The story of jazz’s most TRAGIC standard.

Рет қаралды 7,071

Күн бұрын

Lush Life, by Billy Strayhorn is one of the most hauntingly beautiful, and sad jazz standards ever written. In this video we explore the harmony and melodic concepts that amplify the meaning of the lyric.
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Credits and licenses: docs.google.com/document/d/1M...
00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - Billy Strayhorn
02:26 - The Harmony of Lush Life
07:10 - Notable Performances

Пікірлер: 85

@fretlessblunder Жыл бұрын

Beato has “what makes this song great”, but your presentation here I would label “what makes the story of this great song great”. I find your presentation far more compelling. The key is your attention not only the lyrical narrative of the story but to the harmonic narrative as well. Absolutely fascinating. You’re on to something with this approach and your detailed appreciation of a great jazz standard.

@JoshWalshMusic Жыл бұрын

Rob you nailed exactly what I was going for. Huge compliment, thank you!

@mintah500 11 күн бұрын

Your compelling presentation here, sir, is a poignant and illuminating chord-tracked storytelling of a singular life. Much appreciated!

@JoshWalshMusic 3 күн бұрын

Thank you!

@anne4562 Ай бұрын

I completely agree that Queen Latifah's version of Lush Life is amazing. It's the best I've found, and I've listened to many. The fact that Billy Strayhorn wrote this as a teenager blows me away. It is so sophisticated and world-weary sounding. Truly lush!

@elainemarks167 6 ай бұрын

Beautiful ballad. Frank murdered it. Johnny Hartman's version is the ultimate. I appreciate your musical knowledge I had it down as written in the minor key. Wonderful to hear Mr Strayhorn. You play very well.

@JoshWalshMusic 6 ай бұрын

Thanks Elaine!

@derekegenti 5 ай бұрын

Hartman's version is golden

@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out 3 ай бұрын

@@derekegenti diamond platinum silvery golden, priceless, beyond compare, untouchable. NEVER get tired of it, after 1000s of listenings. The playing abilities of the little back up lounge quartet he used on the recording also helps to make his version interesting. :)

@areirving 10 күн бұрын

Queen Latifah kills it too, as does Blossom Dearie.

@Momoko395 24 күн бұрын

I’ve fell in love with this song immediately when I heard Fujii Kaze’s sang as his opening song at his first US your last month. Kaze is not power house singer but he is an incredible song writer and pianist with strong jazz background. His voice always touches my heart as well. I went to his concert at Apollo theater in New York. He performed as he told the story of Billy Strayhorn with his own seasonings and the brilliant arrangement ❤❤❤❤ hope you will have a chance to listen while many fans posted the performance in KZfaq 😊

@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out 3 ай бұрын

You didn't say much here i haven't already thought, having lived with this song for 30plus years, having heard it done by Coltrane and Hartman 1000s of times, and having played it 1000s of times more myself, at home and on gigs. All your analysis and commentary lines up perfectly with mine. You're obviously a clever lad, like me self.. It's such a sophisticated and unpredictable work; it took me, a slow learner. years, literally, to memorize the form and changes with still occasionally getting lost at the squirelly, surprising parts, the end of the B section and the D section. Great vid and bit of deep musical and compositional education for anyone trying to understand the song, how it was composed , how staggeringly ingenious Strayhorn was, esp. on this tune, and how brilliantly the lyrics and the music work together. Bravo.

@JoshWalshMusic 3 ай бұрын

Thanks Mark! One of my favorite standards.

@DuncanCustomAirbrush Жыл бұрын

killer thumbnail dude! I also see people loving and appreciating your story

@benwinstanleymusic Ай бұрын

Really excellent video, thoughtful presentation. Thank you, have a nice day

@warrenwilson7836 Жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed how you tied the harmonic elements to the emotional elements of the song: a simple plaintive melody above the subtle, shifting enormity of the underlying harmony. Thanks for taking the time to analyse this and share your thoughts.

@JoshWalshMusic Жыл бұрын

Thanks Warren.

@tonjareneehall 24 күн бұрын

Love your channel & so many great singers have sung this incredible song with beautiful emotion. Queen Latifa, Sarah Vaughan, Lady Gaga, Samara Joy....to name a few of my personal faves. Thanks for your work!

@JoshWalshMusic 24 күн бұрын

Thank you!

@miltonsalmeron900 7 ай бұрын

Clifford Jordan’s recording of this tune is my favorite of all time from his album SpellBound

@rroberto1026 9 ай бұрын

I have always loved this song since I heard it played by Rickie Lee Jones in the early '80s. This is brilliant: I've learned the history with an explanation of how its composition presents the color of a life. Thank you.

@JoshWalshMusic 9 ай бұрын

I don’t know this recording, but I’m going to check it out. Thanks for the great comment.

@alltabb Жыл бұрын

Queen Latifa is actually a very good Jazz and Blues singer. She's an extremely talented individual who exceeded in multiple genres of entertainment.

@JoshWalshMusic Жыл бұрын

100%!

@The70s80scollection 2 ай бұрын

Have to agree, I have a few recordings of this beautifully crafted song, always loved Ella and the Duke's version and Linda Ronstadt's but Queen Latifah's is absolute perfection, the arrangement, her phrasing, that wonderfully rich voice, the stings, even that little touch of the accordion at the week in Paris, I don't play any instruments etc, but was brought up with jazz due to my parents so have a very gifted ear for music, all kinds of music, loved your analysis of Lush Life.

@realraven2000 Жыл бұрын

My favorite interpretation of this song is by Rickie Lee Jones - on the EP "Girl at her Volcano", performed live at Perkins Palace, LA. We are lucky to have it on Spotify these days.

@JoshWalshMusic Жыл бұрын

I don’t know that one. I’ll check it out!

@jimthompson606 Ай бұрын

It took Blossom Dearie years to master it. Sammie Davis did a good job with it.

@raf889 Жыл бұрын

Great video thanks for helping me understand this song. The harmony is very mysterious to me, but very beautiful.

@TheDreamingDays 2 ай бұрын

I was looking for more info on this song. Thank you for making this video!

@hezigler 3 ай бұрын

Much more interesting than the Real Book's version of Lush Life is the one in The New Real Book. It has John Coltrane's chords. I've been working on it on and off for decades. My favorite is Johnny Hartman, with Trane, of course.

@yannicklambrecht1634 Жыл бұрын

Wow. I think this is my favorite video you’ve made. The lyrics do reveal all the harmonic choices. Beautifully presented 👏

@JoshWalshMusic Жыл бұрын

Aww you made my week Yannick!

@mach37 8 ай бұрын

I'd like to see your analysis of "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" - I have a thing for moody songs with dense harmonizations.

@JoshWalshMusic 8 ай бұрын

Oh man that’s a good one that I had not thought of. Added to my idea list! Thank you!

@JoaoPaulo-vv5vr Ай бұрын

Would be great of course!

@martynramsden Жыл бұрын

Hi Josh, totally engaging post on Billy's life and music. Fascinated to listen to your story and the artists who strove to sing this beautiful harmonic song. Liked your approach to this and you've now inspired me to go and listen to more Strayhorn and recordings too. Certainly a master and a struggle for him in life - more of the same please 😁🎹👍👌

@JoshWalshMusic Жыл бұрын

Thanks again, Martyn.

@maxalthoff4526 Жыл бұрын

Excellent video Josh. The music… the story telling… the editing. It’s all very well done. You’re on your way to 100k subs.

@JoshWalshMusic Жыл бұрын

Max! Thanks man. 100k just around the corner haha

@frankvaleron Жыл бұрын

This would be a great idea for a series. I haven't heard a standard analysed this way before

@JoshWalshMusic Жыл бұрын

Thanks Frank. It’s the 5th one I’ve done like this, though the first one was so terrible nobody should ever watch it (I was new lol)

@JoaoPaulo-vv5vr Ай бұрын

Strayhorn was hors concours ❤

@stevesteve350 6 ай бұрын

Just watched your amazingly interesting and insightful video of Lush Life, one of my favorite standards of all time. Being a huge Ronstadt fan, I've always loved her version, but found you through clicking on the version by Queen Latifa. Not sure why it popped up on my KZfaq list, but OMG! I'm simply blown away. I totally agree with you that it just may be one of, if not, the definitive version of the song. Has she been hiding her voice, or am I just out of the loop? LOL. WOW- Just stunning. Thanks for your fascinating explanation, as well. I'm not a musician, but was really struck at how intentional the musical notes, lyrics, and meaning of the song are. I guess I always understood that, but so much clearer after your presentation.

@JoshWalshMusic 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@chasun 7 ай бұрын

Amazing video! Maybe i m old school, but ella s version is my favourite, in fact one of my fav among the diva s entire career

@nickadducimusic 2 ай бұрын

Rare Silk has the best version of this song.. beautiful harmonies. For the longest time, I actually thought that Lush Life was a Rare Silk original

@JoshWalshMusic 2 ай бұрын

I dont know this! Must look it up.

@nickadducimusic 2 ай бұрын

@@JoshWalshMusic Let me know what you think

@snakefinger Ай бұрын

Very nice ! I’ll never get enough of this song. Thank you !

@greenleopard 2 ай бұрын

Lady Gaga (I’m not kidding) does one the best vocal renditions of this song. Sinatra tried and gave up complaining it was too difficult.

@JoshWalshMusic 2 ай бұрын

Her’s on the Tony Bennett album is fabulous.

@greenleopard 2 ай бұрын

@@JoshWalshMusic That's the one!

@lisamcmahon1462 8 ай бұрын

I appreciated the Queen's version.

@thebedroomshow9010 7 ай бұрын

Queen Latifah’s version is also my favorite, but that’s likely because I enjoy broadway style performances of songs I like, which this is and which she is good at

@Dante-dp6qx 24 күн бұрын

That was my uncle...and I'm a shareholder of the music catalog

@JoshWalshMusic 24 күн бұрын

Billy Strayhorn is your uncle?!

@Dante-dp6qx 24 күн бұрын

@@JoshWalshMusic yup...my great uncle. My grandfather was the youngest. His name was John... Johnny Come Lately

@JoshWalshMusic 24 күн бұрын

@@Dante-dp6qx that’s incredible. Write some songs! You got good DNA!

@Dante-dp6qx 24 күн бұрын

@@JoshWalshMusic I'm sure I can because I wrote a personal canon of poetry.

@bluecrueful Жыл бұрын

A beautiful piece. The version with Trane and Johnny Hartman have the definitive version, in my opinion....this was a great analysis

@JoshWalshMusic Жыл бұрын

Oh man, that version is so good.

@leadcatpress Жыл бұрын

Great video! If you have not read his biography, "Lush Life," it's worth your time. Cheers!

@Shellison1 Ай бұрын

Excellent presentation, but I am a little surprised Ella's renditions were not mentioned. Very different from Queen Latifa's and perhaps actually closer to Strayhorn's quieter delivery, no belting. I am no jazz expert, so would be interested to read what others think.

@JoshWalshMusic 16 күн бұрын

Ella’s version is incredible.

@donnaloeffler5279 3 ай бұрын

Ricky Lee Jones. Her version is my all time favorite. Have a listen.

@JoshWalshMusic 3 ай бұрын

I haven’t heard this. Looking it up…

@rockstarjazzcat Жыл бұрын

Strayhorn’s a giant among giants! Cheers, Daniel

@rockstarjazzcat Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the analysis!

@MegaFount 17 күн бұрын

This is my favorite rendition of this song: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qc2Sf9d4nbampmg.htmlsi=t9dTEry4oYWmVAPQ

@deforesttthompson9299 8 ай бұрын

The queen latifa take was a W take.

@humbertoarias8112 5 ай бұрын

Natalie cole has the best version❤❤❤❤❤

@JoshWalshMusic 5 ай бұрын

So good!

@ABisopht 3 ай бұрын

Lady Gaga did an excellent rendition of Lush Life!

@JoshWalshMusic 3 ай бұрын

Totally! I love that album with Tony Bennett.

@ABisopht 3 ай бұрын

@@JoshWalshMusic I love this song. I've, now three times, tried to explain its profundity to my wife. But your single 8-minute video was perfect and now she finally gets it. Thank you!

@thylordjay 10 ай бұрын

Lady Gaga's version is good too 👌🏻🩶

@JoshWalshMusic 10 ай бұрын

100% agree.

@gabrieleschulze7627 5 ай бұрын

I like Kurt Elling's version of the tune ❤

@Sn00ze Жыл бұрын

First…

@jhonjairovalencia7945 2 ай бұрын

Hello Josh, I have in my possession a recording of Billy Strayhorn live with his orchestra, tape dated October 10, 1981, do you know if anyone might be interested? I want to sell it

@JoshWalshMusic 2 ай бұрын

Wow, that’s amazing. I don’t off hand, but I imagine some museums would love to have it if you can find a good home.

@jhonjairovalencia7945 2 ай бұрын

@@JoshWalshMusic Thank you very much Josh for answering me, please excuse me for being bold and taking advantage of your knowledge, can you please recommend a place in New York?

@JoshWalshMusic 2 ай бұрын

@@jhonjairovalencia7945 sorry, I’m not aware of a specific place. You could call one of the music schools and ask. Many of them are affiliated or own museums.