I Can't Get Started (E9))


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This is a doomed attempt at an E9th transcription of a Charlie Parker recording of the Gershwin/Duke tune “I Can’t Get Started” .
The recording I have is off a cheap CD with no liner notes, so I don’t know the date or personnel, but it’s CP with a big-band.

The arrangement on the recording is :

Verse 1                      CP solo
Verse 2                      CP solo
Middle                       Big Band
Verse 3                      CP solo
Bridge(Modulation)    Big Band
Middle                       Piano
Verse 4/Coda              Big Band then CP


The version here is a shortened variation of the above that avoids the modulation :

Verse 1                      as per CP solo
Verse 2                      as per  CP solo
Middle                       no attempt at emulating the big band sound – I just follow the melody embellished with a few chords
Verse 3/Coda            first ½ of CP verse 3 tacked onto 2nd half of CP verse 4.


There are some difficult bits in this – especially the use of the C pedal to get the very fast grace notes he uses. 

Ultimately, I prove here that a PSG is not the same thing as a saxophone (just as well, or I'd be even more unpopular with the neighbours).

The backing track is good old BIAB, as I couldn’t find a midi that I liked.