Saturday, January 20, 2007
"You Go to My Head"
This song, a jazz standard composed by Fred J. Coots and Haven Gillespie, is one of my favorites. (Note: This songwriting duo is also responsible for "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town").
For a long time, this version rendered flawlessly by Louis Armstrong and Oscar Peterson was the one that always sets me into a different world. The opening 2 minutes is simply the most beautiful music I think I'll ever hear.
Then this release by Brandford Marsalis' record company, Marsalis Music, featuring Michael Carvin on drums and supported by Dezeron Douglas on bass, Carlton Holmes on piano, and Marcus Strickland on sax came out late last year. Mr. Carvin's take on You Go to My Head is different. It's a much longer version, almost 12 minutes (11:49), when compared to the Armstrong/Peterson 6 minute version (6:22). For the first 2 minutes or so, a quiet tense interplay between bass, piano, and drum give you no clue as to what song is being played, unlike the Armstrong/Peterson version. On my first listening, just as I thought I'd reached a tipping point of annoyance, Mr. Strickland breaks in with the langorous beginnings, on sax. Mr. Carvin switches to brushes and sweetness prevails.
Still have the Armstrong/Peterson on the top pedestal, but Carvin's rendition is only a step below. Guaranteed to melt you into your sofa. An appropriate time to take your spouse into your arms for a (finally! It's here!) winter snuggle cuz she/he goes to your head.
The rest of Marsalis Music Honors Michael Carvin is just as fine. His rendering of Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia" is a jolting poke-your-head-up-and-notice drum-kit-beating version. Lots of excitement and then application of the brakes followed by more pedal to the (drum) metal. Fine turns on solos by all of the previously named crew. An enthusiastic recommendation for acquisistion of the cd.
(Here's Clifford Brown's version of the song)
For a long time, this version rendered flawlessly by Louis Armstrong and Oscar Peterson was the one that always sets me into a different world. The opening 2 minutes is simply the most beautiful music I think I'll ever hear.
Then this release by Brandford Marsalis' record company, Marsalis Music, featuring Michael Carvin on drums and supported by Dezeron Douglas on bass, Carlton Holmes on piano, and Marcus Strickland on sax came out late last year. Mr. Carvin's take on You Go to My Head is different. It's a much longer version, almost 12 minutes (11:49), when compared to the Armstrong/Peterson 6 minute version (6:22). For the first 2 minutes or so, a quiet tense interplay between bass, piano, and drum give you no clue as to what song is being played, unlike the Armstrong/Peterson version. On my first listening, just as I thought I'd reached a tipping point of annoyance, Mr. Strickland breaks in with the langorous beginnings, on sax. Mr. Carvin switches to brushes and sweetness prevails.
Still have the Armstrong/Peterson on the top pedestal, but Carvin's rendition is only a step below. Guaranteed to melt you into your sofa. An appropriate time to take your spouse into your arms for a (finally! It's here!) winter snuggle cuz she/he goes to your head.
The rest of Marsalis Music Honors Michael Carvin is just as fine. His rendering of Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia" is a jolting poke-your-head-up-and-notice drum-kit-beating version. Lots of excitement and then application of the brakes followed by more pedal to the (drum) metal. Fine turns on solos by all of the previously named crew. An enthusiastic recommendation for acquisistion of the cd.
(Here's Clifford Brown's version of the song)
Labels: Recording Reviews
Comments:
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A music review by *you*, on the other hand, is most welcome. Seeking and downloading, right .... now!
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