Paul Revere by Cyrus Dallin, North End, Boston

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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:


7 comments:

Les Carpenter said...

Parker and Hawkins1950 most definitely gets my vote.

Shaw Kenawe said...

RN, I knew you'd like this.

okjimm said...

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

Shaw Kenawe said...

Excellent, okjimm. Thanks.

Ducky's here said...

Yeah, RN, just great stuff.

dmarks said...

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

okjimm said...

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.