Rose Room by the Benny Goodman Sextet w/ Charlie Christian

Rose Room was one of the first studio tunes recorded 2 October 1939 by guitarist Charlie Christian after he joined the Benny Goodman Sextet. I love this and other Goodman small group tracks as they are a good introduction to jazz and swing. They are popular circa forties' era tunes, with members taking melodic solos that can be appreciated against the chord changes. These tracks initially helped me 'get' jazz, rather than being scared off by some of the less user friendly forms of it.

The story goes that Charlie Christian sat in unannounced with Goodman's group at a live performance at the Victor Hugo restaurant in Los Angeles on 16 August 1939, at the instigation of producer John Hammond, who had been hearing about Charlie's electric guitar work in Oklahoma City. (Apparently Goodman had not shown much interest in Charlie when he had auditioned briefly on acoustic guitar at a recording session earlier that day). According to Wikipedia, 'displeased at the surprise, Goodman called "Rose Room", a tune he assumed that Christian would be unfamiliar with. Unknown to Goodman, Charles had been reared on the tune, and he came in with his solo — which was to be the first of about twenty, all of them different, all unlike anything Goodman had heard before. That version of "Rose Room" lasted forty minutes; by its end, Christian was in the band. In the course of a few days, Christian went from making $2.50 a night to making $150 a week'.

Also worth noting are Benny's lovely clarinet playing and tone, Lionel Hampton's vibes, and the sextet's playing generally. I never thought I would get into this sort of music (preferring rock and pop) but this stuff is worth exploring. If you like this tune, check out Charlie's other recorded tracks with Benny Goodman, as well as some of his more extended soloing live at Minton's and Monroe's. (Regarding the latter, see my Charlie Christian videos for Stompin' at the Savoy and Swing to Bop as examples).

Sadly there is no film footage of this sextet, so I have put together a slide show using images of the actual members who played on the track. Note that at the beginning of the video, the last two Sextet names are smaller than the others. This was not intentional, but something that happened when converting to a Windows file.

Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma

Fats Waller Band - Moppin Boppin 40,s

The killers - Human Dancer/Denser

Here is a complete breakdown of the song.

One of the first times I found the theme so blatantly stated. Literally the theme is "are we human? Or are we Puppets?"
(my own interpretation and may contain errors)
(note that the dancer is a puppet on strings being forced to dance with everyone else, like everyone else)

I did my best to notice,
When the call came down the line.
(called meaning the strings are pulling the puppet, metaphor for society pulling him to one direction)
Up to the platform of surrender,
(refering to a stage where the "dancers" surrender their individuality)
I was brought, but I was kind.
(Feels he shouldnt because he wants to express individuality hence the note that he was "kind" an emotion)
But sometimes I get nervous,
When I see an open door.
(nervous and considering standing for his individuality, going against the expectations society demands)
Close your eyes,
Clear your heart.

Cut the coard.
(refering to a puppets strings that he wants cut so he may find out if he is "human")
[Chorus]
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
(explained in the video)
My sign is vital,
My hands are cold.
(Imagery referencing a puppet)
And I'm on my knees,
(the cords were cut and hes a limp puppet on his knees)
Looking for the answer.
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?

Pay my respects to grace and virtue,
Send my condolences to good.
Give my regards to soul and romance,
They always did the best they could.
And so long to devotion,
You taught my everything I know.
Wave goodbye, Wish me well.
(this whole verse is simulating what the "dancers" of this generation do. Give up their personal emotion and individuality to become the dancing puppets)

You've gotta let me go.
(letting go over their sense of self)

[Chorus]
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital,
My hands are cold.
And I'm on my knees,
Looking for the answer.
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?

Will your system be alright?
When you dream of home tonight.
(will you be able to live with yourself knowing you gave yourself up? Remembering what you had "home" is a strong personal image for dramatic effect)
There is no message we're receiving,
(People have no "message" nothing driving any personal ambition, just follow the crowd to fit in.)
Let me know is your heart still beating?
(Another comparison saying are you still alive ie human)

Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital,
My hands are cold.
And I'm on my knees,
Looking for the answer.

You gotta let me know.

[Chorus]
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital,
My hands are cold.
And I'm on my knees,
Looking for the answer.
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?

Are we human?
Or are we dancer?

Are we human?
Or are we dancer?

"Gloria" Laura Branigan

jefferson starship - sara

Lysistrata - Giovanni Marradi

Stronger by Public Symphony

Taste Of Honey - Woody Herman & His Swingin' Herd

Paul Fontaine, Gerry Lamy, Bill Chase, Dave Gale, Billy Hunt (t), Phil Wilson, Henry Southall, Bob Rudolph (tb), Woody Herman (as), Sal Nistico, Jackie Stevens, Bobby Jones (ts), Frank Hittner (bar...
Paul Fontaine, Gerry Lamy, Bill Chase, Dave Gale, Billy Hunt (t), Phil Wilson, Henry Southall, Bob Rudolph (tb), Woody Herman (as), Sal Nistico, Jackie Stevens, Bobby Jones (ts), Frank Hittner (bars), Nat Pierce (p), Chuck Andrus (b), Jake Hanna (d). June 1, 1963.

RIP Wayman Tisdale

Beethoven Symphony No. 6 In F Major 'Pastoral'

'Safe In Your Arms' by Joel Plaskett

'Through & Through & Through' by Joel Plaskett

"California" - Colin Hay

Franz Schubert - Piano Sonata D. 960

Part 1


conclusion

Dick Hyman plays "The Finger Buster"

Art Tatum plays Dvorak

Jumpin Jive - Cab Calloway

Supertramp - The Logical Song

I'm easy - Keith Carradine

Plain White T's - "1, 2, 3, 4"

Plain White T's - New Music - More Music Videos

Rescue Me Theme

On another day c'mon c'mon
With these ropes I tied can we do no wrong
Now we grieve cause now is gone
Things were good when we were young

With my teeth locked down I can see the blood
Of a thousand men who have come and gone
Now we grieve cause now is gone
Things were good when we were young

Is it safe to say? (c'mon c'mon)
Was it right to leave? (c'mon c'mon)
Will I ever learn? (c'mon c'mon)
(c'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon)

As I make my way c'mon c'mon
These better nights that seem too long
Now we grieve cause now is gone
Things were good when we were young

With my teeth locked down I can see the blood
Of a thousand men who have come and gone
Now we grieve cause now is gone
Things were good when we were young

Is it safe to say? (c'mon c'mon)
Was it right to leave? (c'mon c'mon)
Will I never learn? (c'mon c'mon)
(c'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon)

Is it safe to say? (c'mon c'mon)
Was it right to leave? (c'mon c'mon)
Will I never learn? (c'mon c'mon)
(c'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon)

And know this day these deepened wounds don't heal so fast
Can't hear me croon of a million lies that speak no truth
Of a time gone by that now is through

Michael Sembello - Maniac (Flashdance)

Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls

"SINGING IN THE RAIN" - Gene Kelly

Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo
Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo
Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo
Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo...

I'm singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the rain

Dancin' in the rain
Dee-ah dee-ah dee-ah
Dee-ah dee-ah dee-ah
I'm happy again!
I'm singin' and dancin' in the rain!

I'm dancin' and singin' in the rain...
[ADDITIONAL VERSE]
Why am I smiling
And why do I sing?
Why does September
Seem sunny as spring?
Why do I get up
Each morning and start?
Happy and head up
With joy in my heart
Why is each new task
A trifle to do?
Because I am living
A life full of you.

Tommy Emmanuel - Guitar Boogie

Ella Fitzgerald - Don't Be That Way

Harry Belafonte & Nana Mouskouri,try to remember

Jennifer Warnes & Harry Belafonte - Skin To Skin

She does not lazy dance
her hands on me
She does not talk, no pretty talk
She pleasures silently
But with her, I am summer
I warm easy to her heart
She fill me full, she fill me full
She make me complete

chorus:
Skin to skin
Skin to skin
No cold wind blow on me
No cold wind blow on me

Skin to skin
Skin to skin
The light, it shine on me
The light it shine on me

He is a secret soldier
With pieces inside broke
He hides in his own darkness
His fire has no smoke
And, when my body songs begin
When he holds me tight
He chases all my shadows
And I burn so bright

Chorus:
Skin to skin
Skin to skin
No cold wind blow on me
No cold wind blow on me

Skin to skin
Skin to skin
The light, it shine on me
The light, it shine one me

Winter inside of me
Ice to fight the storm
She cannot see
What I hide in me
I can't be strong
Beside her warm

Skin to skin (She's too close)
Skin to skin (much too close)
No cold wind blow on me (she's got a hold on me)
No cold wind blow on me (she's got a hold on me)

Skin to skin (She touches soft)
Skin to skin (ah, much too soft)
The light, it shines on me (her fire is burning me)
The light, it shines on me (her fire is burning me)

Skin to skin (she's too close)
Skin to skin (ah,much too close)
No cold wind blow on me (she's got a hold on me)
No cold wind blow on me (she's got a hold on me)
Skin to skin (she touches soft)
Skin to skin (ah, much too soft)
The light, it shines on me (her fire is burning on me)
The light, it shines on me (her fire is burning on me)

John Denver - Annie´s Song

Moody Blues - The Voice - at Wembly Arena 1984

Moody Blues - Tuesday Afternoon

Sing Along With Mitch

part 1 of 4


part 2


part 3


part 4