Half A Man." Interesting Substitutions?

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 10 Jul 2005 9:57 am

I have been playing with a band I recently joined, that can actually play songs like SGR and Night Life.

They've got a GREAT version of Half a Man, and I'll chart some of the chords when I get a chance. Mostly it's just a couple of added II-Vs but there are some "good'uns".

So far, I've been able to work through them by octave melodies, and filling chords the next time around. It's true that you "can't go wrong with melody."

Anybody got any good subs they play on this song?

EJL

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 10 Jul 2005 3:19 pm

Are you sure the chords even exist?

Seriously, I'm not familiar with the tune. Who recorded it?

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 10 Jul 2005 3:23 pm

Hey b0b, that's an old Willie Nelson tune. There's a great version on Willie and Merle Haggard's "Pancho & Lefty" album. It's one of Willie's best compositions....JH in Va.

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It's all on 12, who needs 20!

Colin Goss · Post by **Colin Goss** » 11 Jul 2005 12:00 am

I play this as an instrumental and use the following chords

C G C C
C C#dim Dm G
F F#dim C A
D D G Gaug
C G C C
C C7 F Em/Dm
F F#dim C Am
C G C C

It's a great number to play - I've got a BIAB backing if anyone is interested

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 11 Jul 2005 5:16 am

Here's an old number chart that I have for it:
<pre>
1 5 1 1
1 1#dim 2m 5
4 4#dim 1 6m
2 2 2m 5aug
......................
1 5 1 1
1 1dom7 4 3 6m
4 4#dim 1 6m
1 5 1 1
</pre>
Have a good 'un..........JH in Va.

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 11 Jul 2005 7:53 am

If I'm not mistaken, Don Gibson had a killer soulful version of this song.[This message was edited by Andy Greatrix on 11 July 2005 at 08:54 AM.]

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 11 Jul 2005 8:47 am

If you can find a copy of the Merle and Willie version it's the best I've heard. Merle sings it through once then Willie comes in on the next verse playing with the melody and phrasing like he's famous for and really nails it! Willie also plays a flat out killer guitar solo on it which is so d@mn simple but so effective!.....JH in Va.

jay thompson · Post by **jay thompson** » 11 Jul 2005 9:58 am

Colin,
I would appreciate copies of your BIAB tracks and arraingement of "Half A Man".
Best regards,
Jay Thompson

George Redmon · Post by **George Redmon** » 11 Jul 2005 11:03 am

i think Ray Price also did it on one of those Step One cd's..i thought Buddy Emmons played steel on it to.....

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Whitney Single 12 8FL & 5 KN,keyless, dual changers Extended C6th, Webb Amp, Line6 PodXT, Goodrich Curly Chalker Volume Pedal, Match Bro, BJS Bar..I was keyless....when keyless wasn't cool....

[This message was edited by George Redmon on 11 July 2005 at 12:05 PM.]

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 11 Jul 2005 4:57 pm

Here's close to what we were playing.

D A D D

D dim Em A

G Bb6 D Baug7 E A

D A D D

D F# G E

G Bb6 D Bm7

D A D D

It was fun following it for the first time that's for sure.

I know the chords aren't "right", but then the notes don't exist any more, I got paid, and I figure I'm home free.

The Bm resolves strangely into the D, but WTH..

EJL

Tom Olson · Post by **Tom Olson** » 11 Jul 2005 7:11 pm

If a tree falls on a steel guitar, but nobody's there to hear any sound, did the note(s) ever exist?

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 11 Jul 2005 8:03 pm

See b0b, look what you started...

EJL

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 12 Jul 2005 9:56 am

If a tree falls on a steel guitar, but nobody's there to hear any sound, did the note(s) ever exist?

Yes, but they were very compressed.

Sorry folks, I couldn't resist. As Roger Rabbit said: "TWO BITS!"