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Post new topic Two Surf Arrangements: Tubin' (Open D) + Baja (C6th)
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Author Topic:  Two Surf Arrangements: Tubin' (Open D) + Baja (C6th)
Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2017 5:44 am    
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Since we've been talking about surf music on steel this week, here are two arrangements of mine.

Tubin'
is a cool surf a tune by Telecaster master Redd Volkaert. He plays the melody slightly differently each time, so this is my interpretation of it in Open D tuning. I've included a chord chart, chord positions and some arpeggio and scale ideas for soloing. If you want to play this in Open E tuning (in Redd's original key), simply play the same positions and raise the chord names up by one whole step.

Tubin' by Redd Volkaert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqmZzcs-uAI





Baja was written by Lee Hazelwood and recorded by the Astronauts. A lot of people have covered this iconic tune. This arrangement isn't 100% exact to the original melody so it's more my interpretation of the tune. It appears as part of the Surf Medley in my C6th Gold book. Note - there should be a low C note in the tuning on string 6 - just a typo.

MIDI of arrangement: http://picosong.com/w3ujb

Some cool versions ....

Astronauts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHbcU5ArqBQ
Bill Frisell & Greg Leisz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2cF8DeArmQ
Blue Hawaiians: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVy_lfngmUE



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Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2017 5:49 am    
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Baja is such a cool tune! I love that live version by the Blue Hawaiians.
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Ken Campbell

 

From:
Ferndale, Montana
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2017 7:10 am    
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That Bill Frisell record is awesome. It's in permanent rotation for me. Cool arrangements Andy.
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Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2017 7:50 am    
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Thanks and another cool version of Baja - live on the beach! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-8bfsgRU3g
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Scott Thomas

 

Post  Posted 16 Oct 2017 10:44 am    
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I like your version of Baja, Andy! I have heard many covers, and I don't believe I've heard it played the same way twice. For me, the Astronaut's version has become the definitive one.

However, studio guitarist (and long time collaborator with Duane Eddy and associate of Lee Hazlewood) Al Casey also recorded it 1963 with Hazlewood producing on the album "Surfin' Hootenanny".

Though it could be said to be an exploitation album cashing in on a craze (and so many were), it is nonetheless a really great album. Crazy wet reverb and a favorite of mine!

With the tune's writer (Hazlewood) involved in the production, one would have to guess that this recording is the closest to his original intent. It's much slower.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvywCk3lRGY
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Scott Thomas

 

Post  Posted 16 Oct 2017 10:58 am    
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Andy Volk wrote:
Thanks and another cool version of Baja - live on the beach! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-8bfsgRU3g


Incidentally, the lead player there is Paul Johnson who co-founded the Bel-Airs with Eddie Bertrand (later of Eddie and the Showmen) when they were about 15. Their 1961 "hit" Mr. Moto is one of the first recordings to kick off the surf music craze.

His partner in that video is Gil Orr of The Chantays, who just passed last month.
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Jim Fogarty


From:
Phila, Pa, USA
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2017 12:00 pm    
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My favorite surf tune, played by my favorite surf guitarist, in my favorite surf band....Baja, by Slacktone!!

https://youtu.be/n5kMNdTmjWA
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Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2017 12:20 pm    
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Cool versions, guys!

This one, from the Blue Hawaiians CD "Live at the Lava Lounge" might just be my favorite with its added bonus of a story embedded in the performance:

http://picosong.com/w3JqT/
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Garry Vanderlinde


From:
CA
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2017 11:37 pm     Steel Baja
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Recently I've heard lots of guitar arrangements of Baja on this forum, but this is the Steel Guitar Forum! So here's a version on lap steel or as b0b calls it "Steel Without Pedals" that I put together for the HSGA Convention last Sept. Hope you like it.
I LOVE SURF MUSIC
Have a look, it's only 3 of us. Steel, uke and uke bass.

Cool Muttering Alien Mr. Green Exclamation
https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=MVn8jILj_vM
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Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 17 Oct 2017 4:31 am    
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Nice, Gary!
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