Pretty amazing guitar in the second half. Kind of Beatle-ey. Some fuzz on the recording ![]()
One of the most beautiful moments in jazz history. Back in 1957, Billie Holiday and a handful of jazz musicians came together for a “Sound of Jazz” show, the aim of which was to introduce the American public to jazz. The highlight of the show came during the song “Fine and Mellow.” Billie Holiday and Lester Young (tenor sax) had been close since the 1930s. They always insisted that their relationship was platonic, but many doubt that this is the true story. By the time of the show, their friendship was already broken, but something magical happened during “Fine and Mellow.” Lady Day, Billie Holiday’s nickname given by Lester Young, starts the singing with her trademark voice after a brief instrumental intro. Then the jazz musicians start their solos one at a time. First up is Ben Webster. Now Ben Webster was no slouch (none of them were), but nothing could come close to what was about to happen. Lester Young was up after Ben Webster, and the Prez played some of the purest blues to ever come out of a horn. He was laying way back, almost coming in late in that behind-the-beat phrasing that greats like Frank Sinatra used. There was no flair. No extra notes. Just pure blues. During Lester Young’s solo, Billie Holiday nods, smiles, and you can almost hear her saying, “Yeah, I remember. We had something good, didn’t we?” It has been reported that Billie Holiday went off to the side to cry after the take. It’s a sad story. But also beautiful at the same time.
Charlie Shavers on trumpet is very nice. But Ben Webster on tenor sax is exquisite.
Sonny Stitt. 1971.
Cool. But no Jaco Pastorius. That’s a long song. Will give it a listen when the mood hits.