Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Week 391 #436 (What Did You Miss This Week?)

New Song of the Session - Crosscut Saw!!!

Shoji felt it was time to work on a blues standard that does NOT have harmonica on it and he's chosen the rhumba Crosscut Saw by Albert King. There a lot of Albert King versions of this tune, but to be listening to the original from 1966, check out discs like Born Under a Bad Sign, King of the Blues Guitar or if you can find it, The Ultimate Collection.

What is a crosscut saw anyway? Well, here's a little classroom drawing from B1 last night. It's in the ballpark. It is a saw that cuts each direction it's pulled and is used to cut across the grain. Some are large enough they are used by two people.


Got it, now what exactly are the lyrics? We've added those below, courtesy of Highway RickEy.

As for song history, Tommy McClennan recorded Cross Cut Saw Blues in 1941 but it was not over a rhumba groove. In the early '60s Albert King recorded a rhumba tune called I Get Evil and then it seems while at Stax in 1966 he laid the McClennan lyrics over that same rhumba feel and recorded the tune we know as the standard, Crosscut Saw.

We listened and talked about a few other rhumbas - Marianne by Ray Charles (1956), Lucky Lou by Jody Williams, All Your Love by Otis Rush, Woke Up This Morning by B. B. King (1952) and Congo Mambo by Guitar Gable.
_____
We had a surprise visit from Martin Lang who blew some killer third position stuff for us. He's got a hot new disc out, Chicago Harp Blues Sessions. Get yours, study up, and look out for Martin as a class guest later this spring!

Class Notes
  • Joe will miss sessions in April on the 6th, 13th and 20th. Private lessons will not take place but all Level III and Performance classes will proceed as normal with sub help from Zoe, Grant and Shoji.
SHC Jam Track

Shoji made a play-along track for Junior Parker's Sweet Home Chicago. It will only be available here for download one more week. And remember, please send Shoji Naito $1.50 via PAYPAL (shoji@shoblues.com) if you download it.

Crosscut Saw Lyrics

Albert King version:

I'm a cross cut saw,
just drag me 'cross your log
I'm a cross cut saw,
just drag me across your log
I cut your wood so easy for you,
you can't help but say 'Hot dog!'

I've got a double-bladed axe,
that really cuts good
I'm a cross cut saw,
just bury me in the wood

I'm a cross cut saw,
just drag me 'cross your log
I cut your wood so easy for you,
you can't help but say 'Hot dog!'

Some call me wood-choppin' Sam
Some call me wood-cuttin' Ben
Last girl I cut the wood for,
want me back again

I'm a cross cut saw,
just drag me 'cross your log
I cut your wood so easy for you,
you can't help but say 'Hot dog!'

- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew