Good morning all....

Rio Di Janeiro Blue by Randy Crawford.

I've always liked this song and thought it would be a enjoyable tune to add to
my learn a new song/practice set list.
It may be a simpler progression than I'm thinking but it does have smooth, hypnotic quality to it.

I've searched the internet and only found this site:
http://www.all-events-music.com/pdf/...neiro_Blue.PDF

This home page may have a gem or two for someone:
http://www.all-events-music.com/scores.html

Obviously, all this hand written lead sheet work has been generously provided by Stephan Urwyler but it's really hard on my old eyes.

So, if any can guide me elsewhere....thanks in advance.
If it's only for sale somewhere that's fine and I'll pursue that route.

I typed in Rio De Janeiro Blue and got plenty of hits for that tune and the chords. Later, Ray

Yes...I did too....lots of youtube sites but not the chords.
Guess I'm blind so I'll keep perusing the web....end of thread.

Thanks....

Here you go:
http://uberchords.com/chords/randy-crawford/rio-de-janeiro-blue/

When searching for chords google/bing the song title + chords and you should find them.

I was totally unaware of that search protocol.
No wonder all I got was youtube sites in my searching of several pages.

Many thanks MarioD for site and the tip.

Carry on....

I am glad that I was able to help you!

The song I know with Randy Crawford and Joe Sample uses chords much different from what is on the Uber Chords version.

For example, here are the chords of the bridge ("And I get a feeling"):

Dm7b5
G7alt
Cm7
F13
Dm7b5
G7alt/Db

Joe Sample puts some meat on those bones.

Although I'm glad to have the uberchord as a start I immediately thought that it was a simplified version.

I do like that chord progression you outlined for the chorus so I'll use it as I continue on the path.

Thank you....

Sure.

Think Cm11 for the beginning chord, not just Cm. In BIAB, I also use a lot of slash bass roots to force the bass line I want. For example, in the first bar you could do:

Cm11 Cm11/G

And there is a nice m7, mMaj7, m7, m6 Joe Sample throws in.

Excellent.
I had a bad feeling about that Cm being less than ideal after reading your chorus arrangement.
So...based on your assistance here hopefully I'll be able to put an arrangement together.

Thanks again...(just finished getting the lyrics typed up)

With the exception of Matt's chords, I'd forget about the Uber chords for the rest of the chart. They're simply wrong. For instance, on the 9th bar of the vocal that should be an Fm9 for two bars - Cm7 for two bars - Fm7,Gm7, AbMaj7,G7#9, Cm7, etc. Later, Ray

Yep.

Wayne, give it a try and let's see what you come up with. Also provide a music clip of the performance you are using - they are not all the same.

Got it...
I've got my homework cut out for me....thanks for the corrections.

Matt...
Will do on your comments....thanks.

Will advise.

The song was originally done by Richard Torrance & Eureka, and covered by Nicolette Larson so the chords Randy Crawford used may be very different from the original.

I suppose what you find could be any of those three versions, or someone else's substitutions.

It's a very nice song, I used to play flute on pretty much the Richard Torrance version in a band a long time ago - that was a lot of fun.

Insights and incites by Notes

Mornin' Notes...

That occurred to me too after Matt's suggestion to post the version I was listening to for reference and it's progression.
Decisions...decisions.
I've been listening to the RC version because I didn't know which one I should be referencing.
Great...this should complicate my effort to learn this one.

Thanks for chiming in....

Randy Crawford alone has done it in quite different ways. Same feel, but different embellishments, fills, etc. That's one reason why I didn't just give you all the chords outright. Plus, I did transcribe it but haven't performed it, so my work hasn't been checked by others.

No prob...your help is much appreciated for what it's worth.
I just need to listen to an appealing version and get the chords lined out correctly.

Thanks to all....

OK...I've found these three takes on it.

I like this RC/JS rendition but the tempo is a bit to slow for my liking:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U05sFAvKoI8

Nicolette Larsen version. I prefer RC's vocals and this tempo is a bit too uptempo from my perspective which removes some of the hypnotics of the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdaCMdEYbRM

Without doubt, this is my favorite and most appealing version and more appealing tempo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG7rs_RShJc
I'm listening to this one as I type and will be using this one for my learning curve.

I will use Ray's and Matt's chordal suggestions as a start.

Any further corrections/suggestions regarding chord progression with this approach is welcomed.

Thank you....

Yes! That third one, your favorite, is the one I used.

Good choice. Great track.

ps Now this thread alone has vaulted me back into the Top Ten Posters of the Month. What do I win?

....well...belly up to the bar (all welcome) 'cause I'm buyin'...no cheap, wannabe Ameri-beer either!

UPDATE: I decided it prudent to order (received) the sheet music (for guitar) because I was getting frustrated with my lack of progress last night and thought it would be a good reference also.
The sheet music is in Am which I can't sing in.
Yes...a lack of vocal talent issue.

So...Cm will work for me in that respect plus it's the same as (or close enough) to my preferred youtube version (to my ears).
So far on verse: Cm F
In trying to play the youtube version, I need more listening to work out a couple of chordal nuances during the verse then moving on to the next segment.

Tis not easy for my pea brain I might add.

Thanks....

The Crawford version is basically the same as the Torrance version. Just a few chord alterations. Joe Samples chords are more meatier. Later, Ray

You do know one of the outstanding abilities of BIAB is to transpose, yes? Just key in the chords and then raise a minor third (three half-steps) to go from Am to Cm.

Keep at it and try to find the chords. You will learn a lot more that way. We've given you most of the clues. When you're done, we'll give you some feedback.

I just got back from Los Angeles, but next time on the west coast, you're buyin'.

No prob...as long as you're up in the Bay Area.

A good day to all...

hopefully bringing this up again...

The uberchords are gone

I couldn't find this YT again, but my version was adapted from a YT-video, where Richard Torrance plays accoustic guitar with a keyboard percussionist.

This is, what I've got from there so far...

The clouds come a creeping...
Am7, D9 (8x),

Ev'ryone knows, I can't..
Dm7, Dm6, Dm#5, Dm6, Am, Am#7, Am7, D9.

You turning my whole..
Dm7, Em7, F7, E7, (RT: F11, E11, I would even prefer F9, E7#9)

upside down
Am, D9, Am, D9,

and I get a...
Bm7/4, E7#9, E7b9, Am, E9, D9, D9/6 D9

Rio de Janeiro
|:Bm7/4, E7#9, E7b9, Am,:|

The notes of the break are adg aea C D E7#9 E7b9 E7#9 E7b9 Am

This makes a lot of this beautiful song possible, but I wonder how the intro and the solo chords are at Randy's version.

Found it again:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIqk-K43s3o

What a great tune! I never heard it before but I'm jamming it right now as I'm listening to it. For me I like the first version because it has more piano in it and has a better groove. The third one is certainly good but it just sounds rushed to me.

Bob

Hi Bob. I never heard that first version, so thanks. Yes, it's much more relaxed and has a great groove.

I learned the third version from a Joe Sample CD I purchased. He's the keyboardist on that version too.

These are more illegal "Standard YouTube License" video postings that put composers out of business so I am loathe to copy them. I'll try to find and purchase that first track.

EDIT: I found this version as a single on iTunes, and just purchased it. Search for "Joe Sample". The CD is "Feeling Good" from 2007.

It's also on Amazon, but I don't buy music from Amazon because of how they pay the composer. It is not on CD Baby, which does pay fairly.

Good morning all....

QuixX....
That is a peppy version and I enjoyed seeing the way he played it on acoustic.
Thanks for chiming in and the chord work.

jazzmammal....
Yep....always liked that tune.

Matt...
Back atcha'....hope all is well.

I did decide to buy the sheet music (by Richard Torrance & John Haeny) as reference some time ago but haven't putzed with this one in a while.

EDIT: if interested, this is the site I used http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/
Even though I knew the tunes already I also picked up:
Slow Turnin' - John Hiatt
Prime Time - Alan Parsons
Roll With The Changes - REO Speedwagon
Angry Eyes - Loggins & Messina

Back to it....a good day to all.

The Nicollette one is too fast for me but is has some interesting stuff happening on the solo.

Matt, as far as your comment about illegal YT license, all the composer has to do is notify them to take it down or agree to have it monetized using VEVO, correct?

I have to admit all this stuff about how composers get paid really makes my eyes glaze over. Is it really any worse than it used to be 40 years ago? It was damn near impossible for anybody who wasn't already a star to do anything and then read Notes posts about how Barry Gordy at Motown did things. You were totally screwed any way you tried to go.

That's why I'm a tax accountant...

I just finished loading the tune into Biab and playing along on my piano. Sounds pretty good except for all those anticipated chord punches. I've been using the ^ pushes and other tricks but they're still pretty sloppy. I'm sure if I worked on it long enough I could clean that up but I don't care about that for what I'm doing with it right now.

Bob

Hmmm....

Something just occurred to me.

If it's of interest to anyone maybe I could scan my sheet music and post on my Google Drive account page for reference viewing only?

I don't tend to think that would be illegal or unethical but don't know for sure.
If any want to educate me on that query....please advise.

If it's cool I'll get that done and interested parties can PM me their preferred email address and I'll forward the link.

Just a thought....carry on.

In my opinion, public posting of a song transcription without permission of the composer or publisher would be a copyright violation. The sheet music you bought should have stated this. It might also be a violation of PG Music's site rules about posting covers.

Got it....
Even though I just wanted to be helpful I thought about it after I posted and thought it not appropriate to do so.

Thanks for confirming my second thoughts on this.

Back to it...

It's just my opinion.

Coindidentally, I have sheet music for sale on Sheet Music Plus. I'm in the process of uploading my originals from two CDs to there.

I was going to attach a .sgu file but I see the forum won't let me.

The issue is all the anticipated chords in this. I know this has been posted about before. Putting the ^ gives the correct timing for the some of it but overall it's messed up. It sounds like poo.

I'm going to PM a few of you to check it out.

Just realized I can't attach it to a PM either. I just emailed it to you Matt and if anyone else wants it just PM me with your email addy.

Now I really have to run, I'll get on this again tomorrow.

Bob

Bob, if you put the file in DropBox, copy the file's public link you can post that link. I have done this before with no problems.

I think Bob will first want to revise the file based on a suggested chord spelling we discussed.

The singer on my YT-link also likes the first posted (Randy Crawford) version. It flushed a lot of money in his pocket, because he is the author

I just revised it this morning but have to leave for the office now. I'll do the dropbox thing this evening and post it here.

Bob

Here is the link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-2xRTv767boZHBnRGJyRndtcGM/view?usp=sharing

I didn't like how the pushes were working so I solo'd each track and discovered the problem is with the Real Drums and the Bongo's loop. I didn't expect the loop to push so I muted the bongos for those bars but I thought the drums would work ok but they don't. All that happens is the bass drum gets a little kick on the up beat but the rest of the kit keeps playing so I muted the drums too.

Also just using the push ^ wasn't enough because the bass had a double hit going on so I made the chords holds as well as pushes. Now the bass and piano timing is right on but the drums need to punch the whole kit not just a little bass drum accent.

This is another instance where to really make it right it needs to go into Real Band where I can cut and paste drum parts to punch up those accented chords.

I think the chord changes sound pretty good though.

Bob

Where did this wind up? Does anybody still need help? I got busy and lost track.

I think the chords got sorted for the OP but for me I was wondering what you thought about how I did with the pushes in the file I posted. I would rather the whole band including the drums not just push but accent those parts. I've thought accented and pushed chords has been a weakness in Biab for some time. Please give my file a listen and read what I wrote about about that. Maybe I'm missing something?

Bob

I too would like more control over this.

I'll look at the song.

Bob, sent you a PM.

OK….here it is…finally.

I got so immersed in trying to get everything perfect I lost sight of any sense of pragmatism, spun many wheels, made some user errors in BIAB and got weary of working on it.
Still a few things I’m not totally satisfied with. (jazzmammal mentioned them for me a couple posts ago)
Key of cm….I couldn’t sing it in am…..my 3 semitone vocal range is a problem.
127 BPM

My references in creating this file: Randy Crawford version (my favorite) and generous input from Ray and Matt.
Accuracy: it’s not verbatim from any one source. I gleaned from the Randy Crawford version, Matt’s and Ray’s comments and my own creative license in simplifying the arrangement to finish it up and for ease on the eyes in BIAB.
It’s far from perfect but maybe a useable reference.

Bossa Piano, Ac.Bass & Drums, & Conga 8ths 4 bars fill at end sounds loop. Bass & piano increase in energy at B. Drums play brushes at A, ride with sticks at B.

_BOSSCON.STY BossaPianoTrio w Conga(70-250)
Bossa Piano, Ac.Bass & Drums, & Conga 8ths 4 bars fill at end sounds loop. Bass & piano increase in energy at B. Drums play brushes at A, ride with sticks at B. (Ac.Bass, Ac.Piano, Drums=BossaBrushes)

_BOSSCON.STY. BossaPianoTrio w Conga(70-250)
All RealTracks. Trio.
RD: BOSSABRUSHES: a: Sidestick Brushes b: Sidestick, Ride :Craig Scott
RT464: Bass, Acoustic, Bossa Ev 140 , Neil Swainson
RT470: Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Bossa Ev 140 , Miles Black

Verse 1
Bridge
Verse 2
Bridge
Lead section: verse/bridge music 1X
Verse 3
Bridge
Vocal vamp on “Rio Di Janeiro Blue…..al coda to preference.

If any would like to have this file shoot me a PM with your email address and I’ll forward the .sgu file to you. (royalty free….:)….I’m a hoot)
Feel free to correct, re-arrange, delete, cut/paste and add to or select another appropriate style for your own purposes.
I’d be grateful to anyone that does work with it to forward your version to me for my own edification.

Hope all are well….carry on.

Hi all,

I hope this topic may be still interesting: there are not so many info about this song and its score on the web, so I got here while searching...

I did almost all the job transcribing the chords... and this post tells me I am right with the chords ;-)

But I am trying to get the full chords by Joe Sample... and I just cannot get the four (fast) chords played before the solo section and also the last four chords that come before modulation from Cm7 to C#m7...

I am stuck on these chords, may anyone help me?


Thank you so much
cups

Howdy all....

I lost track of this one because we were in transition and preparing to move out of state.

Yes...an old thread but thought it best to just add on here rather than a new thread.
That way all can see the suggestions/help offered by others.
Ken Lasaine also helped me quite a bit.

I've added a rhythm guitar track to the Randy Crawford version which I think is better than the other versions.
It's the tempo, groove and Randy's rich, sultry voice that works for me.

If any might be remotely interested in learning it and/or seeing how I play it feel free to PM me your email address and I'll forward you a Google Drive link to view it.

That F9 at the end vamp sure makes my arthritic fingers cry out in discomfort.

Have a good one....

I'm glad I lived long enough to see this thread again. Sure, I would like to see the chords you decided to use. I'll PM you with my email address.

Ha....funny you phrased it that way....that makes two of us!

This was a challenge to play smoothly and tastefully.
I hope I succeeded.

Check your email....

Howdy Matt...

UPDATE: it's been approved on Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnUlZIKArRE

Thanks to any that give it a spin.

Have a great weekend everyone.

I gave it a spin and enjoyed the listen. Thanks!

G'day mate....

Thanks Audiotrack.

Appreciate the listen and kind comment.

Now that I've got that challenge off of my plate maybe I can get started on a new original.

Hope all is well and have a great day.

This has been an interesting thread to read. Thanks for the YouTube link. Good playing and pretty Telecastor

Howdy Jim....

Ha...yes....it's had some (very welcomed) interest.

It's not an easy tune and the help I got here kept me on the path to complete the challenge.
Feels good to get that one wrapped up....considering my current arthritic skill level anyway.

The Tele....a 1977 Ibanez Silver series which I bought in '79 for $275 buckaroos.

Thanks for chiming in, giving a listen and the kinds words.

Have a great day....