Night Train

“Night Train” is a twelve-bar blues instrumental first recorded by Jimmy Forrest in 1951. It has been recorded and performed countless times, by musicians in virtually every genre.

The Ventures recorded at least two versions, the first released on their 1960 album “Walk Don’t Run” and the second on the 1964 album, “Walk Don’t Run ’64”.

My arrangement is not a cover of any one specific rendition, but incorporates elements of many.

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Caravan

“Caravan” was composed by Juan Tizol and Duke Ellington and first performed by Ellington in 1936.  Irving Mills wrote lyrics, but they are rarely sung.

It quickly became a jazz standard, frequently performed and recorded.

In 1960 the Ventures included the tune on their album “Walk Don’t Run”. It shortly became a staple of their live performances, featuring extended drum solos by Mel Taylor and later Leon Taylor.

My arrangement was inspired by the Ventures approach, although the drum break is fairly short.

 

The Work Song

“The Work Song” was composed by jazz trumpter Nat Adderley (brother of Julian “Cannonball” Adderley). It first appeared as the title cut on his 1960 album. The tune was given lyrics and covered the following year by Oscar Brown Jr. on his album “Sin And Soul…and then some” and has become a standard in both vocal and instrumental forms.

Versions exist by many artists. It was recorded by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass and the Ventures.

My version is instrumental guitar rock, but is not based on anyone else’s arrangements.

Dean’s Theme

“Dean’s Theme” was originally a track on the Shadows 1964 album “The Sound of the Shadows”. Songwriting credit is given to leader Hank Marvin and bassist John Rostill. It also appeared on an EP.

It’s an interesting tune, and while not unheard-of, it is not typical of their style, being in a “smoky jazz” feel. It also appears that the original recording did not involve rhythm guitarist Bruce Welch.

My version is pretty much a straight cover.

Diem in Monimentum

“Diem in Monimentum” marks my return to Smooth Jazz. I’m not sure how long this return will last.

When I Fall in Love

“When I Fall in Love” was written by Victor Young (music) and Edward Heyman (lyrics). It was first introduced in the 1952 film One Minute to Zero.  The song has become a standard, with many artists recording it, though the first hit version was sung by Doris Day released in July 1952.

My instrumental arrangement is in the style of a 60’s guitar rock group like the Shadows or Ventures.

Once I Loved

“Once I Loved” (“O Amor em Paz”) is a bossa nova jazz standard composed in 1960 by Antônio Carlos Jobim. The first recording was in 1961 by João Gilberto. Jobim himself recorded an instrumental version of the song in 1963. Frank Sinatra’s 1967 recording is probably the best known in the English-speaking world.

In my instrumental arrangement, I tried to imagine how a guitar group like the Shadows might have played it.