Tag: 1950s

McCoy Tyner | When Sunny Gets Blue

First recorded in 1956 by vocalist Johnny Mathis and bandleader Roy Conniff, “When Sunny Gets Blue” quickly became a jazz standard. This version was performed by piano legend McCoy Tyner and his trio in 1962, after his stint as sideman for John Coltrane. Tyner, a 4-time Grammy winner, was named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master in 2002; after 80 albums, he still continues to record.

The 32-bar form modulates at the start of the middle 8 (heard for the first time at 1:04), modulates halfway through the middle 8 at 1:20, then back to the original key at 1:36. The form starts again at 2:07, as we hear a solo from Tyner.

Fever | Josh Turner (feat. Allison Young)

From MotD regular Paul Steckler comes this update on a 1959 pop classic:

“Everyone knows the famous version of ‘Fever’ by Peggy Lee. She added lyrics to the original release, performed by Little Willie John in 1956. In 2019, we have a guitar-and-voice version by Josh Turner and Allison Young.”

Josh’s bio states that he “started playing at 13, when his PlayStation 2 was confiscated.”

Modulations at 1:35 and 2:11.

Jimmie Rodgers | Kisses Sweeter Than Wine

“Kisses Sweeter Than Wine,” originally a hit for folk singer Pete Seeger and The Weavers in 1950, was released by Jimmie Rodgers in 1957, reaching #7 on the pop charts. The Weavers’ version featured beautiful four-part harmony throughout, as well as a unique recurring piccardy third at the end of each verse. But the pop-friendly release by Rodgers featured a much faster tempo, a much harder swing, and multiple key changes.

This variety show performance of the tune starts at 0:50, with direct half-step modulations at 1:49, 2:11, and 2:37.

Bill Evans | Here’s That Rainy Day

Jazz pianist and composer Bill Evans was the winner of seven Grammy awards and an inductee into the Downbeat Jazz Hall of Fame. Discogs.com calls Evans “one of the most famous and influential American jazz pianists of the 20th century. His use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, and trademark rhythmically independent, ‘singing’ melodic lines influenced a generation of pianists.” Evans was an integral part of the ensembles of Miles Davis and Paul Motian, among others, before moving into his sustained work as a jazz trio leader.

“Here’s That Rainy Day” (music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Johnny Burke, 1952) was first heard as part of the Broadway musical Carnival in Flanders. Our Twitter follower @cedgray submitted this solo piano tune: “…the best modulation is at 1:59. There’s an augmented modulation: starting in B, it moves through G, Eb, and then back to B.” There’s another big harmonic shift at 3:53, among others.

Rosemary Clooney | Hey There

“Hey There,” from the 1954 musical The Pajama Game, was subsequently recorded by several prominent artists after John Raitt performed it in the original theatrical production. Rosemary Clooney‘s version reached #1 on the Billboard chart in 1954. Written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, the ballad modulates at 0:42 and then reverts to the original key at 1:04.

Balcony Scene (from “West Side Story”)

This gorgeous rendition of the iconic balcony scene from Leonard Bernstein‘s West Side Story is accompanied by full symphony orchestra. Modulation at 3:33, plus many other key changes and key-of-the-moment passages. A review from its 1957 Broadway debut: “It takes up the American musical idiom where it was left when George Gershwin died. It is fascinatingly tricky and melodically beguiling, and it marks the progression of an admirable composer.”