Dee Blues – Charles McPherson

Though not a blues in terms of form, this song is certainly bluesy—and very much in D! In fact D7 is the only chord throughout the whole song, mostly D7sus. The head is 16 measures long, featuring a two-measure riff theme that is alternated first with rhythmic hits and then with a drum break. In the 9th and 10th measures the riff is developed slightly, but followed with the same hits and break. These rhythmic hits alternate D7♯5(♯9) and D7♭5(♭9)—basically B♭ and A♭ major triads over D7. The melody riff is mostly diatonic to D7 (mixolydian), but with one C♯ near the beginning. Solos are open on D7sus.

On this recording, drummer Freddie Waits plays a funky Latin groove, with the driving momentum he really excels at. This song could also work with a funky 2-feel or half-time groove, with a backbeat on 3—especially considering the bass lines. Our lead sheets show the bass notes and rhythms below the staff.