LEE ALLEN: WALKING WITH MR LEE
Play Quicktime score and analysis
This is a great example of a beautifully constructed and coherent solo. I don't know how much of this is spontaneous inspiration and how much is constructed over a period of time on gigs or in the studio, but I suspect it is a combination. I use this example to show students that there is more to good R&B and rock & roll than many people think. This is not meant to intellectualise the raw process of this style of music, but to show that what are probably intuitive and inspirational factors involved have a great deal of musicological value. The main point of this solo is the way it engages you, it's almost like a story unfolding with twists and turns and little surprises, but is obviously on its way somewhere.
Note in particular:
- Use of "on beat" phrases to allow syncopation to contrast
- Contrast between minor blues and pentatonic phrases and melodic motifs that follow chord tones
- Use of flattened 7th in bar 4 of 12 bar as guide tone to chord IV
- Intensity built through repetition and development of simple motifs
- Climax built through double time and rhythmic displacement of beat
Also see: Interview with Lee Allen by Nick Pentelow
