NOVEMBER 7, 1940
Thursday |
Columbia Studios, NYC |
|
12-BAR BLUES |
Key of |
|
B♭ |
Quarter Note = |
|
190 |
Time: |
|
0:38 |
|
4-Bar Intro + 1 CHORUS + 10 Bars (Breakdown): |
|
• |
1 chor CC
&
ensemble |
(theme riffs) |
|
Benny Goodman and his Sextet |
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Composed by: |
Count Basie - Benny Goodman |
C&A:
On 7 November 1940, six takes (including two incomplete takes) of Benny’s
Bugle were recorded at the end of one of the sextet’s long Columbia studio
sessions. Charlie Christian was allocated two 12-bar blues choruses for his
solo to follow right after the trumpet intro and one-chorus theme.
As the Benny’s Bugle session progressed the length of the takes increased from 10 choruses
on the initial complete take, to 11, then to 12 choruses for the master take.
There’s also a general increase in the tempo as each take is brought forth.
The master (take 6) was released on 78-rpm on March 3, 1941 along with
another of the tunes recorded at the same session. Thirty-some years later,
four of the other takes (2 thru 5) were released on LP in 1973 showcasing
the guitar solos but spliced and incomplete. In 1980, a Swedish label
released an LP that included one track with four takes (1 thru 4) recorded
continuously with all the between-takes aural activity. Finally, in 2002,
Columbia collected and released all the material in their 4-CD, guitar-amp box.
CO 29030-v (take
1) partial
This isn’t actually a false start or breakdown but a short try-out of the
beginning. Still, it’s an interesting interrupted guitar solo.
CO 29030-W (take
2) 10 choruses
The tempo has been increased a bit and even knowing this is just a
run-though, Charles continued to be just as creative as ever. He has now
adjusted his solo to start on the second beat of the first measure for the
remainder of the session. Do note the unexpected dyad
exclamation tossed in on the penultimate bar of his solo.
CO 29030-X (take
3) 11 choruses
The tempo picks up a little more. Charles plays a strikingly exquisite, long
run on mm 6-11 of his second solo chorus ... crested with an octave
exclamation point of satisfaction. Even though there’s an unexpected request
for a time check at the start of the following piano solo the sextet
continues to the end of the tune.
CO 29030-y (take
4) partial
This guitar solo on this breakdown doesn’t quite get off to as good a start
as the other takes but it’s different and of interest until it’s
abruptly brought to a halt.
☊ LISTEN Guitar Solo fourth take
CO 29030-Z (take
5) 11 choruses
A swingin’ guitar solo with mostly familiar sequences. There’s a long,
tormented blues note at bar 8 of the first chorus. Another one of those
wonderful, long runs by Charles begins at bar 8 of the second chorus to end
the solo.
CO 29030-1 (take
6) 12 choruses
This is a good choice for the master take if one appraises it by the guitar
solo – it’s well-paced, well-balanced, well-versed.
Every one of Charles’ Benny’s Bugle solos is quite engaging on this session.
Each solo begins with the same apropos phrasing, then promptly branches off
in interesting journeys of their own uniqueness.
|
|
[ LP ] |
Jazz Document |
va-7997 |
** |
(side B, track 3d) |
|
[ CD ] |
Columbia/Legacy |
AC4K 65564 |
** |
(disc 4, track 21d) |
|
|
Columbia/Legacy |
C4K 65564 |
** |
(disc 4, track 21d) |
|
|
Dreyfus Jazz |
FDM 36715-2 |
*** |
(track 9c) |
|
|
Frémeaux |
FA 218 |
** |
(disc 2, track 1d) |
|
|
Jazz Unlimited |
JUCD 2013 |
* |
(track 1d) |
|
|
Masters of Jazz |
MJCD 67 |
** |
(track 6d) |
|
|
Masters of Jazz |
R2CD 8004 |
*** |
(disc 2, track 2c) |
|
|
Proper / Musisoft |
EMCD 21 |
*** |
(track 6c) |
|
|
Sony/Legacy |
93035 |
** |
(disc 4, track 21d) |
|
|
Sony Music Media |
SMM 517115 2 |
** |
(track 16d) |
|
* [CD] JUCD 2013 contains the complete rehearsal session from takes CO 29030-v through CO 29030-1
including talk, practice, and tryouts between takes.
Charles’ voice can be heard several times between takes CO 29030-Z and CO 29030-1.
** [LP] va-7997 & [CD] 93035, (A)C4K 65564, FA 218, MJCD 67, SMM 517115
contain takes CO 29030-v through CO 29030-y including talk, practice, and tryouts between takes.
*** [CD] EMCD 21, FDM 36715-2, R2CD 8004 contain takes CO 29030-W through CO 29030-y inclusively. |
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