BOTM Jan 2016- BOTM- When Sunny Gets Blue

MikeMorrell · Jan 15, 2016

mrpeebee said:
Some very nice versions posted already in this thread 🙂.

I did post two quick and dirty versions of this song in the Oct 2014 BOTM thread. I've always found it difficult to play a well constructed solo over the chords. So I tried it again in my recording attempts of this months!

Did make the backing of Chris a bit slower, didn't find the fast tempo very appropriate for the song. Don't think the new result is much better, but that's also linked to my zero study time (you can't expect too much if you don't have the time to do the hard work)!
...

You have a great tone and technique and I liked all three (very different) versions. Like Trimmy, I found it hard to choose one version over another. My impression was that your improv on the 2016 version was freerer than on the 2014 piano version (which was more subtle). Initially I found it harder to follow against the chords but the more times I listened to it, the more I liked it. I also liked the way you anchored the lead back to the melody between the two improv parts.

mrpeebee · Jan 15, 2016

Thanks Mike 🙂.

Actually there is a small story behind all takes. I lost my own space to practice and make recordings end of last year and the organ take from 2014 was done at the house of a pro player friend that I visited to do some mouthpiece tests. I mentioned that I couldn't make recordings anymore and he said, why don't you do it here and now! But I only had 10 minutes left and did record two tunes in that time. The organ take posted above was the last one and done with a backing he had on his PC, but I never heard it before and also didn't play/practice this song before, so all was done without any preparation or knowing how the backing sounded/was constructed. Just one take and I got lost in the changes and didn't like the Latin rhythm of the backing that much!

I did record the piano backing take of 2014 a week later on the top floor sleeping room of my house, after having practiced the theme for about 5 minutes. Because of neighbours I can't play loud at home. I actually never play at home (but I wanted to make a better version compared to the organ backing), so this piano take is a kind of shy and very mellow (I normally play loud!).

Since I lost my own recording place (end 2014) I can now use the studio of a friend to make my monthly recordings, but I only use it once a month on an evening after work. I normally try to learn, play and record 4 to 6 new tunes for all kind TOTM/BOTM threads in about 2 to 3 hours. It's not the most ideal way, but better then not working on new stuff at all (I normally only play once a week in a big band as first tenor and never at home). So I listened to my 2014 versions before recording the last 2016 take and wanted to have a bit more solo space compared to the old takes. The scheme is AABA and the fist chorus is normally fully for the theme, but I improvised the B (Bridge) part freely. The second chorus AABA is normally AA for the solo and then return to the closing theme for BA (or sometimes only A), but I was so busy soloing that I forgot to return to the closing theme. Hence that it might seem that I missed some chords at places (which I actually did!!!).

Ok, long story about nothing actually, but I just wanted to make a bit more clear how I have to deal with very limited playing/practice time and still try to deliver at least something to post in these very nice recording threads here and on SOTW 🙂.

AlanT · Jan 15, 2016

Pete - All good except your sax is a bit too dry in the mix for my ears. I know you are a fan of that foo-foo sound but I wanted to know how you would sound if the sax was a bit wetter so I downloaded your 2016 version and added some reverb to it and to me it adds a degree of beauty to the sax that is lacking when too dry. Unfortunately since I did not have a separate track for the backing that had to get hosed down too but I am still enjoying it. Do you ever think of experiment with your mixing?

mrpeebee · Jan 15, 2016

Thanks Alan 🙂.

I actually did add a small amount of reverb to my sax only track before mixing it with the backing. I'm using a pair of (good) headphones to mix and listen to my recorded takes and on those it doesn't sound too dry in my ears, but when I listen for instance through my low quality laptop speakers the sound is different (dryer!) compared to listening through the headphones or the installation in my car. Besides that I'm a fan of minimal effects and a natural sax sound, also because I hear a lot of recordings where things seem to be masked by heavy reverb and lots of effects (especially in smooth jazz type of sax recordings!).

That being said about my personal preferences I'm really curious to hear how your mix of my take sounds, also knowing how I liked the recordings you posted of yourself here and on SOTW in the past 🙂.

AlanT · Jan 16, 2016

Give me an email and I'll send it but be forewarned the backing took the brunt of it and it ain't pretty.

Haven't done the BOTM in awhile so I decided to give it a go myself today, a couple warts and phrasing issues, can do better but for now:

https://soundcloud.com/the-a-train-1%2Fwhensunnygetsblue

View: https://soundcloud.com/the-a-train-1/whensunnygetsblue

When I have time I will listen to and comment on other takes.

Guenne · Jan 22, 2016

Hi,

I am planning to buy a "new" Alto as I have sold my Yani, and just kept my Selmer Reference.
I used BOTM to compare the Super 20 with Silver neck that a friend from Germany has sent me to try with the Selmer. Hope you like it (both, hehe)

Selmer Reference 54
King Super 20

Have fun,

Guenne

c9off · Jan 23, 2016

@Guenne
beautiful... leaning towards the ref 54, but to be honest anything you play is aspiring to me 🙂

mrpeebee · Jan 24, 2016

Both alto's sounding good Guenne, but I preferred the King slightly over the Selmer (it seemed a bit fuller and a tiny bit darker). Of course as a player you can judge the best was suites you best! About the clips: you did put some reverb on both, but in my experience it works the best for a honest comparison to post the takes without any digital effects on the sax track.