Simon8 Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Lester Young's version of "These Foolish Things", recorded in December 1945 in Los Angeles for Aladdin Records, with Dodo Marmarosa on piano, Red Callender on bass and Henry 'Tucker' Green on drums. I’ll propose his « Blue Lester » from 1944 (with Basie, Freddie Green, R. Richardson & Shadow Wilson). Quintessentially cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffcrom Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) Charlie Parker - "Embraceable You," take one. Not only is Bird's improvisation just beautiful, its tight construction should be the envy of every composer. And Bird just picked up the horn and played it in real time. Edited November 9, 2012 by jeffcrom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillF Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Charlie Parker - "Embraceable You," take one. Not only Bird's improvisation just beautiful, its tight construction should be the envy of every composer. And Bird just picked up the horn and played it in real time. Wasn't that one analysed as a work of genius by André Hodeir in Jazz: Its Evolution and Essence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffcrom Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) Charlie Parker - "Embraceable You," take one. Not only Bird's improvisation just beautiful, its tight construction should be the envy of every composer. And Bird just picked up the horn and played it in real time. Wasn't that one analysed as a work of genius by André Hodeir in Jazz: Its Evolution and Essence? I didn't think so, and a quick thumb through the book suggests not. I did find this passage, which surprised me: The year 1947, which was fertile in such masterpieces as DON'T BLAME ME, SCRAPPLE FROM THE APPLE, PARKER'S MOOD, and the two versions of EMBRACEABLE YOU, was unhappily followed by a break in Parker's production. Did these fine records sell badly? It may be. Was he really unaware of the U.S. recording ban? (And I edited my original post to put in a missing word.) Edited November 9, 2012 by jeffcrom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillF Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Charlie Parker - "Embraceable You," take one. Not only Bird's improvisation just beautiful, its tight construction should be the envy of every composer. And Bird just picked up the horn and played it in real time. Wasn't that one analysed as a work of genius by André Hodeir in Jazz: Its Evolution and Essence? I didn't think so, and a quick thumb through the book suggests not. I did find this passage, which surprised me: The year 1947, which was fertile in such masterpieces as DON'T BLAME ME, SCRAPPLE FROM THE APPLE, PARKER'S MOOD, and the two versions of EMBRACEABLE YOU, was unhappily followed by a break in Parker's production. Did these fine records sell badly? It may be. Was he really unaware of the U.S. recording ban? (And I edited my original post to put in a missing word.) Well, you certainly know the book - I must concede that, Jeff: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/230414061 So where did I read that analysis of "Embraceable", with a transcription of part of the solo printed on the page and the solo described in rather flowery language: "The sun comes out from behind the clouds" - that sort of thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GA Russell Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Jeff, wasn't the recording ban earlier than that? I thought it was during the war. Here's another nominee: Paul Desmond with Jim Hall - Angel Eyes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillF Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Jeff, wasn't the recording ban earlier than that? I thought it was during the war. There were two recording bans: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Federation_of_Musicians Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnlitweiler Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Three for the Johnny Dodds solos: Perdido Street Blues / New Orleans Wanderers Someday Sweetheart / King Oliver Hear Me Talking / Johnny Dodds & His Orchestra Four for Lester Young: Billie Holiday / When You're Smiling Count Basie / Lady Be Good Billie Holiday / This Year's Kisses Count Basie / Easy Does It (There are certainly other perfect and quite different Lester Young solos.) Roscoe Mitchell's alto solo, with ensemble accompaniment, in Lester Bowie / Number One - in fact, the last third of that piece, beginning with Favors' fast bass solo accompanied by gourd and trumpet, in a self-contained work. Roscoe Mitchell's alto sax quartet version of Nonaah, of course Albert Ayler / Angels Cecil Taylor / the solo piano side of Spring Of 2 Blue-Js Oh, dear. I'm starting to remember a lot of other favorites too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Bird did so many, but...the JATP "Lady Be Good", anybody? Who was it, John Lewis? who said something along the lines of Bird took a Tin Pan Alley song and turned it into a blues? That's about right, imo. Between this version and Pres', I'm pretty much rurnt on that song now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GA Russell Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Jeff, wasn't the recording ban earlier than that? I thought it was during the war. There were two recording bans: http://en.wikipedia....on_of_Musicians Thanks Bill. I wasn't aware of the 1948 ban. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffcrom Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Jeff, wasn't the recording ban earlier than that? I thought it was during the war. There were two recording bans: http://en.wikipedia....on_of_Musicians Thanks Bill. I wasn't aware of the 1948 ban. The 1948 ban wasn't as thoroughly observed as the earlier ban. A lot of musicians didn't feel that it was in their best interest, and some smaller record companies kept recording sessions, albeit discreetly. Savoy, for instance, recorded right through it the ban, including a couple of Charlie Parker sessions in September. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John L Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Bird did so many, but...the JATP "Lady Be Good", anybody? Who was it, John Lewis? who said something along the lines of Bird took a Tin Pan Alley song and turned it into a blues? That's about right, imo. Between this version and Pres', I'm pretty much rurnt on that song now. Then there is the other Bird & Pres JATP masterpiece - Embraceable You from 1949. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mracz Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Bird did so many, but...the JATP "Lady Be Good", anybody? Who was it, John Lewis? who said something along the lines of Bird took a Tin Pan Alley song and turned it into a blues? That's about right, imo. Between this version and Pres', I'm pretty much rurnt on that song now. Yes , two definitive solos. I'm still holding my breath waiting to hear the recently discovered 2nd take of Prez' version with Basie and the 5tet (see Prez thread...). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Lark Ascending Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 There are also countless recordings of Britten playing his own music (lots of Tippett too). Not to mention Stravinsky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul secor Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 There are also countless recordings of Britten playing his own music (lots of Tippett too). Not to mention Stravinsky. Wrong thread? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Lark Ascending Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 I think it just might be! Though there's a prize for anyone who can find a connection. Sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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