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 
I just love this — the painting. (The music’s nice, too.) It’s like seeing the pen and ink of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” next to the vibrant, colorful painting. As you say: the same, but different.
Once upon a time, Andre Previn used to take a break from his heavy classical music schedule and treat himself by recording one jazz trio album a year. He made two with bassist Ray Brown; one with Mundell Lowe on guitar, and one with Joe Pass on guitar. Interesting to hear Brown with someone else on piano.
The pianist here, Gene Harris, is one of the great jazz players of all time.
One of the greatest Jazz Bassists there ever was!
No argument here.