Dennis Lawrenson Writes: Jack’s Tracks: 52^nd STREET

From Jack’s Shadows In The Air CD clocking in at 3 minutes and 59 seconds is track 2, 52nd Street.

If you’re just starting out to learn bass and like a strong jazzy bass riff or if you just dig great music, this one does it all for me!

I’m assuming the title comes from 52 Street in New York where all the jazz clubs clustered and where Milt Gabler had one of his Commodore Music Shop outlets in the mid 1930’s (ref Ed Tracey’s article on Milton Gabler Carriage no.28).

Great flicking jazz from Vernon Reid (busier than a one armed boxer!), brilliant percussion, out their lyrics and Jacks exceptional voice.

This song must feature prominently in Jack’s performances and although I haven’t seen the band live (yet). From the time the audience hears the clicking of fingers at the introduction, I bet the crowd will be yelling and on their feet!

And all of this without a guitar solo ..mmm ?

The bass notes for THE RIFF: C.E flat, F,F,E flat,F

F,A flat,B flat,B flat,A flat ,B flat ,

F,A flat,B flat,B flat,A flat ,B flat,

C.E flat, F,F,E flat,F,repeat to the end.

52nd Street (JBM Publishing Ltd.) A Bruce composition/Lyrics by Kip Hanrahan
It's always raining in here
Each time I walk thro' these doors
Expensive suits and cheap whores
And I'm always sorry

Money flows real fast
Though I'm not supposed to touch
But they always say how much
They love my music

No matter what I wear
It's always freezing cold
And their teeth are made of sharpened gold
Tho' their smiles are polished white

Lives turn into units
In this building built with fear
They breathe contempt in here
And they call it the record business

Justice day will come
And this steel will turn to rust
And this concrete turn to dust
And I won't be sorry
My life outside of power
I see myself in the faces
Classes, groups and races
Locked out of power

Workers
Blacks
Jews
Children
Ché
Africa
Cuba
And I hear myself in their music