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Posted By: aleck rand Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/19/13 05:18 PM
When Frankp posted his fabulous take on Latin Jazz it reminded me of the scandal that occurred a few years ago when the Grammy people removed Latin Jazz as an award category.

Read all about it: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_bl...hers-added.html

My reaction was the same as, say, Carlos Santana's (see article, above) as well as this:

Style: LJAZCHA-Jazz-cha-cha (Salsa)
RealBass 921
RT473 bass solo
RT1220 vibes
RT1661 rhythm piano
RT1245 solo piano
RD Salsa-Merangue
RD MamboPerc^

Crummy voice: Aleck Rand
Guitar solo:........."......"
The composer, Zeus: aka Duke Ellington

DO NOTHIN' 'TILL YOU HEAR FROM ME https://soundcloud.com/aleckrand/do-nothin-till-you-hear-from

Here's a little quiz action: The song ends with a direct quote another classic by the Duke. Who can identify that song?
Posted By: Matt Finley Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/19/13 05:24 PM
Boy, you got that right Dean. I've worked with some of the musicians most burned by that decision.
Posted By: Scott C Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/19/13 07:53 PM
Cool song. Thought the singing was well done. Guitar work was also very cool...
Posted By: cubanpete Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/19/13 08:03 PM
Sorry, but I did it anyway. Cool version. Thanks Aleck.

Mike B.
Posted By: Guitarhacker Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/19/13 09:42 PM
cool tune. Loved the octave guitar.... your voice fits this style nicely.
Posted By: aleck rand Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/19/13 11:23 PM
Matt, I could tell you some stories too. Incidentally, I edited the post and your name is in the fine print at the bottom. Check it out.

Dean
Posted By: Matt Finley Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/20/13 12:00 AM
Thanks. This song takes me back as far as I go with any music.
Posted By: AudioTrack Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/20/13 12:44 AM
Great work Alex, nice and tasty, (just like all jazz should be)
Posted By: Frankp Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/20/13 01:01 AM
Dean, you've got me blushing.

Great job I'm digging that track.

Embarrassed to say I don't recognize the quote.
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/20/13 11:47 AM
Dean -

Cool! Nicely done version. Nice guitar...

A few of your vocal phrases reminded me of Waits doing "Somewhere"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5evDUOVYuI

You should do more like this - the latin thing works for ya!...

floyd
Posted By: sixchannel Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/20/13 11:50 AM
Hi Dean
back home now for Christmas, so catching up.
Loved the "gravel-voice" vocals and the guitar solo too.
Excellent piece but as I'm not a Jazzer I can't ID the quote - sorry.
However, its brill work as always.
Merry Christmas
Ian
Posted By: tommyad Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/20/13 01:00 PM
Dean, You sure do have a handle on this style. Perfect fit for your vocals and guitar playing. The more I hear your soulful voice the better I like it. I think I feel something itching-you're growing on me. Tom
Posted By: aleck rand Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/20/13 03:06 PM
Frank,

Were it not for you, I wouldn't have done this one, that's how terrific I thought your Latin original was.

As far as the quote goes, there's a pro in the Forum(s) with atomic ears. He'll do it if it turns out no one else can. To give you an example, I once posted a version of the theme to the "I Love Lucy" TV show slowed waaaaay down to a ballad with all kinds of cool substitutions and posted it along with a quiz question to "name that tune." I was certain that no one would see through the disguise, but this dude got it in less than a minute.

The Forum needs more jazz of all kinds, Latin, hard bop, old bop. smooth, you name it. I hope you'll give us some more soon.

Dean Clark (aka Aleck Rand)
Posted By: aleck rand Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/20/13 03:14 PM
Hey Tommy,

The feeling's mutual. The more I listen to your stuff, the more I appreciate the originality of your voice. If fits into your songs like a hand into a perfectly crafted glove.

Dean
Posted By: aleck rand Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/20/13 03:18 PM
Ian,

I can always count on your diplomatic finesse to spin my voice to "gravel" from "crummy." I'll take that compliment any day, my friend.

As far as the quote goes, believe me, there are plenty of Jazzers who won't get it either. You really have to know the music of Duke Ellington quite well to even have a chance.

And, of course, thanks for your kind words.

Dean
Posted By: aleck rand Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/20/13 03:32 PM
Hey Floyd,

As my main tipster on the Forum, you've always got my attention and respect.

I listened to the Tom Waits song and was really gripped by the thing. It seems like he can turn that voice from a grizzly bear into a pussy cat whenever he wants, as in several instances of the word "somewhere."

He doesn't land dead center on every pitch they way you do, but he's as original as they come. Three notes, you know it's him.

Dean
Posted By: boehm Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/20/13 04:35 PM
Hi Dean,

great vocals and guitar. Nice arrangement.
Now it's time to put us out of our misery and
resolve the quiz.
Merry Christmas.

Guenter
Posted By: aleck rand Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/20/13 04:49 PM
OK Guenter,

I'll get in touch with the guy with the atomic ears and he'll tell us all.

Dean
Posted By: dani48 Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/20/13 10:54 PM
Hi, Dean ! I enjoyed this tune very much !
and your solos are as good as ever !:))

Cheers
Dani
Posted By: aleck rand Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/21/13 12:11 AM
Thank you Dani,

And have fun in the spas of Estonia.

Estonia, Latvia, Lituania - these are all dark, mysterious places to me, but speaking of mystery I don't know if you follow the new wave of Scandinavian mystery writers, but the Nordic king of this genre, Henning Mankell (Sweden), wrote a terrific story called The Dogs of Riga. The BBC turned it into a mini-series starring the British actor Kenneth Branagh. Totally fantastic.

All I can say is, be wary of the police.

Dean
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/21/13 10:08 PM
I was a major Santana fan during their first run...a fan to the extent that I got really interested in what was happening rhythmically with his band. An older friend told me to look into as he called it Afro/Cuban jazz. It fascinated me and, while I never became learned those rhythms to this day grab my attention. Heck, maybe Ricky Ricardo set me up for it when I was a kid. smile

So thanks for stirring those memories with this production. It all works for me -- FWIW. Cool solo.

P.S. Duke Ellington has to be absolutely the classiest of the class acts. Janice and I are both mesmerized by him and the band. Really like something from another universe.
Posted By: Danny C. Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/21/13 10:26 PM
One heck of a production here Dean, I enjoyed it very much.

Merry Christmas,
Posted By: aleck rand Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/22/13 07:01 PM
Ah, Janice and Bud -

So wonderful to hear those words from you about the Duke (and his alter ego Billy Strayhorn). Yes, from another universe in another time. I've been waiting around for Matt to answer the quiz question but so far nada. I suppose he must have departed for Christmas vacation.

I'm glad you liked my version of this great tune ... and Merry Christmas.

Dean
Posted By: aleck rand Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 12/22/13 07:03 PM
Hi Danny,

Very kind words indeed - I'm glad you enjoyed it. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Dean
Posted By: Icelander Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 10/08/14 07:11 PM
Originally Posted By: aleck rand
I've been waiting around for Matt to answer the quiz question but so far nada.

Well, I'm no Matt, but here's my guess: "Don't get around much anymore"?
Not saying I'm right (would be nice to get a confirmation either way) but hey, at least I'm playing the game! smile
Posted By: Steve Young Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 10/08/14 10:58 PM
Dean,

I agree, the Latin thing really does work for you! I've always liked the Latin beats, and have been a Santana fan as well. Really enjoyed this one!

Steve
Posted By: dani48 Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 10/09/14 01:01 AM
Hi, Dean !:))


Just getting better and better
the more one listens to it !
Now, I am really trying to write
that Mankell book "Perros de Riga"
in spanish and, hm....it is anything
but easy !:)) (LOL) !


Cheers
Dani
Posted By: Greg Johnson Re: Do Nothin' 'tll You Hear From Me - 10/09/14 04:28 AM
I think you, although technically not a singer, have the soul for it. I love the old jazz standards. Nice job!! Enjoyable track as always! Take care. Greg
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