Disco Songs With Unusual Instruments

**Bernie** · September 10th, 2002, 09:17 AM

Was just listening to Al Downing's "I'll Be Holding On" and it uses banjos. Banjos in a Disco song!

Let's hear your list of unusual instruments used in Disco songs.

**Funky Dude** · September 10th, 2002, 09:47 AM

Hard to think of any, but in Australia on the Norman Gunston Show in 1975 there were these three old blokes called "The Horry Dardy Trio" (I think that's how it's spelled) anyhow they were playing harmonicas to the instrumental of "Theme From Shaft", and the instrumental sounded a little different too.

Also I heard some of you's mentioning a Kazoo being used in a disco song as well.

**BrunoRepublic** · September 10th, 2002, 10:22 AM

Well, there's the fire extinguisher in Liquid Gold's "My Baby's Baby".

**DanceMan** · September 10th, 2002, 10:55 AM

"Love Rollercoaster" by The Ohio Players...didn't they use the sound of a woman's screaming voice to enhance the song and cause a little controversy?

**Jeff H** · September 10th, 2002, 11:17 AM

On 2002-09-10 11:22, Graham Start wrote:
Well, there's the fire extinguisher in Liquid Gold's "My Baby's Baby".

Wha...?! I never heard this before, Graham; please explain.

And DanceMan, I think it's just an urban legend that a woman was murdered and her screams were used on "Love Rollercoaster," isn't it?

**markydefad** · September 10th, 2002, 11:19 AM

Interesting Bernie, cause I was gonna do a post like this too--inspired by the banjos in "I'll Be Holding On"!!!

Never got around to it--BUT, I remember wanting to add Bonnie Pointer's "Heaven Must Have Sent You" to the banjo list. I'm at work so I can't verify-BUT I'm pretty sure it's there.

Also, the trombone solo in "I'm Coming Out" by Miss Ross is rather unusual, no?

**BrunoRepublic** · September 10th, 2002, 11:30 AM

Wha...?! I never heard this before, Graham; please explain.

It's mentioned in the liner notes on the Casablanca Story box set. It's just the whooshing noise you hear as the chorus kicks in. They could've achieved the same effect with any half-decent analog synth.

**Jeff H** · September 10th, 2002, 11:44 AM

The things you learn here...!

I don't remember reading about the fire extinguisher. I'll have to check out those liner notes when I get home. (While you're looking at old Streisand covers on your way home, Graham!)

And you're right about the banjo in "Heaven Must Have Sent You," Marky.

**Nano** · September 10th, 2002, 03:20 PM

Don't know about banjos, but there certainly are some bells on that Bonnie Pointer track. Does it count as a "weird instrument"?
I remember also Jussi said something once about some traffic cones...

**markydefad** · September 10th, 2002, 03:31 PM

On 2002-09-10 16:20, Nano wrote:
I remember also Jussi said something once about some traffic cones...

Uh Nano, I do believe those "traffic cones" were made for sitting on (think faux/ substitute fire hydrants)...NOT as a musical instrument...I think we were discussing porno films or some of those "movies" only Jussi had ever seen or heard of???!!!!

Now maybe someone could indeed make music sitting on a traffic cone...But I don't recall any "sphincter cone music" in any of the disco I ever heard. BUT, I can think of a few folks who probably could perform with a traffic cone. :lol:

**Nano** · September 10th, 2002, 03:44 PM

Pun intended, of course. Remember that "Music from the body" album, by Bob Ezrin and some Pink Floyd member? I wonder if Jussi's friends had something to do with it... :lol:

**NickNack** · September 10th, 2002, 06:44 PM

On 2002-09-10 12:19, markydefad wrote:
I remember wanting to add Bonnie Pointer's "Heaven Must Have Sent You" to the banjo list.

I believe those banjos you're thinking of are from Bonnie Pointer's "Free Me From My Freedom". Wait a minute --- "Heaven..." has them too, or do I have my Pointer songs in a twist?

_________________
If It Don't Mean a Thing, Would You Dance to My Music
Nicky

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: NickNack on 2002-09-10 20:21 ]</font>

**Funky Dude** · September 10th, 2002, 07:10 PM

I always thought they used electric guitars for "I'll Be Holding On" and "Heaven Must Have Sent You Down" to create the banjo effect. I never thought of those sounds as banjo sounds. Are there electric banjos?

Marcio** · September 11th, 2002, 12:09 AM

AMAZON QUEEN/Gary Criss:
There's a CUICA, a brazilian instrument!
"Amazon Queen" (and "Brazilian Nights") was arranged by John Davis !

**DeepBeat** · September 11th, 2002, 12:30 AM

OK, this is rather embarassing but I remember there was a record out called "Disco Bouzouki" with a cheap disco beat and a bouzouki solo on top...
For those who don't know, bouzouki is...eerrrr...the greek banjo so to speak.
I don't remember the artist though...

Marcio** · September 11th, 2002, 12:40 AM

One more trombone or kind of:
"Spirituals"/Gary's Gang
but is 100% disco !!!

**markydefad** · September 11th, 2002, 12:40 AM

On 2002-09-10 19:44, NickNack wrote:

On 2002-09-10 12:19, markydefad wrote:
I remember wanting to add Bonnie Pointer's "Heaven Must Have Sent You" to the banjo list.

I believe those banjos you're thinking of are from Bonnie Pointer's "Free Me From My Freedom". Wait a minute --- "Heaven..." has them too, or do I have my Pointer songs in a twist?

_________________
If It Don't Mean a Thing, Would You Dance to My Music
Nicky

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: NickNack on 2002-09-10 20:21 ]</font>

Nicky,
No, I think you were right in correcting me--it is definitely "Free Me From My Freedom"; I think that's just a funky guitar in "Heaven Must Have Sent You"!!! I knew it was a B. Pointer song--couldn't remember which one!!!

"Tie me to a tree/handcuff me"; I wonder if anyone could remake that today???? :lol:

**SandraDee** · September 11th, 2002, 02:41 AM

Aren't there banjos featured on 'How Much How Much I Love You' by Love & Kisses? I think they're towards the end 'cos I tend to fade it before they come in as I hate banjos. Theyre so C & W!

**maldb** · September 11th, 2002, 06:24 AM

Listen to the first 2 Voyage albums. They use an incredible array of middle-eastern instruments.

**QUINNY** · September 11th, 2002, 12:25 PM

And of course the best trombone solo ever has to be the one in the intro to Baby O - In The Forest. Niiiiiiiiiiice!

**Funky Dude** · September 12th, 2002, 12:50 AM

DeepBeat wrote:
OK, this is rather embarassing but I remember there was a record out called "Disco Bouzouki" with a cheap disco beat and a bouzouki solo on top...
For those who don't know, bouzouki is...eerrrr...the greek banjo so to speak.
I don't remember the artist though...

I have a 12" of some sort of "Disco Bouzouki", I bought it from the Salvos from memory, when I get home I'll check it out and see if it's the one you're talking about". I think the band name is "Great Bouzouki Band" and the track on side A "Zorba". I'll check it out again and see if I'm correct.

**SandraDee** · September 12th, 2002, 01:56 PM

[quote]
On 2002-09-11 13:25, QUINNY wrote:
And of course the best trombone solo ever has to be the one in the intro to Baby O - In The Forest. Niiiiiiiiiiice!

-------------------------------------

I'm very impressed that u mentioned this track. Its a pure disco classic & again from that fabulous 1979/1980 period. I think it's the equal best trombone solo with Gino Soccio's Try It Out.

**HustleBaby** · September 12th, 2002, 11:38 PM

I don't know if the harp is considered unusual but its a beautiful instrument. You can hear the harp playing in "Sukiyaki" (A Taste of Honey) or is it some kind of japanese guitar.

In the very beginning and very end of "Boogie Nights"(Heatwave), you can hear the cello which gives this song a short yet jazzy appeal.

*DISCO DELIGHT*

**QUINNY** · September 13th, 2002, 01:33 AM

HustleBaby: Don't you mean Harp?

**zeca azevedo** · September 14th, 2002, 01:37 AM

On 2002-09-11 01:09, Marcio wrote:
AMAZON QUEEN/Gary Criss:
There's a CUICA, a brazilian instrument!
"Amazon Queen" (and "Brazilian Nights") was arranged by John Davis !

Hi everybody,

I remebered other song that has a cuíca on it! Is DANCE by THE ROLLING STONES, the 1st track on their 1980 album EMOTIONAL RESCUE.

Hey, no one here remembered SCOTCH MACHINE by VOYAGE?

Peace,

zeca azevedo, feeling the wind beneath his kilt