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I grew up listening to "popular" jazz in my household as a kid, meaning the kind of chart-topping, danceable jazz that my parents and relatives would put on their record players at parties. After wearing themselves out cuttin' the rug and gettin' down to upbeat, funky jazz numbers such as Lee Morgan's "The Sidewinder", Ramsey Lewis' "The In Crowd", Jimmy Smith's "The Sermon", and others, something soft and soulful and "pretty" would be put on the turntable that would entice my parents, uncles, aunts, and their friends to put their drinks and cigarettes down and get back on the basement floor to dance to. Cheek-to-cheek, r-e-a-l slow-like, up-close and personal. Looking into each other's eyes...her arms around his neck...his hand pressed oh-so-gently on the small of her tastefully exposed back, or on her sensually swaying hip. The man whispering into the woman's ear, causing her to smile, and then give herself up to girlishly lovely laughter at whatever sweet thing he said to her...you get the picture, don't you?

Observing things like that made me want to grow up VERY fast, you dig? Why, I'm just sure you do !!! So this post, "Lately...", is a tribute to those memories...

"Lately..."
Key of 'E', tempo @ 66, meter = 4/4
Lyrics, chord progressions and vocal by me. Music by the Band-in-a-Box RealTrack artists listed below the link!

https://www.soundclick.com/html5/v4/player.cfm?songID=13715498

Real Style is _J085GAS.STY (Vintage Jazz Ballad Quartet) with Neil Swainson on bass (#481), Terry Clarke on drums (Real Drums, Jazz Brushes #1), Oliver Gannon on electric rhythm guitar (#484), Steve Nelson on vibes (#1219), and Mike LeDonne soloing at the bridge and outro (#1248)

VERSE ONE

Lately...
I've been imagining terrible things
Nights without stars
Days when birds do not sing
Something's coming to an end

VERSE TWO

Slowly...
A shadow falls, though no clouds shroud the sky
Signs there's a chance of a future good-bye
Something's coming to an end, but, what then? No longer lovers, but friends?

16 BAR BRIDGE w/ SOLO PIANO

VERSE THREE

Faintly...
I hear the song of your sweet, laughing voice
My eyes behold you, and we both rejoice
The start of another day

VERSE FOUR

Plainly...
My fear of losing you was too extreme
But, now, I know it was only a dream
Nothing's coming to an end...

Loren,

this one knocks me off my feet !

Although that kind of music wasn't that widespread over here when I was little, my parents had a couple of records like these, and I very early started to like them much better than the things they used to play on the radio then. And an uncle of mine was a pretty popular jazz singer in the 50s, who played the US military clubs successfully, so he, too, brought jazz records, many of them with that iincredible big band swing thus shaping my taste of music a lot.

Alhtough it was almost inevitable at that time that I, growing up, fell for Elvis, The Beatles and later on the Blues and Soul (I still love to be woken up by my precious Sam & Dave Best of CD) I kept my love and admiration for 'all that jazz'.

And, Loren, you not only let me sink into memories of my long-gone parents and my uncle, you also may be responsible for a great sunday afternoon: I will ask my darling for a nice cheek-to-cheek dance to your great song, and who knows, where that might end...

Thanks a lot for that, and most of all, for that wonderful tune - sung so touchingly, soulfully and tempting.

All the best,

Stefan

Wow! What a fantastic track, all the way around! You scored a bull’s-eye on this style, with absolute perfect selection of players, Lyrics, vocal delivery, soloing... my goodness! You can tell that building this kind of a track comes directly from personal experience.. all those years of listening to the real professionals certainly paid off! I especially liked your choice of the keyword “lately”, with its emphasis on the first syllable, and how you mirrored that with other kinds of adverbs, leading off the verses. Very warm, seductive groove, done in a classic style, with spot-on delivery! Much for me to learn in this one!

This type of music played in my house too when I was a kid, my dad was a fan.

Nice job on this, you nailed the vibe perfectly I think!

Loren,

Really nicely done! Very enjoyable listen.

The tracks sound "just right". The mix is excellent!

Smooth and Smokey.

I especially like the last verse:
"Plainly...
My fear of losing you was too extreme
But, now, I know it was only a dream
Nothing's coming to an end..."

Nice write.

Love your vocals! (Smooth and Smokey). We need to hear more from you...

fj

Nothing to add except for WOW!
Fantastic tribute!

Thank you.

Can't add anything else that's already been said. Brilliant track Lauren. Loved the vibes too

Wow!!! Hats off and a standing ovation from me here!!! The unique take on the usual standard jazz harmonies is incredibly successful, the timbre of your voice is perfect for this, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. What would be the point in taking this apart and analysing it??? It's simply superb!!! no more words from me :-)

Great moody track. The solos all sounded great and really good arrangement. Smoky laid back vocals suited the tune really well. Great work.

CLASSY as in Duke Ellington and Count Basie class.

SOPHISTICATED like Billie Holliday and Lester Young working with the vocal/sax exchanges.

COOL like so many of the great jazz combos of the 50's.

ANYBODY that doubts the power of BiaB in the hands of a talented artist needs to listen to this. The "band" sounds like they've been doing this together for years.
Add in your write, vocal performance and production and we share the enjoyment of hearing one of the more sophisticated projects posted here. Did we say sophisticated again?

Your backstory and the imagery of the lyric paint a wonderful picture - in B&W of course!

Wonderful..

J&B

Man, did this ever draw me in. What a great smoky flavor you were able to get. The lyrics are are mesmerizing and delivered with a very unique and at the same time vaguely familiar melody. Bravo! I loved it, Tom

Loren,
The lyrics in this warm and well sung ballad are so well crafted - each word carefully chosen. An insight into a lover`s misgivings that come full circle.
Nice deep vocal tones you have there and the music sparkles.
Very good!

Robert

Loren,

Made me want to light one up and I don't even smoke! I've always loved this style of music. My mother was a wonderful singer and when working around the house she would sing so many wonderful songs like this.

And wow - your vocal is just so enticing - smooth, full with perfect intonation and timbre. You couldn't have picked better background tracks.

Stylish, classy and just so wonderfully put together. Hope you do many more vocals for us. So nice and refreshing in every possible way.

Best to you.

Alan

Loren

Some wonderful reviews here that I endorse. Great sound, polished production and an excellent composition.
Lovely vocal and great work all round.

Peter

Loren,
Just beautiful!!! So great to hear one of yours here. Loved your vocals so smooth and alluring. Loved how you held on to each word and the last verse twist on the song. Allowed for deep savory contemplation of being in the arms of someone you love. All I can say is WOW!!!

Wow - just wow. This is stunning, and you really knocked it out of the park with this one. It captured the classic jazz vibe perfectly. This is the kind of music my grandpa used to put on when I was staying with him as a kid. Definitely getting some nostalgia from this one, and it’s my first time listening!

Really well done - thanks for sharing

Smooth & sweet... enjoyed this one a lot.

Dear Stefan...

How cool it is to read that the song inspired you to actually take someone's hand and dance to it!!! What else could I ask for? Not a whole lot.

What was your jazz-singing uncle's name? Would I find information about him on the Web? I'd like to know more about him.

I'm very glad that you approve of the song. Also, I look forward to listening to more of your musical productions.

Most sincerely,

LOREN

Hello, there, "Tano Music"!

Yes, I agree those RealTracks complemented each other, didn't they?

The "personal experience" you mentioned is simply the strong memory of those "grown-ups" demonstrating the wordless intimacy of couples dancing closely together. The music they listened to was unforgettable.

Very interesting, perceptive observation you made about the song's title.

It was my distinct pleasure to compose music that appealed to you so! Thank you for listening and commenting.

Sincerely,

LOREN

"BlueAttitude"...

It was great to grow up with music like that in our household, and it's cool to know that you had that experience, too.

Thank you for listening to the song and telling me how you felt about it!

Gratefully,

LOREN