Welcome back. These Sunday music posts are generating interest, which is heartening. I’d love to see more actual interaction, but the fact that my view counts are growing is fantastic in and of itself. I would like that you, my readers, would be more involved in the process, by choosing a song from my Playlist . More of a challenge for me.
Song: Autumn Leaves
Eva Cassidy version
אזהרה: קול אשה
Eric Clapton version
Artist: Too many to list
Album: Ditto
Writers: Joseph Kosma (music)
Jacques Prevert (original French lyrics)
Johnny Mercer (English lyrics)
Original Release: 1945
Key: Too many and too confusing for me. It’s like rocket science, so speak to Brian May.
I’ve seen that it was written in G Minor but most often played in A Minor, yet I also saw the “original” sheet music with one sharp, which would indicate E Minor. I also have sheet music for Eva Cassidy’s version that shows B Flat Minor, which although terrifying to me with its 5 flats, is really but a capo’s distance for a guitar player from…
B Minor To the best of my knowledge, this is the key Eric Clapton uses.
Anyways, this is the key I play it in because I’m not that good and it’s easiest for me. What the heck, a guitar is a transposing instrument anyway, so sue me.
Autumn Leaves
© Copyright 1946
by Joseph Kosma, Jacques Prevert and Johnny Mercer
(lyrics typed while listening to Eva Cassidy’s live performance
at The Blues Alley in Washington, DC in January 1996)
The falling leaves, drift by my window
The falling leaves, of red and gold.
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sunburned hands, I used to hold.
Since you went away, the days grow long
And soon I’ll hear, old winter’s song
But I miss you, most of all, my darling.
When autumn leaves, start to fall.
Piano interlude
Since you went away, the days grow long
And soon I’ll hear, old winter’s song
But I miss you, most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall.
I miss you, most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall.
For those with the capability, the original French lyrics can be seen here.
Some of the many artists (which I shamelessly culled from Wikipedia) to record versions of this song are Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Artie Shaw, Stan Getz, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Vince Guaraldi and John Coltrane.
KUVO Jazz library has an estimated 270 versions. I’ve seen numbers well over 1000. I recently did a search for the top Jazz Standards to learn. The first ten lists I found were all topped by this song. This is a song that most anyone has heard (whether they realize it or not), at least anyone from the 20th Century probably has.
I (re)discovered this song over a year ago. I discuss music with several people, and one of my music friends told me I would like Eva Cassidy’s version of this song. It blew me away, like, crying blew me away. Then I researched Eva Cassidy, which was followed a torrent of tears. Hyper-talented artist stricken by cancer and dies young in relative obscurity. Whether her music appeals to you or not, we whose very souls are anchored in music can understand the depth of personal loss in her story. Thankfully we have recordings.
She produced very little in the way of original material for us to enjoy. Our loss. Yet I saw that Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton were both amazed when they discovered her. I’d say Clapton’s version is actually his version of hers, but you’d have to ask him. To cover a cover is a true honor. His version is my second favorite. I play his version because my baritone would butcher hers.
The lyrics are not terribly “deep”, nor is the music overly complicated. (Even I can play it fairly well) Yet what power this “simple” song delivers. By any artist. However, in my opinion, Cassidy’s interpretation leaves the rest in the dust. Music, like all art, is pretty subjective, so you’re free to disagree.
This week’s choice was a somewhat random pick (yet again), but not my usual roll of the dice. I saw a question last week that asked, “What song do you wish someone had written for you?” This song (and her version in particular) came to mind immediately. Well, this can’t be written anew. We must instead imagine (unless you’ve been lucky enough to actually have it sent to you) receiving this song from a loved one. Picture an extended separation due to work, a deployment or some such situation. Far from home, lonely, you open an email and this greets you. This is why I have Clapton’s version included here today, so that both men and women can feel on the receiving end when they listen. Or the giving end to serenade their partner.
I’ll here quote Jazz Historian Ted Gioia, whose Substack I enjoy very much.
"...you might be tempted to write off the 'Cassidy sensation' ... as a response to the sad story of the singer's abbreviated life rather than as a measure of her artistry. But don't be mistaken, Cassidy was a huge talent, whose obscurity during her lifetime was almost as much a tragedy as her early death."
Despite its small size, her catalog is a repository of spiritual elevation.
Since Cassidy also has a phenomenal version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, I’ll leave off with a Judy Garland quote, “Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of somebody else” Eva Cassidy was all that.
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Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day.
Lovely song by Clapton. I'd never heard it before. Also gorgeous photo to go with it. And yes, more engagement with our posts is always nice. A slow slog sometimes building a following. I hear you.