The Coltrane project (two items down) is progressing to the extent that I was able to get out the office for a short bicycle excursion. Tooling around the neighbohood, I saw these harbingers of spring thriving near the trunk of a venerable birch tree.
The calendar says that spring is officially two weeks away, but it’s close enough that songs about the season are calling. Here are two versions of one of the best, Burke and Van Heusen’s “Suddenly It’s Spring.” First, June Christy sings it in a 1960 recording. Al Viola plays the lovely guitar introduction. The flute obbligato is by Bud Shank, long before he put the instrument in storage.
The Jack Brownlow trio follows, with Brownlow, piano; Jeff Johnson, bass; and Dean Hodges, drums. It’s from the Brownlow album with a title inspired by the song.
From the Rifftides staff—happy springtime.
Spring is all very well, but my best memories of New York come from the Fall. And all the Spring songs don’t equate to “Autumn in New York” sung by Billie Holiday or Frank Sinatra! Spring in Bryn Mawr Knolls, Yonkers, was mainly notable for floods cutting off Palmer Road. Autumn was scrumpy cider and pumpkin pie and the great feeling of a good coat.
Here, the seasons are a little different, with a cool Autumn now creeping in. It seems to inspire jazz—the number and variety of local gigs is increasing (amazing how many young players have taken to jazz in recent years!) and the log fires in local spots are about to be lit. Much to look forward to here in the nation’s Capital.
—Best to all from John in Canberra, Australia
Ah…..the early Spring crocuses are always a welcome sight! Whidbey Patrick
Its time for tennis (in my mind at least). I break out the gear each March just to help things along. It never works! We had a dusting of snow last night and it’s still coming down lightly as I write this.
But winter’s back is broken. Love both of your musical selections.
You could also add the Stan Getz version from Verve’s “West Coast Jazz”.
The Getz version has been delivered on Rifftides more than once, most recently in the spring of last year. To hear it again, go here. You get a bonus—Frank Sinatra.