Tuesday, April 1, 2014

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 352 #396)

Walking By Myself!!!

In 1972 Walter Horton and Willie Dixon hit the stage for a club gig and a live recording came of it that includes our study song, Walking By Myself. There is, admittedly, a certain amount of chaos going on with the band and the song - Horton struggles with the lyrics and the form is hard to pin down now. Nonetheless, it is fascinating stuff to listen to and see in transcription since, after all, Horton is a monster player!

Both solos seem to have a four bar intro or added piece at the top. Once you see past those four bars it is fairly clear where the 12 bar form happens...despite what you hear from the confused band. In Solo 1 you get a nod to the original recorded 2 draw opening, a killer use of the ornery 5/2 split that is classic Horton, and hip quarter note triplets over bar 8. Despite all the confusion, Joe points out that throughout the solos Horton seems to be clearly thinking and playing in two bar phrases.

Solo 2 opens again with a nod to the original 2 draw opening, this time with another Horton classic, the rhythmic 2 beat between the one and two draw. This builds great tension and he gets around to another screaming move, the slide up to the 8 draw, a technique you'll hear in a lot of his playing.

Though not the best recording, this is more clear evidence of Horton's convincing tone, attack and attitude and is worth study!

Class Notes
  • Private lesson renewal period is open now - sign up to secure your current slot!

- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew