Nightlife - Question for Basil

[mick hearn]

We all went loopy over Buddy Emmons and Nightlife although Franklin does a good job as well. The actual chords for the Willy Nelson version are very simple but Buddy uses lots of chord substitutions. When we do a search on the chords on the internet there are so many variations even on the opening chords, and these come from well respected players. I prefer Basil's chord sequence on the opener.

So - a question for Basil. Are there a stock set of substituted chords that Buddy uses, and the important bit - How would you handle the section "Listen to the blues they're playing"? The chord sheets I have seen are a long line of D but I hear otherwise. When using Band in a Box I would prefer the backing reflects some of these chords used in the lead instrument rather than just a straight D

And before anyone asks I do not have a pedal C6 so am attempting on C6 lap steel. Sounds good to me so far but some of the chords written by other teachers just seem strange.

I apologise if this has been handled before so if it has and anyone can direct me then please do.

[Ken Byng]

Sorry to digress for a moment Mick, but I think that outside of Buddy's definitive version this homage by Steve Palousek from his album Let The Games Begin is just outstanding. 4 years ago Steve played this number on the main stage at Dallas, as did Paul Franklin. IMHO Steve played a far superior version on the night. This is a really bluesy version from a player who idolises Buddy, and it shows. Well worth a listen for the playing, improvisation and superb tone.

Last edited by Ken Byng on Wed Jun 28, 2017 11:12 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Basil Henriques]

Thanks for asking Mick, just back from a weekend at my Mom's in Paington so this is just a rushed response. I'll elucidate and expand later, BUT for the main question about the long line of 'D's', I would use D7 for the "listen to the" and then Am7 for "blues they're" and back to D for playing and repeat that change. BTW the Gm they play on most versions is the "Jazz-Man's' subdominant minor substitution, it's the tonic played as a 9th down a full tone. i.e. Gm - NO, C9 is what would be used..
If there is a specific Version you want the chords transcribing from, I can do it in a matter of minutes..
Maybe from this ?

[mick hearn]

Ken - What a version. Never heard this before. I have sifted through the non pedal vids from the steel festivals and have heard Steve, but never like this. Gonna listen to this a lot more I think as there are some great ideas in there - not that I would ever accomplish them of course.

Basil - Yes please. I would appreciate it if you could come up with something. I would just like some lovely chords going on behind me whilst I am dribbling at the front trying to get something out. That way I would be able to find some nice slants that I know would fit in. It's a good learning tool for slants and string combination I think as I have now had to think about what I am doing and finding my way about with the substitutions.