The Steel Guitar Forum

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

really beautiful version of one of my all time favorite tunes. i love the harmonics too. very inspiring sir.

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.

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

Thank you so much for the kind words. That means a lot, coming from you guys!

And Jim, I'd be most honored...

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

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.

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.

i always dig the stuff you come up w: Jerry
this Lush Life included

how bout a cd w: all yer doings ?

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.

Fine playing on a challenging song.

Beautiful playing Jerry!

Thanks for posting it.

Bob

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

Jerry,
Wow, you sound great !

Thanks for posting it.

Simply beautiful.
I've been wanting to hear this one on steel.
Thanks, Jerry.

Lovely!
Thank you so much for posting this.

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.

Love it!!! Think I'll head on down to the club and have a cocktail.

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.

Stan Kenton had a great version.

P. Gleespan: Yes it should!!!

Man, that was gorgeous...add me to the waiting list for a solo CD, Jerry

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.

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!

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.