December 2020 - All of Me

[M-ster]

Our standard for Dec 2020 will be All of Me (Seymour Simons, Gerald Marks, 1931).

Background:
Jazz Standards Songs and Instrumentals (All of Me)

[Hep To The Jive]

Yey, I havent played this song since I left NYC!

[ragman1]

Now's your chance to relive those heady days of yesteryear...

[Hep To The Jive]

Now's your chance to relive those heady days of yesteryear...

Oh yea, you bet!

[clebergf]

I enjoy this tune a lot.
Recorded it a couple of months ago with some friends.

[Hep To The Jive]

Here's a quick one between the classes.

[lawson-stone]

That's just wonderful. That's the kind of playing we all wish we could do, use pick up a flat top and play the hell out of a classic jazz standard.

[Hep To The Jive]

That's just wonderful. That's the kind of playing we all wish we could do, use pick up a flat top and play the hell out of a classic jazz standard.

Ooh thanks so much, you're much too kind

[mr. beaumont]

Here's a quick one between the classes.

Playing it like it should be played. Great stuff.

[morroben]

Here's a quick one between the classes.

So good! It's got to be fun to be able to play like that.

[Jehu]

So good! It's got to be fun to be able to play like that.

Meh... He's no Van Morrison.

[Alter]

Here's a version i did when i first got my Elferink, was recorded direct using an Aer compact 60

[Hep To The Jive]

Meh... He's no Van Morrison.

Ouch, that really hurts! I was trying, trying. lol. But yeah, long way to go, nobody swings like good ol' Van.

[ragman1]

Nice tone on that guitar, Alter.

[grahambop]

Meh... He's no Van Morrison.

Have you heard Hep singing?

[Hep To The Jive]

Have you heard Hep singing?

bhaha, I hope not! I'm hiding it, the world is not ready yet.

[grahambop]

bhaha, I hope not! I'm hiding it, the world is not ready yet.

I am sure I would like your singing as much as I like Van Morrison’s.

[Hep To The Jive]

I am sure I would like your singing as much as I like Van Morrison’s.

Hehehe, I see what you did.

[lawson-stone]

I hereby humbly nominate this as the Official Backing Track for this month's Practical Standards.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I humbly give you the COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA at the Sands Hotel and Casino in 1966, feature the Count himself and FREDDIE GREEN on rhythm guitar!

If we can't play something good, or at least FUN, with this band behind us, it's time to fold up our tents and slink away!

[Lionelsax]

I've never liked this standard, but I begin to love it.
This a version on melodica, I don't post guitar takes now because I avoid easy bashing.

[lawson-stone]

For what it's worth, the backing track created by Hal Leonard to go with their 6th Edition (legal) Real Book for this tune is based directly on the Count Basie/Frank Sinatra version I posted above. It's very nice and fun to play along with. I do have trouble figuring out how the ending works.

[Lionelsax]

OK I played the game...

[lawson-stone]

Here is my first effort just playing the melody. I couldn't resist trying it with the Count Basie track above. If you want a lesson in hip-ness, just listen to Basie's cool, relaxed notes and my... well... trying too hard. I could profit from imitating Basie's phrasing I'm sure!

[mr. beaumont]

Well, I wasn't going to do one, but I can't resist that track. Good call Lawson.

[John A.]

The lyrics seem kind of creepy and macabre in contrast to the way it's usually played, so in honor of its paean to dismemberment, I tried doing it kind of dark and disjointed. No arrangement here beyond the first phrase, just seeing what'll happen

John

[lawson-stone]

The lyrics seem kind of creepy and macabre in contrast to the way it's usually played, so in honor of its paean to dismemberment, I tried doing it kind of dark and disjointed. No arrangement here beyond the first phrase, just seeing what'll happen

John

All in good fun!
Metaphors... Music is full of them.
"I left my heart in San Francisco..."
"The lady is a tramp"
"I'd love to gain complete control of you, even handle the heart and soul of you"

[John A.]

Well, I wasn't going to do one, but I can't resist that track. Good call Lawson.

We're waiting ... (crosses arms and taps foot ...)

John

[mr. beaumont]

The lyrics seem kind of creepy and macabre in contrast to the way it's usually played, so in honor of its paean to dismemberment, I tried doing it kind of dark and disjointed. No arrangement here beyond the first phrase, just seeing what'll happen

John

Love it. Love the new axe too. Classy gee-tar right there.

[John A.]

Love it. Love the new axe too. Classy gee-tar right there.

Yeah, it ups my style points considerably (granted, not saying much).

John

[mr. beaumont]

Here's a one shot take...

Actually, playing with that track was kinda tricky...the holes in the melody apparently aren't what I usually target.

Oh well...still kinda fun. Might do a different take if time allows.

[John A.]

Here's a one shot take...

Actually, playing with that track was kinda tricky...the holes in the melody apparently aren't what I usually target.

Oh well...still kinda fun. Might do a different take if time allows.

Cool. I like the western swing vibe. But I agree that it's not so easy to solo in the gaps of that track. I messed around with no it a little but moved on.

John

[ragman1]

Why are you trying to solo in the gaps? Weird. Why is that backing playing the melody? I don't get this. It's like supporting a singer or something, all you've got room for is putting little doodles in.

[mr. beaumont]

Why are you trying to solo in the gaps? Weird. Why is that backing playing the melody? I don't get this. It's like supporting a singer or something, all you've got room for is putting little doodles in.

Just messing around with the cut Lawson posted.

I think I'll do a "for real" take too. This was a decent challenge though...

[ragman1]

Ah, is that the one in #24? I didn't hear it properly because he was playing quite loudly.

But you should do your version, definitely. It's a funny tune, looks so simple but it's not that easy. At least, I didn't find it so. But I'm playing a lot of rubbish anyway at the moment, not sure why :-)

[mr. beaumont]

Ah, is that the one in #24? I didn't hear it properly because he was playing quite loudly.

But you should do your version, definitely. It's a funny tune, looks so simple but it's not that easy. At least, I didn't find it so. But I'm playing a lot of rubbish anyway at the moment, not sure why :-)

Its a very tough tune not to sound "square" on. The harmony doesn't give you much to work with, and if you start getting cute with subs and such, you lose the essence of the tune quickly.

Always thought this version was brilliant.

[christianm77]

Here’s a version I did yonks ago with a cellist. My favourite bit is when the phone goes off.

here’s a recent version with mr potato head. I think he relates to this one.

I always like this tune as a ‘palette cleanser’ against more difficult or arty material.

[John A.]

I hate making videos, I get nervous and play like a robot. Not enough light in the room... but I got through it. Just.

Some interesting ideas there. I like the whole-tone scale runs you use in a couple of spots.

John

[lawson-stone]

Why are you trying to solo in the gaps? Weird. Why is that backing playing the melody? I don't get this. It's like supporting a singer or something, all you've got room for is putting little doodles in.

It's not a backing track. If you look at the post, it's an actual instrumental performance of the tune by the Count Basie orchestra, so obviously the Count plays the melody (though it's lethally sparse). The second chorus is pretty open, though, and could be a place to solo. I just think it's a fantastic track and I have a lot of fun playing with it. Beats the hell out of iRealPro or Band in a Box.

The Hal Leonard Real Book track for this tune is actually based on the Basie arrangement and is quite fun to play with also. Has the Freddie Green rhythm guitar going, same intro and outro, which I need to chart out because I have some trouble following them.

So here's a clip of my hacking through the tune, but with strict LR stereo separation, the backing track on the L, my guitar on the R. You could play with the track I suppose just by muting my guitar track.

[ragman1]

Lawson -

I had a hand like that once :-)

Thanks for the info. I downloaded the video audio and put it into Audacity, which is the only relevant software I've got. They have a L/R pan effect but it doesn't completely separate the backing from the solo. So all I've got is a softer solo, if you see what I mean. It's not usable as a backing.

In any case, to be honest, I'm not sure it would make a lot of difference to what I'd do. But it is true that one's affected by the type of backing one uses. A band sound isn't the same as my own chordal stuff; it does affect the playing.

But many thanks anyway. We struggle on :-)

[kris]

Lawson -

I had a hand like that once :-)

Thanks for the info. I downloaded the video audio and put it into Audacity, which is the only relevant software I've got. They have a L/R pan effect but it doesn't completely separate the backing from the solo. So all I've got is a softer solo, if you see what I mean. It's not usable as a backing.

In any case, to be honest, I'm not sure it would make a lot of difference to what I'd do. But it is true that one's affected by the type of backing one uses. A band sound isn't the same as my own chordal stuff; it does affect the playing.

But many thanks anyway. We struggle on :-)

Mr.Ragman1,
It is a very easy to separate tracks on Audacity.
Audio file sent by Lawson has a great chanell separation/one chanell-guitar,another-backing tr./.
You have to put sparate stereo chanells/left side over streo track/ .Next you can do what you want...f.ex.cancel solo and normalize backing track for louder playing...next you can export backing track as mp3 or wave.
Maybe this help.
Best
Kris

[ragman1]

Kris -

Thanks for your help. I've been using Audacity for years and years! You say the audio file Lawson 'sent'. I'm not aware of anything he's posted other than the videos.

The audio coming from the videos isn't stereo here, it's all one track so it can't be separated. The tracks might have been separate originally but not on the final video here. I can only make the left or right softer or louder. You always hear the guitar whatever you do.

I think this is right but if not I'm sure someone will tell me.

[Hep To The Jive]

Here’s a version I did yonks ago with a cellist. My favourite bit is when the phone goes off.

here’s a recent version with mr potato head. I think he relates to this one.

I always like this tune as a ‘palette cleanser’ against more difficult or arty material.

Man, this cellobass sounds awesome. When she's doing the walking lines it's refreshing. You guys rock! Oops, sorry wrong forum, you guys swing.

[grahambop]

Kris -

Thanks for your help. I've been using Audacity for years and years! You say the audio file Lawson 'sent'. I'm not aware of anything he's posted other than the videos.

The audio coming from the videos isn't stereo here, it's all one track so it can't be separated. The tracks might have been separate originally but not on the final video here. I can only make the left or right softer or louder. You always hear the guitar whatever you do.

I think this is right but if not I'm sure someone will tell me.

The video Lawson did in post 41 (not the earlier post) is in stereo, although I hear the backing track on the right channel not left.

You can split the stereo track to 2 mono tracks in Audacity (it’s either in the Tracks menu or it’s one of those options listed on the left of the actual track, can’t remember right now), then remove the unwanted guitar track, to leave just the backing track.

[kris]

Kris -

Thanks for your help. I've been using Audacity for years and years! You say the audio file Lawson 'sent'. I'm not aware of anything he's posted other than the videos.

The audio coming from the videos isn't stereo here, it's all one track so it can't be separated. The tracks might have been separate originally but not on the final video here. I can only make the left or right softer or louder. You always hear the guitar whatever you do.

I think this is right but if not I'm sure someone will tell me.

1.Convert video file for audio/wave/.It is in stereo.
2.Open in Audacity
3.Seperat wave stereo chanels/L+R/
4.Cancel chanel-track with guitar
5.Normalise backing track and save if you like.
That is all.
I /ve got clean Lawson/s backing track without any problems.
Best
Kris

[kris]

The video Lawson did in post 41 (not the earlier post) is in stereo, although I hear the backing track on the right channel not left.

You can split the stereo track to 2 mono tracks in Audacity (it’s either in the Tracks menu or it’s one of those options listed on the left of the actual track, can’t remember right now), then remove the unwanted guitar track, to leave just the backing track.

Grahambop +1
Video file from post 41.
It is stereo audio file in this video.
Best
Kris

[ragman1]

The video Lawson did in post 41 (not the earlier post) is in stereo, although I hear the backing track on the right channel not left.

You can split the stereo track to 2 mono tracks in Audacity (it’s either in the Tracks menu or it’s one of those options listed on the left of the actual track, can’t remember right now), then remove the unwanted guitar track, to leave just the backing track.

Sorry, I've done all this. #41 was the one I used. Splitting the track to mono gives you two tracks but does not separate the audio. Nor do any of the other options.

Downloading (recording the vid audio internally with Audacity) doesn't produce a stereo track. How could it? It's one sound. To separate the lead from the backing requires a stereo dual-input track and it's not that.

I could very easily demonstrate it all with a phone video but I'm not going to!

[ragman1]

1.Convert video file for audio/wave/.It is in stereo.
2.Open in Audacity

Ah - convert it BEFORE it's opened in Audacity. How do you do that?

[kris]

There is a link with seperated mp3 backing track from Lawson's video.
Best
Kris


Box

[kris]

Ah - convert it BEFORE it's opened in Audacity. How do you do that?

You have to instal free video to mp3 converter.
There are a lot of them.

[grahambop]

Sorry, I've done all this. #41 was the one I used. Splitting the track to mono gives you two tracks but does not separate the audio. Nor do any of the other options.

Downloading (recording the vid audio internally with Audacity) doesn't produce a stereo track. How could it? It's one sound. To separate the lead from the backing requires a stereo dual-input track and it's not that.

I could very easily demonstrate it all with a phone video but I'm not going to!

Must be something wrong in your setup, it is stereo and I am sure I could import it to audacity and split it. Looks like Kris has now done it for you.