Donna Lee

Richard Nelson · Post by **Richard Nelson** » 27 Oct 2005 3:18 am

Can you play it ?

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 27 Oct 2005 3:52 am

Perfectly!

It's always tough to decide, though, whether I'd rather play it on CD or cassette...

[This message was edited by Chris Bauer on 27 October 2005 at 04:52 AM.][This message was edited by Chris Bauer on 27 October 2005 at 05:30 AM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 27 Oct 2005 6:14 am

On bass in the past, but not on steel yet.

If you CAN play it,
you will be firmly propelled into the upper echelons
of steelplayers for sure...
well at least foir me.
Great tune, and a bugger to play well.

Jay Fagerlie · Post by **Jay Fagerlie** » 27 Oct 2005 6:35 am

Never heard of it.
Who did it?

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 27 Oct 2005 7:05 am

Charlie Parker, but Jaco Pastorius's bass version is perhaps more 'famous'...

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www.gregertsen.com

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 27 Oct 2005 9:40 am

If I recall correctly, it has the same chord changes as Back Home In Indiana.
It sounds really interesting if a band plays the two tunes at the same time.

Jay Fagerlie · Post by **Jay Fagerlie** » 27 Oct 2005 11:07 am

Thanks Steinar,
I guess I'll have to go find it.
That's another thing I love about this forum, I have been 'turned on' to so much good music, thanks all!
Jay

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 27 Oct 2005 11:50 am

Never heard the Jaco cover so I'll consider any Bird recording to be the famous one.
I have sat down and picked the head, ever so slowly and painfully. The notion of actually hauling off and playing it as honest to god music--there's a lofty goal. That & Confirmation, to me, approach the pinnacle of writing a head over changes.

John Steele (deceased) · Post by **John Steele (deceased)** » 27 Oct 2005 12:53 pm

Funny.... I had to play "Donna Lee" on the gig last night, first time in ages. I have a new respect for the trombone player that called it. Playing blistering bebop lines on the trombone is rather like entering a Sherman tank in the Indy 500.
Jon Light, I'm with you. "Confirmation" is my favourite.
-John

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www.ottawajazz.com

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 27 Oct 2005 6:43 pm

Mike Cass plays it, natch!

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 28 Oct 2005 1:43 am

So does Jeff Beck!

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 28 Oct 2005 2:37 am

wit removed..[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 28 October 2005 at 07:36 PM.]

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 28 Oct 2005 5:39 am

Tony, you've been given too much Leeway.

Richard Nelson · Post by **Richard Nelson** » 28 Oct 2005 5:49 am

So much wit, and on a musical topic !!!! Maybe this is in the wrong section ? I heard Franklin does it in Ab ? Does he ? I think it would be better in F for C6th tuning. I have a blistering version of Art Pepper doing it in F at 250 bpm !!!! Well recomended listening . Ithinkit would be impossible to play it at speed starting on the 3rd fret ? It has to be played up the octave ?

John McGann · Post by **John McGann** » 28 Oct 2005 5:18 pm

Jim Loessberg's arrangement (well done!) is 8va, around the 15th fret. I can play it at half note=one hour (I have a custom metronome).

http://pedalsteelmusic.com/instruction/jimloessberg.html

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http://www.johnmcgann.com
Info for musicians, transcribers, technique tips and fun stuff. Joaquin Murphey transcription book, Rhythm Tuneup DVD and more...

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 29 Oct 2005 3:43 am

Richard, if you record Donna Lee, I'd sure like to hear it. You're an amazing player.

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Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum SD12U, Carter D10 8/8, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3, DD-3, Fender Steel King, Understanding wife. http://www.Charmedmusic.com

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 29 Oct 2005 3:59 am

The Jaco version practically made it mandatory for electric bassplayers for a while, but have prefered to forget it on that instrument.

I did see one cat play it at REAL full speed on uppright bass at the Village Vangaurd a few years back.

Played the head with a soprano sax 3 or 4 octaves above,
but the BASS was the leader on this take,
the sax was for tone and was playing back behind him...
Just scarey...

But of course the Bird version is the famous one.
Played it a bunch a times at Paris jam sessions.
The French adore Bird.

I gotta get me some of these steel versions!
Good luck Richard.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 29 October 2005 at 10:42 PM.]

Mike Selecky · Post by **Mike Selecky** » 29 Oct 2005 10:42 pm

Here's a cool version by a fairly talented player you might have heard...

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 30 Oct 2005 12:48 am

mike..now that COOKS..

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 30 Oct 2005 2:20 am

Donna Lee can be heard on Buck Reid's CD, A Work in Progress.

John McGann · Post by **John McGann** » 30 Oct 2005 5:12 am

Wow, Mike, thanks for the live Pete Drake clip!

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 31 Oct 2005 10:03 pm

Wasn't there a thread lately saying Pete Drake had no real chops...

Yeah Right! In your dreams.

Chris Forbes · Post by **Chris Forbes** » 1 Nov 2005 3:47 am

Richard, what Art Pepper album was it on? I'm a HUGE Pepper fan and would LOVE to hear that!!!!!

Chris Forbes · Post by **Chris Forbes** » 3 Nov 2005 3:44 am

I was over at Paul Vendemmia's house last night and he played Buck Reid's version for me. Whew!!! That's downright demoralizing!!!

Richard Nelson · Post by **Richard Nelson** » 4 Nov 2005 8:33 pm

Chris , the Art Pepper album is Art Pepper + 11 its on CR contemporary which is a German label OJC20341-2 it was recorded in 1959 in LA . Im gonna get that Buck Ried album , he is great