View Full Version : "Jesus Is Just Aright"
Jon Hall
Jul-25-2009, 8:53am
Our group tried this song last week and it rocked on a OBM.
I'm familiar with versions by Steely Dan, The Byrds and DC Talk but I don't who first recorded it.
The first version I remember hearing was by the Doobie Brothers, but I always liked the way the Byrds did it.
Denny Gies
Jul-25-2009, 9:35am
I think it was the Byrds who did it first.
Miked
Jul-25-2009, 11:08am
Great song! The Doobies version is so ingrained in my memory that it's hard to imagine an acoustic version.
Here's a little history from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Is_Just_Alright
Jason Kessler
Jul-26-2009, 11:02am
I'm unaware of any version of the song done by Steely Dan. With the exception of a Duke Ellington tune, they don't do any covers and, if they did, this would be an odd choice for them.
Jon Hall
Jul-26-2009, 5:39pm
My mistake... I confused Steely Dan with The Doobie Brothers.
Miked,
Before we tried playing the song I voiced a disclaimer saying I wasn't sure it would work but it did. We were playing harmonica, dulcimer and an OBM. The OBM is an arched t & b with a lot of volume and sustain. An acoustic substitute for an electric guitar. I read that the Robert Randolph Family Band recorded it. I'm sure they rocked it with their gospel peddle steel.
acruzn
Jul-26-2009, 8:12pm
Jon,
i am a newbie so could you translate the acronyms, pls.
OBM
t & B
thx,
MikeEdgerton
Jul-26-2009, 8:49pm
I think you'll find it was done by the Byrds first. I saw Roger McGuinn do that song live in about 1969.
Jon Hall
Jul-26-2009, 9:59pm
Angel
Sure.. OBM is a Octave/Bouzouki Mandolin (pretty much an authentic acronym) and t&b ( something I made up as I typed) refers to an arched or carved top and back. A carved top or back produces a much different tone from a flat top and back.
Mike Bromley
Jul-26-2009, 10:19pm
I'm unaware of any version of the song done by Steely Dan. With the exception of a Duke Ellington tune, they don't do any covers and, if they did, this would be an odd choice for them.
No Tchit, Tcherlock....! Donald Fagan & Walter Becker, masters of jaded sophistication, singing a Doob song. Er, yup.
My mistake... I confused Steely Dan with The Doobie Brothers.
A perfectly acceptable thing to do, as both groups were popular at the same time, where many people had difficulty remembering lots of things!
I think you'll find it was done by the Byrds first. I saw Roger McGuinn do that song live in about 1969.
Well, not everyone, I guess.
:whistling::)):mandosmiley:
barney 59
Jul-26-2009, 10:44pm
The song --"Jesus is Just Alright" was written by Art Reynolds and recorded by the Art Reynolds Singers-- a Southern California early gospel rock group prior to the Byrds recording. The Art Reynolds Singers I think still exist.
acruzn
Jul-27-2009, 6:36am
Jon,
thx for the education; still trying to catch on to the mandolin nuances.<g> gotta hear both types (arched and flattop) together some time soon...
angel 8^)>>
Martin
Jul-27-2009, 8:18pm
Mountain Heart in between sets...
I can now imagine an acoustic version.
:cool: