|
|
|
|
#217622 - 10/10/13 05:50 PM
[User Showcase]
Close Your Eyes
|
|
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
Expert
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
|
There is just one prerequisite for listening to this tune, written in 1933 by American composer Bernice Petkere. You must listen to the rendition by Ruth Etting, still known as "America's Sweetheart of Song," who popularized it in 1933, in order to appreciate the question posed, below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYkpl8RHpX8Listen to Ruth sing Close Your Eyes and resist the urge to disbelieve the 19 in 1933. True, it may sound like 1833, but we know it can't be. We've come a long way, baby. The real question is: Why did virtually every worthy jazz musician latch onto this song right up to the present? Answer: GOOD CHANGES! That means there's a compelling, elegant and straight-ahead harmonic logic to the tune. Perfect for playing improvised solos against. Here's an example of the opposite of some of these criteria. Those who are just beginning to enjoy Jazz probably should steer clear of this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG2DOjU81Bk Instead, get your ears onto Mike LeDonne's B3 solo in the middle of my rendition, below. There's a technical term for what Mike does. It's called an acute case of " boppin' 'n' burnin'". Aleck Rand: arrangement,vocal, guitar, organ bass line on Mike's solo. RT ArtistsMike LeDonne: Hammond B3 with and without bass. Craig Scott: conga Terry Clarke: drums soundcloud.com/aleckrand/close-your-eyes (link no longer valid)
Edited by Andrew - PG Music (09/26/17 05:02 PM)
_________________________
Sweetwater Creation Station. BIAB 2018, Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio, Izotope Nektar 2, Ozone 8, KEYBOARDS: Kurzweil Artis 7, Crumar MOJO, Hammond XK-3, BASSES (fretted & fretless by Ibanez, LTD, Warwick. GUITARS by Guild, Gretsch, Ibanez, Eastwood (12 string)
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#217655 - 10/11/13 07:21 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: aleck rand]
|
|
Registered: 10/31/08
Posts: 17397
Loc: Australia
Veteran
Registered: 10/31/08
Posts: 17397
Loc: Australia
|
Hi Dean, The Ruth Etting version is brilliant. It made me reflect on your comment ... The real question is: Why did virtually every worthy jazz musician latch onto this song right up to the present? Answer: GOOD CHANGES! That means there's a compelling, elegant and straight-ahead harmonic logic to the tune. Perfect for playing improvised solos against. To be honest, I'm not sure it's as simple as "good changes". I agree with what you are saying but I find myself wondering if this song was only ever written as an instrumental would those "good changes" have had the same impact. Personally, I don't think so. I bet that a large part of the appeal of this song is because of the lyrics. They are incredibly well written and are a perfect example of how to create lyrics that ring with truth. What I mean by that is when I was listening to Ruth sing, the image of a guy closing his eyes and resting his head on her shoulder was so visual it was like I could nearly touch it. What I call the 'believability factor' of these lyrics is full dial at 100%. In addition, the lyrics are perfectly aligned with the music so that the conversational spoken stress of each word matches the equivalent musical stress. This alignment is not an easy thing to achieve and such exceptional attention to prosody boosts the lyrics' meaning significantly and makes them ring with honesty and sincerity. (For ease of reference I've copied Ruth Etting's lyrics below. It's well worth reading through them aloud and hearing/feeling how their apparent simplicity resonates with meaning.) Close your eyes
Rest your head on my shoulder and sleep
Close your eyes
And I will close mine
Close your eyes
Let's pretend that we're both counting sheep
Close your eyes
This is divine
Under a midnight sky
Watching a single star
Thrilled by the beauty of above
Alone just you and I
Hearing a steel guitar
Thrilled the beauty of our love
Close your eyes
Rest your head on my shoulder and sleep
Close your eyes
And I will close mine
Close your eyes
Let's pretend that we're both counting sheep
Close your eyes
This is divine
Music play
Something dreamy for dancing
While were here romancing
It's love's holiday
And Love will be our guide
Close your Eyes
When you open them dear
I'll be near by your side
So won't you close your eyes Moreover, the song form is a variation of AABA (it's AABAACA) and this is an ideal form for lyrics that are grounded in one moment in time. These lyrics are set in that single moment of 'close your eyes'. The lyrics also contain a great deal of repetition and the word count is low. Lastly, these words are also written in direct address (I/you), the most personal perspective. All the above lyric factors result in words that are incredibly easy to remember. I bet that any musician who plays this tune is singing the words in his or her head while s/he plays. As a result of this, the musician's playing would largely represent an interpretation of the lyrics that are playing through the musician's mind. Without these lyrics, I suspect that the song would not have been nearly as popular. My observation is that those songs that achieve immense popularity have all elements working perfectly (lyrics, melody, harmony, prosody, believability). Once such a song is heard, all these elements are then in one's mind and colour subsequent performances of the song - even if they are instrumental performances. Regards, Noel P.S. I haven't listened to your version yet. I'll have to come back for that 
_________________________
LINKS TO MY BIAB/RB SONGS
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#217659 - 10/11/13 08:01 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: aleck rand]
|
|
Registered: 04/03/09
Posts: 7792
Veteran
Registered: 04/03/09
Posts: 7792
|
I enjoyed that, but didn't understand the reasons for comparing 2 versions of Close your eyes to a John Coltrain song..... the jazz styles are totally different.
Both have their points and counter-points. JC is more fusion based and avant-garde....I remember listening to and appreciating JC's work..... although not my favorite jazz artist or style.
I did like your version of this old classic.
_________________________
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. As the sword chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#217681 - 10/11/13 10:14 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: aleck rand]
|
|
Registered: 03/02/13
Posts: 4117
Loc: Helsinki, Finland
Veteran
Registered: 03/02/13
Posts: 4117
Loc: Helsinki, Finland
|
Hi, Dean !
Sorry for my late comment !
I have been working on one
of my old tunes !:))
I think your rendition is
just marvellous. I dig the
guitar and your voice suits
this kind of songs extremely well !:))
Cheers
Dani
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#217692 - 10/11/13 11:00 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: aleck rand]
|
|
Registered: 06/22/12
Posts: 2873
Loc: Karlsruhe, Germany
Veteran
Registered: 06/22/12
Posts: 2873
Loc: Karlsruhe, Germany
|
Hi Dean,
a remarkable remake of this classic.
I love the instrumentation and your voice.
Guenter
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#217701 - 10/11/13 12:17 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: Noel96]
|
|
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
Expert
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
|
I bet that any musician who plays this tune is singing the words in his or her head while s/he plays. As a result of this, the musician's playing would largely represent an interpretation of the lyrics that are playing through the musician's mind. Without these lyrics, I suspect that the song would not have been nearly as popular.
My observation is that those songs that achieve immense popularity have all elements working perfectly (lyrics, melody, harmony, prosody, believability). Once such a song is heard, all these elements are then in one's mind and colour subsequent performances of the song - even if they are instrumental performances. Hi Noel, Your insights serve to highlight how myopic and simplistic my assertions were. I wasn't entirely unaware of this, however you've done a wonderful job of filling in the blanks more accurately and comprehensively than I could have. You also took the time and effort to reproduce the lyrics in order to justify your points. Thank you. No question that the power of composer Bernice Petkere has elevated the piece into membership in the Great American Songbook, something that surely would not have happened without the lyrics and the voice of Ruth Etting. Have a look at this wonderful picture of "America's Sweetheart of Song" on the cover of the Radio Mirror, a magazine of the day available for 10 cents: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4c/Ruthetting.jpg You'll notice the name of Father Charles E. Coughlin at the top of the front page. He was the most influential radio preacher in American history. In the 1930's fully one third of American radios were tuned to his sermons. At the time, Coughlin was one of the most powerful men in the country. Finally, I hope that my vocal version of Close Your Eyes measures up. At least no one will confuse me with Ruth. Dean
_________________________
Sweetwater Creation Station. BIAB 2018, Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio, Izotope Nektar 2, Ozone 8, KEYBOARDS: Kurzweil Artis 7, Crumar MOJO, Hammond XK-3, BASSES (fretted & fretless by Ibanez, LTD, Warwick. GUITARS by Guild, Gretsch, Ibanez, Eastwood (12 string)
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#217707 - 10/11/13 01:38 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: Guitarhacker]
|
|
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
Expert
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
|
Hi Guitarhacker, Good point about the inclusion of Giant Steps as a countervailing example. I don't think anyone will dispute that John Coltrane's composition has come to occupy a central place in modern Jazz education. Students are supposed to learn to solo on it in all 12 keys. In one famous story, the great pianist Tommy Flanagan was caught completely off guard by this tune, paralyzed by the changes flying by at such speed. But in the end, it is mostly just "2-5" music (the IIm7, V7 subprogression) with too many 2-5's. I may be risking bringing howls of derision upon me, but I never saw the attraction of Giant Steps as something more than a vehicle for student exercise. I included it to show how extreme chord progressions can be, say, compared to the elegant changes of Close Your Eyes. Of course, this has no bearing on the awe I have for Trane. But, he's not my favorite tenor, that would be the late Booker Ervin. Especially with my favorite B3 player of that time, Don Patterson. You gotta here this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHVW_tx6JJM recorded in 1964. Dean
_________________________
Sweetwater Creation Station. BIAB 2018, Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio, Izotope Nektar 2, Ozone 8, KEYBOARDS: Kurzweil Artis 7, Crumar MOJO, Hammond XK-3, BASSES (fretted & fretless by Ibanez, LTD, Warwick. GUITARS by Guild, Gretsch, Ibanez, Eastwood (12 string)
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#217708 - 10/11/13 01:43 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: boehm]
|
|
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
Expert
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
|
Guenter - thank you. Have you been following the philosophical subtexts going on? That's what makes these Forums so great. You never know what topic may come up next.
Dean
_________________________
Sweetwater Creation Station. BIAB 2018, Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio, Izotope Nektar 2, Ozone 8, KEYBOARDS: Kurzweil Artis 7, Crumar MOJO, Hammond XK-3, BASSES (fretted & fretless by Ibanez, LTD, Warwick. GUITARS by Guild, Gretsch, Ibanez, Eastwood (12 string)
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#217758 - 10/11/13 09:14 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: aleck rand]
|
|
Registered: 06/22/12
Posts: 2873
Loc: Karlsruhe, Germany
Veteran
Registered: 06/22/12
Posts: 2873
Loc: Karlsruhe, Germany
|
Hi Dean, I even neglected my daily visit to http://forums.philosophyforums.com/to follow this thread (if it really exists). Guenter
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#217778 - 10/12/13 02:03 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: aleck rand]
|
|
Registered: 02/11/05
Posts: 2646
Loc: Kentucky
Veteran
Registered: 02/11/05
Posts: 2646
Loc: Kentucky
|
To me the Ruth Etting version was outstanding, impeccabble vocal and it had the hollywood sound of the day; which is timeless. You did a nice version as well! Thanks for sharing! My Music
_________________________
My TunesPsalm 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#217788 - 10/12/13 08:45 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: aleck rand]
|
|
Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 3477
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 3477
Loc: Florida
|
Aleck, Thanks for posting this in the way that you did. A great education on changes starring Ruth Etting. I liked your guitar work and the use of the B3. Nice work. Tom
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#218062 - 10/14/13 10:57 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: tommyad]
|
|
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
Expert
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
|
Hi Tom,
Thanks so much. If you search the phrase close your eyes jazz at YouTube, you'll see how many performers have done the tune. My favorite is the version by late saxophonist Gene Ammons.
Aleck
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#218554 - 10/19/13 12:13 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: aleck rand]
|
|
Registered: 12/05/11
Posts: 10744
Loc: GA USA
Veteran
Registered: 12/05/11
Posts: 10744
Loc: GA USA
|
I don't have the music background to follow these analyses particularly well but I do have a feel for good music and I liked this a lot. It's a great arrangement with a fine mix and choice of instruments. You guitar and the B3 sounded wonderful together. I like the juxtaposition of the song arrangements that you offered for us to hear. BTW, I was intrigued by the mention of a steel guitar in the Etting lyrics.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#218645 - 10/20/13 02:41 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: aleck rand]
|
|
Registered: 12/26/11
Posts: 2247
Veteran
Registered: 12/26/11
Posts: 2247
|
hi aleck I am glad you posted this, great job on your rendition of close your eyes and the links to ruth etting Coltrane, just totally engaging and inspiring for me so much to learn thanks eric
_________________________
AMD (TM) 8150 3.60 GHz Eight Core Processor 64 bit windows 10 pro 64 bit os. sound card delta 1010 pci card 500 ssd drive 3 other drives guitars 1968 les Paul Custom and Cavin ae 185 Guitar boss Gt-100 pedal Carvin SRS Studio reference series
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#218654 - 10/20/13 03:42 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: aleck rand]
|
|
Registered: 07/15/12
Posts: 1831
Expert
Registered: 07/15/12
Posts: 1831
|
a big OH YEAH!!! From the very first chord.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#218751 - 10/21/13 12:18 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: gruverider]
|
|
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
Expert
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
|
Thanks Gruverider,
Those two words were exactly what I was hoping to hear.
Aleck
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#218752 - 10/21/13 12:21 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: F.M.M.]
|
|
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
Expert
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
|
Hi Eric,
Very thoughtful encouragement from you. I like adding sidelights and background links as introductory material to tunes. I'm really delighted that someone noticed.
Aleck
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#218753 - 10/21/13 12:25 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: Janice & Bud]
|
|
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
Expert
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
|
Thanks Janice and Bud,
You know, that "steel guitar" phrase jumped out at me as well when I first listened to Ruth Etting's version.
I'm very happy that you liked my take on it. No doubt about it, the Hammond B3 has got to be the greatest invention since the wheel!
Aleck
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#218973 - 10/23/13 07:34 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: PgFantastic]
|
|
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
Expert
Registered: 12/13/12
Posts: 958
|
Thank you so much PGFantastic,
I'm glad that you and Noel enjoyed the classical rendition by Ruth Etting. It is glorious, inspiring, and everyone who's anyone has taken a whack at it. I hope that my version sheds a bit of new light on this great tune.
Dean
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#264928 - 10/07/14 11:38 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Close Your Eyes
[Re: aleck rand]
|
|
Registered: 11/11/12
Posts: 4270
Loc: Iceland
Veteran
Registered: 11/11/12
Posts: 4270
Loc: Iceland
|
You know, as much as I liked the song, when going through all that analytical material there I couldn't help thinking of that old joke "...is like dissecting a frog - you can't do it without killing the frog!"  But as I say, I very much enjoyed the song 
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand® Works Great in Windows® 11!
Here's an introductory look at RealBand® running on the preview version of Windows® 11!
Watch the video.
Customers LOVE Band-in-a-Box® 2021!
Check out some of the latest Band-in-a-Box® feedback we've received:
"There's a saying 'Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime.' That's exactly what my friend did in 1990. He taught me how to use BIAB and I've used it hundreds of time to do arraignment and to jam with any style band."
"Love BIAB. I use it daily. Their support is great too!"
"RealTracks are amazing!!! I use BIAB for backtracks in my solo act... Still using the basic package and it's all need..."
"I have used Band in A Box for many years. If it would have been around when I was young, I would have been a much better musician. I use it for all my songs I have written and recorded. With Band In A Box I can sit in my room and sound like a whole band without having to put up with them!"
"If you know something about music and take the time to learn the program, you can make it do some amazing things. It is a great help to songwriters who want to demo their song without paying for studio time. It makes changes and tweaks much easier as well."
"Been using it for so many years. It's a great tool. The instruments that I don't have or play make up the void and it saves so much time. I use this program for every song I write."
"Great tool for the songwriter!"
"An essential part of my studio! I write songs on piano, but I'm not a pianist by a long way. BIAB is like having a roomful of session players in your studio, and just the simple act of taking your basic idea and hearing a skilled pianist play it presents so many new ideas and options you hadn't thought of."
"Powerful, easy to use, inexpensive and they even split the modest payments up if you want. No complaints. Lots of satisfaction."
"I added a steel guitar to a fully produced original. He followed every change like he was in the studio reading the chart. Fascinating technology!"
"I have used it to make backing tracks for six CD's with about 12 songs on each. They make a great gift!"
"It's simply a necessity - buy it now - the staff and support do a great job as well!"
"A great tool for us songwriters!"
"I LOVE Band-in-a-Box!"
"I see it as a very worthwhile investment. In fact, from initial purchase about 8 years ago, using the backing tracks I have made, my income from that investment has returned over 5,000% on the investment!"
continued...
Do you have something to say about Band-in-a-Box®? Post your own thoughts for Windows or Mac version today!
Band-in-a-Box® - Boxing Clever - Sound on Sound #TBT
Did you know that Band-in-a-Box® is more than 30 years old? I stumbled across this 1990 magazine article explaining the relatively new program, and think it's an enjoyable read for any Band-in-a-Box user - it really shows that we are always listening to user feedback when developing our program!
Read the article: Boxing Clever: Band-In-A-Box Software
A few of my favorite statements:
"The intention of PG Music's Band-In-A-Box package is to couple that speed and convenience with the improved flexibility of the personal computer. Versions are available for the Atari ST, Mac, and PC compatibles. Have the programmers succeeded? And can they rid themselves of the stigma of the auto-accompaniment section? Given the above state of affairs, the first hurdle that the program has to overcome is one of acceptance and, frankly, a name like 'Band-In-A-Box' is a bad start."
(I think our name was a great start!)
"The final results are, to say the least, impressive. Band-In-A-Box achieves something that most hardwired auto-accompaniment sections have never been able to do - inject a degree of feel into the music. It really does sound more human than so many of the computer generated pieces I've heard."
"...I'm quite convinced that PG Music will have a winner on their hands. This is one piece of software that you can get more out of than you put in."
#TipTuesday Convert RealDrums to MIDI!
Did you know that you can convert RealDrums to MIDI?
VintageGibson shared this tip to our Tips & Tricks forum, which is a great place to look for program tips from other Band-in-a-Box users!
Read this handy trick.
Have a program tip or trick of your own? Share it on our Tips & Tricks forum today!
Band-in-a-Box® 2021 Italian for Mac is Here!
Abbiamo lavorato tanto e abbiamo aggiunto 80 nuove funzionalità e una straordinaria collezione di nuovi contenuti, tra cui 202 RealTracks, nuovi RealStyles, SuperTracks MIDI, Studi Strumentali, Performance degli Artisti, Bonus RealDrums "Singoli", trascrizioni RealDrums, MultiStyles PAK 1, Xtra Styles PAKs 10 e 11, e altro ancora!
Pacchetti | Nuove Caratteristiche
Export / Print a List of Selected Styles (Band-in-a-Box®)
Did you know that you can export a list of your Styles from Band-in-a-Box®?
Head to this forum post in our "Tips & Tricks" forum, where VideoTrack shares another handy tip for Band-in-a-Box® users!
Band-in-a-Box® Chord List Resource
Ever wonder which chords are supported in Band-in-a-Box®? Access the information from the Help file in the program, or read through the list with our Online Manual!
Chord List - Mac Online Manual
Chord List - Windows Online Manual
Review the other Reference topcs while you're there - with explanations of the different menus and the Keystroke Commands (Hot Keys), you'll definitely learn something new!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34912 Members
66 Forums
70929 Topics
614542 Posts
Max Online: 2537 @ 01/19/20 07:09 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous Topic
Index
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean