The music of New Orleans captures the feel and good spirit of a culture swaying and bouncing to the rhythms of life in the Delta. This week irocku is heading down the Mississippi River for some gumbo, crayfish and good time music.
Our lesson selection this week is, “Hey Pocky A-Way” by the Meters, a hugely influential band that was a mixture of funk, soul, Native American and rock ‘n’ roll music. The song first appeared on the Meters’ “Rejuvenation” album, an album that in 2003, Rolling Stone Magazine put at number 138 of the top 500 albums of all-time. The song itself went on to break into the top 40 in 1974 and was recorded by numerous artists; including, the Neville Brothers, Dr. John, and the Grateful Dead who performed the song many times on tour in the late 1980’s. Those of us who saw the ‘Dead’ live can understand why they enjoyed playing it so much. “Hey Pocky A-Way” embodied the spirit that the Grateful Dead music was all about. Written by Modeliste, Neville, Nocentelli and Porter, it features band leader, Art Neville on keyboards and vocals. The groove is funky and bright with a soul that sweeps the listener along a blissful musical experience that quickly has you singing along with the chorus and shuffling your feet. This is the feeling inherent in so much of the music coming out of New Orleans, a sound that Art Neville and his legendary brothers helped make part of mainstream music, influencing countless musicians in the 80’s, 90’s and beyond. As for the Meters, they reunited for a string of successful tours throughout the 1990’s and “Hey Pocky A-Way” continued to be a crowd favorite, inspiring musicians and fans alike to get happy.
“Hey Pocky A-Way” introduces you to the New Orleans groove which is a killer to learn but a blast to play. With the New Orleans groove, the bass line and melody don’t land on the same beat. Take it slow and break it down into individual beats until the groove flows naturally.
Written by Leo Nocentelli, George Porter, Joseph Modeliste and Arthur Neville.
Administered by Bug Music
All Rights Reserved Used by Permission
Learn how to play rock and blues piano from one of rock’s greatest. Chuck Leavell, legendary keyboardist for The Rolling Stones, The Allman Bros, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and more.
Practice Schedule
Second Week: Add the Exercise and Improvisation to your practice. “Hey Pocky A-Way” introduces you to the New Orleans groove which is a killer to learn but a blast to play. With the New Orleans groove, the bass line and melody don’t land on the same beat. Take it slow and break it down into individual beats until the groove flows naturally.
The above video is a preview from the lesson. Every lesson includes a groove chart that teaches how to play the song with a rock band, a rock theory and dexterity exercise, an improvisation, and a full arrangement of the song itself. All lessons include instructional videos as well as the sheet music.
Practice Schedule
Second Week: Add the Exercise and Improvisation to your practice. “Hey Pocky A-Way” introduces you to the New Orleans groove which is a killer to learn but a blast to play. With the New Orleans groove, the bass line and melody don’t land on the same beat. Take it slow and break it down into individual beats until the groove flows naturally.
The above video is a preview from the lesson. Every lesson includes a groove chart that teaches how to play the song with a rock band, a rock theory and dexterity exercise, an improvisation, and a full arrangement of the song itself. All lessons include instructional videos as well as the sheet music.
Practice Schedule
Second Week: Add the Exercise and Improvisation to your practice. “Hey Pocky A-Way” introduces you to the New Orleans groove which is a killer to learn but a blast to play. With the New Orleans groove, the bass line and melody don’t land on the same beat. Take it slow and break it down into individual beats until the groove flows naturally.
The above video is a preview from the lesson. Every lesson includes a groove chart that teaches how to play the song with a rock band, a rock theory and dexterity exercise, an improvisation, and a full arrangement of the song itself. All lessons include instructional videos as well as the sheet music.
Practice Schedule
Second Week: Add the Exercise and Improvisation to your practice. “Hey Pocky A-Way” introduces you to the New Orleans groove which is a killer to learn but a blast to play. With the New Orleans groove, the bass line and melody don’t land on the same beat. Take it slow and break it down into individual beats until the groove flows naturally.
The above video is a preview from the lesson. Every lesson includes a groove chart that teaches how to play the song with a rock band, a rock theory and dexterity exercise, an improvisation, and a full arrangement of the song itself. All lessons include instructional videos as well as the sheet music.
Practice Schedule
Second Week: Add the Exercise and Improvisation to your practice. “Hey Pocky A-Way” introduces you to the New Orleans groove which is a killer to learn but a blast to play. With the New Orleans groove, the bass line and melody don’t land on the same beat. Take it slow and break it down into individual beats until the groove flows naturally.
The above video is a preview from the lesson. Every lesson includes a groove chart that teaches how to play the song with a rock band, a rock theory and dexterity exercise, an improvisation, and a full arrangement of the song itself. All lessons include instructional videos as well as the sheet music.
Practice Schedule
Second Week: Add the Exercise and Improvisation to your practice. “Hey Pocky A-Way” introduces you to the New Orleans groove which is a killer to learn but a blast to play. With the New Orleans groove, the bass line and melody don’t land on the same beat. Take it slow and break it down into individual beats until the groove flows naturally.
The above video is a preview from the lesson. Every lesson includes a groove chart that teaches how to play the song with a rock band, a rock theory and dexterity exercise, an improvisation, and a full arrangement of the song itself. All lessons include instructional videos as well as the sheet music.
Practice Schedule
Second Week: Add the Exercise and Improvisation to your practice. “Hey Pocky A-Way” introduces you to the New Orleans groove which is a killer to learn but a blast to play. With the New Orleans groove, the bass line and melody don’t land on the same beat. Take it slow and break it down into individual beats until the groove flows naturally.
The above video is a preview from the lesson. Every lesson includes a groove chart that teaches how to play the song with a rock band, a rock theory and dexterity exercise, an improvisation, and a full arrangement of the song itself. All lessons include instructional videos as well as the sheet music.
So great! As usual!
Hey folks I’m a bit confused how this works….l purchased level 7, Hey Poky way …I’ve been able to download the charts but can’t access the video lessons ..help please
According to our records you should be able to access both the charts and the videos for the advanced levels of Hey Pocky Away. should be able to access both the charts and the videos. Please try refreshing your browser and try again. If you continue to run into problems accessing the videos please contact us directly at support@irocku.com and we’ll work with you to figure out why you are not seeing the videos.Keep rockin!
What and where is the “groove chart”?
The groove charts are introduced at level 3. If you select level 3 or above they will be above the Lessons, Exercises, and Improvs.
Go it thank you!
Just getting started on this cool song!
Wow, what a great piece of music. Gonna buy the lesson right away?