Blues 3 Bass Transcriptions

One of the later releases from the Queen of Chicago Blues, Force of Nature is a solid contemporary blues album.  It seems if your not a guitar player, you don't get the the well deserved recognition outside the blues community.    She released this album of funky, high energy blues in her mid 60's and kept touring until her passing at 80 in 2009

Hadn't listened to this album in a while, since they are re-releasing it I thought I'd give it another listen. A great song off of her sophomore release.  It's a pretty straight forward song with some subtle variations in the verse.  The chorus, while 8 bars is not a typical eight bar blues progression.  The song ends by repeating the intro (or the last 2 bars of the verse  depending on how you want to look at it).  Overall not your typical blues song structure.  For the guitarists out there, here's a great tutorial on how to play the rhythm guitar part.  https://www.musicoff.com/strumenti/chitarra-didattica/susan-tedeschi-it-hurt-so-bad-rhythm.  It also include guitar tab 

Another great song off of her Sophomore release.  All though a pretty straight song (all revolving around the I,IV and V chords), there is a lot of variation in the structure. Verse is 16 Bars, Pre-chorus is 11 Bars, 1st Chorus is 12 Bars, 1st solo is 12 bars, 2nd solo is 14 bars, 2nd chorus is 18 bars.  That's a lot to remember .  Also is the first few bars of the bass line I hear variations in the notes before it settles into the root b3 3rd riff.  Let me know what you think. 

This, in my opinion, is one of the best concert films ever.  It would be the best, but It has stiff completion from Stop Making Sense by the Talking Heads.  Nothing  complicated , however Rick Danko doesn't play any verse the same.    So, if you're  working on expanding your blues bass skills,  this is a good transcription to read through verse by verse. 

I was surprised when I didn't find a good bass transcription of SRV's  version of Chitlins Con Carne.   There are a few other songs from this album that I've transcribed and will be sharing in the future.  I find it educational and enlightening to transcribe different versions of the same song to see how other bass players approach a song.  Tommy Shannon's bass line seems to be highly influenced by the Thrill is Gone.   His playing is pretty consistent and supportive , but of course there are subtle variations through out.  Check out Kenny Burrell's version to see a different approach and feel.  You can also check out my transcription of Junior Wells version  

Another slow blues from SRV.   R 5 8 7 b7 6 4 #4 5 is the pattern.  Of course subtle are subtle variations that add interest while maintaining a solid foundation.  12/8 seemed like the correct way to notate.  (my favorite time signature to notate in :-o

Another classic tune off of a classic blues album.  Kenny Burrell. originally recorded it and many others have covered it including Stevie Ray Vaughn. Jack Myers plays bass.  This song is a great lesson in varying a blues bass line, enhancing the overall performance.  The C Bm Am turn around is also not a typical turnaround you see in a 12 bar blues. A lot of  bass player learn the first verse and repeat it through out the song.  I think its worth it to learn the variations and add them to you blues repertoire.

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