"Harlem Nocturne"

[Tomasso]

I love this tune and just happened upon a site which contains 42 versions, performed by various artists.


After listening to them all, I still like this cover (which was not included in the collection) the best.

 

[Lily Powers]

What a great link! I see it has Earl Bostic's version, too. I have his "All His Hits" and "Harlem Nocturne" is one of my favorites on that CD.

 

[Shangas]

Harlem Nocturne is a marvellous piece of music.

I have a recording by Ray Noble, which I consider very very good.

 

[Nathan Dodge]

Yep. Great tune by a fine composer, whose passing was barely noticed at this very messageboard. At least they remember the music.

 

[Tomasso]

At least they remember the music.

Ohhhh, the guilt.



Catholic or Jewish?




Not that I care........

 

[Nathan Dodge]

Ohhhh, the guilt.



Catholic or Jewish?




Not that I care........

I show you the facts and you insult two religious faiths---whatta guy.:eusa_clap

 

[Story]

/ Approves of the music. All of it.

 

[The Captain]

Thanks, Tomasso, for the link! I just listened to Earl Bostic's version and it brought back a lot of memories. I also listened to "Spike Jones & the City Slickers" version and it was great. I have to admit I was waiting for the TRUE Jones band to put their stamp on it, but it was a real treat. Kudos, Tomasso!

 

[Chas]

I love this song; it's an important part of my practice repetoire. It's challenging and interesting to play on the tenor, as it uses all of the horn. Thanks very much for the link; now I have to listen to all the versions in great depth so I can add some Ideas to my own playing.

Great stuff, that.

 

[DeeDub]

This is one of my favorite big band numbers. Thanks for the link!

I listened to the top few recordings. I especially liked the Herbie Fields version, a dark, sultry, soft underbelly of the naked city kind of sound.

I have a CD called Ultra Lounge: Bachelor Pad Royale with a rendition of Harlem Nocturne by Martin Denny, "father of exotica". It's slow and steamy like Herbie Fields', but replaces the sax lead with a vibraphone, making it more tiki lounge than film noir.

 

[Tomasso]

I have to admit I was waiting for the TRUE Jones band to put their stamp on it..

Me too!lol That may be the straightest piece he ever played.

 

[Jedburgh OSS]

Most people have heard his music but not the name behind it. No wonder Earle Hagen's autobiography was titled Memoirs of a Famous Composer Nobody Ever Heard Of. I know I'll always remember him; he was a remarkable talent.

 

[Brian Sheridan]

The tune was used for CBS's "Mike Hammer" show starring Stacey Keatch. Fit Hammer perfectly!

 

[Canadian]

I just played it at a concert last Saturday. What a bizarre happening!

The version I played used plunger mutes for trumpets and had a Euphonium and Tuba as well as a sax section and solo sax (and a smattering of other instruments).

Thomas

 

[Pilgrim]

I was amazed the first time I heard the late Danny Gatton's version of it. There's a superb version on the Gatton greatest hits CD set. The version linked is OK but the CD version passes it from instrument to instrument - just the way it ought to be played.

And the Ventures' version found at the site linked to the first post is very nice. Maybe I can talk my surf band into tackling that one.