Why is Spaghetti Western Music So Cool?

palo

Joined: Apr 23, 2012
Posts: 421
fresno california u.s.a.
United States

Posted on May 19 2018 02:25 AM

Here it is.

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TVTheWiredTurtle

Joined: Dec 03, 2009
Posts: 859
Sandy Eggo
United States

Posted on May 19 2018 02:32 AM

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

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4549
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on May 19 2018 09:17 AM

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.

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

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surfbeatnik

Joined: Apr 01, 2007
Posts: 347
Sea Country, CA, USA
United States

Posted on May 20 2018 09:58 AM

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

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bigtikidude

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25682
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
United States

Posted on May 20 2018 01:00 PM

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

—

Jeff(bigtikidude)

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Kawentzmann

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1062
Berlin, Germany
3 Link Pins

Posted on May 20 2018 01:05 PM

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.

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kick_the_reverb

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 1338
Escondido, CA
2 News Pins

Posted on May 20 2018 01:18 PM

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

—

The Scimitars

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palo

Joined: Apr 23, 2012
Posts: 421
fresno california u.s.a.
United States

Posted on May 21 2018 12:50 AM

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

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surfbeatnik

Joined: Apr 01, 2007
Posts: 347
Sea Country, CA, USA
United States

Posted on May 21 2018 08:07 AM

bigtikidude wrote:

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

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

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

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skeeter

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 2063
Virginia, USA
United States

Posted on May 21 2018 08:34 AM

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.

—

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

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HallmarkSweptWinger

Joined: Jul 27, 2006
Posts: 1284
Berlinesia, Germanifornia
9 POTD Pins

Posted on May 21 2018 03:01 PM

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

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bigtikidude

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25682
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
United States

Posted on May 21 2018 04:43 PM

Thank you Ralf, will check it out later.

—

Jeff(bigtikidude)

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LittleKahunaCraig

Joined: Jan 09, 2008
Posts: 390
Orange County, CA
United States

Posted on May 21 2018 11:39 PM

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

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Spaghettibass

Joined: May 22, 2018
Posts: 2

Posted on May 22 2018 02:47 PM

Oh my god, that Antigua... dies

—

Listen please, thanks? :)

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palo Joined: Apr 23, 2012 Posts: 421 fresno california u.s.a.	Posted on May 19 2018 02:25 AM Here it is. Top
TVTheWiredTurtle Joined: Dec 03, 2009 Posts: 859 Sandy Eggo	Posted on May 19 2018 02:32 AM 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 Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4549 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on May 19 2018 09:17 AM 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. 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 Top
surfbeatnik Joined: Apr 01, 2007 Posts: 347 Sea Country, CA, USA	Posted on May 20 2018 09:58 AM 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 Top
bigtikidude Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 25682 Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.	Posted on May 20 2018 01:00 PM Duff, cool video. Thanks for posting. 1 downside, the Disneyland kids cowboy hat. — Jeff(bigtikidude) Top
Kawentzmann Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 1062 Berlin, Germany	Posted on May 20 2018 01:05 PM 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. Top
kick_the_reverb Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 1338 Escondido, CA	Posted on May 20 2018 01:18 PM Very cool video Duff. This guy gets it playing and arrangement wise. Ran — The Scimitars Top
palo Joined: Apr 23, 2012 Posts: 421 fresno california u.s.a.	Posted on May 21 2018 12:50 AM I'M a shur liking that video pardner. looks like the sheriff is sporting humbuckers Top
surfbeatnik Joined: Apr 01, 2007 Posts: 347 Sea Country, CA, USA	Posted on May 21 2018 08:07 AM bigtikidude wrote: Duff, cool video. Thanks for posting. 1 downside, the Disneyland kids cowboy hat. Jeff, I agree...just close your eyes next time you watch this video! 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 Top
skeeter Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 2063 Virginia, USA	Posted on May 21 2018 08:34 AM 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. — Paul Atomic Mosquitos Bug music for bug people is here! Killers from Space Top
HallmarkSweptWinger Joined: Jul 27, 2006 Posts: 1284 Berlinesia, Germanifornia	Posted on May 21 2018 03:01 PM 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 Top
bigtikidude Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 25682 Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.	Posted on May 21 2018 04:43 PM Thank you Ralf, will check it out later. — Jeff(bigtikidude) Top
LittleKahunaCraig Joined: Jan 09, 2008 Posts: 390 Orange County, CA	Posted on May 21 2018 11:39 PM 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 Top
Spaghettibass Joined: May 22, 2018 Posts: 2	Posted on May 22 2018 02:47 PM Oh my god, that Antigua... dies — Listen please, thanks? :) Top

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Why is Spaghetti Western Music So Cool?