Category: Steck

Emmet Cohen | It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Another solo piano performance, this time from jazz pianist Emmet Cohen. Recognized as a prodigy, the 29-year old Cohen has been hailed by Downbeat magazine for his “nimble touch, measured stride and warm harmonic vocabulary.” He has performed with Ron Carter, Kurt Elling, and Christian McBride, among others, and composes as well. Key change at 1:54. Thanks to MotD contributor Paul Steckler for this find.

J.J. Jackson | But It’s Allright

From our regular poster Paul “Steck” Steckler comes J.J. Jackson’s “But It’s Allright.” Steck writes that the track is “so good that it became a charting hit twice, in 1966 and 1969. Jackson is American, but he recorded this one in England with top-drawer studio players. Besides the strong belting vocal, notable are the chunky guitar intro, the tasty glockenspiel in the instrumental section, and an upward modulation at 1:47.”

AllMusic’s review of the tune starts off with this heartfelt praise: “Driven by one of the catchiest guitar hooks in the history of rock + roll and a devastating vocal performance, J.J. Jackson’s “But It’s Alright” is one of R&B’s notable high points during the ’60s.”

Fever | Josh Turner (feat. Allison Young)

From MotD regular Paul Steckler comes this update on a 1959 pop classic:

“Everyone knows the famous version of ‘Fever’ by Peggy Lee. She added lyrics to the original release, performed by Little Willie John in 1956. In 2019, we have a guitar-and-voice version by Josh Turner and Allison Young.”

Josh’s bio states that he “started playing at 13, when his PlayStation 2 was confiscated.”

Modulations at 1:35 and 2:11.

Three Dog Night | Celebrate

A bonus weekend mod from our frequent contributor Paul Steckler:

“‘Celebrate’ was a hit for Three Dog Night, reaching #15 on the Billboard chart in 1970. The studio version had no modulations. But this live 1975 version features an endless series of modulations beginning at 2:36, eventually posing health risks to performers and audience alike.”

The Ventures | Perfidia

Another contribution from MotD fan Paul Steckler:

“Who can turn a dolorous Mexican popular song into a surf guitar classic? Why, The Ventures, of course. Their 1960 version of “Perfidia” (Spanish for “perfidy”, meaning faithlessness, treachery or betrayal) changes key at 1:07.”

Other than the Ventures’ version, which hit #18 on the pop charts, the tune has been covered by Desi Arnaz, Nat King Cole, and Linda Ronstadt, among many others.

Cher | The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore

Many thanks to MotD fan Paul Steckler for this contribution!

Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio, writers of many of the Four Seasons’ hits, wrote “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine (Anymore)”, originally sung by Frankie Valli, and a big international hit for the Walker Brothers in 1966. Thirty years later (1995), Cher covered it. Her version starts in F# and then alternates to G# at 1:50; then back, etc.

Spanky + Our Gang | Sunday Will Never Be the Same

Intrepid MotD fan Paul Steckler points out the single modulation at 2:19 in the middle of a section of Bach-inspired vocalese in “Sunday Will Never Be the Same” by Spanky and Our Gang (1967). The tune, which reached #9 in the US and was another example of Sunshine Pop, scored the biggest hit for this short-lived band from the late 60s.

Mylene Farmer | Les Mots

From MOTD member Paul Steckler:

“This is French pop megastar Mylène Farmer singing “Les Mots” (2001), which she originally recorded with Seal. This is a live version with Abe Laboriel, Jr. (Paul McCartney’s longtime drummer).” Starting in Db minor, the tune alternates between Db major and Db minor (1:02, 1:37, 2:39, 3:13, 3:33), then modulates to Eb major at 4:08.