That Old Black Magic

[Uncle Skid]

I'm looking at a drum chart for a Frank Mantooth arrangement of Harold Arlen's "That Old Black Magic", and struggling to make sense out of the song structure...

Lots of eight bar phrases, but one that appears to be either 14 or 6, and another that looks like 10.

Anybody familiar with this arrangement, or the structure of this tune in general?

[JSngry]

It does go on, doesn't it...

Can't reel off the form off the top of my head, but I strongly suggest that you become familiar with a vocal version. The structure actually seems organic in the context of the lyrics, which give you something to hold on to when playing/learning the song instrumentally. Trust me on this.

Myself, I really dig the Louis Prima/Keeley Smith version, but there's others that are more "in-line"

There's a great late-40s Stan Getz side where he just blows on the changes, no head or nothing, called "Diaper Pin". That's something to hear!

But definitely - learn the lyrics. It's easier than counting bars and is a lot more musical to boot.

[JSngry]

Not knowing the Mantooth arrangement, though, I can't say he does or doesn't deviate from the original song form.

Still - learn the lyrics!

[DukeCity]

It's been a while since I played that Tooth arrangement, but as I sing the tune in my head, it's an A A B A form with each section as 16 bars.

The different phrase lengths in Tooth's arrangment are probably just him taking the arranger's perogative. Near the end of a 16 bar phrase, he would often "interrupt" the end of the phrase by starting something new, resulting in what looks like a 14 bar phrase. Or he might extend an 8 bar phrase by stretching something at the end, giving you 9, 10 or 12 bars.

JSngry's suggestion to find a vocal version is a great one. I would heartily suggest finding a the episode of Gomer Pyle USMC where Seargent Carter coaches Gomer's girlfriend Luanne Poovey in how to perform. The vehicle they chose: "That Old Black Magic"

Classic!

[Uncle Skid]

Thanks for the help Jim and Glenn -- very much appreciated.

I was able to find both versions Jim mentioned (on EMusic). Also, two more swingin' versions from Ella Fitzgerald and Rosemary Clooney.

Once I have the lyrics in my head, I'll go back and see if this arrangement makes more sense to me... I'm betting it will!

-- Mark

[sgcim]

We just played it last week. It's a great chart. I'm trying to condense it for just guitar and bass, but the leader doesn't let us take home charts, because he's got too many books and doesn't want it to get lost.

A funny story about Mantooth; this trumpet player in the band told me a few months ago that when he was a Jazz ensemble director he had Mantooth as a clinician with his HS band. He said Mantooth constantly bellttled and put down the kids and treated them like dirt. I was surprised, because I've only heard good things about the late Mantooth.

Then, last week we played a chart by John Fedchock, and he told me the same story, but this time it was about Fedchock. I told him he said the same thing about Mantooth, and he denied ever even meeting Mantooth! I kept insisting that he told me the exact same story about Mantooth, and he kept denying he ever met him. Finally I looked at him and I asked him how old he was. Sheepishly, he said 75 with a smile on his face. I said, "well that explains that".

[JSngry]

Skills, plural.

[sgcim]

I like that piano ostinato.

[JSngry]

I like the whole thing, musically and visually. That pair was special for a lot of the time before it soured 

Bottom line for me - if your body language is telling me you swing, I believe you. And if you can do that while doing an "act", you win!