The Chicken - James Brown - Transcription & Performance

Real Book Drumming is an educational YouTube series of mine in which I mainly transcribe and play choruses of songs from the Real Book, the bible for all jazz players. In this video, I present a drum transcription of the first 64 bars of the funky tune “The Chicken” by the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, recorded in 1969, showcasing the drumming of Clyde Stubblefield. “The Chicken” is an instrumental funk tune composed by Pee Wee Ellis that was the B-side to James Brown’s 1969 single “The Popcorn.“ This tune gained greater exposure through versions by jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius. The piece originally appeared on “The Popcorn,“ the 25th studio album by James Brown, released in August 1969 by King Records. The album is characterized by its fusion of funk, soul, and R&B, encapsulating the innovative sound of the era. James Brown was instrumental in popularizing funk music. His collaborations with drummer Clyde Stubblefield were pivotal in shaping the rhythm and groo