serious "Mustang Sally" question (if there can be such a thing)

chuck3 · #1 11-25-2010, 08:17 PM

OK, I know "Mustang Sally" is deservedly the source of a lot of humor around here, but I have a serious question about what the bassist is doing on the original recording.

Sounds like it's in C, but that he's doing a figure that goes -C-Eb-E-G-C. However, that was before 5-strings, so how is he hitting that Eb? Or am I just missing something?

Thanks for any ideas on this.

Warfender · #2 11-25-2010, 08:27 PM

It isn't Eb it is F. C-F-C-G. This should help. try it out.

okcrum · #3 11-25-2010, 08:33 PM

Actually it's C-F-G-Bb-B-C, the B is on the one.

chuck3 · #4 11-25-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okcrum

Actually it's C-F-G-Bb-B-C, the B is on the one.

I can hear the Bb, but "the B is on the one"? In a R&B song that's in C?

Just sayin' ... the mystery that is "Mustang Sally."

okcrum · #5 11-25-2010, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck3

I can hear the Bb, but "the B is on the one"? In a R&B song that's in C?

Just sayin' ... the mystery that is "Mustang Sally."

That's right, the B is on the one. It's a three note 8th note walk up to the root, the C, which is on the "and" of one. Listen carefully to the original recording. This is the essential thing that makes the part so funky.

EDIT: clarify further - the guitar does a C on the and of the four, and the bass walks up from the and of four with the Bb-B-C, getting to the C on the and of one. The drummer accents the three eighth notes as well, and the combination of all those is where the punch comes from. The B is a passing tone.

chuck3 · #6 11-25-2010, 08:43 PM

ah ... OK, gotta try that.

chuck3 · #7 11-25-2010, 08:45 PM

oh, and I am listening to the original recording, that's what prompted this thread. I couldn't figure out the line exactly. Who is that playing?

chuck3 · #8 11-25-2010, 08:51 PM

and it continues that pattern when the chord changes to F?

I can't believe it took me all these years to learn this.

chuck3 · #9 11-25-2010, 08:56 PM

mmm ... is that Duck Dunn/Steve Cropper?

okcrum · #10 11-25-2010, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck3

and it continues that pattern when the chord changes to F?

I can't believe it took me all these years to learn this.

Yes, it continues on the F change. Don't worry, most players never get this. I don't know who the original backing band is, but they sure do cook.

DWBass · #11 11-25-2010, 09:11 PM

I play it..........C, F, G, B, C when I don't embellish! Sometimes C, F#, G, B, C.

Here's me playing it with an old band of mine. http://tindeck.com/listen/yofz

chuck3 · #12 11-26-2010, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

I play it..........C, F, G, B, C when I don't embellish! Sometimes C, F#, G, B, C.

Here's me playing it with an old band of mine. http://tindeck.com/listen/yofz

Nice! Although I think okcrum has it more nailed as to what's done on the original. Thanks all.

warnergt · #13 11-26-2010, 08:29 PM

We do the Buddy Guy version with:
C - F# - G - Bb - C
and the C on the one.
I guess you're referring to the Wilson Pickett version.

okcrum · #14 11-27-2010, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warnergt

We do the Buddy Guy version with:
C - F# - G - Bb - C
and the C on the one.
I guess you're referring to the Wilson Pickett version.

Yes, which I incorrectly referred to as the original. That was Sir Mack Rice.

Brick Top · #15 11-27-2010, 09:15 AM

I am not really happy with the version I have used to learn this song. Especially the chorus area. Is there somewhere on the net I can get this proper version complete? Preferably in tab...but I can transpose if I need to.

**251** · #16 11-27-2010, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck3

OK, I know "Mustang Sally" is deservedly the source of a lot of humor around here, but I have a serious question about what the bassist is doing on the original recording.

Sounds like it's in C, but that he's doing a figure that goes -C-Eb-E-G-C. However, that was before 5-strings, so how is he hitting that Eb? Or am I just missing something?

Thanks for any ideas on this.

De-tune the E string to Eb.

seanm · #17 11-27-2010, 08:46 PM

I also use the Buddy Guy version. For one, I prefer Buddy Guy's version, but also because I found the Wilson Pickett version almost never works in a band situation.

okcrum · #18 11-28-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanm

I also use the Buddy Guy version. For one, I prefer Buddy Guy's version, but also because I found the Wilson Pickett version almost never works in a band situation.

Why's that?

Chris K · #19 11-28-2010, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warnergt

We do the Buddy Guy version with:
C - F# - G - Bb - C
and the C on the one.
I guess you're referring to the Wilson Pickett version.

The notes written here are what I hear neither with Wilson Pickett nor Buddy Guy, except for the first three notes.

After that:

Pickett: Bb on the second half of beat 4 (as written above), and then B - C in eights on beat 1 of bar 2 (just like Ockrum wrote: 'B on one').

(that's the way I like to play it)

Guy: C is 'on the and of four'/second eight of beat four (tied to C on beat 1 of bar 2) - AND anticipated by a Bb grace note.

Less refined, IMHO.

DWBass · #20 11-29-2010, 05:58 AM

Seems no artist plays it the same! The WP version is way too subdued for 'live' applications, hence the version my old band did.