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=nYkpl8RHpX8

Listen 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 Artists

Mike 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soundcloud.com/aleckrand/close-your-eyes (link no longer valid)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)
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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)