Willow Weep for Me

Willow Weep for Me is the title of one of Ann Ronell ( music and lyrics ) composed ballad in the swing rhythm of the Tin Pan Alley era from the year 1932. They evolved to jazz standards and evergreens.

Genesis

After Ann Ronell me interview her model George Gershwin for the school newspaper of her famous Radcliffe College, he gave her after her school days in 1927 for a job as a pianist on Broadway. Inspired by huge willow trees on the campus of her former school, she wrote the song Willow Weep for Me, and brought him to the music publisher of Irving Berlin.

Ronell was convinced that songs should focus on the simple and cute little things in life. The poetic text lives especially of alliteration such as " Willow " and " Weep" and "bend your branches ." There were not related direct rhyme forms, but indirect. Willow Weep for Me is a 32 -bar ballad in the song form AABA, which was originally written in G major ( with change to C major ). The B section has minor character. The Lamentation, which is produced in technically well- prepared song, however, remains vague. The sung pasture should weep for the singer and whisper in the wind while commemorating the past love dreams. The dream of a lovely summer was over.

Irving Berlin's music publishing partner Saul Bornstein was adjusted critical for their showy orientation to Gershwin and the complex rhythm changes. But as Berlin heard the song himself, he was enthusiastic and gave it to Ted Fiorito.

Publication and success

Ted Fiorito took the single Willow Weep for Me / More Beautiful Than Ever (Brunswick Records 6422 ) on October 1, 1932, singer Muzzy Marcellino in San Francisco and thus reached after the publication in December 1932 Rank 17 of the U.S. pop charts.

Cover versions

With at least 185 versions Willow Weep for Me is a much gecoverter song. The first and most successful cover version is by Paul Whiteman with singer Irene Taylor (November 17, 1932 Victor 24187 ), which also came in December 1932 on the market, and penetrated up to Rank 2. Already on 24 January 1933, had found their way to England, where it was by Bert Ambrose & His Orchestra recorded ( with singer Sam Browne ). Cab Calloway came with his recording (16 January 1941) in February 1941 on the market. Stan Kenton's version (25 July 1946) helped to establish the title as a jazz standard. Art Tatum presented him during his live performance on April 2, 1949 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Sang the ballad in the Marx Brothers film Love Happy ( U.S. premiere on October 12, 1949), for the Ann Ronell music had written. Arnett Cobb brought another jazz version out (January 19, 1951). Billie Holiday sang the first of at least 13 frames on September 3, 1954 (LP Lady Sings the Blues with Barney Kessel, guitar). More versions emerged at the Newport Jazz Festival (July 6, 1957) and the Monterey Jazz Festival (October 5, 1958). Even Ella Fitzgerald sang it during the Newport Jazz Festival (July 6, 1957). On July 23, 1957, the song by Louis Armstrong ( with the trio of Oscar Peterson ) was recorded. In the same year Sarah Vaughan took the ballad live on ( August 1957 ), in the following year Frank Sinatra (LP Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely, May 19, 1958 ).

But not only in jazz, but also in style across he was adopted into other genres of music. Ray Charles took the title with David Fathead Newman (5 November 1958), followed by Lou Rawls ( January 1962 ) and Sam Cooke (LP Mr. Soul; February 1963 ). A folk version there was the British duo Chad & Jeremy ( September 1964 ) that the song in the charts again transported (ranked 15 in the U.S.). Furthermore, published versions of the Lettermen ( March 1965 ) and the Alan Price Set ( November 1966 ). Other versions come from Booker T. & the MG's ( October 1968 ) and James Brown (May 1969).

Early instrumental versions of the title comes from the jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams ( accompanied only by a bass; March 18, 1949 ), Kenny Clarke ( Bohemia After Dark, June 28, 1955 ) and the Modern Jazz Quartet ( Fontessa, January-February 1956). This was followed by Gene Harris with his Three Sounds (16 September 1958), but also in a quartet with Stanley Turrentine. Oscar Peterson took Willow Weep for Me to the starting point of (only subtly accompanied ) solo on the double bass. Wes Montgomery took him live on " Half Note " Club of New York on June 25, 1965, a studio version was made two years later on 26 June 1967. Live title was published only posthumously published on the Montgomery LP Willow Weep for Me ( September 1969 ); she received the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Album. Dexter Gordon ( Paris, May 23, 1963 ) and Stéphane Grappelli / Barney Kessel ( Limehouse Blues, Paris, 23 and 24 June 1969) were other performers.

In the movie In the Line of Fire - The Second Chance ( German Premiere on October 28, 1993) Clint Eastwood plays an aged bodyguard who sits in a scene at the piano and plays for relaxation Willow Weep for Me.

Songs related to

On March 19, 1939, the Count Basie Orchestra took first on Columbia Records. We also find the piece Taxi War Dance was recorded, with Count Basie is given as author; yet it is built on the harmonies of " Willow Weep for Me. Paul Bley also plays his own pieces, based on Ronell composition.