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Great idea to find the sources!

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Dec 24, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Good stuff. Minor point: Urbie Green's version of Springsville is the earliest *released* one. The earliest recording is by Carisi himself, for his own album in RCA's Jazz Workshop series, which wasn't released till 1987 (a compilation called The Arrangers, it's now also available on a Fresh Sound CD - https://youtu.be/545MWwICwYc).

Fun fact: Carisi plays on all three Springsville recordings (his own, Urbie Green's, Miles's.) I would love to know his reaction to Evans's much more dynamic arrangement.

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Incredible info— I did not know this. Fantastic. Thanks for the info, the YouTube link, and for reading the essay Fernando!

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Dec 24, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Perhaps worth a parenthetical mention—Ahmad Jamal performed and recorded Snowfall, of course. Not a historian but he’s the only artist that comes to mind offhand that covered Thornhill’s theme.

Regarding Maids Of Cadiz—that’s a melody that predates Delibes. Assuming we all agree on that. Thank you for your posts and your playing! Happy holidays.

—Graham Connah

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author

Thank you Graham. I neglected to look for Ahmad playing Snowfall— I have a note that says “Ahmad” but neglected to follow up, your info is much appreciated. I had no idea that Maids of Cadiz pre-dates Delibes— if there’s more to unpack there by all means, for this is way outside my wheelhouse. Regardless thanks for your helpful comments and for reading!

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Dec 25, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

What a great time I’ve just had, checking out (and going off at tangents) earlier versions of the tunes on the wonderful, Miles Ahead. To hear the Ahmad Jamal, ‘I don’t wanna be kissed...’ was amazing. I remember when I first heard that Bobby Bryant plays the high note at the end of the Miles Davis version. I’d listened to that track so many times and never noticed. Now, every time I hear it, it stands out like a sore thumb! Thanks a lot for the post.

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Thank you Bill!

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Thanks for the thoughtful conversation starters, Vinnie. A very Merry Christmas to you and your fam!

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Thanks Jann— best to you and Tom!

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Dec 24, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Amazing! Thank you!

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Thank you David!

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Dec 24, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Merry Christmas, Vinnie––as always, you lighten the day as you enlighten my mind!! Take good care!

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Thank you Richard!!! Much appreciated…great to hear from you…

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Another excellent post. I’m really digging “The Maids of Cadiz”--as an Artie Shaw partisan, I rarely listen to Benny Goodman. Gotta fix that. Marry Christmas!

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Ha! The Shaw/Goodman divide continues into the 21st century! Thanks for reading David.

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(Sent you some links to videos on Twitter)

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Great, thanks David!

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You probably know that Julie London was married to Bobby Troupe-- which is I guess how she got Meaning of the Blues.

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