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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Music General Discussion »

Permalink Why is Spaghetti Western Music So Cool?

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Here it is.

Right here... Fuzzrite doooods, and John may be on to something w the plate reverb but those only existed in $$ studios. Echo chambers were more affordable to construct then.
Once upon a time in the west was my inspiration totally here at 1:05 into the song https://youtu.be/MrzukPzGqow

I know... shameless, totally. oh well I love fuzz and verb

http://www.thenocturnebrain.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nocturne-Brain-Preamp-Zombies/240721872969

Last edited: May 19, 2018 02:34:07

Surf, Instrumental Rock (by which I mean Duane Eddy, Shadows and the like) and Spaghetti Western themes all seem to trade in minor keys, occasionally employing parallelism such as setting up a minor turn around then resolving to the parallel Major key or the trick of playing the IV as a Major. It’s the fun of Majors and minors going back to the Andalusian Cadence (Walk, Don’t Run, for instance).

I’m no expert on music and ethnology, but I find it interesting how much of this minor-key music seems to spring from places on, or near, the Mediterranean Basin. The Gypsy Jazz which is most identified with France, Spaghetti Western themes which center on Italy, plus the Balkan and Hebrew influences which shape several of the bands familiar to is here at Surf 101.

Look at Miserlou. The list of possible roots for this song read like an atlas of the Med’ the Agean, the Levant and reach into Persia and Asia. This song was very popular after WW I, probably because the breakup of the Ottoman Empire dispersed people from Turkey into the West. Then, it was repopularized by a guitarist, partially of Lebanese heritage, and sold to the suntanned youth of the SoCal Surf culture. Smile

One comment I hear frequently is that minor key music is sad, but that’s ridiculous. It could be said to be true of St. James Infirmary Blues but in many places, minor keys are used liberally in happy songs. I wouldn’t call Django’s music sad, nor would I say that of Have Nagila (Let Us Rejoice) or Hatikvah (Hope). Playing a familiar melody in a parallel minor key is sometimes employed for comic effect in movie soundtracks.

Spaghetti Western themes strike me as a natural outgrowth of this heritage. The musicians employed would have been familiar with minor keys as they are used in the Mediterranean and been skilled at weaving their way through the ins and outs of minor key music. As the video points out, the producers were working on a budget and the electric guitar was a very cost-effective solution for them.

In any event, I sure love listening to it.

John wrote:

What I'm wondering is what actual reverb units were used in most of these Italian Westerns.. Premiers or Fenders?

I'd bet neither. Probably studio plate reverb. Or just judicious miking in a big room.

jb

Probbaly so. I’ve got plate a reverb emulation in my Blue Nebula and have come to prefer it over spring reverb.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

Last edited: May 20, 2018 13:05:41

If you haven't seen this video yet, you're in for a treat if you like this genre applied to a contemporary piece of music.

This guy nails it....so cool!

https://youtu.be/Wro0VE6i-XM

  • Surfbeatnik

Duff, cool video. Thanks for posting.
1 downside, the Disneyland kids cowboy hat. Sigh

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Morricone had his own studio from 69 onwards, and it might have been located in the basement of a cathedral for a reason.

The Exotic Guitar of Kahuna Kawentzmann

You can get the boy out of the Keynes era, but you can’t get the Keynes era out of the boy.

Very cool video Duff. This guy gets it playing and arrangement wise.
Ran

The Scimitars

I'M a shur liking that video pardner.
looks like the sheriff is sporting humbuckers

bigtikidude wrote:

Duff, cool video. Thanks for posting.
1 downside, the Disneyland kids cowboy hat. Sigh

Jeff, I agree...just close your eyes next time you watch this video! Laughing

Benedikt and Daniel (the guys that made this video) are from Germany and have created some other entertaining videos as well. Check out their YouTube channel and/or website...
http://bendanproductions.com

  • Surfbeatnik

Ha ha! I was thinking Howdy Doody!
I LOVE this version of the GOT theme though!!!

bigtikidude wrote:

1 downside, the Disneyland kids cowboy hat. Sigh

Paul
Atomic Mosquitos
Bug music for bug people is here!
Killers from Space

There is a new release at our label.
If you are interested in Spaghetti Western this is your new album!
Very nice melodies and sounds!

http://www.allscore.de/search/no-place-for-a-man?lang=en

At bandcamp:
https://mondosangue.bandcamp.com/album/no-place-for-a-man

What do you think about?

Twang cheers!

Ralf Kilauea

www.kilaueas.de

https://kilaueas.bandcamp.com/album/touch-my-alien

Thank you Ralf, will check it out later.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Great video discussion about SW music. Thanks John for sharing. Duff, i really like the combination of nylon string and electric guitar. Your video really showcases that combination beautifully.

Craig Skelly

Little Kahuna
www.littlekahunamusic.com
The Breakaways
The Curl Riders

Oh my god, that Antigua... dies

Listen please, thanks? :)

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