BOTM Oct 2016 Satin Doll

[U CAN CALL ME AL]

Hi @rhysonsax now I'm confused is this really an alto? Particuarly where the melody drops down into the B section as it is almost obliged to on tenor, did Hodges ever play tenor? Stylistically not much to choose, but the distinctive breathy sound, Hodges?
There are several similar/identical recordings on Spotify all attributing it to Webster, but also one or two to Hodges.I'm obviously no expert perhaps there's someone out there can shed a little light as to why the confusion?

 

[rhysonsax]

It is taken from the Johnny Hodges album "Not So Dukish" which had a small band of lots of Ellington and ex-Ellington men, including Ben Webster. Recorded in NYC on September 10th 1958.

The same recording of "Satin Doll" also features on an album (by Johnny Hodges and his Orchestra) called "The Soul of Ben Webster" - maybe that is where the confusion comes from.

There is no doubt at all that it is played on alto by Hodges. I have got a transcription of it and (try to) play it on alto along with the recording.

Hodges and Webster influenced each other in the Ellington band in the early 40s and both had a beautiful singing style, but made it their own.

Rhys

 

[Colin the Bear]

Sounds like a tenor to me and not at all like Hodges.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Oh dear. Just played along with it. It sounds like a tenor at the start, but the break /change to upper register is definitely alto. Good old Johnny. Still keeping us guessing after half a century.

 

[brianr]

Surprised no one has posted this one yet, inimitable.

thanks for posting this. I hadnt heard it before.

Hodges..... isnt he just "the biz "

great tempo and time feel, and the key lies just perfect for him to play the whole melody in the low octave.
And when he gets to the solo, he jumps up and gets that sweet, beautiful higher octave. Magic.

Oh yes............

 

[Colin the Bear]

Inspired by Ben Hodges and Johnny Webster........

https://soundcloud.com/colin-the-bear%2Fsatin-doll

View: https://soundcloud.com/colin-the-bear/satin-doll

 

[trimmy]

not at all like Hodges.

😱 I'll take it you've not been awake long !!!

I have 'Not So Dukish' on 2cd set bought from a charity shop few yrs ago, love listening to Hodges !
A certain member on here reminds me of him in his style of play 😉 i have mentioned it before 🙂

 

[rhysonsax]

I've done some more research and the Hodges recording of Satin Doll was for the LP "Blues A-Plenty" recorded in NYC on April 5th 1958, although it has been released on CDs called "Not So Dukish" (which was the title of an LP recorded on September 10th of the same year and also in NYC).

I hope it's not too far off topic, but here is a lovely track from another recording session (for "Side by Side" recorded in NYC August 14 1958) that features both Ben Webster at the start (up to 1:49) and later Hodges (from 3:20 to the end), so you can hear the similarities in their sounds and also some of the very individual and characteristic phrases and stylistic features of their playing that identify them.

Rhys

 

[Colin the Bear]

Record companies keep releasing stuff under different titles with different playlists. Of course we're not going to get any new stuff but it is confusing when they credit the wrong artist on the track......and I've just got up and believe them.

 

[brianr]

I hope it's not too far off topic, but here is a lovely track from another recording session (for "Side by Side" recorded in NYC August 14 1958) that features both Ben Webster at the start (up to 1:49) and later Hodges (from 3:20 to the end), so you can hear the similarities in their sounds and also some of the very individual and characteristic phrases and stylistic features of their playing that identify them.

Rhys

I have "Side by Side' on Lp ( yes, Im a vinyl nut ) fantastic

Just for completeness. the trumpet player is roy eldridge at 1.49 .

Rhys. do you have "Back to Back'. that is the one to have. I have had it for years in stereo. but recently i got the original mono version. fantastic sound quality. much better than the stereo version.
Some of those original monos are stunning. just about my favourite Lp is ben webster " ballads" on verve, in Mono. Just fantastic. really !!

 

[rhysonsax]

I have "Side by Side' on Lp ( yes, Im a vinyl nut ) fantastic

Just for completeness. the trumpet player is roy eldridge at 1.49 .

Rhys. do you have "Back to Back'. that is the one to have. I have had it for years in stereo. but recently i got the original mono version. fantastic sound quality. much better than the stereo version.
Some of those original monos are stunning. just about my favourite Lp is ben webster " ballads" on verve, in Mono. Just fantastic. really !!

I've had Back to Back and also Side by Side for about 35 years, originally on LP (probably stereo) and then on CD and now ripped to the computer. I haven't played the LPs for at least 15 years due to a lack of decent record deck and also due to the inconvenience. Interesting what you say about the sound quality of the mono versions - I wonder how the sudios made the stereo and mono versions and which came first.

When I originally heard some of the 50s and 60s Ellington small group albums, it was on cassette tapes borrowed from the local (book) library. I was absolutely blown away by the music and the superb, individual musical voices of the players - I didn't know music was allowed to sound that good ! And just imagine the low-fi nature of those cassettes.

Rhys

 

[billbluesnjazz]

Back to Back, Side by Side is one of my all time favourite recordings. I have had the double LP for over 40 years now, and mainly listen on Spotify since my record deck doesn't get so much use now. The Hodges version of Satin Doll is why I made a slower backing track to record this month's ballad.

I find the small group Ellington recordings the pinnacle of musicianship - they are why I rarely listen to big bands any more. Thanks for sharing these, brought back many pleasant memories.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Do we want the slower track I used for my version?

 

[eunza]

Inspired by Ben Hodges and Johnny Webster........

Wow nice and smooth Colin! If you are sharing the backing sure i'll take it 😀

Heres a .. rough .. take from me.

https://soundcloud.com/eunza%2Fsatin-doll

View: https://soundcloud.com/eunza/satin-doll

 

[Alice]

I've done some more research and the Hodges recording of Satin Doll was for the LP "Blues A-Plenty" recorded in NYC on April 5th 1958, although it has been released on CDs called "Not So Dukish" (which was the title of an LP recorded on September 10th of the same year and also in NYC).

I hope it's not too far off topic, but here is a lovely track from another recording session (for "Side by Side" recorded in NYC August 14 1958) that features both Ben Webster at the start (up to 1:49) and later Hodges (from 3:20 to the end), so you can hear the similarities in their sounds and also some of the very individual and characteristic phrases and stylistic features of their playing that identify them.

Rhys

Ahhhhhhhhhh.... Thank you for posting this.

 

[Colin the Bear]

By popular demand

This is a more sophisticated harmony backing track. Same as the lead sheet. 8 bars intro 84 bpm (the magic number) and a three time end.

https://app.box.com/s/trgy5uw5l3uz96kd5ovyp2n7qtp6wsl5

Have fun.

 

[B Flat]

Well You asked for it.

https://soundcloud.com/b-flat-6%2Fsatin-doll-2016

View: https://soundcloud.com/b-flat-6/satin-doll-2016

 

[U CAN CALL ME AL]

Alto version slower.

SATIN DOLL​

 

[Tomasz]

Here's one of my favourite versions of this jazz standard, and it's maybe because saxophones play a leading role in the accompaniment. It's the WDR Big Band of Cologne, so I'm guessing there are a few Keilwerth horns in the line-up:-

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEqhu3LmL8Q

 

[trimmy]

So here is M:

and G:


Have fun, Guenne

G for me