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Topic: Summertime and the steelin' is easy |
Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 25 Jun 2010 6:06 am |
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It's been like sauna this week here in Massachusetts so, in honor of hot and sultry Summers, here's a study in arranging and phrasing comparing the steel guitar to the theramin and the violin.
Summertime - Santo & Johnny
https://home.comcast.net/~aevolk/music/S&JSummertime.mp3
Summertime - Clara Rockmore
https://home.comcast.net/~aevolk/music/CRSummertime.mp3
Joe Venuti & Tony Romano
https://home.comcast.net/~aevolk/music/JVSummertime.mp3
Santo's tone and phrasing slays me. His sound gets to me more than many much more schooled and sophisticated players.
Clara Rockmore's version is beautifully played but for me, hands down it's the spookiest version ever.
Joe Venuti seems like he can't help himself from swinging. All his playing has a unique bounce to it and a digging-in feel for the time that's his alone.
What do you think? |
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Steve Cunningham
From:
Atlanta, GA
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Julian Goldwhite
From:
Alhambra, CA, USA
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Posted 25 Jun 2010 9:57 am
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Andy,
You are always posting the coolest stuff! All three versions definitely have their virtues. I love the Art Brut steel approach of Santo on the steel, and Joe Venuti's swing is undeniable, but Clara Rockmore's theramin is so incredibly human sounding and eerie, reminds me a bit of Yma Sumac's vocalizations.
Best,
Julian
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 25 Jun 2010 10:31 am
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| Steve Cunningham wrote: |
| I'm a Jeff Beck fan, and it's hard to believe that Jeff didn't study Santo's phrasing at some point, when he really started digging into those Strat trem bars. |
Jeff admits his steel appreciation, and those leanings are readily apparent on his latest effort, especially with his vol. swells at the very start of the album. |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 25 Jun 2010 10:36 am
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Yep, Julian & Doug. Clara's playing reminds me of the lost score to some 40s noir film in the mold of Laura or Hitchcock's B&W films. Her control and vibrato are astounding.
Nice playing Doug, I especially like the harmonies you play around the melody parts.
Here's Bishop Ronnie Hall's version:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNibmOPoUoI |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 25 Jun 2010 11:02 am
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| Love that song. First time I played the banjo part in Porgy and Bess I heard the real Gershwin chords and the atmosphere he sets up with the orchestra and was just blown away by how amazing it was. I recorded this a while back and posted it here...tried to use as many of the Gershwin chords as I could. For anyone who is interested.....http://www.mediafire.com/?qzbwrk47yoj |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 25 Jun 2010 11:24 am
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| Bill, that was haunting. A very lush and cinematic version. What's Gershwin's chord progression in the intro? |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 25 Jun 2010 11:58 am
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I don't know about the intro, but I have seen several different chord progressions for this song in fake books.
For example, the first 4 bars of the melody: I have most often seen Im6 IIm6 (Bm6, C#m6) 2 beats each chord for the first 4 bars of the tune. That's what I play... but I've also seen Im7 IV9 in books, and I've seen Im, IVm. I like the m6 chords because they create an eerie mood, which is perfect for this song IMO.
I'd like to see the original Gershwin sheet music to check out the chords (and key). 
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 25 Jun 2010 2:14 pm
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It's one of the most widely recorded songs in history, I think. Your local library should have a copy, or you could google it.
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A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Roy Thomson
From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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Posted 26 Jun 2010 3:45 pm
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For those interested I have an arrangement
of Summertime in straight E Major
on my ClicTab Site.. includes MP3 and matching Tablaure. Six string ..feel free to download.
Click on my signature below and check it out.
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Custom Tabs Various Tunings
Courses Lap Steel, Pedal Steel |
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