Great Players In The Mood, 1939

ESJohn · Monday at 1:19 AM

Just sitting around doing not much of anything, so I wandered over to YouTube and researched the famous Glenn Miller tune of In The Mood. This version, which is claimed to be the original that was sold to him in June of 1939 by Joe Garland, takes several twists that I've not heard before. It is somewhat different and a bit longer in duration then the one the future Major Miller performed. Which one, if either, do you prefer?
Original:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6CGueXMlas

As performed in Sun Valley Serenade:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aME0qvhZ37o&list=RDaME0qvhZ37o&start_radio=1

skeller047 · Monday at 2:42 AM

I am of course more familiar with the second version. AKA “In The Nude” AKA “In The Mud”…. Familiarity breeds contempt, after all.

Having said that I actually prefer the second version. I think its a more cohesive and exciting arrangement.

The history of this tune is is more complicated than that given in the first video. In the Mood - Wikipedia

Tuppertn · Monday at 3:24 AM

Miller version is more dance-able. I think that was the point, anyway. The syncopation in the first version made it easier to lose the beat in places--especially that bit around 2:23 were they jump in early on the downbeat of 1. That's a bit goofy to try and dance to.

PigSquealer · Monday at 9:35 AM

This first is good if you’re going to a BB concert. The second is definitely the party, the live band lets dance version.
I don’t care to dance to the dull vibe. I don’t like to sit when a band is playing Get up and dance.

PigSquealer · Monday at 9:42 AM

skeller047 said:
The history of this tune is is more complicated than that given in the first video. In the Mood - Wikipedia

Thanks for adding the history. I would have never looked this up. Interesting on this being listed as “historically significant” at the Library of Congress.

MikeMorrell · Monday at 1:22 PM

Completely OT, but when I moved from the UK to NL some 45 years ago, I was still an 'amateur guitarist' and I was curious about Dutch guitarists. One name stood out: Harry Sacksioni. I bought a couple of his 'guitar books' but lost touch with his recordings and performances. Purely by coincidence, I recently discovered his arrangement of 'In the Mood' (aged 80) on social media.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WO9x3DgLq8

Grumps · Monday at 2:22 PM

Yes, growing up playing saxophone we all thought this was the coolest tune ever.
Then came everything else.

turf3 · Monday at 8:10 PM

Well, from what I can tell the stock came from the famous record, the "edited" version - the one we all know - and once the stock chart was published, everyone just played that till Tyzik came out with his arrangement for the Tonight Show band.

The edited, famous version is a lot tighter than this version. I think the cuts took it from being just another chart to being the EXTREME hook it is.