There's a Lull in My Life

[Milestones]

I am really getting into the version on Hank Mobley's A Slice of the Top. That's a record I should have owned a long time ago; it's loaded with highlights. "There's a Lull in My Life" may well be Mobley's greatest ballad performance ever, with a fine assist from Duke Pearon's lovely arrangement (an octet, and nothing like it anywhere else in Mobley's discography).

I understand singers, such as Ella, have done this song. I've never heard it before. You may recommend versions that you know. I will go on loving Mobley's rendition.

[jazzbo]

The one I associate this song with is Ivie Anderson featured with the Ellington Orchestra. She owns it and I would say her version is compatible with Hank's in a way.

[JSngry]

Johnny Hartman on Roost, 1959. Kind of a stealth vocal record, really, worth checking out, imo.

[JSngry]

The original?

Definitely works better as a ballad, imo.

Had not knowingly heard Ella's version, but now that you mention it...

As a vocal tune, I think I like it better with the verse.

[Milestones]

The version by Duke and Ivie is very nice.

Wow, Ella....the greatness of Ella!

[ArtSalt]

I use to really dig Chet Baker's version which was released on the Pacific Jazz CD Embraceable You, with other unreleased tracks recorded in New York in '57, but not issued until '95.

That song and the whole album was so laid back as to be horizontal, even more so than the junkie ballad album with Bill Evans Chet.

The kind of music that only makes sense when the blue sky days of summer are here.

[A Lark Ascending]

I like Stacey Kent's version.

There...I've said it.

[fasstrack]

I am really getting into the version on Hank Mobley's A Slice of the Top. That's a record I should have owned a long time ago; it's loaded with highlights. "There's a Lull in My Life" may well be Mobley's greatest ballad performance ever, with a fine assist from Duke Pearon's lovely arrangement (an octet, and nothing like it anywhere else in Mobley's discography).

I understand singers, such as Ella, have done this song. I've never heard it before. You may recommend versions that you know. I will go on loving Mobley's rendition.

Vocal: Tony Bennett (not sure of the recording, sorry). Instrumental: Chris Anderson, Solo Ballads Two.