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Favorite Music
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coram_deo 29-Jul-21, 13:13 |
 Favorite MusicThis first entry is Erroll Garner (pianist) playing Autumn Leaves in a former church in California in the mid-1950s. I mention that he and his trio played this rendition in a church because of (imo) the great acoustics (some disagree about the acoustics.) I recorded this song (and a few others) onto a cassette and used to listen to it when I drove to school in the morning. I remember one winter morning, the cassette player wouldn’t work ‘cause it was too cold, and I was totally bummed out I couldn’t hear my favorite pianists on the drive to school. Fortunately, I didn’t live that far from the school. The best adjective I heard used to describe this rendition of Autumn Leaves is “majestic.” Anyway, here it is: youtu.be |
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coram_deo 29-Jul-21, 15:31 |
This became my favorite song for quite a few years, based on this one recording. Unfortunately, Art Tatum, my favorite musician, never recorded this song. I would have loved to hear his rendition. Back when I was into lifting weights in ‘94, my lifting partner and I used to go to a bar sometimes after we worked out. The owner of the bar hired a pianist to play for customers, and, whenever he took requests, I requested this song. I did it so often, he’d start playing it when he saw me walk in the bar lol. Never heard a vocalist perform this song, but the lyrics are very good. But I got hooked on this song from the melody, and this was the version that did it: youtu.be |
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coram_deo 29-Jul-21, 19:07 |
This was the song that made me initially appreciate the genius of Art Tatum, my favorite musician. When I first heard Art Tatum play when I was a young teenager, I didn’t like his playing at all. I couldn’t follow the melody because of his elaborate improvisations - he seemed to be creating a new song within the song he was playing and I couldn’t follow what he was doing. But I kept listening to Art Tatum because my favorite musician at that time, Oscar Peterson, raved about him and said he was the greatest pianist in any genre of music. After reading that, I figured I must be missing something. So this was the first song in which I appreciated how great of a pianist Art Tatum was - probably ‘cause he kept pretty close to the melody. As I heard more of his playing, though, I began to better appreciate his improvisations, and I always liked this quote from a jazz critic at The New York Times: "Listening to Tatum must be undertaken as an active role, not a passive one, otherwise the man is not really being heard. It is the passive listener, the listener who doesn't hear beyond the surface, who is apt to become annoyed with Tatum's repetitious use of runs. Given the time, as he is in this series of disks, Tatum can woo a willing listener step by step from surface sounds down into the heart of his kaleidescopic imagination and hold him there enthralled." John S. Wilson Jazz critic, The New York Times Because Art Tatum could play so fast, some critics said his playing had “no soul.” But I always liked his ballad playing much more than his fast playing, and I think the “no soul” criticism is wildly untrue. youtu.be |
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coram_deo 29-Jul-21, 19:18 |
Another song played by Art Tatum that made me appreciate his genius early on: youtu.be |
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coram_deo 29-Jul-21, 19:32 |
When I first heard this song played by Erroll Garner, I thought it was the song played at the end of the movie, “The Shining.” But that song is Midnight, the Stars and You. But Dancing in the Dark has the same haunting feel, especially this rendition by Erroll Garner. Check out his incredible playing from 1:07 to 2:15 and I really love the one-note playing from 2:02 to 2:15. What an amazing rendition! youtu.be |
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coram_deo 30-Jul-21, 18:18 |
This was another song played by Art Tatum that I liked pretty early on. Don’t know the lyrics to this one (or if it even has lyrics) ‘cause I never heard a vocalist perform it and never looked them up. I know it’s a very old song that not many jazz musicians performed when Art Tatum was active. This is a great version, and Art even makes the piano sound like the flight of a butterfly from 2:35 to 2:38. youtu.be |
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coram_deo 30-Jul-21, 19:53 |
Oscar Peterson (piano) and Stéphane Grappelli (violin) are the lead musicians on this song and it’s one I wore out a cassette to on drives to school. Joe Pass (guitar,) Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (bass) and Mickey Roker (drums) also play on this track. Oscar’s piano solo is just amazing, and I especially love the part from 2:59 to 3:11. youtu.be Though a vocalist isn’t on this track, the lyrics to this song are very good: “I can only give you love that lasts forever And a promise to be near each time you call And the only heart I own For you and you alone That's all, that's all I can only give you country walks in springtime And a hand to hold when leaves begin to fall And a love whose burning light Will warm the winter night That's all, that's all There are those, I am sure, that have told you They would give you the world for a toy All I have are these arms to enfold you And a love time can never destroy If you're wondering what I'm asking in return, dear You'll be glad to know that my demands are small Say it's me that you'll adore For now and ever more That's all, that's all If you're wondering what I'm asking in return, dear You'll be glad to know that my demands are small Say it's me that you'll adore For now and ever more That's all...that's all” |
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coram_deo 30-Jul-21, 20:10 |
From Charlie Parker With Strings youtu.be This rendition is beautiful, and the lyrics are great: “Black cats creep across my path Until I'm almost mad I must have 'roused the devil's wrath Cause all my luck is bad I make a date for golf and you can bet your life it rains I try to give a party and the guy upstairs complains I guess I'll go through life Just catchin' colds and missin' trains Everything happens to me I never miss a thing I've had the measles and the mumps And every time I play an ace My partner always trumps Guess I'm just a fool who never looks before he jumps Everything happens to me At first my heart thought you could break this jinx for me That love would turn the trick to end despair But know I just can't fool this head that thinks for me I've mortgaged all my castles in the air I've telegraphed and phoned I sent an "Airmail Special" too Your answer was "Goodbye" And there was even postage due I fell in love just once And then it had to be with you Everything happens to me |
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coram_deo 31-Jul-21, 19:49 |
I think this track, from Art Tatum’s recordings with Buddy DeFranco, shows Art’s skill as an an accompanist (but as a soloist as well.) This was one of the songs I’d listen to during my summers in college and wouldn’t care if I was late to my job for a few minutes because I wanted to hear the end of it. Great track. youtu.be |
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coram_deo 01-Aug-21, 16:31 |
Art’s introduction to the song is superb as is his accompaniment to Lionel Hampton, Barney Kessel and Harry Edison. The number of notes Art plays when accompanying Harry Edison toward the end of this track brought to mind Ben Webster telling Tatum to stop playing so many notes ‘cause he was overshadowing him. To which Tatum replied (paraphrased,) Don’t worry about me and just play your horn. Art Tatum’s solo on this recording is phenomenal - but it took me about a dozen (or more) listens to appreciate it. Another gem I listened to when driving to my high school. Fats Waller may have been somewhat sacrilegious when, upon spotting Tatum in a New York City nightclub, he declared “God is in the house tonight.” But there’s no doubt Art Tatum was a gift from God, and the fact he was legally blind and could play the piano the way he did - not just in terms of technique but in terms of soul - affirms to me he was the handiwork of the Almighty. youtu.be |
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coram_deo 03-Aug-21, 16:44 |
Probably my second favorite song from the Tatum Group Masterpieces (after Deep Purple.) As far as I know, this is the only recorded collaboration between Art Tatum (piano) and Ben Webster (tenor sax.) The world owes a debt of gratitude to Norman Granz for recording Art Tatum as much as he did in the last few years of Art Tatum’s life. In addition to Tatum and Webster, musicians also on this track are Red Callender (bass) and Bill Douglass (drums.) Superb rendition of a classic jazz standard. youtu.be |
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coram_deo 08-Aug-21, 13:39 |
Fans of the movie “Father of the Bride” with Steve Martin probably know this song, but here’s a link to Steve Tyrell’s version that was played in that movie: youtu.be Which brings me to my favorite version, a solo piano recording by Art Tatum. This was probably the first song of Art Tatum’s that I fell in love with - but not at first; it took about a dozen listens. Unfortunately, the only recording on YouTube of Art’s version by itself that I could find sounds like it was recorded in a coffee can. Therefore, to do the recording justice, I’m posting a recording with much better audio quality that appears among five other jazz piano versions. Art’s version is at 22:10. youtu.be BTW, this song has great lyrics: "Some day, when I'm awfully low, When the world is cold, I will feel a glow just thinking of you And the way you look tonight. You're lovely, with your smile so warm And your cheeks so soft, There is nothing for me but to love you, And the way you look tonight. With each word your tenderness grows, Tearing my fears apart And that laugh that wrinkles your nose, It touches my foolish heart. Yes you're lovely, never, ever change Keep that breathless charm. Won't you please arrange it? 'Cause I love you Just the way you look tonight. With each word your tenderness grows, Tearing my fears apart And that laugh that wrinkles your nose, It touches my foolish heart. Oh, lovely, don't you ever change Keep that breathless charm. Won't you please arrange it? 'Cause I love you Just the way you look tonight.” |
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coram_deo 10-Aug-21, 15:33 |
The two best songs (imo) of a great band from the ‘60s: Surfer Girl (1960s version) youtu.be Surfer Girl (Live in Japan 2012) youtu.be Don’t Worry Baby (1960s version) youtu.be |
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coram_deo 10-Aug-21, 18:47 |
Art played fast on a lot of songs - Elegy, Tiger Rag, I Know That You Know, etc. - but his lightning fast playing and harmonizing beginning at 1:49 of this track are mind blowing. And he was legally blind! The genius from Toledo, Ohio. Wish more people knew of him and had heard his incredible playing. youtu.be |
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coram_deo 10-Aug-21, 19:15 |
Anyone who’s familiar with the “Little Rascals” knows this is the song love-struck Alfalfa sang to Darla. I was born in the mid-60’s, but for some reason I know this song and the Little Rascals connection. That probably helped me appreciate Art Tatum’s recording of it, but it took a bunch of listens before I truly appreciated how beautiful this rendition was. m.youtube.com |
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coram_deo 13-Aug-21, 21:17 |
youtu.be |
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coram_deo 14-Aug-21, 18:53 |
“You Take My Heart Away” youtu.be Lyrics: Touch me, Take me in your arms, Shelter me from harm, Let me love you for a million years or more, I never felt this way before, Before your kiss, You take my heart away, Away Love me, Love me from your heart, Let us never part, Bring me all the dreams you thought would never be, We'll make them all reality, Just you and me, You take my heart away, Away You’re my dream come true, Baby I love you, I confess I need ya, I will never leave you alone, Oh, I love you too My whole world is you, I confess I need ya, I will never leave you alone You take my heart away, Away Touch me, Take me in your arms, Shelter me from harm, Let me love you for a million years or more, I never felt this way before, Before your kiss, You take my heart away, Away Love me, Love me from your heart, Let us never part, Bring me all the dreams you thought would never be, We'll make them all reality, Just you and me, You take my heart away, Away You’re my dream come true, Baby I love you, I confess I need ya, I will never leave you alone, Oh, I love you too My whole world is you, I confess I need you, And I will never leave you alone You take my heart away, Away You take my heart away, Away |
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coram_deo 15-Aug-21, 20:10 |
The album came out in 1981, but the song was written in 1953. Great lyrics and melody. Erroll Garner played this song in a concert in 1955 (the version of which appears on his “Concert By the Sea” CD.) youtu.be |
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coram_deo 18-Aug-21, 09:33 |
youtu.be |
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coram_deo 21-Aug-21, 19:10 |
Art, on the piano, plays a long introduction before Ben, on the tenor sax, starts playing, and Art’s accompaniment is beautiful beyond words. Red Callender on bass and Bill Douglass on drums round out the quartet. We all owe Norman Granz a debt of gratitude for recording Art Tatum as much as he did before Art Tatum passed away in November 1956. youtu.be |
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coram_deo 21-Aug-21, 20:26 |
I didn’t really like this when I first heard it (probably ‘cause I didn’t know the melody,) but after a bunch of listens, I grew to appreciate just how amazing this recording is. It helps to know the melody ahead of time, which I didn’t know ahead of time the first time I heard it, but the melody’s not hard to pick up from the lyrics. The section from 1:24 to 1:53 is pretty incredible as far as improvising. youtu.be Here are the lyrics, which help to appreciate the song: "When Your Lover Has Gone" “When you're alone, who cares for starlit skies? When you're alone, the magic moonlight dies At break of dawn there is no sunrise When your lover has gone What lonely hours the evening shadows bring What lonely hours with memories lingering Like faded flowers life can't mean anything When your lover has gone When you're alone, who cares for starlit skies? When you're alone, the magic moonlight dies At break of dawn there is no sunrise When your lover has gone What lonely hours the evening shadows bring What lonely hours with memories lingering Like faded flowers life can't mean anything When your lover, when your lover has gone” |
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coram_deo 27-Aug-21, 19:11 |
The melody of this song is pretty easy to pick up from this track, and Art Tatum’s improvising, though mostly close to the melody, is amazing. I particularly like 1:40 to 2:00. I remember a critic faulting Tatum for “pouring the ocean of his genius into pint pot songs like Prisoner of Love” but can’t remember who said that and a Google search was fruitless. I like this comment on the video of this solo piano recording by Art: “There is nothing in music, jazz, piano or pure art better than Art Tatum's playing. What quality of touch, concept, creativity, dexterity, bravissimo performance this is. And, it is restrained, posed, sculpted, shaped and framed to perfection. Thanks again for exhibiting.” youtu.be |
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coram_deo 31-Aug-21, 16:14 |
This song wouldn’t be among my top 10 if I were stranded on an island and could have only 10 tracks of music to listen to, but it’d be in my top 20. I’m mostly posting this in honor of September beginning tomorrow (fall is my favorite season.) The personnel on this recording are the same as the “Deep Purple” recording I posted earlier: Art Tatum, Piano Lionel Hampton, Vibes Harry Edison, Trumpet Buddy Rich, Drums Red Callender, Bass Barney Kessel, Guitar After a long introduction by Art, Harry Edison starts playing, and then Lionel Hampton. The final 54 seconds are pretty exquisite but especially the last 15 seconds. I love the way Art Tatum ends this song. I feel kinda bad for people who think Art Tatum was only impressive (in fact, the best) as far as technique. He was incredibly gifted in harmony, rhythm and improvising as well - just an all-around phenomenal pianist, and legally blind to boot. We truly will never see another Art Tatum. As the saying goes, “Tatum, you can’t imitate him.” youtu.be |
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coram_deo 04-Sep-21, 22:15 |
youtu.be I Surrender Dear Art Tatum, Piano Roy Eldridge, Trumpet John Simmons, Bass Alvin Stoller, Drums |
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coram_deo 06-Sep-21, 15:42 |
Art Tatum, solo piano from the “Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces.” “Lover Come Back to Me” youtu.be |
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coram_deo 06-Sep-21, 19:07 |
The album, which also features Red Callender on bass and Bill Douglass on drums (I love Bill Douglass’ drum work on this track,) actually has two versions of “Once in a While” - this track and an alternate track. I prefer this track to the alternate track, but in the case of “Have You Met Miss Jones” from the Art Tatum Group Masterpieces with Ben Webster, I preferred the alternate track to the original track. Anyhoo, here’s “Once in a While” with Art Tatum, Buddy De Franco, Red Callender and Bill Douglass. Enjoy! youtu.be |
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coram_deo 06-Sep-21, 19:17 |
Check out the section of the piano solo from 3:18 to 3:36 and tell me that’s not absolute genius 😳 youtu.be |
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coram_deo 09-Sep-21, 17:49 |
This tune is from the “Art Tatum: 20th Century Piano Genius” CDs. Here’s what Jazz Times magazine says about these recordings: “The 39 performances in this set were informally recorded on two occasions at Ray Heindorf’s Beverly Hills home in 1950 and 1955. There is some party noise from privileged guests, but on the whole the recording quality is surprisingly good. Over two hours of Tatum playing solo on a good piano can, however, prove a bit indigestible, for he serves up very rich fare indeed. It is wise, I believe, to play only a few numbers at a time, and then maybe to go back and play them again to get the full message. There is no doubt that Tatum is one of the few jazz musicians who deserve to be called ‘genius.’ For non-musicians, and even perhaps non-pianists, his music is too energetically complicated to be easily appreciated. Yet in this program, almost entirely of standards, it is amazing how often the composers’ melodies emerge singing from amid the remarkable harmonies and glittering runs.” jazztimes.com Especially check out 2:51 to 3:34 and 3:57 to 4:00. youtu.be |
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coram_deo 09-Sep-21, 18:02 |
youtu.be Alternate take: youtu.be |
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coram_deo 10-Sep-21, 00:11 |
This version, which is a solo piano recording by Art, is probably my second favorite of the three: youtu.be Art stays pretty close to the melody so it’s easy to appreciate how great this version is after only a few listens. The third version, which I have yet to post, features Benny Carter on alto sax and, like the Buddy DeFranco version, is from the Tatum Group Masterpieces. I’ll probably post that next. BTW, this is a good documentary on Art Tatum that features an interview with Buddy DeFranco beginning at 15:27. youtu.be |
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