from Daniel Weintstein - re Sinatra's reference to "hammer and tongs" :
Sinatra's characterization of Garner's left hand, which he proceeds to illustrate verbally, compares the 4 beat left hand chording Garner would sometimes use with the beating of a blacksmith, who would use the tools of hammer and tongs. Think "The Anvil Chorus," which somewhat resembles a slow stride left hand piano style (bass-chord-bass-chord on the 4 beats.)
WF: I just remembered: it's in an early song recorded by Johnny Mercer (but credited to Dick McDonough) - "Dr. Heckle and Mr. Jibe" - (although I wouldn't be surprised if Mercer actually wrote the words, and just left his name off for publishing reasons or something like that):
yes! that's probably my favorite version - and the first recording. The curious thing is that even though it was a very notable recording in 1949, Capitol Records did NOT keep it in print, it was never on an easily-available LP. No idea why! As a kid, I had to look far and wide to find a British LP that contained the original 1949 track. Incidentally, the version you link to is NKC's 1961 stereo remake for his big 3-LP package THE NAT KING COLE STORY! (Here is the original : <https://youtu.be/vokjaW1eTGY>)
Will, thanks so much for the shout out of Calabria's beautiful rendition of "Lush Life". I wrote about this a few years ago in Jazziz, as I had been tipped off by one Mr. John Pizzarelli about the recording. I love that Seth is also celebrating this arrangement and doing it in his own inimitable style. No doubt his reach into different audiences is helping to expose so many people to how beautiful these songs are. A sincere thank you is owed to Seth.
What I hear in the Riddle arrangement of Lush Life is the many generations of musical influences. Riddle was masterful in learning from those who came before him and as he put it "taking bits and pieces" from classical composers and then combining with modern styles. Strayhorn himself was a Gershwin fanatic. As such, I listen to this arrangement and my mind starts with Riddle then goes to Strayhorn, Gershwin, and Debussy. The lineage seems so clear not only in the harmonic aspects but so many thematic aspects of the composition. And the story told by the lyrics is just so relatable and sentimental in the best possible way.
If I had to alter the piece now, I think I would also call attention to the version by Queen Latifah that is fantastic and also now Samara Joy.
The November 1965 time period also had the elements of the CBS documentary with what would be written and produced by future members of 60 Minutes staff, narrated by Mr Believable Walter Cronkite with the possibility of exposing mob connections. The comes on the heels of the big Sinatra profile Life Magazine and perhaps launched the career with Gay Talese with “Frank Sinatra Has A Cold.” The Nelson Riddle arrangement of When Joanna Loved Me from the proposed Here’s To The Ladies album. Ain’tcha Ever Come Back seems to a strange option to re-record for Capitol, why not I Fall In Love Too Easily, or maybe All The Things You Are?
good point, Cousin Ken - there was even more going on for FS in late 1965 / early 1966 than I talked about in the story. the FRANK SINATRA: FOR THE RECORD show still holds up as a great documentary / profile of the man... thanks!
from Daniel Weintstein - re Sinatra's reference to "hammer and tongs" :
Sinatra's characterization of Garner's left hand, which he proceeds to illustrate verbally, compares the 4 beat left hand chording Garner would sometimes use with the beating of a blacksmith, who would use the tools of hammer and tongs. Think "The Anvil Chorus," which somewhat resembles a slow stride left hand piano style (bass-chord-bass-chord on the 4 beats.)
WF: I just remembered: it's in an early song recorded by Johnny Mercer (but credited to Dick McDonough) - "Dr. Heckle and Mr. Jibe" - (although I wouldn't be surprised if Mercer actually wrote the words, and just left his name off for publishing reasons or something like that):
anyhow, the bridge goes:
When there’s room for argument
Get out them hammer and tongs
They don’t know from nothin’, so
They always wind up kickin’ gongs
ah ha!
w
When it comes to "Lush Life," you can have your Sinatras, Fitzgeralds and Stewie Griffens, but when push comes to shove, I'm throwing in with Nat.
https://youtu.be/fCrCiMJOmWk?si=-XELcSRgsvT8TNo7
yes! that's probably my favorite version - and the first recording. The curious thing is that even though it was a very notable recording in 1949, Capitol Records did NOT keep it in print, it was never on an easily-available LP. No idea why! As a kid, I had to look far and wide to find a British LP that contained the original 1949 track. Incidentally, the version you link to is NKC's 1961 stereo remake for his big 3-LP package THE NAT KING COLE STORY! (Here is the original : <https://youtu.be/vokjaW1eTGY>)
You are correct, sir. That's the keeper. If other versions launched a thousand ships, this is the one that retuned them safely to port.
Will, thanks so much for the shout out of Calabria's beautiful rendition of "Lush Life". I wrote about this a few years ago in Jazziz, as I had been tipped off by one Mr. John Pizzarelli about the recording. I love that Seth is also celebrating this arrangement and doing it in his own inimitable style. No doubt his reach into different audiences is helping to expose so many people to how beautiful these songs are. A sincere thank you is owed to Seth.
What I hear in the Riddle arrangement of Lush Life is the many generations of musical influences. Riddle was masterful in learning from those who came before him and as he put it "taking bits and pieces" from classical composers and then combining with modern styles. Strayhorn himself was a Gershwin fanatic. As such, I listen to this arrangement and my mind starts with Riddle then goes to Strayhorn, Gershwin, and Debussy. The lineage seems so clear not only in the harmonic aspects but so many thematic aspects of the composition. And the story told by the lyrics is just so relatable and sentimental in the best possible way.
If I had to alter the piece now, I think I would also call attention to the version by Queen Latifah that is fantastic and also now Samara Joy.
Regards,
Steve
https://jazzizdiscovery.com/a-lush-life-lives-on-the-enduring-legacy-of-a-billy-strayhorn-classic/
The November 1965 time period also had the elements of the CBS documentary with what would be written and produced by future members of 60 Minutes staff, narrated by Mr Believable Walter Cronkite with the possibility of exposing mob connections. The comes on the heels of the big Sinatra profile Life Magazine and perhaps launched the career with Gay Talese with “Frank Sinatra Has A Cold.” The Nelson Riddle arrangement of When Joanna Loved Me from the proposed Here’s To The Ladies album. Ain’tcha Ever Come Back seems to a strange option to re-record for Capitol, why not I Fall In Love Too Easily, or maybe All The Things You Are?
good point, Cousin Ken - there was even more going on for FS in late 1965 / early 1966 than I talked about in the story. the FRANK SINATRA: FOR THE RECORD show still holds up as a great documentary / profile of the man... thanks!
The CBS Frank Sinatra For The Record showed Sinatra working with Bill Miller on a song for that abandoned Italian album.