blog#5 (cinco)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swuWRQhzE0A

I Just Want To Make Love To You - The Rolling Stones version (written by Willie Dixon)

LISTENING FRAMEWORK
(SIMPLIFIED)
LISTENING PHASE 1 (Rhythm) Tempo [slow, medium, fast]

It's sort of in between. It's a medium tempo rocker, kind of up beat.



Source [where is the rhythm coming from?] 
The Bass, drums and guitar of course. People tend to think rhythm section as bass and drums, which is true but the guitar is also keeping the rhythm, especially in this.


Groove [describe how the personality of the rhythm] 
It's a blues song played uptempo, rock style. Pretty standard, what Elvis and the others all did. Very good.


LISTENING PHASE 2 (Arrangement) Instrumentation [which instruments drive the song?] 
The guitar lick definitely drives, the drums do too especially when it picks up after the solo. The harmonica also drives it a bit.


Structure/Organization [how is the song built? Order, patterns, etc.] 
Verse, Chorus, stop thing, verse, chorus, 'love to you, sweet love to you', drum bit, end.
This is live video is shortened from the studio version which has a short break, a harmonica solo and a guitar solo.


Emotional Architecture [Draw how the song build and drop?] 
It's pretty standard in build - the verses describe what the chorus is all about. It's all about sex, a down and dirty blues song made rock and roll.



LISTENING PHASE 3 (Sound Quality) Balance

• -  Height [high and low of frequency] 
• Since it's a sixties recording it doesn't have the depth sound-wise a recording today would, but on the low we have bass and bass drum, middle to high is guitar and vocals, high is guitar and harmonica.
  
  
• -  Width [stereo panning left/right] 
• The studio version is mono I believe, very 'old school' as they say.
  
  
• -  Depth [layers of instruments - via loudness] 
   It's essentially a garage band, so the layers aren't there compared to say "Wild Horses" where there is acoustic guitar and piano and such. This is just an early rocker - not as much depth.
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• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUgvVAFFzN8
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  I Just Want To Make Love To You - Etta James version
  
  LISTENING FRAMEWORK
  
  
  (SIMPLIFIED)
  LISTENING PHASE 1 (Rhythm) Tempo [slow, medium, fast] 
  Sort of 'march' like, it drags. Medium tempo.
  
  
  Source [where is the rhythm coming from?] 
  The Drums, but the bass and horns and such play an important part too.
  
  
  Groove [describe how the personality of the rhythm] 
  The groove is pretty standard, it's essentially what was played on every Motown song in the early to mid sixties, a bit slower.
  
  LISTENING PHASE 2 (Arrangement) Instrumentation [which instruments drive the song?] 
  The Strings, horns, bass, etc. Especially the drums and horns.
  
  Structure/Organization [how is the song built? Order, patterns, etc.] 
  Typically verse/chorus song.
  
  Emotional Architecture [Draw how the song build and drop?] 
  It builds a bit for the chorus - which is standard. Her voice is unmatched - she's a legend, and when she let's rip, you feel it. That's what sets Etta James, and any good musician apart from the rest. Feeling.
  
  LISTENING PHASE 3 (Sound Quality) Balance
  

  • -  Height [high and low of frequency] 
    

  High would be her voice (at times - vocals are always in the upper middle level frequency-wise). The horns, and strings are definitely in the higher end, especially strings. Holding it down on the low end we have bass and drums.
  
  

  • -  Width [stereo panning left/right] 
  • Her voice is dead center. This sounds like it's mono - it ain't Dark Side of The Moon, or Sgt. Pepper, but that's fine. Very straight ahead.
    
    
  • -  Depth [layers of instruments - via loudness]
  • We have horns on top, especially when they're alone - as soon as she sings, she's the loudest. Bass and drums are always in the back a bit, but that's their job.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  In terms of lyrics, obviously they are the same as it’s the same song. Although in Etta’s version you can much more clearly hear her singings about how she loves this man – “I don’t want to see you sad and blue, I just want to make love to you” and you can tell she means it. Meanwhile the Rolling Stones version, being a bit more rock and roll, sounds more like Mick Jagger really wants to make some girl. The point that gets across more is that he really wants to make love to her. Especially the way they emphases the chorus, with that little speed up. It’s true to the original version by Muddy Waters, though, and what comes across is that the Stones really liked blues and rock and roll in their early days.

  
  

  
  

  The melody is great, pretty standard of blues. In the Rolling Stones version, the repeating guitar lick is VERY Chuck Berry, which makes sense as he is Keith Richards’ idol. The melody for Etta’s is very much in her voice, the strings and the horn arrangement. Let’s not forget that piano though – the piano in her version is helping with the melody, and putting forth an interesting rhythm – and it builds when the drums and such do.  Also, the saxophone solo in her version – I’m surprised this is my first time mentioning it. For Etta’s version, we have a lot of intensity, definitely more so then the Stones version; hers is more dynamic. There is more to the organization of hers as well – in terms of arrangement, organization, and instrumentation. But that’s the point; they’re both playing the same song, but getting a totally different message across – the Stones are rock and roll, sloppy, simple and energetic – it doesn’t make one more talented or better then the other. They are just simply different, and I love both. Interestingly enough the label that put out Etta’s version, Chess records, was a favorite of the Rolling Stones. Their cover is of Muddy Waters’ earlier version. The Rolling Stones later recorded at Chess records in Chicago and Etta James opened for them on tour in 1978.

  
  

   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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