a couple questions about a song, for musicians
 

I'm sure some of you may know the classic song by Captain Beefheart, "1010th Day of the Human Totem Pole", if not:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/d1a6xp

You must hear it...

And answer the following:

1) Anyone know what tuning this is in? I'm guessing Open G...

2) How the FUCK does one go about remembering all those notes? There is another version of this song (on the original "Bat Chain Puller" album), played with 2 guitarists, and neither guitarist is the guitarist on this recording.. In fact, I think the whole band is completely different... but yeah, they play the EXACT same notes. I know for a fact they didn't have sheet music when playing this stuff. And I know the answer is just "they practiced a lot", but goddamn.. that's a lot of notes that don't really seem to go together to be played perfectly by 3 different guitarists...

Something interesting to notice about this song... listen to the lyrics, the music often goes with the lyrics quite well. Like, "there was no way to get a helicopter in close", the drum sticks make a helicopter clicking sound. Also, "the eyes would roll together", a roll starts. It's pretty crazy...


APPROACHING WAS A SMALL CHILD. WITH STATUE OF LIBERTY DOLL.

It's probably some open tuning like you said, if I recall there is slide guitar on the album Ice Cream For Crow so it'd most likely use open tuning.

Actually yeah, open G.

Yeah, I know it's something open. Just curious if anyone knew what. :)

It sounds like Open G to me too.

the song is really awesome and I know now why you asked that question...

Yeah, it's unbelievable.

How the fuck does one memorize a song like this...

you got a live recording of it?
just to compare if they are really playing the same notes (which would be a whole lotta work)

No live recording but lemme dig up the original version.

Trust me, it's identical.. the other version's actually better I think.

I believe you, but its unbelievable :)
btw thanks for the link, that track rules

Get the whole album "ice cream for crow", it rules!

I'll upload the other version of the track in just a bit. It's ripped from a tape, so the guitars sound a BIT different but you can tell they're playing the same thing.

yeah cool. gimme more of that

Okay, first, here's the whole album.

http://www.badongo.com/file/5181551

One of my favorites of all time.

iCE CREAM FOR SHOW? NO, ICE CREAM FOR CROW!

Haha. Scissor Shock covered "the host the ghost the most holy-o"..

thanks man thats ace, really looking forward to listen to it. if the whole album got that style then it is the perfect soundtrack for today, for me

Haha...

The other songs aren't that complex but they're all really good. Really musical but somewhat bizarre... lots of slide guitar!! :)

fine fine fine, will let you know what I think after Ive listend through

Here's the original version of the song, with two completely different guitarists:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/xppvgy

Even as a reference point for the final version of the song which I posted a link to in the original post, how the fuck can someone remember all those notes!?!!? There's no verse or chorus structure or anything, it's just insane.

And again I read an interview and they said they definitely didn't use sheet music, so...

Someone should tab this shit!

youd know better than anyone my man. and yes, brilliant song.

I want to hear!