Sunday, October 12, 2014

Coleman Hawkins, Body and Soul, October 11, 1939




October 11 marked the 75th anniversary of Coleman Hawkins' recording of Body and Soul, a popular song and an American jazz standard:
BODY AND SOUL

 Coleman Hawkins version:

 One of the most famous and influential takes was recorded by Coleman Hawkins and His Orchestra on October 11, 1939, at their only recording session for Bluebird, a subsidiary of RCA Victor. 

 The recording is unusual in that the song's melody is only hinted at in the recording; Hawkins' two-choruses of improvisation over the tune's chord progression constitute almost the entire take.

 Because of this, as well as the imaginative use of harmony and break from traditional swing cliches, the recording is recognised as part of the "early tremors of bebop". 

 In 2004, the Library of Congress entered it into the National Recording Registry.



Bonus for Sunday Night:


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7 comments:

  1. Les CarpenterOctober 12, 2014 at 8:46 PM

    Parker and Hawkins1950 most definitely gets my vote.

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  2. Shaw KenaweOctober 12, 2014 at 9:03 PM

    RN, I knew you'd like this.

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  3. okjimmOctober 12, 2014 at 9:27 PM

    oh, good stuff. Brought to mind an album by Joe Jackson with title Body and Soul....some of his best stuff....

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rflxrc0g72g

    ...ya'll have a good night

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  4. Shaw KenaweOctober 12, 2014 at 9:36 PM

    Excellent, okjimm. Thanks.

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  5. Ducky's hereOctober 12, 2014 at 11:03 PM

    Yeah, RN, just great stuff.

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  6. dmarksOctober 13, 2014 at 8:01 AM

    OK Jimm: I've not heard JJ'a album yet. Perhaps a major oversight on my part? He has some truly wonderful music.

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  7. okjimmOctober 13, 2014 at 11:01 AM

    Dmarks- it goes back to '84. Shaw's post reminded me. I think I went through three copies on vinyl, including one left in car three days in +90s temps. Used that one for a chip-dish.

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