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The popular song “Darn That Dream” was composed by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyricist Eddie DeLange in 1939, and was introduced on Broadway in the musical Swingin’ the Dream, which was a variation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
While the show only lasted 13 performances, the song, however, lived on and lives large within the jazz canon. It originally became a hit in 1940 – Benny Goodman’s recording (with vocalist Mildred Bailey) made it to #1 on the charts, and it subsequently became one of the most oft-recorded songs by many of music’s most prominent stars, including Billie Holiday, whose version appeared on this 1957 album Body and Soul. Her recording of “Darn That Dream” is included in Bob Hecht’s most recent playlist, this one devoted to many versions of that song.
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“Darn! All These Dreams!”
A playlist by Bob Hecht
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Dear Readers and Playlist Listeners:
…..At the affable instigation of Jerry Jazz Musician editor/publisher Joe Maita, during the past year I have curated playlists demonstrating the successive addition of an instrument to a group. We began with a single solo horn, progressed to duos, trios, etc., ending in December with a playlist of tentets. But before moving on to other playlist themes (I’ve got a million of ‘em!), I want to wrap this one up with a different spin.
…..I had fun taking one tune, the great Jimmy Van Heusen standard, “Darn That Dream,” through a similar treatment, with each successive version adding an instrument. I call it “Darn! All These Dreams!”
Here is the rundown, followed by the Spotify playlist. Enjoy!
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Bob Hecht
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The playlist:
1. Solo: Pasquale Grasso
2. Duo: Tom Harrell on Flugelhorn & Piano
3. Trio: Ahmad Jamal, Ray Crawford (g), Israel Crosby (b)
4. Quartet: Cedar Walton, Vincent Herring (as), David Williams, Kenny Washington
5. Quintet: Paolo Fresu, (tpt), Tino Tracanna (ts), Roberto Cipelli (p), Atellio Zanchi (b), Ettore Fioravanto (d)
6. Sextet: Billie Holiday with Ben Webster, Sweets Edison
7. Septet: Tony Bennett, arrangement by Chuck Wayne
8. Octet: Lee Konitz, arrangement by Jimmy Giuffre
9. Nonet: Sonny Rollins, arrangement by Jimmy Heath
10. Tentet: Bernt Rosengren, arranger and flute solo
11. Undectet: Chet Baker Big Band, solos by Chet and Bill Perkins, arrangement by Jimmy Heath
12. Nineteen Piece Orchestra: Sarah Vaughan with Basie Orchestra
13. Twenty-plus Piece Orchestra: Joan Chamorro, baritone and arrangement
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A bonus! Watch a 1959 film of the Ahmad Jamal Trio performing “Darn That Dream” [Ahmad Jamal Official Channel]
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Editors Note: Bob has curated an impressive array of listening experiences within playlists he assembles exclusively for Jerry Jazz Musician, and within them shares his profound lifelong journey with jazz music.
Click on the links below to be taken to the playlists within this series.
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This playlist was assembled by Bob Hecht, who frequently contributes his essays, photographs, interviews, playlists and personal stories to Jerry Jazz Musician. He has a long history of producing and hosting jazz radio programs; his former podcast series, The Joys of Jazz, was the 2019 Silver Medal winner in the New York Festivals Radio Awards. In addition, he is a widely published fine art photographer, whose work has appeared multiple times in The Sun, LensWork, Black & White Magazine, Zyzzyva and other periodicals, as well as in the book, Dream of Venice in Black & White, published by Bella Figuera Publications. He lives with his wife in Portland, Oregon.
Bob recently published a new book, Haiku Eye, comprised of 65 of his color photographs, each accompanied by one of his original haiku poems. Click here for information about the book.
His photo website is roberthecht.com
Instagram: @roberthechtphotography2.0
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Click here to read about his book, Stolen Moments: A Photographer’s Personal Journey
Click here to read “Two Jazz Survivors,” his reflection on his personal friendship with Sheila Jordan
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In addition to putting together great playlists, Bob has conducted several fine interviews for Jerry Jazz Musician.
Click here to read Two of a Mind: Conversations on Creative Collaboration, featuring Bill Charlap and Sandy Stewart; Click here to read his interview with Pepper Adams biographer Gary Carner. Click here to read “Life in E Flat” – a conversation about Phil Woods – with pianist Bill Charlap and jazz journalist Ted Panken, and click here to read his interview with Alyn Shipton, author of The Gerry Mulligan 1950’s Quartets.
Click here to view all playlists published on Jerry Jazz Musician
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Click here to read The Sunday Poem
“The Sound of Becoming,” J.C. Michaels’ winning story in the 70th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest
Click here for information about how to submit your poetry, short fiction, playlists, art, or essays
Click here to subscribe to the (free) Jerry Jazz Musician quarterly newsletter
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Click here to help support the ongoing publication of Jerry Jazz Musician, and to keep it ad and commercial-free (thank you!)
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