Reply
Super Contributor
FitchFY
Posts: 6,734
Registered: ‎07-17-2006

"Just learn 'Barracuda.'"

So I get message from my buddy, Deke, about jamming with his band tonight, a local cover band I’m friends with. Their drummer can’t make practice, and I may start with them as a sub, so I said “Sure, Deke, I’d be happy to. If there are any songs you want me to brush up on, just let me know.”

I didn’t grow up on classic rock, but Deke goes “yeah, just learn ‘Barracuda’ by Heart.” I kind of 'd right away, as I’ve seen the comments here about all the odd changes in the song.

So I grabbed my coffee and iPhone at work today and charted out the tune in a rush. Just sent Deke this picture, informing him I’ll be fine for it tonight.



Us drummers are CHARMING SOBs, ain’t we?
Music, music, I hear music...



Silverfox Percussion









Originally Posted by vanlatte
View Post

I googled "First World Problems" and ended up here.




Please use plain text.
Super Contributor
Posts: 1,415
Registered: ‎11-29-2010

Re: "Just learn 'Barracuda.'"



My band covered Barracuda for a Halloween set, and it was probably the second toughest song for us to get down (Surprisingly, the toughest was Don't Fear the Reaper...for similar reasons.)
When shopping for some cans, The Hiryuu passed away...he floated up toward heaven, but got lost along the way. Now he's the Love-Matic Gramp........err, Thy God.

ABNORMALITY - Contaminating the Hive Mind out now on Sevared Records!
Abnormality Merch! Shirts and CDs!

...and here's the Youtube.
Please use plain text.
Super Contributor
Posts: 1,415
Registered: ‎11-29-2010

Re: "Just learn 'Barracuda.'"



My band covered Barracuda for a Halloween set, and it was probably the second toughest song for us to get down (Surprisingly, the toughest was Don't Fear the Reaper...for similar reasons.)
When shopping for some cans, The Hiryuu passed away...he floated up toward heaven, but got lost along the way. Now he's the Love-Matic Gramp........err, Thy God.

ABNORMALITY - Contaminating the Hive Mind out now on Sevared Records!
Abnormality Merch! Shirts and CDs!

...and here's the Youtube.
Please use plain text.
Super Contributor
Posts: 1,185
Registered: ‎03-08-2006

Re: "Just learn 'Barracuda.'"

Nicely done! Love the fish.
"It's such a fine line between stupid and clever" - David St. Hubbins

www.facebook.com/DirtyGringos
Please use plain text.
Super Contributor
Posts: 1,185
Registered: ‎03-08-2006

Re: "Just learn 'Barracuda.'"

Nicely done! Love the fish.
"It's such a fine line between stupid and clever" - David St. Hubbins

www.facebook.com/DirtyGringos
Please use plain text.
Super Contributor
Posts: 67,896
Registered: ‎08-23-2001

Re: "Just learn 'Barracuda.'"

I love Ann and Nancy. Barracuda is one of my least favorite songs by them. Can't stand it. Not a fan of most "galloping" songs actually.
tlbonehead@yahoo.com
www.myspace.com/tbone_tommy
-For Sale:
-set of GFS Dream 90s- gold and black pearl- $40 shipped in the cont. US
-(2) Celestion G12M-70 16 ohm guitar speakers in good condition $40 ea. + shipping.
- Vox VT15 Valvetronix very clean - $85 + shipping
- Hughes Kettner Edition Tube 20 (the early Voxy sounding one) Sounds & looks good. $250 + shipping. SOLD
- Crate Palomino V8 - 10" Celestion - Very clean - on Ebay (sold)
Please use plain text.
Super Contributor
vanlatte
Posts: 7,461
Registered: ‎02-13-2002

Re: "Just learn 'Barracuda.'"

I remember trying to play that as a kid with a bunch of other musically challenged kids that knew nothing yet about time or counting - so it was a confusing mess of

Do this ten times, then this twice, then this four times, then...



Come to think of it this may be the most often butchered song ever and I respect anyone that actually pulls it off.
Wave upon wave of demented avengers march cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream.

The show, no matter how retarded, must go on. This is why musicians drink so much, alcohol helps them cope with facts by enveloping their brains and auditory senses in a haze of thickly applied B.S.

Please use plain text.
Trusted Contributor
guido61
Posts: 28,307
Registered: ‎12-09-2001

Re: "Just learn 'Barracuda.'"

Played this song for years and years. It was a signature piece for my big hair 80s band. I don't recall ever counting through it. It was more of just a case of knowing it well enough (I had already heard the song for years before I ever attempted playing it) to just know how it goes.

Not sure how the drummers approached it. We played it with at least half a dozen different drummers. I don't recall it ever being that difficult for any of them or them ever complaining about the time signatures.

Great song though.
--David

FOR SALE: DBX Driverack PX; DBX 231 EQ; Behringer Racktuner; Rane SAC 22 crossover; Alesis D4 drum module; Line 6 Pod Pro rackmount.

Band website: http://www.JumpStartYourParty.com
http://www.gigmasters.com/Rock/Jump-Start/

Stage gear: Korg Kronos, Yamaha Motif, M-Audio Venom, Neo Ventilator, Digitech GSP-1101, Fender Stratocaster, Takamine Eg544SC, Samson SM10 line mixer, Alesis Picoverb, Samson Airline 77 Wireless, APC Smart-UPS SC 450VA
Please use plain text.
Super Contributor
Posts: 1,121
Registered: ‎09-29-2011

Re: "Just learn 'Barracuda.'"

Quote Originally Posted by Thy God View Post


My band covered Barracuda for a Halloween set, and it was probably the second toughest song for us to get down (Surprisingly, the toughest was Don't Fear the Reaper...for similar reasons.)
You know when I read your post brought back memories, for the life of me getting the time right on Don't fear the reaper is sooo overlooked, such a simple song yet the tempo is so hard to get tempo just right

Barracuda: did it with a female singer once, a bear and as noted goofy timings and I can't imagine it's a fun key to sing in either. That was one of the hardest songs to get right, I think some RUSH tunes were easier, i.e., in the same band we did limelight.

Speaking of heart: Saw Black Crowes open up for them in I think 90' and they were great and very energetic show. Heart played for exactly 1.5 hours as headliner, no encore and she didn't move all night - two thumbs down for them live. Their drummer though guy has some excellent chops
Please use plain text.
Super Contributor
FitchFY
Posts: 6,734
Registered: ‎07-17-2006

Re: "Just learn 'Barracuda.'"

Quote Originally Posted by nchangin View Post
Their drummer though guy has some excellent chops
He really does! As mentioned, I didn't grow up on those `80s tunes like many people here, so my knowledge of Heart is very sparse. The drummer has a great Bonham-esque groove and shuffle with plenty of ghost notes. They're next on my list of bands to further check out...

... especially after seeing the Kennedy Center Honors video of them performing "Stairway to Heaven" with Jason Bonham behind the kit!
Music, music, I hear music...



Silverfox Percussion









Originally Posted by vanlatte
View Post

I googled "First World Problems" and ended up here.




Please use plain text.
Super Contributor
Mutha Goose
Posts: 1,782
Registered: ‎02-13-2010

Re: "Just learn 'Barracuda.'"

I filled in for a Heart cover band once... they have a lot of funny little timing things going on... extra measures thrown in... weird harmonic approaches... deceptively complex and yet simple... it works for them, but I am not a fan at all!
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. -Will Rogers

In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind there are few. –Shunryu Suzuki



http://www.spitshineband.com

http://facebook.com/SpitShineRocks
Please use plain text.
Super Contributor
Posts: 1,664
Registered: ‎04-12-2007

Re: "Just learn 'Barracuda.'"

It was never my favorite song, but I loved this version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqQkECIn738
"That's what the internet is for, slandering other people anonymously." -Banky Edwards
Please use plain text.
Trusted Contributor
guido61
Posts: 28,307
Registered: ‎12-09-2001

Re: "Just learn 'Barracuda.'"

Quote Originally Posted by chadd View Post
It was never my favorite song, but I loved this version.
Sounds pretty much like a note-for-note cover of the original to me.
--David

FOR SALE: DBX Driverack PX; DBX 231 EQ; Behringer Racktuner; Rane SAC 22 crossover; Alesis D4 drum module; Line 6 Pod Pro rackmount.

Band website: http://www.JumpStartYourParty.com
http://www.gigmasters.com/Rock/Jump-Start/

Stage gear: Korg Kronos, Yamaha Motif, M-Audio Venom, Neo Ventilator, Digitech GSP-1101, Fender Stratocaster, Takamine Eg544SC, Samson SM10 line mixer, Alesis Picoverb, Samson Airline 77 Wireless, APC Smart-UPS SC 450VA
Please use plain text.
Super Contributor
Posts: 514
Registered: ‎08-20-2012

Re: "Just learn 'Barracuda.'"

The drummer has a great Bonham-esque groove and shuffle with plenty of ghost notes.
I don't know if it's true or not, but I heard Heart started life as a Zep tribute band. I can believe it, those chicks are awesome, and can certainly nail those Plant-esque high notes.

Hey, I was just Googling and found this... holy crap
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK_DOJa99oo
--

Hammond: BC, M3, Split L111, L122 / Leslie: 51, 760 / Yamaha: DGX-620, PF-85

Follow my new band, Dr. Bombay! We're going to be organasmic!
Please use plain text.