Sweet Baby James

[imandolinin]

Hi Cafe Members,
I've been working on a version of this song for my newborn son. I play the chords mainly on the bottom 3 courses, but add treble for a sprinkle of variety on some changes. I really want to add an instrumental break, but I'm having a block. I can play the basic melody, and I've been adding a tremolo on the F#m chord. I wanted to add some cross picking sections too. Has anyone worked this one out and have some suggestions? Thanks a lot.
Cheers

[Beanzy]

Not looked at it but Charlotte & Laura Carrivick recently did a version which I thought sounded interesting. you may get some ideas from that.

[imandolinin]

That's a cool version of the song. Thanks for the link.

[Steve Ostrander]

When in doubt, stick to the melody!

[Jim Broyles]

Hi Cafe Members,
I've been working on a version of this song for my newborn son. I play the chords mainly on the bottom 3 courses, but add treble for a sprinkle of variety on some changes. I really want to add an instrumental break, but I'm having a block. I can play the basic melody, and I've been adding a tremolo on the F#m chord. I wanted to add some cross picking sections too. Has anyone worked this one out and have some suggestions? Thanks a lot.
Cheers

What key do you play it in? D, like James Taylor's version, I assume, since you mention an F#m chord, but I just want to be sure. I'll try to slap a video of my interpretation together for you, but I want to do it in the key you do it in.

[Eddie Sheehy]

What chords are you using?

[imandolinin]

Hi, thanks for replying. I am playing the song in the key of D (although I think JT drops his tuning down a half step). The chords I'm using go like this:

D - G - A - F#m
Bm - G - (B) D - F#m
Bm - G - (B) D - F#m
G - D - A - Em7 - Am7
G - G - Am7 - D
Bm - G - (B) D - A
G - G - Am7 - D
Bm - G - (B) D - D
Esus7 - E7 - Asus7 - Am7
D - G - A - D
Bm - G - (B) D - D
Bm - G - (B) D - D
E7 - Asus7 - Am7
G - A - D
repeat 2X

I have notes with tempo and tab written out, but I'm not so good with the rhythm notation. I can post that later tonight when I get home. Thanks for your help.

[Jim Broyles]

Well, the chord order you posted isn't the way JT did it. Maybe it's a mis-type, but the first line of the song goes D A G F#m, and all those Am7s should be A7s. There is no Am7 in Sweet Baby James, in the key of D. As for an instrumental break, the best I can come up with is the melody with embellishments such as hammer-ons and tremolo. I have always liked this song.

[imandolinin]

You're right, that's not the way it's done. I was going off the cuff earlier but I should have known there's no Am7 in the key of D. Sorry 'bout that. Here are my tabbed notes. Sorry for the lack of rhythm notation. I need to get my pencil out and start tapping in time to the lyrics...

[Marc Woodward]

Here's a rough take. This is in D and more or less following the melody using parts of chords and passing notes to provide accompaniment. I hope it helps but you may be way beyond this its only frst thoughts on the song!



Cheers,
Marc

[Mark Robertson-Tessi]

Very nice, Marc! Great stuff in there.

Cheers
Mark R-T

[imandolinin]

Hi Marc,

Great stuff, very melodic; a really nice version! Thank you for posting your interpretation of the song.

Cheers

[Marc Woodward]

Thanks Mark (and nice playing yourself on your YouTube channel!) and Tommy D: appreciated!

Cheers
Marc

[ald]

Great playing, Marc. Now what I would really like to see you play, apart from more of those smashing blues tunes you play (we are all eager for your new recording) is something Dylanish with lots of double stops, such as Love minus zero. I'm currently working on your version of Yesterday, by the way. Lovely playing.

[Marc Woodward]

Your wish is my command Aladdin, sorry Ald!

[Barry Wilson]

Just subscribed to your channel Marc. I always enjoy your videos. Please keep them coming.

[Eddie Sheehy]

That's truly inspirational, Marc. The 'first-take' on 'Sweet Baby James' is absolute genius...

[ald]

Thunderous applause from us all, Marc. How did you manage to get that tune together within a matter of hours! Your talent and generosity are amazing.

[Rosemary Philips]

Marc--you are always amazing!

[Marc Woodward]

Thanks Barry, Eddie, Anton and RO65 (!), you're very kind!
Anton I cheated a bit here, I knew Love minus Zero from way back 'though I haven't played it for years or tried playing it on octave mandolin (used to play it on guitar). So it didn't take too long to work it up a little and get my iPhone out!
Tommy D - thanks for your pm, I'll have a fiddle around with Sweet Baby J in A and see if I can throw a couple of ideas out!
Cheers all
Marc