Topic: Seminal Influences - Innovation
Taj Mahal laid the foundation for non-blues versions of Lightnin’ Hopkins’ "Needed Time" when he used a lively version at the end of the film Sounder in 1972. [1] While the credits rolled by, he played the song on a banjo with a double handclap rhythm.
A generation or so later, the Fourth Street Gospel Band of Saint Charles, Missouri, sang the verses in the close harmony style associated with country music and used Western Swing instruments in 2010. The fiddle played the melody once in every instrumental interlude. The keyboard player introduced more variations in his two solos; the second was jazzier than the first. The electric guitar played stayed within the rhetoric of country and country-rock musicians.
Performers
Vocal Soloist: man
Vocal Group: two and at least one other man
Instrumental Accompaniment: electric guitar, fiddle, keyboard
Rhythm Accompaniment: electric bass, drum set
Credits
"Lightning Hopkins’ classic, gospel blues song."
Notes on Lyrics
Language: English
Verses: won’t you come by here, down on my knees, if you don’t stay long, needed time
Vocabulary
Pronoun: I
Term for Deity: Jesus, Lord
Special Terms: none
Basic Form: "needed time" treated as burden
Verse Repetition Pattern: AB-CB- DB-BC
Ending: repeat last line once
Unique Features: treated "come by here" and "come down here" as interchangeable
Notes on Music
Opening Phrase: Lightnin’ Hopkins
Tempo: moderate
Basic Structure: Alternated vocal and instrumental verses; instrumental verses mirrored verse-burden format with two instruments each playing three lines of the six-line melody (AAABBB).
Singing Style: unornamented with unison or timbraic harmony
Solo-Group Dynamics: male soloist sang the first line; woman and possibly other men began a measure later in second line and continued the line with him; same pattern in third line.
Instrumental Style: modern western swing. On Facebook, one member wrote: "We come from backgrounds of gospel, country, blues, and rock and roll to produce a unique sound." [2]
Vocal-Orchestral Dynamics: subdued during sung verses.
Vocal-Rhythm Dynamics: drum set beat but only played flourishes in the introduction.
Notes on Performance
Occasion: concert
Location: they were on a stage with a brick wall in back.
Microphones: floor mikes were set at mouth level in front of all the instrumentalists except the drummer; female singer had a hand mike.
Clothing: casual. Most of the men were wearing blue jeans and button-front shirts. She was wearing white slacks with a shirt and cerise over shirt.
Notes on Movement
Drummer and keyboard player were seated; fiddle player knelt; the others were standing. As soon as the drum began, the woman began tapping her foot. The guitar player tapped his foot and the keyboard player raised and lowered one knee.
Notes on Audience
Applauded at end.
Notes on Performers
Facebook said the Fourth Street Gospel Band was organized in 2009 in Saint Charles, Missouri. It listed the following members: Scott Adair, Danny Mills, Randy Shields, Glenn Uhls, and Glynelle Wells. [3] Elsewhere, one member wrote "4 of us are from the nazarene church in bridgeton (yes that is the one that was leveled by a tornado) 2 from Church of Christ, and 1 from evangelical free." [4]
On a website where it advertised its availability, a spokesman wrote:
"play and sing gospel music for Church Concert, event, tent meeting, fund raiser, picnic. Play lot of old time gospel/ hymns some contemporary christian. With a St. Louis Style of Blues/ country mix you will love." [5]
On Facebook, a spokesman added "We can bring from 1-8 musicians to you for your event." [6] He or she assured potential customers "we can play quiet with brushes" instead of drums. [7]
Availability
YouTube: uploaded by Scott Adair on 10 March 2010.
End Notes
1. Taj Mahal’s version was discussed in the post for 10 February 2018.
2. "4th Street Gospel Band." About page, Facebook.
3. Facebook.
4. "4th street Gospel band." Gig Salad website
5. Gig Salad.
6. Facebook.
7. Gig Salad.
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