How do you feel about The Chicken?

[maturanesa]

I think its VERY funky, but most people underrate Jaco as a funk player because he was more into jazz/experimental and dont fit into funk scene... Just imagine if The chicken had been written by Bootsy, Graham or Sly, many people would say its the funkiest song in the world...

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by Tupac

I really like other bassists' takes of it, but I think the song itself defines pretentious jazz. It's not funky, and it's not groovy. Merely an emperor's new clothes type of thing among those looking to appear knowledgeable. I have no qualms at all with Jaco or anything else he's done.

Despite my absolute dislike of the song I'd say it's about as close to the opposite of pretentious as a song could get. I just don't see how ANYONE could take the song seriously outside of musical analysis, though, you can get pretty deep into the musical working of any song so that's a given, methinks. The original just sounds like a joke. You could throw it onto the Seinfeld soundtrack and not a soul would bat an eyelash.

Originally Posted by bluesblaster

Give me Paul Jackson or one those guys that played on 70's-80's era porn soundtracks, maybe a little George Porter, Chuck Rainey to name a few

Mathews/ Mayer No Sir, I dont like it

"The Chicken" .... I've heard worse

Oh, I've definitely heard worse, don't get me wrong. But there are very few musical standards that have reached that kind of acclaim and just sound so... cheesy. Sorry for using that word so frequently but I just can't think of anything that conveys my thoughts as well. The song isn't bad, per se, it just sounds bad... Jeez, now I'm not even making sense.

Originally Posted by Blue_Whistle88

i reckon it came before the egg.

LOL! I reckon this is the best response in this thread yet!

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by maturanesa

I think its VERY funky, but most people underrate Jaco as a funk player because he was more into jazz/experimental and dont fit into funk scene... Just imagine if The chicken had been written by Bootsy, Graham or Sly, many people would say its the funkiest song in the world...

I can't speak for anyone else but my criticism of this song has nothing to with Jaco being the one playing. I pointed to Jaco's rendition of the song because it's the most commonly played. Now, I've never heard the original so maybe it's better? If anyone has a link, please, pass it my way. Maybe it is all Jaco's fault, but until I know for sure, I take issue with the song, not him .

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by maturanesa

I think its VERY funky, but most people underrate Jaco as a funk player because he was more into jazz/experimental and dont fit into funk scene... Just imagine if The chicken had been written by Bootsy, Graham or Sly, many people would say its the funkiest song in the world...

I doubt it. There's really nothing inherently funky about Jaco's take on the song. Had Bootsy done it the same way I would of thought he had lost the funk. TBH, his version of the song comes across more blues inspired than funk.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I can't speak for anyone else but my criticism of this song has nothing to with Jaco being the one playing. I pointed to Jaco's rendition of the song because it's the most commonly played. Now, I've never heard the original so maybe it's better? If anyone has a link, please, pass it my way. Maybe it is all Jaco's fault, but until I know for sure, I take issue with the song, not him .

Jaco has done some really crazy, awesome stuff. The Chicken isn't one of them. This, however, is, and it's WAY funkier:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mY3vll_JRbI

[bucephylus]

Why do people spend so much time dissing things these days? Just curious.

Sitting here reading some seemingly arrogant condemnation 30 years after the fact is just somewhat bizarre. Fine, but go out and contribute something new.

I personally like the Big Band version with the horn arrangements. But, I also don't spend a whole lot of time worrying about musical justification. And truthfully I don't listen to the tune much these days.

I do recall transcribing the head with a sax player because there weren't any charts for it. And, no doubt, cats will say the head is trivial etc; but, I also these kind of tunes misplayed more often than not; so, I don't know. It seems catchy, but not a big deal. IMO, the notes in the bass line are not hard. Playing the line with the right "feel" is a whole 'nother matter that some players get and others don't.

I'm also surprised that this tune is "overplayed" now?? I know twenty years ago people had no idea what we were playing when we did it. "I thought you said 'The Chicken Dance.'" So, now everyone is playing it? Hmmm times change.

BTW, it seems Funk is in the mind of the beholder. Just what is Jazz? Is Jamerson funky or is he Funky. Or is that defined by Marcus? Jaco not funky?? These terms drive me nuts.

[bucephylus]

OK, I admit it. I like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gf1E7NNPwk
What's wrong with that? Brecker kicking it out. OM sounding great. And, IMO, there is nothing the least bit "easy" or NOT funky about the bass line.

Maybe I am just getting too old and out of touch. If this is trivial child's play for you cats, I want to start hearing your stuff. Really. Not intending to be nasty.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by bucephylus

OK, I admit it. I like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gf1E7NNPwk
What's wrong with that? Brecker kicking it out. OM sounding great. And, IMO, there is nothing the least bit "easy" or NOT funky about the bass line.

Maybe I am just getting too old and out of touch. If this is trivial child's play for you cats, I want to start hearing your stuff. Really. Not intending to be nasty.

See, I like that version a million times better.

The fun thing about live recordings is that you can compare and contrast them and find versions you like better than the others. Just because someone doesn't like a version or a take of a tune doesn't mean they've insulted your mother, you know

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by bucephylus

Why do people spend so much time dissing things these days? Just curious.

Usually, because it's fun. Honest to god - just ask my friends. I don't hate things but I love to hate on them. But, this time around, I'm also genuinely curious as to how folks see the tune. I'm a young guy so I wouldn't know but were there really no other funkish, jazzish type tunes at the time that could've put this one out of commission?

Originally Posted by bucephylus

Sitting here reading some seemingly arrogant condemnation 30 years after the fact is just somewhat bizarre. Fine, but go out and contribute something new.

Not sure if you're referring to me specifically or someone else but arrogance would imply that we see ourselves as better than or above the song and/or the folks that play it. I haven't seen anyone suggest either so far nor have I seen anyone suggest that folks who've played the tune lack musical ability so I'm not sure where you got the word from. Now, that said, I'm at the point where it would absolutely take money or some other significant benefit for me to play the song, at least the Jaco version.

[bucephylus]

Sorry, Kwesi; no, I was not referring to your post. There were a few others I found...unfounded! Its a reasonable enough question. No big deal.

[bucephylus]

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

See, I like that version a million times better.

The fun thing about live recordings is that you can compare and contrast them and find versions you like better than the others. Just because someone doesn't like a version or a take of a tune doesn't mean they've insulted your mother, you know

Good point. Long day at the straight job. Need to lay back a bit.

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by bucephylus

Sorry, Kwesi; no, I was not referring to your post. There were a few others I found...unfounded! Its a reasonable enough question. No big deal.

Right on, man. Definitely not here to insult anyone's taste or proclaim myself supreme arbiter of all things good and right, haha.

[Joe Gress]

Played it in jazz band this past week. Never listened to the original tune. Had a blast with it.

[jerry]

Not my favorite Jaco tune, but I dig it!

[HeadyVan Halen]

Chickens' cool, but Jaco was his funkiest here...Period.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAm6ffTIzOA

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by HeadyVan Halen

Chickens' cool, but Jaco was his funkiest here...Period.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAm6ffTIzOA

How could a Little Beaver not be funky?

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by HeadyVan Halen

Chickens' cool, but Jaco was his funkiest here...Period.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAm6ffTIzOA

Now that wasn't bad at all! I'll take Jaco in this type of setting any day!

[Dr. Cheese]

Jaco was a riff recycler because I think that octave bit on the main theme is a slowed down version of Kuru/Speak like a child.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by GODSBASSMAN

I prefer mine baked.

Originally Posted by kesslari

I like it barbequed.

Originally Posted by Blue_Whistle88

i reckon it came before the egg.

Wing?

[fraublugher]

I like to make a nice homemade broth with a leftover chicken carcass with onions, carrots...

carrots


carrots


carrots