Monk's Body and Soul

Somehow we forgot about the unique Monk take of "Body and Soul." Played solely by Monk, one can appreciate his quirky and playful approach to standards. Hat and Beard was likely having a lot of fun on the keyboard as he sought to take the material into new directions. His toying around with dissonant or unexpected notes shows a lighter, more humorous approach to "Body and Soul."

Cherokee Live

Brave Indian warrior...

Esperanza Spalding's Body and Soul (2008)

Esperanza Spalding's "Body and Soul" from this live performance is still magical. Although somehow less captivating than her Spanish version, we have always enjoyed the early recordings and performances of Esperanza. For some reason, we lost interest in her later albums and stopped following her career.

Stolen Moments with Gato Barbieri

Whilst listening to jazz on Youtube, as one is wont to do in the evening, we came across a live performance of Oliver Nelson's "Stolen Moments" featuring Gato Barbieri. As one might expect, it is a rousing performance of the standard. Several years ago, we knew a man who played this song on his flute at least once a week...

Summertime with Ayler

A young Albert Ayler brilliantly performed Gershwin's classic on My Name Is Albert Ayler. Although not as "out" as hi subsequent work, Ayler's love for folk, gospel, and traditional musical elements was a recurring feature in his oeuvre. Therefore, it is no surprise "Summertime" appealed to him. The standard, inspired by African American spirituals and culture, would have resonated with Albert's own interest in the same source material. Alas, if only we had recordings of later Ayler renditions of "Summertime" from his live performances in mid-1960s New York.

Swinging Tangerine

 

We are finally learning to appreciate the genius of Oscar Peterson. Here he is swinging one of our favorite standards from the 1940s, "Tangerine" by Victor L. Schertzinger. One can almost hear, for a second, "Tea For Two." 

Cannonball's Rose Room

It's always interesting to hear how bop and post-bop jazz artists interpreted some of the gems from the era of early jazz or swing. Since we've been fond of Benny Goodman's recording of "Rose Room" featuring Charlie Christian for so long, we sought more modern interpretations of the standard. Adderley does not disappoint.

Drum and Bass Body and Soul

Interesting to hear Esperanza Spalding sing "Body and Soul" in the original English with just bass and drums. Such a bare arrangement and instrumentation accentuates her singing and the haunting melancholy of this song. 

Roy Haynes Flying to the Moon

An excellent jazz interpretation of one of our favorite standards. Roy Haynes approaches "Fly Me to the Moon" with grace and rigor. If only Roland Kirk received more time for a longer solo, then this could have been even better.

My Favorite Things...at the Village Gate

As devotees of the music of Eric Dolphy, any new recording of his work is worth hearing. The newly released recordings of Dolphy with Coltrane at the Village Gate are priceless musical records of one of the great partnerships in jazz. Hearing Dolphy's flute solo on the immortal "My Favorite Things" is pure ecstasy.

It Could Happen To You

 

A lovely rendition of a great standard from one of the best trios Bill Evans ever had. Eddie Gomez was a mainstay, but the addition of Jack DeJohnette made for some interesting developments in the musical ideas of Gomez and Evans.

Witchcraft

 

Although I have always associated "Witchcraft" with Bill Evans, Duke Pearson's take is quite playful and lovely. Pearson's touch is a bit more bluesy and light-hearted. Unfortunately, Gene Taylor's bass solo can't compare with that of Scott LaFaro, but the world of jazz bass would be dull if everyone sounded the same.

Gary Peacock

Rest in peace, Gary Peacock. 2020 continues to be a difficult year as so many jazz musicians have passed away. While I mainly know of Peacock's work through Albert Ayler and the Standards Trio with Keith Jarrett and Jack Dejohnette, I have long considered this combo to be one of the best at interpreting the jazz standard songbook. This particular trio always captures the essence of a standard without being unoriginal or becoming trapped in the past of our music. 

Darktown Strutters' Ball

A particularly lively rendition of the old standard, "Darktown Strutters' Ball," by the daughter of Luis Russell.  It's always nice to see jazz standards from over a century ago being revitalized. 

On Green Dolphin Street

An early Albert Ayler's rendition of "On Green Dolphin Street" is astonishing. It's not atonal or immersed in the later free jazz stylings Ayler is best known for, but his unique honking and shrieking is already an established part of his playing. Beautiful. 

Panama

Luis Russell, who happened to be Panamian, recorded one of the best renditions of the old standard named for the land of his birth. Composed by William Tyers, the song has dropped its Latin rhythms but Russell added the best of the New Orleans sound in an early swing context. 

Bossa Fly Me To the Moon

Neon Genesis Evangelion used "Fly Me To the Moon" brilliantly, often changing the vocalist by incorporating members of the cast for the outro credits. This bossa-inflected take of the American standard met the interests and needs of the various characters in the show as they sought affection and connection. 

All of You on a Sunday at the Village Vanguard

Everyday can be like Sunday at the Village Vanguard during these times of crisis. "All of You" has rarely been interpreted more superbly than Bill Evans and Scott LaFaro's emotionally moving and lyrical take.

I Loves You Porgy

If you can keep me

I wanna stay here 

With you forever 

And I'll be glad

Chet Baker's My Funny Valentine

Late Chet Baker at his zenith. Later recordings of Baker are, like those of the later Billie Holiday, often too painful. But this is Baker at his best, and a worthy listen.