Take Six:     Benny’s Bugle    CO 29030-1

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.

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.

☊   LISTEN   Guitar Solo   sixth take    

**  [CD]  MJCD 189 contains the rehearsal session from 2:45 before take CO 29030-Z through CO 29030-1 including talk, practice, and tryouts between takes.  Charles’ voice can be heard several times between the two takes.