Like everyone else, working studio musicians like to take a break and blow off steam now and again during a long session of serious focused work, as several clips on this site testify: e.g., Prison Story, “Hold it, Hold it," among others.
And it’s a fact that for the best musicians, especially if they know each other well, a “break” or “blowing off steam” will not be coffee and kvetching in the lounge, but just more music — only something fun, unrehearsed, a chance to stretch out a little after the hours if not days of focused playing.
Here’s one that the Whack band(s) broke into more than once across the months of recording. This particular clip comes from the Signet sessions (“Do you hear the bass, Rick?”). It should surprise no one that it’s a 12-bar blues.
We’re calling it Black Dog — for reasons that will become obvious— and we’re crediting it to that very prolific fellow “Trad”; there was a song Black Dog Blues in the ‘20s but — other than that they’re both blues — it bears no resemblance musically or lyrically to the Becker Band confection here. All sorts of clever web searches and a few inquiries haven't turned up the song in this clip either. But there’s nothing like wide distribution to shake out some 411, so perhaps more will be forthcoming.
We suspect it's simply made up of the constituent parts common to virtually all spontaneous, improvised blues: a well-known structure and set of changes; lyric segments pulled from one or more blues idioms scrambled with the singer’s own improvisations; resulting in refreshed musicians ready to return to the wash rinse and repeat of their professional efforts.
There are several other recordings of this “song”, when the band pulled it out almost like a familiar palate-cleanser, a bit of ginger between songs and takes. Some of these are longer, with more verses of W’s singing and improv lyrics, and more kick-ass solos from Parks. If we find them again (don’t ask) we’ll add them here.
And finally, although we’re calling this Black Dog, you’re about to hear why we should probably call it All Bow Down Before Dean "Black Dog” Parks.
Movie: Matt Kerns. Special appearance by Lucy.
Black Dog (Traditional © 1992/2020)
Black Dog
Black Dog is barkin' all night long
Black Dog
Black Dog is barkin all night long
Black Dog baby, barkin’ all night long
Black snake
Black snake is in my room
Black snake
Black snake is in my room
Don't wanna tell anybody but
Black snake is in my room
Black Dog
Black Dog is barkin' all night long
Black Dog
Black Dog is barkin' all night long
Don't wanna tell anybody but
Black Dog is barkin' all night long
————
Vocal: Walter Becker
Drums: Rick Marotta
Bass: Neil Stubenhaus
Guitar: Dean Parks
Keyboards: John Beasley
Snake Rattle: ?
First time i've heard it . Very nice
I am in love with this...and the gorgeous Lucy.
Nice! Sounds like they were enjoying themselves. Best wishes to all this holiday season.
Fantastic! I kept away and Black Dog is posted [ref. Dan Belcher :-) ]
Wishing one and all on WBM A Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year !! Take care everyone !!
ExcellentaMundo, my dear lady..
in my previously uncharted clinic, hidden within the borders of Akron, we are working for those poor souls who have wandered into the area, only to find themselves reduced to a quivering mass of Human Jelly, unable to escape, or to even roll over on their own.. These are very strange days indeed and no-one thought that they would spend their retirement lives in such a manner as this, while expending more energy than they did when they were on the Swim Team in College, and for What ? Hush now, don't worry, maybe there will be a Tomorrow..
Dean Parks is such an Incredible guitarist, as is Walter, with his distinctive phrasing and imagination.. These jam sessions break out during .monotonous hours in the studio, and man, it's Golden, but nobody ever gets to hear this music..
Until Now.. Til Now ! !
Thank you D-mod, Thank you, thank you, thank you ! !
Somewhere far, far away, where music is King, and perhaps there is hope of a better tomorrow, there are Great artists, and such talented musicians as this, roaming the Planet in complete comfort and joy ! ! Playing with reckless abandon and joyous celebration of the various Gods of Christmas they bring Everything to the less talented people of the World..
These are days like we have Never Seen, and this finds nothing but the Very Best Wishes to You, and to your family and friends today, and a Better, More Glorious Tomorrow.. All my love, Lary
Holy shit! Walter, belting out the blues with the best of them, who knew? Love this, naturally. Yes, Parks is awesome here. What a treasure. And I guess they had more than one drummer on those Signet sessions, eh? I think this is the first time I have heard Marotta with WB solo stuff. Thanks so much for this life-affirming music, @Moderator: D-Mod !!
Well that was fun! Dean was fine form.