When I think of Crosscut Saw, a latin flavored blues feel, and Strange Brew, by Cream… I certainly don’t equate them to having basically the exact same guitar riff throughout!
But when I was playing one of them, I couldn’t help notice it was an awful lot like the other… so I broke them down in this video and I hope you dig it and get something out of it.
Have fun!
26 replies to "Strange Brew = Crosscut Saw?"
The way I’ve always played Strange Blue is quick chord changes on the LAST line which fit perfectly with Jack Bruce’s vocal. Strange(E#9) Brew(E-9) Girl what’s in(full D Major on the 5th fret) side of(D7)You(A7) . The last D7 should be played either as a D9 shape on the 5th fret or slid down to the third fret with the first finger on the B string. Not the D7 that Griff plays earlier on the fifth, although that is perfect for the riff as he says. This has been one of my all-time favourites which I first heard on British TV in 1966 and it blew me away. God bless Clapton and the late Jack Bruce and Ginger.
I noticed the similarities to Tore Down straight away.
It’s given me a few new ideas to try. Thanks.
Wow, I know both of those songs well and never noticed the similarities. Thanks for all you do, Griff.
Sunshine of your love = Good morning little schools girl?
good analogy…fun to watch and think about the possibilities with other songs…thanks…
cowboy
Of course, Clapton covered Crosscut Saw on Money and Cigarettes…
Griff,after 18 years since my first blues guitar unleashed purchase I want to thank you for those of us who periodically become uninspired. But you tirelessly inspire with each online lesson. Thanks for the faith in the blues and keeping it so cool.
I love playing Crosscut Saw , and always wanted to play Strange brew, couldn’t see for the trees😳
Hey, Griff! I have almost all of your dvd’s and books, but I must say, your short lessons on the blues roots of rock ‘n roll are what recharge my batteries — keep ‘em comin’!!! I especially like the “guitar playing horn riffs” things. Maybe future video lessons on John Lennon’s Elvis medley or his “Slippin and Slidin”?
Love this stuff; classic (great) rock is foundational (couldn’t think of another word); thanks Griff
Love these classic rock lessons Griff! Thanks for putting this out there for us.
Great riff, thanks.
How is Texas life going?
This lesson is fun, practical and something I can do. Sort of. All it will take is patience.
Very nice example of how songs using similar chord progressions can sound totally different and (legally) do not conflict.
Amazing how that (how a listener hears it) can make all the difference.
Thanks!
Excellent! Thanks, Griff!
interesting and an excellent short lesson.
Great Griff, it’s easy to do just get the repetitions in and you are up to s6peed
What I love about your lessons is that you don’t just do a ‘how to play’ breakdown, but also show how a basic idea, riff etc can be used with a zillion variations. I learn so much from this.
Another great riff from Griff. Thanks!
I am happy You said its like strange brew . This lesson has loan a bit of a change to the way I play this tune . I am a Clapton fan I also play many songs he does. . The way You moved up the neck was interesting . I find its a form for many songs .
Also, to complete the connection to Crosscut Saw, Clapton’s solo on the album version of Strange Brew is practically a note for note quote of an Albert King Crosscut Saw solo. The story goes that It was producer Felix Pappalardi’s idea to convert Lawdy Mama to a straight feel and write new lyrics. EC wasn’t thrilled with the idea, but eventually agreed to do it if he could play an Albert King solo with it.
Interestingly, while the intro chorus is played as a standard 12 bar progression, in the verse that switch to a quick change progression.
Hello Griff,
Thank you for your blog.
The song « Louie, Louie » use the circular pattern:
A D Em D.
Regards.
Griff was talking 2 Dominant 7 chords and a minor v, i.e. A7-D7-Em.
I think Lawdy Mama was a shuffle, and they changed it to straight in Strange Brew.
Cool lesson Griff ! There’s another Cream song, called “Lawdy Mama” that uses basically the same riff as Strange Brew – in fact is sounds like a precursor to Strange Brew. Then there’s “Outside Woman Blues” which is again a very similar riff. Like you say, just move the notes around a bit and change the feel – new song 🙂
BTW, I LOVE the new look of the Blog. I’m not sure what you did, but it looks so much better and is a lot easier to use.
Cheers from Australia
Chris G.