1932 vs. 1935
Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 4:10 AM The St. Louis Blues performed by Sidney Bechet in 1932 and the St. Louis Blues performed by Django Reinhardt in 1935 are similar in some ways yet also different in many other ways. Sidney Bechet’s version of St. Louis Blues is played with an arrangement featuring brass instruments, like trumpets and trombones, along with reed instruments, such as saxophones. This collaboration contained many different background components during the big band section of the arrangement before the improvisations begin. The main rhythm is set by one trumpet with other brass instruments and reed instruments playing slightly different melodies in the background. The entire melody of the piece has a depressing feel to me. When the improvisations play, even they are somewhat depressing, beginning fast, but ending in lower, slower pitches. The trumpet acts as a wake-up call to me because it plays a high, loud pitch on its solo out of nowhere. This depressing feel could be due to the Great Depression that continued to rage through America at that time.
The 1935 Reinhardt version of St. Louis Blues is much different than the piece recorded just three years earlier. This piece features string instruments, like guitars and violins, instead of brass and reed instruments. The beginning of the arrangement is slow like the 1932 version, although the main rhythm is set by a guitar picking notes with a background guitar playing chords. The background in this song matches the main rhythm more than the 1932 version, which had the background music playing more of a variety of beats. The tempo picks up halfway through the song and the piece starts getting catchier. To me, this collaboration felt less like a big band than its predecessor. It felt like it was just a couple of music buddies relaxing at home and jamming on their guitars, where as the 1932 piece definitely feels like a big production is being put on.
Reader Comments (6)
I also wrote about the Reinhardt version of "St Louis Blues". I agree that this version feels much lighter and less depressing. It is interesting to note that this version was written after the Great Depression. By listening to the melody of this song, it is clear that the artists wanted to have a relaxed audience. This also explains the instruments that were chosen for this song. Use of guitars allows the melody sound less depressing and more simple and relaxing. Reinhardt's audience felt like they can share the emotions that Reinhardt brought out as he was playing this song.
That is interesting that you think Bechet's version is very depressing, considering there are no words. What gave you the sense that it was depressing?
The slow tempo and the deep overall pitches of many of the instruments gave me that feeling of sorrow and not much happiness.
It is very interesting to notice that instruments and the way they are played have different connotations for different people.
Christopher -
You did an awesome job of describing what you heard and expressing how it made you feel. You are correct in pointing out that Sidney Bechet’s version was performed during a bad time for America, the economy was deteriorating and more people were losing their jobs. However, three years later America wasn't in that much of a better place. If you want to you could dig deeper into the background of both of these versions. You could consider whether Bechet’s version, performed three years earlier than Reinhardt’s version, is more authentic and how so? You could turn to Carney’s article to give you some more ideas on the authenticity and evolution of jazz.
In terms of authenticity, I feel like both have a distinct and original way of portraying the song. They each develop a different mood correlating with the emotions of America at that time. Which one is more 'authentic' is arguable. To me, they are distinct enough to value them on their own.
This is awesome that you guys are already diving into conversation with one another about all of this. Here's some more to think about to take the discussion further:
A variety of components in a recording contribute to the mood that it creates. One recording can have a completely different feeling from another recording with the same general tune and lyrics. How do certain aspects of a song such as pitch, tempo, instruments used and the way the instruments converse with one another affect the emotion of a recording? What musical techniques and instruments do you personally think are connotative of an upbeat recording? What musical techniques and instruments do you personally think are connotative of a sorrowful recording?
Here are some posts that will help you in a discussion regarding jazz and the emotion it arouses.
Christopher thinks Sidney Bechet’s version of “St. Louis Blues” is depressing due to the “slow tempo and deep pitches of many of the instruments.”
http://bencarson.squarespace.com/2-new-orleans-songs/author/christopherthien
Melody thinks Bechet’s musical style “evokes a feeling of soul and up-beat happiness.”
http://bencarson.squarespace.com/2-new-orleans-songs/author/melodymcclure
You don’t have to limit yourself strictly to these questions, feel free to raise any other points that you find interesting and discuss them with each other.
- T.A. Monica