Style:

Funk

Form:

16 Bars

Arrangements:

The shots used in bar 12 are usually carried out throughout the solos, and the head is often played twice on the way in and out.

Key:

Bb Major

Harmony/Overview:

The  harmony of this composition is very simple, and it is made up entirely  of Dominant 7 chords. It begins similarly to a typical 12 bar Major blues; I7 for 4 bars before moving to IV7 for 2 bars. It then cycles  through D7 - G7 before remaining on C7 for 4 bars and then I7 for the  final 4, making the entire form last 16 bars.

Recordings:

This  song has been recorded dozens of times to date. It was first introduced  on the B-side of James Brown's 1969 single "The Popcorn". Just over a decade later Jaco Pastorius would add the song to his repertoire,  performing it frequently and leaving behind several recordings such as Twins I & II - Live In Japan. Maceo Parker's rendition from Mo' Roots featuring the young Bill Stewart and Larry Goldings was also highly influential. The simplicity of the song has not only made it especially popular among students but has also made it one of the most widely known funk tunes  in the repertoire.

JGC Top Picks:

Jaco Pastorius, Twins I & II - Live In Japan, 1982

Maceo Parker, Mo' Roots, 1991

Dave Weckl, Live (And Very Plugged In), 2002