n39
Ploughman
Posts: 309 
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Post by n39 on Mar 2, 2021 13:13:21 GMT
As is well known, Sleeping on the Sidewalk was recorded in one take.
I've read many quotes stating that John made some mistakes in the bass part, but the take was retained due to Brian being happy with it.
Specifically where in the track are these bass mistakes?
I've tried listening very closely with headphones to the album version and the rough mix from the box set, but my ears don't seem to be picking anything up.
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tl77
Tatterdemalion
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Post by tl77 on Mar 2, 2021 14:11:34 GMT
I listened to it on YouTube without an instrument in my hands - just my ears - and found the following bits, which possibly could be classified as "mistakes". I seem to recall that the song is in B, so I wrote the stuff down in that key: 0:30 John misses the first B note of the riff (when Brian sings ”sure”). 0:52 The chorus starts with an IV chord (E), but John plays a low B (tonic) after the words ”sleeping on the sidewalk”. But there's a B note in the E major chord, so it sounds fine. 1:22 After the word ”land” John plays a quick, high A sharp note on the B chord, which sounds weird in a blues context, especially since it doesn’t resolve up to B, but goes down to G sharp and starts "walking" from there. Sounds like a mistake, but he keeps playing it throughout the verse. Is he trying to play a high B (an octave jump from the low B), but missing it by a half step? 2:05 - a bum note 2:51 After ”sidewalk”. Plays a high D sharp on the E chord. Probably tries to play an E. This is the version I listened to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3MiHwfsHloIncidentally, is John playing a fretless bass on this? That would explain the "flat" notes. (EDIT: If I get a chance, I'll check those with an instrument. But I'm sure someone will correct me before that if there are mistakes! I hummed the notes in my head and tried to compare them to the chords.) |
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tl77
Tatterdemalion
Posts: 16
Likes: 11
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Post by tl77 on Mar 2, 2021 14:19:42 GMT
I must add that none of those "mistakes" bother me. On the contrary, they work in this song.
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n39
Ploughman
Posts: 309
Likes: 248
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Post by n39 on Mar 2, 2021 16:12:13 GMT
I listened to it on YouTube without an instrument in my hands - just my ears - and found the following bits, which possibly could be classified as "mistakes". I seem to recall that the song is in B, so I wrote the stuff down in that key: 0:30 John misses the first B note of the riff (when Brian sings ”sure”). 0:52 The chorus starts with an IV chord (E), but John plays a low B (tonic) after the words ”sleeping on the sidewalk”. But there's a B note in the E major chord, so it sounds fine. 1:22 After the word ”land” John plays a quick, high A sharp note on the B chord, which sounds weird in a blues context, especially since it doesn’t resolve up to B, but goes down to G sharp and starts "walking" from there. Sounds like a mistake, but he keeps playing it throughout the verse. Is he trying to play a high B (an octave jump from the low B), but missing it by a half step? 2:05 - a bum note 2:51 After ”sidewalk”. Plays a high D sharp on the E chord. Probably tries to play an E. This is the version I listened to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3MiHwfsHloIncidentally, is John playing a fretless bass on this? That would explain the "flat" notes. (EDIT: If I get a chance, I'll check those with an instrument. But I'm sure someone will correct me before that if there are mistakes! I hummed the notes in my head and tried to compare them to the chords.) Brilliant, thanks for finding. I can see why Brian was happy with the first take, even with these few mistakes the track has a great feel to it. |
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tl77
Tatterdemalion
Posts: 16
Likes: 11
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Post by tl77 on Mar 2, 2021 16:53:23 GMT
I listened to it on YouTube without an instrument in my hands - just my ears - and found the following bits, which possibly could be classified as "mistakes". I seem to recall that the song is in B, so I wrote the stuff down in that key: 0:30 John misses the first B note of the riff (when Brian sings ”sure”). 0:52 The chorus starts with an IV chord (E), but John plays a low B (tonic) after the words ”sleeping on the sidewalk”. But there's a B note in the E major chord, so it sounds fine. 1:22 After the word ”land” John plays a quick, high A sharp note on the B chord, which sounds weird in a blues context, especially since it doesn’t resolve up to B, but goes down to G sharp and starts "walking" from there. Sounds like a mistake, but he keeps playing it throughout the verse. Is he trying to play a high B (an octave jump from the low B), but missing it by a half step? 2:05 - a bum note 2:51 After ”sidewalk”. Plays a high D sharp on the E chord. Probably tries to play an E. This is the version I listened to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3MiHwfsHloIncidentally, is John playing a fretless bass on this? That would explain the "flat" notes. (EDIT: If I get a chance, I'll check those with an instrument. But I'm sure someone will correct me before that if there are mistakes! I hummed the notes in my head and tried to compare them to the chords.) Brilliant, thanks for finding. I can see why Brian was happy with the first take, even with these few mistakes the track has a great feel to it. Yeah, I agree that is has a great feel. A good decision from Brian. |
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Post by Maxi Dries on Mar 2, 2021 20:54:04 GMT
Sidewalk beats Lost Opportunity by far
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