“Doin’ it right, on the wrong side of town” — this hook is synonymous with the great, groovin’ Powder Blues! Probably one of their best known numbers, ‘Doin’ It Right’ is a driving Blues/Rock tune. This one will definitely pack your dance floor.
Archives: Arrangements
Arrangement set encompassing one or more Engravings
Boppin’ With The Blues’ epitomizes Powder Blues’ killer fusion of Blues, Swing, Rock and Jazz. This arrangement is taken from the ‘Swingin’ The Blues’ album, where the guys tweaked one of their original hits with some more Jazz flare. A great blues with a swingin’ feel — It doesn’t get better than this!
This hit from Harry Belafonte’s 1961 album ‘Jump Up Calypso’ is undeniably one of the first tunes one thinks of when ‘Calypso’ is mentioned. Not only did it capture the imagination of American listeners and introduce them to Calypso’s whinin’ and grinin’ rhythms in the 60’s but grabbed a whole other generations with use in such films as ‘Beatlejuice’ and ‘The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning’.
There is no iconic sound that is better associated with the Big Band era than that of the Glen Miller band and it’s string of hits from ‘In The Mood’ to ‘American Patrol’ and this one — ‘Pennsylvania 6-5000’. Miller had a Top 5 Billboard hit in 1940 with this Jerry Gray, William Finegan and Carl Sigman number. Rockabilly Guitar-slinger Brian Setzer managed to update this Swing classic with his own bag of tricks for 2000’s ‘Vavoom’. Dial this one up — ‘Pennsylvania Six Five Oh Oh Oh!’.
Fall At Your Feet’ is a classic Pop/Rock Ballad from Crowded House’s 1991 album ‘Woodface’. The song, written by Neil Finn was the only cut on the album written without the collaboration of Finn’s brother Tim (of ‘Splin Enz’ fame). The song peaked at #17 in the UK and had Top 100 success in the US, Australia and elsewhere around the world.
The popular Ballad is a difficult art — and there aren’t many groups that can provide a moving, soulful ballad like Tower of Power. This 3/4 cut from their 1974 album ‘Back To Oakland’ features a lush string arrangement on top of T.O.P’s recognisable wall of horns. ‘Time Will Tell’ also includes a beautifully harmonized backing vocal section, but would be just as powerful as a feature for your Male or Female singer. (This song starts in Bm and modulates to G)
This fourth track on 1991’s ‘Monster On A Leash’ was a great taste of classic T.O.P. style. Featuring the powerful lead vocals of Tom Bowes, ‘Attitude Dance’ laid out how Tower Of Power has a funky good time. Written by founding members Emilio Castillo and ‘Doc’ Kupka the song has their signature killer horn lines all supported by Doc’s popping Bari. A must for horn bands!!
One of Frank Sinatra’s greatest hits — ‘Strangers In The Night’ was an adaptation of a number called ‘Broken Guitar’. Bert Kaempfert turned it into ‘Strangers’ with English lyrics from Charles Singleton and Eddie Snyder. The song was recorded in April ’66 and released on Sinatra’s album ‘Strangers In The Night’. The cut proceeded to earn Frank Grammies for Best Pop Vocal and Record of the Year.
Perhaps the most recognisable of the tracks from the 1977 album ‘Aja’, ‘Deacon Blues’ is one of Steely Dan’s greatest hits. The combination of Blue-Eyed Soul and Pop sensibilities ensured this tune peaked at #19 on the Billboard charts. The song was the band’s fifth Top 20 hit and stayed in the Top 40 for eight weeks.
In 1982 Frank Sinatra recorded ‘To Love A Child’ as a single for the Reprise label. The song, written by Joe Raposo with lyrics by the legendary Hal David became a popular success for Sinatra as he entered his twilight years. Nancy Reagan took the song to heart as the theme for her Foster Grandparents program in the US.