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

Funk/Disco Horn Chart transcriptions

Here's a review of the first horn chart transcriptions book that I got (Funk/Disco). Watch this space for others.
Funk/Disco is a collection of 15 horn charts, transcribed from the original recordings in their original keys. Very high-quality for cover bands. I don't see how they will sell more than 10 or 20 of these unless they start a horn-section revolution, but anyway, it's a great resource for players.
The rhythms are readable, but with only 4-9 measures per page, each song is laid out over about 16 pages. This means memorization or other additional work to be able to play this in any situation. Also, if you're going to play just a single sax, you may have to borrow from the other parts to have it sound right. Having the vocals lined up with the other tracks is very helpful for being able to figure out exactly when to play if your counting skills aren't the best. And of course, you can play right along to the recorded versions, which is the same key most cover bands will play the tunes in, so it is a quick way to get up to speed. Chord progressions appear above the vocal lines, so Bass and Guitar should be able to pick it up from that.

Web ads seem not to even list all the songs in each of these books, so as far as I know, this post is the only source on the web for this information:
1. Brick House by the Commodores: vocals in C (A minor?), Trumpet 1,2, Alto, Tenor, and Trombone parts.
2. Disco Inferno by The Trammps: vocals in Eb (ending in C), Trumpet 1,2,3, TBone 1,2,3
3. Dr. Funkenstein by Parliament: vocals (spoken, song in D), Trumpet, Alto, Tenor, TBone - but solo not transcribed
4. Fire by The Ohio Players: vocals in C (to Db), Trumpet 1,2, Tenor
5. Give It To Me Baby by Rick James: vocals in E, Trumpet 1,2, Tenor 1,2, TBone 1,2
6. Hold On I'm Comin' by Sam and Dave: vocals in Ab, Trumpet, Tenor 1,2
7. Lucretia Mac Evil by Blood, Sweat and Tears: vocals in G (then F, then Gb), Trumpet 1,2, Alto, TBone
8. Papa's Got a Brand New Bag by James Brown: vocals in E, Trumpet 1,2, Alto, Tenor, Baritone sax
9. Pick Up The Pieces by Average White Band: vocals in Ab, Tenor 1,2
10. Serpentine Fire by Earth Wind & Fire: vocals in C, Trumpet 1,2,3,4, Alto, Trombone, Baritone sax
11. Superstition by Stevie Wonder: vocals in Gb (Bb minor?), Trumpet 1, 2, Tenor 1, 2
12. That's The Way (I Like It) by KC & the Sunshine Band: vocals in Eb, Trumpet 1,2 Tenor, Baritone sax
13. What Is Hip? by Tower of Power: vocals in E, Trumpet 1,2 Tenor 1,2, Baritone sax
14. Y.M.C.A by Village People: vocals in Gb, Trumpet 1,2,3, Tenor 1,2 Tbone 1,2, Baritone sax
15. You Should Be Dancing by Bee Gees: vocals in Bb, Trumpet 1,2,3,4, Tenor 1,2,3,4