NOVEMBER 22, 1939
Wednesday |
COLUMBIA STUDIOS, NYC |
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32 BARS (AABA) |
Key of |
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E♭ |
Quarter Note = |
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88 |
Time: |
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3:10 |
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2-Bar Intro + 2
CHORUSES: |
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2
bars – clarinet |
(Intro) |
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32 bars
clarinet |
(Melody) |
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8 bars
clarinet |
(Melody) |
Composed by: |
Eubie Blake
(lyrics by Andy Razaf) |
C&A:
Five different versions of Memories of You were recorded – all
within a three-month period; and all with the 1939 sextet in NYC, same personnel
(Smack was reinstated as the sextet pianist for the concert) and routine: one radio
studio broadcast, one at a Waldorf-Astoria Hotel gig, two in the Columbia recording studio
for possible commercial release, and one in concert at Carnegie Hall on Christmas Eve.
Goodman’s forte was playing the melody on ballads – his contributions to
this tune are exemplary.
Charles’ usual method is to employ eighth notes in his solos. On slower
tunes he would use sixteenth notes in parts of his solos. Memories of You is
unique in that he applies sixteenth notes exclusively on all five versions.
And he plays much of the rhythm straight (not syncopated) on all five of his
solos usually holding the swingin’ till the last bar.
Each and every one of Charlie Christian’s solos is beautifully put together. Like whiffs of
fresh air. They arrive, exhilarate, and are quickly gone.
Nov 22, 1939
WCO 26284 A – master take at Columbia StudiosOf the five editions, this Charlie Christian solo
is clearly the most adventurous in regard to the guitar picking. At the same time, it seems
the most formally constructed – as if purposely wrapped up and presented for permanent pressing.
Erudite reviews:
Jan Evensmo in The Guitars of Charlie Christian… (1976):
“The studio versions of Memories… are well played and quite dexterous to be held in slow tempo. They
are also remarkably different, although I think I find other versions, like the Oct 23, 1939 one, more exciting.”
Claude Carrière in Charlie Christian, Vol. 2 (1992) MJCD 29 liner notes:
“The short eight bars from Charlie on the bridge of Memories differs significantly from one take to the
other: the first restrained, the second adventurous. The brevity of Charlie’s intervention is all
the more regrettable in that the earlier version of this ideal showcase also denied him a complete chorus.”
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[ 78 ] |
Columbia |
35320 |
(b/w Soft Winds) |
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[ EP ] |
Columbia |
RLS 799 (SEGC.9) |
(side B, track 2) |
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[ LP ] |
CBS |
62.581 |
(side A, track 8) |
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CBS |
62581 |
(side A, track 8) |
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CBS |
67268 |
(side D, track 5) |
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CBS |
BPG 62581 |
(side A, track 8) |
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CBS |
P5 15536 |
(side B, track 2) |
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CBS / Sony |
56AP 674~6 |
(side A, track 4) |
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CBS / Sony |
SOPZ4~6 |
(side A, track 4) |
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Columbia |
CL 820 |
(side A, track 3) |
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Columbia |
CS 8643 |
(side A, track 3) |
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Columbia |
KG 31547 |
(side D, track 5) |
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[ CD ] |
Acrobat |
ACTRCD 9103 |
(disc 2, track 17) |
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Chestnut |
CN1003 |
(track 10) |
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Columbia/Legacy |
AC4K 65564 |
(disc 1, track 4) |
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Columbia/Legacy |
C4K 65564 |
(disc 1, track 4) |
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Columbia |
CK 45144 |
(track 13) |
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Columbia/Legacy |
CK 61445 |
(track 16) |
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Columbia/Legacy |
COL 501035 2 |
(track 16) |
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Definitive |
DRCD11176 |
(disc 1, track 18) |
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Japan Jazz Club |
EGR 2001 |
(track 4) |
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Jazzterdays |
JTD 102410 |
(track 7) |
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Masters of Jazz |
MJCD 29 |
(track 2) |
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Masters of Jazz |
MJCD 9004 |
(disc 2, track 2) |
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Past Perfect |
PPCD 78122 |
(track 4) |
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Proper |
PROPERBOX 98 |
(disc 1, track 5) |
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Sony/Legacy |
93035 |
(disc 1, track 4) |
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Universe |
UV 129/2 |
(disc 1, track 4) |
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