolfo Maldonado from Los Felinos was the actual writer of the song. Both songs containing the same lyrics but make no reference to food, instead they refer to the classic themes in mexican folk music: Lost love, friends and the love for the land.
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 26, 2007 23:13:04 GMT -5
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Post by GoodOldDreams on Jun 26, 2007 23:16:58 GMT -5
BTW, I love the complex flavors, colors and textures of Jambalaya, a Louisiana Creole dish of European, Caribbean and African origins. In the usual method for preparing Jambalaya, a rich stock is created from vegetables, meat, and seafood. Raw rice is then added to the broth and the flavor is absorbed by the grains as the rice cooks. In the area where I live, there are a fair number of restaurants that serve their own respective versions of Jambalaya as well as a health food store that features the soup on a weekly basis. There's even an arguably authentic version at the soup bar at Safeway on Sundays! Mmm... you guys are making me HUNGRY!
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Post by wisejester7 on Jun 27, 2007 7:07:09 GMT -5
I have dug up some interesting tidbits on the history, derivations and alternative takes on the meaning of "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)" from wikipedia: Authorship With a melody based on the Cajun song "Grand Texas", some sources, including All Music Guide, claim that the song was co-written by Williams and Moon Mullican, with Mullican un-credited but receiving ongoing royalties. Other sources claim that this was one of several songs which Williams purchased from other writers; a practice that was relatively common in "show business" at the time. Released in 1952, crediting Williams as the sole author, it was performed by Williams as a country song. It reached #1 on the U.S. country charts, and remains one of his most popular songs today. Theme Williams' song resembles "Grand Texas", a Cajun French song, in melody only. "Grand Texas" is a song about a lost love, a woman who left the singer to go with another man to "Big Texas". Jambalaya, alternately, is about life, parties and stereotypical food of Cajun cuisine. The song has a Cajun theme, possibly inspired by Williams' time with the Louisiana Hayride, though Louisiana Hayride was recorded in Shreveport, a city with very little Cajun cultural influence. Referenced within the song are such Cajun dishes as jambalaya, crawfish pie, and filé gumbo. Williams sings of "Yvonne" in the song, referring to her as his ma cher amio, which is considered poor Cajun French for "my dear" (redundantly Williams uses the word "my" before the French "ma"), and has caused some confusion among listeners, particularly given his pronunciation. The refrain "son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou" has become a well-recognized and often repeated phrase. Williams composed a sequel to the song from the female perspective, "I'm Yvonne (Of the Bayou)", with Jimmy Rule. It was not as popular. As with "Jambalaya" there is speculation that Williams may have purchased this song from Rule. Cover versions Another, even more popular at the time, version of the song was the 1952 cover version recorded by Jo Stafford, reaching #3 on the Billboard pop charts (and making the song well known to people other than country music fans). It was further popularized in a Rock'n'Roll version by Fats Domino. Other artists who have performed the song include Dash Rip Rock, Jerry Lee Lewis, Emmylou Harris, who included it in her 1976 album Elite Hotel, Moon Mullican, The Carpenters, John Fogerty, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Brenda Lee, Harry Connick, Jr., Lucinda Williams, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Residents, Dolly Parton, The White Stripes, and Tommy Funderburk (appearing in the film Steel Magnolias), among many others. International, translated or derived versions do exist at least in Dutch, French, Italian, Polish, German and Estonian. In 2005, two versions of Jambalaya surged in Mexican Folk Music, one by Banda Limon and the other from the Duranguense style group K-Paz de la Sierra. But in Mexican Banda, the most famous cover version is by Los Felinos (which was also the first Mexican interpretation).It was later discovered that Adolfo Maldonado from Los Felinos was the actual writer of the song. Both songs containing the same lyrics but make no reference to food, instead they refer to the classic themes in mexican folk music: Lost love, friends and the love for the land. This is an interesting read. I knew the song had been covered many times, but not that many! Wow, pretty popular. I've heard "I'm Yvonne..." once before. I can't remember where so I can't give you a reference. I DO remember it as being the companion piece to "Jambalaya" ... just not quite as catchy.
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Jun 27, 2007 8:54:37 GMT -5
Yes indeed, Dreams - thanks for that bit of history - as that's where I was headed next. Hank Williams, Sr.'s English words really caught on to the song "Grand Texas" and I remember now that the first cover of the song I heard was by the great Jo Stafford. I wasn't too impressed by her particular rendition, but as a young boy hearing anything on the stereo was a thrill. (No, I'm not THAT old - we just didn't have a "stereo" until I was about 10 0r 11)! No snide comments, please. *smiles* Wow, it's amazing how MANY artists covered this song, and mostly after the English version was written by Williams, Sr. Therefore, I, too, tend to wonder what about it made Richard and Karen want to do it.
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Post by smoothie2 on Jun 27, 2007 13:22:34 GMT -5
Rick what kind of guitar do u know how to play and or what is your favorite to play? ???interesting Rick...gee sounds like you enjoyed singing and doing what you were good at. It's no secret that you're very knowledge able in music. At one time, I thought mom could teach piano to me, but I just didn't have the drive enough to keep at it. I enjoyed hearing and singing just for fun with my 2 best friends growing up who played piano. I took just standard guitar lessons once and passed the class. But same thing with it. Anyway, in jr. hi I had to take music and learned to read it bearly enough for a concert with those silly "flute-a-phones". I just couldn't remember nor want to enough to learn, although I did sing in a church college group once.
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Post by smoothie2 on Jun 27, 2007 13:25:41 GMT -5
I have dug up some interesting tidbits on the history, derivations and alternative takes on the meaning of "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)" from wikipedia: Authorship With a melody based on the Cajun song "Grand Texas", some sources, including All Music Guide, claim that the song was co-written by Williams and Moon Mullican, with Mullican un-credited but receiving ongoing royalties. Other sources claim that this was one of several songs which Williams purchased from other writers; a practice that was relatively common in "show business" at the time. Released in 1952, crediting Williams as the sole author, it was performed by Williams as a country song. It reached #1 on the U.S. country charts, and remains one of his most popular songs today. Theme Williams' song resembles "Grand Texas", a Cajun French song, in melody only. "Grand Texas" is a song about a lost love, a woman who left the singer to go with another man to "Big Texas". Jambalaya, alternately, is about life, parties and stereotypical food of Cajun cuisine. The song has a Cajun theme, possibly inspired by Williams' time with the Louisiana Hayride, though Louisiana Hayride was recorded in Shreveport, a city with very little Cajun cultural influence. Referenced within the song are such Cajun dishes as jambalaya, crawfish pie, and filé gumbo. Williams sings of "Yvonne" in the song, referring to her as his ma cher amio, which is considered poor Cajun French for "my dear" (redundantly Williams uses the word "my" before the French "ma"), and has caused some confusion among listeners, particularly given his pronunciation. The refrain "son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou" has become a well-recognized and often repeated phrase. Williams composed a sequel to the song from the female perspective, "I'm Yvonne (Of the Bayou)", with Jimmy Rule. It was not as popular. As with "Jambalaya" there is speculation that Williams may have purchased this song from Rule. Cover versions Another, even more popular at the time, version of the song was the 1952 cover version recorded by Jo Stafford, reaching #3 on the Billboard pop charts (and making the song well known to people other than country music fans). It was further popularized in a Rock'n'Roll version by Fats Domino. Other artists who have performed the song include Dash Rip Rock, Jerry Lee Lewis, Emmylou Harris, who included it in her 1976 album Elite Hotel, Moon Mullican, The Carpenters, John Fogerty, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Brenda Lee, Harry Connick, Jr., Lucinda Williams, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Residents, Dolly Parton, The White Stripes, and Tommy Funderburk (appearing in the film Steel Magnolias), among many others. International, translated or derived versions do exist at least in Dutch, French, Italian, Polish, German and Estonian. In 2005, two versions of Jambalaya surged in Mexican Folk Music, one by Banda Limon and the other from the Duranguense style group K-Paz de la Sierra. But in Mexican Banda, the most famous cover version is by Los Felinos (which was also the first Mexican interpretation).It was later discovered that Adolfo Maldonado from Los Felinos was the actual writer of the song. Both songs containing the same lyrics but make no reference to food, instead they refer to the classic themes in mexican folk music: Lost love, friends and the love for the land. thanks Dreams for the research on jambalaya...very impressive.
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