May 2020 - Over the Rainbow

[M-ster]

We covered Skylark in Mar 2016, so our standard for May 2020 will be Over the Rainbow (Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg, 1938).

Background:
Jazz Standards Songs and Instrumentals (Over the Rainbow)

[ragman1]

Here we go. Crazy man! It's like he can't quite believe it's really happening :-)

[mr. beaumont]

Heres one from a little over a year ago. I tried using a bunch of "johnny smith" chords.

I think I'll do another. What a wonderful melody.

[ragman1]

Excellent, Jeff. I liked that.

[hohoho]

Walking Bass Comp with a somewhat improvised chorus

[KirkP]

I worked up a solo arrangement of this in 2015. Here's a recording I made at the time, dubbed over a few photos I took at Kubota Garden in Seattle. I should dust it off and re-learn it. Maybe I can make some improvements.

[KirkP]

Here’s a fun explanation of what makes this such a great song.

[Liarspoker]

I dusted this one off when I heard that EVH had passed away.

It is indeed such a great song.

[lawson-stone]

I lost track of this thread during all the COVID19 confusion in the Spring. So I saw it pop up and just sat down and did this recording. Actually, I hadn't planned to play it this way, just sort of came out. More like a sound check than a performance.

[rintincop]

Beautiful Keith Jarret changes:

[2bornot2bop]

Beautiful Keith Jarret changes:

I prefer Keith’s changes from the LaScala recording.

[Tom Karol]

Quick anecdote: I work with a guy who's last name is Arluke. I had a lead sheet for 'Over The Rainbow' out on my desk one day that I was preparing for one of my students. He pointed to it and said, "My great uncle Harold wrote that song." I gave him somewhat of a quizzical look. He said, "He changed his last name to Arlen." Needless to say, I was blown away!

[rintincop]

I prefer Keith’s changes from the LaScala recording.

That's where they are from, same.

[steve burchfield]

Heres one from a little over a year ago. I tried using a bunch of "johnny smith" chords.

I think I'll do another. What a wonderful melody.

Good job!!! Enjoyed it. I think you would like Mike Elliots Solo Guitar album on yt .He was a Johnny Smith friend,partner,and similiar style player. Let me know if you like his style.

[Ukena]

I missed this back in May, so I thought I'd record a chord/melody arrangement. I think Over the Rainbow is the most perfect song ever written.