R&B Horn Section

This is the final post in a series of informational reviews of some Hal Leonard saxophone, trombone, and trumpet transcription books. These books give note-by-note and correct-instrumentation transcriptions of some famous recordings, categorized as R&B, Rock/Pop, and Funk/Disco.
R&B Horn Section.

Cut the Cake by Average White Band: vocals in D, Tenor Sax 1,2,3,4, Bari Sax

Dancing in the Street by Martha Reeves&Vandellas: vocals in E, Trumpet, Tenor, Bari Sax, Trombone

Gimme Some Lovin' by Sam & Dave: vocals in E, Trumpet 1,2 Tenor 1,2 Trombone 1,2

Hallelujah, I Love Her So by Ray Charles: vocals in Bb, Trumpet 1,2 Tenor 1,2 Bari Sax

Hard To Handle by Otis Redding: vocals in Bb, Trumpet, Tenor 1,2


I Got You (I Feel Good) by James Brown: vocals in D, Trumpet, Alto, Tenor 1,2, Bari Sax, Trombone

In The Midnight Hour by Wilson Pickett: vocals in E, Trumpet, Tenor 1,2, Bari Sax

It's Your Thing by The Isley Brothers: vocals in F, Trumpet 1,2 Alto, Tenor, Bari Sax, Trombone

Knock on Wood by Eddie Floyd: vocals in E, Trumpet, Tenor 1,2, Bari Sax

Mustang Sally by Wilson Pickett: vocals in C, Trumpet, Tenor 1,2 Bari Sax

September by Earth, Wind, and Fire: vocals in A, Trumpet 1,2, Alto 1,2, Tenor 1,2, Trombone 1,2

Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder: vocals in B, Trumpet 1,2 in Db, Alto 1,2 in Ab

Soul Finger by The Bar-Kays: vocals in B, Trumpet in C#, Tenor in C#

Soul Man by Sam & Dave: vocals in F (ending in Ab), Trumpet, Tenor 1,2. Note that the Blues Brothers version would end in G instead of Ab and has a more drawn out instrumental break, and a definite ending instead of fading out.


You've Made Me So Very Happy by Blood, Sweat & Tears: vocals in Db, Trumpet/Flugelhorn 1,2, in Eb, Alto 1,2/Flute cues in Bb, Trombone 1,2 in Db.

Pop/Rock horn section transcriptions

I previously posted about a book of note-by-note horn section transcriptions available through Hal Leonard that has full charts for Trumpet, Saxophone, Trombone, etc. for some popular Funk/Disco tunes. This is great for cover bands that are adding a sax player, because it matches the guitar-friendly keys and such for the recorded version of the tune.
Here's the skinny on the pop/rock horn section book:



Bright Side of the Road by Van Morrison: vocals in C, Trumpet 1,2 Tenor 1,2

Higher Love by Steve Winwood: vocals in F, Trumpet, Alto, Trombone

Hot Hot Hot by Buster Poindexter: vocals in F, Trumpet, Alto, Tenor, Trombone

The Impression That I Get by Mighty Mighty Bosstones: Vocals in E, Tenor 1, 2, Trombone

Jump, Jive An' Wail by The Brian Setzer Orchestra: vocals in Bb, Trumpet 1,2,3 Alto 1,2 Tenor 1,2 Bari Sax, Trombone 1,2,3,4 - they're not kidding about "orchestra", but most of this tune is carried by the tenors. There's a long section of call and response by the trumpets, but that could be done by a single horn if needed.

Livin' La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin: vocals in E (C# minor), Trumpet 1,2 Alto 1,2 Trombone 1,2


Magical Mystery Tour by The Beatles: vocals in E, Trumpet 1,2,3,4

Peg by Steely Dan: vocals in G, Soprano Sax (sub for synth), Tenor

Smooth by Santana Featuring Rob Thomas: Vocals in C (A minor), Trumpet 1,2,3 Trombone 1,2,3

Spinning Wheel by Blood, Sweat, and Tears: vocals in G, Trumpet 1,2 Alto 1,2 Trombone 1,2

Sussudio by Phil Collins: vocals in C, Trumpet 1,2, Alto, Trombone(with extra horns overdubbed: Trumpet 3,4,5,6 Alto 2,3, Trombone 2,3)

25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago: vocals in C, Trumpet, Tenor, Trombone 1,2

Vehicle by Ides of March: vocals in Gb (Bb minor) Trumpet 1,2 Tenor 1,2 (all in 4 flats)

Will It Go Round in Circles by Billy Preston: vocals in Ab, Trumpet, Alto, Tenor, Trombone, Bari Sax

Zoot Suit Riot by Cherry Poppin' Daddies: vocals in Cb, Trumpet, Alto, Tenor, Trombone