best/classic versions of "What's New?"

[cannonball-addict]

I'm sitting here at the office unable to get the Coltrane version of "What's New?" (The Gentle Side of John Coltrane) out of my head. Can anyone recommend some good versions - preferrably from vinyl since I'm sitting right next to an amazing vinyl collection. I should be asking this everyday about a new song but I didn't think of it til now.

Peace,

Matt

[paul secor]

I've liked Satchmo's vocal version on Louis Armstrong Meets Oscar Peterson since I first heard it.

[randyhersom]

My all time favorite is Helen Merrill with Clifford Brown. I first encountered on a Jazz Masters verve compilation where they contrasted it with Clifford's instrumental version. It's utterly captivating.

[alocispepraluger102]

sinatra's capitol from the early 50's. either from 'only the lonely' or 'where are you'.

if you dig really great drinking music like you appear to, check out either or both of the sinatras, or 'merrill at midnight'.

[Nate Dorward]

Shelly Manne, on Live at the Black Hawk (it's either vol 1 or 2, I forget which). Not a ballad reading but instead a fast swinger.

[Ted O'Reilly]

Nate's Shelly Manne suggestion is a good one, if a bit offbeat. But why not check out the original?

Bob Haggart's tune featured the trumpet of 21-year-old Billy Butterfield with the Bob Crosby Orchestra on Decca with the original title of "I'm Free", title changed to match later lyrics. (Rec. NYC, Oct. 19, 1938).

It's on CD, GRP GRD-615 but I don't know whether you have it in your 'amazing vinyl collection'.

(You can't get it any longer, and it was only ever on vinyl, but I produced a lovely solo piano version by Dick Wellstood recorded "Live at Cafe des Copains" May 29, 1985 Unisson DDA 1003).

[Peter Friedman]

There are so very many fine versions it's hard to pick one or two. Here are some that I like a lot.

Dexter Gordon - Live at Jazzhus Montmarte - Black Lion

Jackie McLean - Swing, Swang, Swingin" - Blue Note

Art Farmer Quartet - Live At The Half Note - Atlantic

Art Pepper - Among Friends - Interplay

[coooltrane]

My all time favorite is Helen Merrill with Clifford Brown. I first encountered on a Jazz Masters verve compilation where they contrasted it with Clifford's instrumental version. It's utterly captivating.

That's what I was thinking. Love those Brownie versions.

[Free For All]

There is a swinging version of What's New on the relatively-obscure-but-excellent Dexter side called A Day in Copenhagen. The front line features Dex with Dizzy Reece and Slide Hampton (who did all of the outstanding arrangements on this recording from 1969).

If you don't have this one I highly recommend seeking it out.

Edit: ....and another one I just thought of is on Jack Wilkins' You Can't Live Without It, a straight ahead date with the Brecker Bros.

Another very tasty session worth hearing.

Also, John Fedchock did a nice chart on it for Woody's band. Bone feature of course!

Edited November 17, 2007 by Free For All

[Alexander Hawkins]

Cecil Taylor - Sunny Murray - Jimmy Lyons - Nefertiti, The Beautiful One... - killing version.

[gslade]

Johnny Smith on Roost

Frank Hewitt Not Afraid to Live

Lee Konitz Star Eyes

Art Pepper Discover Sessions

Anthony Ortega Scattered Clouds

J.R. Montrose Live at the Tender Trap

Stan Getz Quartets

Just A Few other versions not previously mentioned

[Free For All]

Here's a trivia question for you, gentlemen:

What's New is a tune where the bridge is the same as the "A" section, but up a fourth. Can anyone think of any other jazz tunes that share this characteristic?

[Chuck Nessa]

Here's a trivia question for you, gentlemen:

What's New is a tune where the bridge is the same as the "A" section, but up a fourth. Can anyone think of any other jazz tunes that share this characteristic?

Ascension?

[Uncle Skid]

Here's a trivia question for you, gentlemen:

What's New is a tune where the bridge is the same as the "A" section, but up a fourth. Can anyone think of any other jazz tunes that share this characteristic?

Ascension?

I was going to guess "Composition No. 123 for Solo Flute, Environment and Slide Projector"...

[bertrand]

Anything by Braxton.

[bertrand]

Seriously, there are tons of these.

The first thing I remember is that's what Miles did with 'When Lights Are Low', but originally there was a different bridge. Now everyone plays it like Miles.

Bertrand.

[DukeCity]

Here's a trivia question for you, gentlemen:

What's New is a tune where the bridge is the same as the "A" section, but up a fourth. Can anyone think of any other jazz tunes that share this characteristic?

"Good Bait" by Tadd Dameron and Count Basie

[DukeCity]

Here's a trivia question for you, gentlemen:

What's New is a tune where the bridge is the same as the "A" section, but up a fourth. Can anyone think of any other jazz tunes that share this characteristic?

... and, if memory serves, the theme songs to the TV shows "Dallas" and "The Waltons."

Edited November 17, 2007 by DukeCity

[Free For All]

Seriously, there are tons of these.

Are there really? I can think of a few, but nowhere near a ton........

[brownie]

The classic Billie Holiday version (with Barney Kessel on guitar and Benny Carter on alto) on Verve...

.. and even if I love the Jackie Mc Lean version of the tune on 'Swing, Swang, Swinging' I still prefer Jackie Mac's earlier version on the 'Makin' the Changes' album.

Also the Armstrong/Peterson version (Paul Secor already mentioned that one, of course!).

[JSngry]

The only two I can think of without having to think about it are Sinatra's on Only The Lonely & Chico Hamilton's from Chic Chic Chico.

The Sinatra is about as good as it gets, and the Chico thing is sublime, what with it being a quartet of Szabo, Stinson and, no, not Charles Lloyd, but Harold Land.

Plenty of other good versions, but those are the two for me.

[Larry Kart]

Konitz from 1957 or so with a string quartet (excellent Bartok-flavored arrangement by Bill Russo):

http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Konitz-Meets-Jim...e/dp/B0000046ZG

[Brownian Motion]

Bob Haggart's tune...

Did Haggart compose any other first rate ballads?

[tonym]

The two that spring to mind for me (or three now) are Konitz's version with Mehldau and Haden on Blue Note; cant't remember which disc it's on -- the first with the V shaped stripes on the cover I think.

Sinatra's off Only The Lonely --- harrowing

Louis and Ella on Verve.

[tonym]

no, i'm talking b*llocks it's this one