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Topic: Lush Life |
Jerry Gleason
From:
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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Posted 13 Jan 2008 6:19 pm |
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Occasionally, there has been some discussion here of the song "Lush Life", Billy Strayhorn's classic jazz ballad. I thought it might be interesting to try it as a steel guitar instrumental. It's probably been done before, but I couldn't locate a version on any steel records, so I decided to work up one myself.
It's probably just as well that I didn't hear a good steel version, because I probably wouldn't have had the nerve to try it myself if I knew someone had already done it much better than I could.
For me, this song is difficult to pull off as an instrumental, not so much because of it's harmonic complexity, but because so much of the emotion and pathos is in the lyrics. It's hard to believe that Strayhorn wrote this as a teenager.
Anyway, my version is not too adventurous, sticking mostly to the Real Book changes, and no harmonic accompaniment, just naked steel guitar, with some upright bass sprinkled in here and there.
So, here, for what it's worth, is my humble submission:
Lush Life
Last edited by Jerry Gleason on 15 Apr 2011 5:27 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Dave Biller
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 13 Jan 2008 6:26 pm
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| really beautiful version of one of my all time favorite tunes. i love the harmonics too. very inspiring sir. |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 13 Jan 2008 6:54 pm Re: Lush Life
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That sounds very nice indeed.
| Jerry Gleason wrote: |
.. this song is difficult ... because so much of the emotion ... in the lyrics. |
Maybe it helps to sings along silently as you play. I do that sometimes. |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 13 Jan 2008 6:56 pm
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Very lovely, Jerry! With your permission, I'd like to add this to the SteelGuitarJazz.com website. Would that be okay with you?
Best wishes,
Jimbeaux |
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Jerry Gleason
From:
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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Posted 13 Jan 2008 7:13 pm
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Thank you so much for the kind words. That means a lot, coming from you guys!
And Jim, I'd be most honored... |
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John Steele
From:
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 13 Jan 2008 7:21 pm
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I hate responding to a thread when I don't have anything constructive to add, but I just had to say...
That was really nice, Jerry !
"It's hard to believe that Strayhorn wrote this as a teenager."
I'll say. I could never get over that. If that was his audition tune, no wonder Ellington hired him.
Jerry Gleason remains the only steel player on the planet (including me) who my Mother likes to listen to.
-John |
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Andy Greatrix
From:
Edmonton Alberta
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Posted 13 Jan 2008 8:23 pm
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This is absolutely moving!
The harmonics remind me of Lenny Breau, but overall, it's as if you're using a tuning that no one has used before.
I mean that in a complimentery way. |
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Jerry Gleason
From:
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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Posted 14 Jan 2008 12:06 am
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Thank you, Andy. I played this on a standard 10 string C6 pedal tuning with a G on top. Yes, those arpeggiated harmonics are similar to the way Lenny Breau does it on standard guitar. Unfortunately, I can't play those with fingerpicks on, so I have to play the whole thing without picks, but that's okay.
John, please give my regards to your Mother.  |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 14 Jan 2008 2:22 am
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i always dig the stuff you come up w: Jerry
this Lush Life included
how bout a cd w: all yer doings ?  |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 14 Jan 2008 4:12 am
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Very nice Jerry.
Jerry is also a fine graphic artist. He drew this:
Some of you may recognize it as the basis of a certain CD cover.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 14 Jan 2008 6:51 am
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| Fine playing on a challenging song. |
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Bob Taillefer
From:
Canada
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Posted 14 Jan 2008 7:59 pm
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Beautiful playing Jerry!
Thanks for posting it.
Bob |
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Clyde Bloodworth
From:
Chancellor, AL (deceased)
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Posted 14 Jan 2008 8:26 pm
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Jerry,
As a matter of interest, how many fingers do you have on your right hand? Sounds like at least twelve. Very,very nice arrangement and presentation!!
Clyde |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 14 Jan 2008 11:45 pm
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Jerry,
Wow, you sound great !
Thanks for posting it.
_________________
Bob |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 15 Jan 2008 8:07 am
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Simply beautiful.
I've been wanting to hear this one on steel.
Thanks, Jerry.
_________________
Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons |
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Dave Van Allen
From:
Doylestown, PA , US , Earth
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Posted 15 Jan 2008 8:20 am
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Lovely!
Thank you so much for posting this. |
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Jerry Gleason
From:
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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Posted 15 Jan 2008 10:58 am
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Wow, Thanks so much to all who have responded. I've always loved that song, and noodled around with it occasionally, but it's only recently that I finally put some effort into working out how I might play it on steel guitar.
My favorite version of Lush Life has always been the Coltrane / Johnny Hartman rendition. That's what I had going through my head when I was working on this. Man, that used to be my "mood music" record, back when I was young and single, and had a date.... But I digress....
You'd think that Db might be an awkward key, but it actually opens up some interesting open string possibilities on C6th that I hadn't used before. It does use a lot of the guitar, for sure. Every one of five knee levers and five pedals gets a workout on that one. |
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Billy Wilson
From:
El Cerrito, California, USA
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Posted 15 Jan 2008 11:05 am
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| Love it!!! Think I'll head on down to the club and have a cocktail. |
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P Gleespen
From:
Toledo, OH USA
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Posted 15 Jan 2008 11:28 am
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Fantastic Jerry!
That tune has always kicked my behind. Just not enough chords in there! 
I don't know why, and I know for sure it SHOULDN'T be, but for some my favorite version of that song is Blossom Dearie's version.
_________________
Patrick |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 15 Jan 2008 12:42 pm
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Stan Kenton had a great version.
_________________
Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons |
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Billy Wilson
From:
El Cerrito, California, USA
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Posted 15 Jan 2008 2:14 pm
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| P. Gleespan: Yes it should!!! |
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Stephan Miller
From:
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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Posted 21 Jan 2008 2:25 pm
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Man, that was gorgeous...add me to the waiting list for a solo CD, Jerry  |
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Tom Zielinski
From:
Buffalo, New York, USA
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Posted 21 Jan 2008 2:59 pm
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That was beautiful!
Some of the other tunes on your website are great too. I like the jazz guitar trio...you played all the instruments on Rose Room, nice. |
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Steve Alcott
From:
New York, New York, USA
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Posted 21 Jan 2008 4:05 pm
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| This is one of the best things I've heard since I've been on SGF. Correct melody, the right changes, great tone, nice understated arrangement-all I can say is WOW! |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 21 Jan 2008 4:36 pm
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Thanks, Jerry! I've loved that tune since I heard it by Ella with Joe Pass circa 1975. Your rendition is worthy of a great jazz guitarist like Pass or Johnny Smith.
Last edited by Andy Volk on 22 Jan 2008 8:09 am; edited 1 time in total |
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