Horn Charts Series: "All Around You"

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Sturgill Simpson’s album, A Sailor’s Guide to Earth, ratcheted up Simpson’s gospel and soul influences with several fine horn arrangements. I saw his for this in 2016 and it was a fantastic show featuring a 3-piece horn section. They were playing new parts and arrangements added to his older songs as well, and it all added new depth to the band’s sound. I usually don’t like retro-fitting parts in this way but Sturgill clearly has good taste and an ear for melodic parts, thus proving his position and reputation in the world of country music.

“All Around You” plays it straight. It’s a simply constructed gospel-ish tune (with an irregular number of measures for the verse) and the horn arrangement grows with the song itself. This is really effective writing and arranging. I love when these elements are used to orchestrate the song’s lyrics and drama by using previous material and varying it a bit each time. It’s not a “standard” tune that I encounter, but it does make a great first dance for a wedding—which is the exact occasion I had for writing it out. Tenor sax players should behoove themselves to play a 1950s-style R&B sax solo. It adds some nice “mustard” to this one.

All Around You snippet.jpg

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See the Horn Charts archive here

In my ongoing effort to distribute correct information and spread goodwill, I'm posting PDF files of my transcribed horn charts for pop/variety band (3-piece: trumpet, tenor sax, trombone). I consider these selections as standard repertoire for the modern commercial musician, so think of these as educational tools to help you get through the gig. Like a Real Book for the pop musician—except with editing.