Ronnie Laws - Always There 1975

[Don Kasper]

From my old days - this tune is a perfect example of a rhythm section providing a beautiful, energetic, but DISCIPLINED groove for the soloist.
Nothing frantic, egotistical or complicated, just like a fine watch where all the moving parts are harmoniously (!) in sync.
IMFO, of course.
(I used to hear Spyro Gyra play this tune in Buffalo before they became Famou$, TMI.)
Also, too - the changes of the tune are Fmin7/Cmin7/Ab7,9,sus/Dbmaj7...until the Bridge, @3:05, which is yours to hear and discover.
Thx.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

That brings back memories.

 

[Thumpin6string]

My kind of music.

 

[bass player 53]

From my old days - this tune is a perfect example of a rhythm section providing a beautiful, energetic, but DISCIPLINED groove for the soloist.
Nothing frantic, egotistical or complicated, just like a fine watch where all the moving parts are harmoniously (!) in sync.
IMFO, of course.
(I used to hear Spyro Gyra play this tune in Buffalo before they became Famou$, TMI.)
Also, too - the changes of the tune are Fmin7/Cmin7/Ab7,9,sus/Dbmaj7...until the Bridge, @3:05, which is yours to hear and discover.
Thx.

You and I lived in Buffalo at the same time; 1975-81. I went to UB and worked for a while afterwards. Tralfamadore Cafe, Pegasus, SG, Bills, Sabres, and 10 cent wings were fond memories.
Blizzard of ‘77, not so much.
Great tune.

 

[Watchootognbout]

So Cal.
KKGO. The Jazz Station 94.7
Back in the Day.

 

[jerry]

'Always There' was one of the ones that got called at a lot of jams back in the day.

 

[bassbrad]

Another record I need to pull out and give a listen to. I recall this record being played all the time and it's no wonder with The Crusaders making up most of the band and production staff. Love all those Blue Note, CTI and so many other records from back in those daze.

Ronnie Laws: Pressure Sensitive Tracks & Reviews | AllMusic

Pressure Sensitive by Ronnie Laws released in 1975. Find Pressure Sensitive reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.

www.allmusic.com

 

[Low Main]

Haven't listened to this in a while.

Back in the day, I heard it as a casual descendant of Valdez In The Country.

It reminds me of the challenge bass players had at that time of not only co-existing with the kick but also the clavinet.

The clav got hot around the time that more J Bass players were using rounds, and when the clav was played in the low register, that could be problematic.

The rhythm section is great, but a tune like this would have been perfect for Harvey Mason.

 

[bassbrad]

Haven't listened to this in a while.

Back in the day, I heard it as a casual descendant of Valdez In The Country.

It reminds me of the challenge bass players had at that time of not only co-existing with the kick but also the clavinet.

The clav got hot around the time that more J Bass players were using rounds, and when the clav was played in the low register, that could be problematic.

The rhythm section is great, but a tune like this would have been perfect for Harvey Mason.

Harvey was plenty busy back then and on so many records.

 

[Don Kasper]

Valdez In The Country.

Yeah...by Cold Blood, but composed by Donny Hathaway!
Thx.

 

[pbass888]

Don ,
Thank you for your posts and transcriptions , as a jive self teaching pianist, ive used your works more than you know. I think the next part in the tune is

g-/ c7/fmaj7 ( each measure)
A#A / G#7 to Cm7/c#Maj7/ F#maj 7/F#Maj7/
D#min/ G#min/ G Maj7 /Gmaj7 then back to top

Thank you again for all your informative transcriptions.

EDIT: is it Wilton Felder?

 

[Topkat13]

That’s fawnkee!

 

[Don Kasper]

Don ,
Thank you for your posts and transcriptions , as a jive self teaching pianist, ive used your works more than you know. I think the next part in the tune is

g-/ c7/fmaj7 ( each measure)
A#A / G#7 to Cm7/c#Maj7/ F#maj 7/F#Maj7/
D#min/ G#min/ G Maj7 /Gmaj7 then back to top

Thank you again for all your informative transcriptions.

EDIT: is it Wilton Felder?

Hi pb...Sounds like we're a Half-Step apart?Hmmmm.
Here is what I hear starting at 3:05 on the YT above...
F#min9/ B9sus/ Emaj7/ A7b9,13 - G#7b9,13/ G7b9,13/ Cmaj7/ Fmaj7/ Fmaj7- Cmaj7/ Dmin7/ G7b9,13/ F#maj7/ (same...)// then back to the Fmin part...
I did hear a YT version that was not in the correct KEY, FYI.
Also - the bassist is Clint Mosley!
Thx for your interest and kind words.

 

[5StringBlues]

That’s fawnkee!

Like 9 cans of shaving powder?

 

[pbass888]

Hi pb...Sounds like we're a Half-Step apart?Hmmmm.
Here is what I hear starting at 3:05 on the YT above...
F#min9/ B9sus/ Emaj7/ A7b9,13 - G#7b9,13/ G7b9,13/ Cmaj7/ Fmaj7/ Fmaj7- Cmaj7/ Dmin7/ G7b9,13/ F#7b9,13/ (same...)// then back to the Fmin part...
I did hear a YT version that was not in the correct KEY, FYI.
Also - the bassist is Clint Mosley!
Thx for your interest and kind words.

Hi, Yes i just listened of youtube so I bet I had the one that was (sped up, tuned up?).Its a groovy tune and thanks for sharing the name of the bassist.

BTW I had the same half step issue transcribing "Nubian Lady" (1972) by Yusef Lateef on 2 different version on youtube.

Thanks again.

 

[VoodooJazz]

You and I lived in Buffalo at the same time; 1975-81. I went to UB and worked for a while afterwards. Tralfamadore Cafe, Pegasus, SG, Bills, Sabres, and 10 cent wings were fond memories.
Blizzard of ‘77, not so much.
Great tune.

I was also in upstate NY during that time, and I pretty much played this album (and Crusaders' "Free As The Wind") flat during college.

And Holy Cow, that Blizzard of '77! Good times, good times...

 

[jerry]

This was another Laws song that was popular back then.


Same song with Marcus on fretless.

 

[jerry]

And Holy Cow, that Blizzard of '77! Good times, good times...

I really have found memories of getting snowed in with a lot of great music in '77. Joini, Stevie Wonder, Weather Report, Paul Simon, Flora Purim etc.all released great albums around then and almost every album reminds me of being snowed in, yup, good time!

 

[Watchootognbout]

Haven't listened to this in a while.

Back in the day, I heard it as a casual descendant of Valdez In The Country.

It reminds me of the challenge bass players had at that time of not only co-existing with the kick but also the clavinet.

The clav got hot around the time that more J Bass players were using rounds, and when the clav was played in the low register, that could be problematic.

The rhythm section is great, but a tune like this would have been perfect for Harvey Mason.

George Benson's version of "Valdez In The Country"
Another one that takes Me back.

 

[edwinhurwitz]

Who the heck played the flexitone? Amazing job!