Three wonderful versions; Goodman makes simplicity elegant, Ellington with an arrangement of incredible harmonic beauty and complexity (probably Strayhorn's?) and virtuoso playing from Errol.
Then... GOD is in the house !
I know Tatum tends to turn us all into Emperor Joseph II - Too many notes... But, oh wow! Its just a musical order of magnitude beyond the rest, more physical skill and harmonic inventiveness in a couple of bars than in the whole performance by the others!
The Art Tatum of the Pablo recordings (and this is one) made toward the end of his life is a bit of a windbag and not the celebrated "God is in the house" so fabled in song and story. Fortunately, on this one, he's abetted by Ben Webster, one of my two favorite tenor players. For ballads, you really can't do better than Ben Webster. I think Webster did his best work in the 50s. Like here on Chelsea Bridge
I know for many readers here this is old (pork pie) hat, but I hope there are younger people out there for whom Webster is an undiscovered country. On the cut above, Gerry Mulligan plays with Webster. Mulligan is another minor miracle. He plays the usually dead-weight baritone sax and is almost as nimble as an alto guy.
UPDATE: The spambots got clever so the verification is back. Apologies
Some of the regulars here are having trouble telling the anonymice apart. Please add some distinguishing name to your comment such as Mickey, Minnie, Mighty, or Fred.
None of the above.
ReplyDeleteIf you want something different try f.e.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCHFHZaOY98
ReplyDeletesub-arctic bunny
I suspect the Rabbit knows there is no contest.
ReplyDeleteThree wonderful versions; Goodman makes simplicity elegant, Ellington with an arrangement of incredible harmonic beauty and complexity (probably Strayhorn's?) and virtuoso playing from Errol.
Then... GOD is in the house !
I know Tatum tends to turn us all into Emperor Joseph II - Too many notes...
But, oh wow!
Its just a musical order of magnitude beyond the rest, more physical skill and harmonic inventiveness in a couple of bars than in the whole performance by the others!
izen
http://coverville.com/archives/podcast/coverville-928-the-new-order-cover-story-ii/
ReplyDeleteThe Art Tatum of the Pablo recordings (and this is one) made toward the end of his life is a bit of a windbag and not the celebrated "God is in the house" so fabled in song and story. Fortunately, on this one, he's abetted by Ben Webster, one of my two favorite tenor players. For ballads, you really can't do better than Ben Webster. I think Webster did his best work in the 50s. Like here on Chelsea Bridge
ReplyDeleteI know for many readers here this is old (pork pie) hat, but I hope there are younger people out there for whom Webster is an undiscovered country. On the cut above, Gerry Mulligan plays with Webster. Mulligan is another minor miracle. He plays the usually dead-weight baritone sax and is almost as nimble as an alto guy.
There are lots of Ben Webster cuts on Youtube.
They said that Nero played his violin as Rome burned.
ReplyDeleteProfessor Rabett just posts YouTube melodies while Australia burns. But then he is not emperor of Oz.
Cheers, Alastair.
re: Australia burning
ReplyDeleteA little jazz from the heart of The Quintet of the Hot Club of France. With 14 year old Beryl Davis (no relation) on vocals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFAzsusZyuc
Eli has to admit he loves the understated way that Teddy Wilson plays under Goodman best. One word fits for that, lovely.
ReplyDeleteThe others are a bit two decorated for the Bunny who is but a simple beast.