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So, I've been looking at Afternoon in Paris the last couple of days, and there's a peculiarity w some of the Real/Fake book lead sheets. The first A section have a little melody line in the last two bars - in several sheets i've found, this isn't notated, instead you get a whole note and a rest, like in the first page below. Yet, the versions I've heard all seem to have the line, like in the second page below. Is the Real/Fake book verion transcribed from a recording I've yet to hear, is it that the the line is thought too immaterial, or that "everybody know it's there no need to write it down", or what is the reason it's not in the sheet music?
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04-19-2024 10:31 AM
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The recording is always right.
For what it's worth, John Lewis does it sometimes where he plays the melody without that, but there will be a saxophone or something playing an approximation of that line as a counter-melody.
So that might be part of it ... someone who transcribed it didn't consider that to be "the melody" and that version ended up in the real book. Who knows.
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That's an interesting one.
It seems at some point lyrics were written to this tune...the vocal versions that use those lyrics don't have that little flourish that was clearly there, right from the beginning. Also, almost nobody sings these words, they do the Anita O'Day version, a scat/vocalese version with different words, and she DOES do that little melody line.
I've actually never played this tune...but it definitely seems that bit at the end of the A section SHOULD be there.
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I play the real book version and it sounds ok to me....
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Another odd thing about that old Real Book chart is that it says the source recording is the MJQ at the Music Inn. (Not visible in the OP but you can see it below).
As far as I can make out, there were 2 volumes of this record (I have the one with Sonny Rollins) but neither of them feature this tune!
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Originally Posted by Average Joe
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I hear that additional line in most versions, actually.
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Pcjazz posted above.
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Originally Posted by grahambop
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Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
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That little line’s my favourite bit
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Originally Posted by ragman1
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Originally Posted by Average Joe
Perhaps it was never included in some original version by the composer but other players liked to fill the space. Perhaps Lewis submitted the sheet music without that line but played it on his recording, so it was henceforth included in publications. Hell, I don't know!
Sorry, I'm not very good at speculations.
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I have to say I've just listened to quite a few versions now and it's not true that everybody does it, quite the contrary. Some play that line as it appears on the sheets, others do their own kind of pick-up to the next section, others just play a 3 or 4 beat note. I was going to list them out but I haven't time, maybe later.
By versions I don't mean anybody, I'm only talking well-known jazz players. So that line is certainly not set in stone.
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Originally Posted by ragman1
So I imagine the way to go would be to play what works for you.
I honestly don’t think I play it most of the time. Just because I’m playing trio 99% of the time and it feels a bit cluttered if I’m just chunking away through all those eighth notes.
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I love this tune but a lot of people play the real book version which , apart from not having that little melodic phrase , is inaccurately transcribed , listen to the rhythm of the first phrase , as played by Sonny stitt and JJ Johnson on the first recording .
<font size="4"><span style="font-family:book antiqua;">
Also , the rhythmic feel of the whole line is v.subtle , almost straight 8s but not quite
Also , check John Lewis's v.quiet piano thr-r-rums on the second A
A small masterpiece , regularly butchered at jam sessions . So sad .
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Looks like it depends on the version rather than the player:
Benny Golson yes
Sonny Rollins yes
Sonny Stitt yes
Kenny Burrell yes
Milt Jackson/Benny Golson yes
Tommy Flanagan soundalike line
Scott Hamilton piano does a soundalike fill
Kenny Drew chord fills
John Lewis/Sacha Distel own fill
Scott Hamilton (another version) long note
Emmet Cohen w. Lew Tabackin long note
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Jeff -
This might interest you. Go to 0.26
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Lastly, but not least, here's an interesting solo version by the man himself. It doesn't bear much resemblance to the tune as it now is but it's probably worth posting.
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Originally Posted by MrTriangle
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Originally Posted by MrTriangle
Any time music is transcribed from a recording, there are going to be outright errors as well as different interpretations as to how to play a given melody or harmony.
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Originally Posted by MrTriangle
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Originally Posted by Cunamara
He also did this one:
Transcriber wanted
Today, 04:35 PM in Improvisation