I heard a version of Duke Ellington‘s signature tune, Take the “A” Train, the other day that caught me off guard. The music was playing in the background and I caught the notes of a tune that made me stop and listen. It was so familiar but it was so different. Then I recognized it and realized it was someone other than the Duke and his orchestra. It didn’t have the urbane and upbeat swing, that joyful feeling of breezing carefree along that marked the original.
No, it was a slow jaunt, a meandering and elegantly peaceful ride. No horns. Just a thumping upright bass and gorgeous piano work over some light drum work. It was still the same tune but it was oh so different in feel. It was from jazz great Ray Brown and his trio– Gene Harris on the piano. Beautiful stuff.
It reminded me of the times when I had taken the color from my work and work in tones of gray or sepia just to change things up a bit, to cleanse the palette so to speak. The piece shown here on the left is an example.
I described it as being like hearing a song that you’ve heard a thousand times before then hearing a completely different take on it. It’s the same tune, same notes and chords, but it just feels different, opens up something new inside. This version by the Ray Brown Trio is exactly what I was describing.
It is the same but different. Plus soaking in that bass thump is just a great way to kick off a quiet Sunday morning. Have a great day…
Redtree Times 