Track from Self-Immolation
5) Roberta, Roberta
212 bpm
Roberta, Roberta has the kick of a jump blues. Screamin’, moanin’ and wailin’–this ditty gets down with an old-fashioned, unlaquered sound. Harmonically it is nothin’ fancy, but has an invigorating bridge in waltz time, and a little slyness at the end to support its lyric.
Influence
Louis Jordan, T-Bone Walker, Dexter Gordon.
Roberta, Roberta was written in a tipsy state after a dance at a dinner party with a sultry, charming and teasing redhead. “Roberta” shares some features with Louis Jordan’s “Caldonia”, like tempo, shuffle feel and wry lyrics, but has a unique bridge for a jump blues, with a fresh meter change and chromatic turnaround.
Lyrics
Roberta, Roberta. Roberta, Roberta. Do I have to say, she’s a redhead?
Roberta, Roberta. Roberta, Roberta. If she’s true, we may never know.Just pick up that chin and bear that midriff.
Go dance with the guest of honor and then
please take me aside before the last song
and whisper a line that leads me on.Roberta, ‘Berta.
I have a spot that’s not so soft for you.
Form
The melody is unison trumpet and tenor, with Ramsey Lewis-like piano on the bridge.
Grant kicks off the solos with a burning chorus and dances gracefully over the horn hits behind his second chorus bridge. Elaine attempts to channel Dexter, and Henry brings it home.
Credits
- composed by David Elaine Alt and published by Aural Imaging
- David Elaine Alt, Tenor Saxophone
- Henry Hung, Trumpet
- Andrew Ryan, Drums
- Grant Levin, Piano
- Gabe Davis, Bass
- Kenny Annis, Bass
- David Elaine Alt, Recording Engineer
- Mixed by David Elaine Alt at Flaming Hakama
- Mastered by Myles Boisen at Headless Buddha and David Elaine Alt at Flaming Hakama