The Chicken (music)
"The Chicken" or simply "Chicken" is an instrumental funk tune composed by Pee Wee Ellis that was the B-side to James Brown's 1969 single "The Popcorn". The tune gained greater exposure with versions by jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius.
Notable versions by Ellis or Pastorius include:
- Pee Wee Ellis versions, recorded and renamed as "Chicken Soup" by Dave Liebman in 1977
- a studio version by Jaco Pastorius, John Scofield and Kenwood Dennard on Modern Electric Bass educational VHD and DVD
- Pastorius on the 1983 album Invitation recorded live in Japan with a big band that included Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker, Othello Molineaux, Peter Erskine, Don Alias
- Pastorius on the album The Birthday Concert recorded live on his 30th birthday in 1981 but only released posthumously in 1995
- Maceo Parker in the album Mo' Roots released in 1991, with Pee Wee Ellis, Steve Williamson, Fred Wesley, Larry Goldings, Rodney Jones, James Madison, Bill Stewart, Kym Mazelle
- Abraham Laboriel and Shepherd University professors
- Tommy Igoe & The Buddy Rich Big Band
- Breakestra
- Mats/Morgan Band at a faster tempo, with Jonas Knutsson playing saxophone
- Bobby Sanabria Big Band on the double Grammy nominated album Multiverse