Hey Duke,
As a new subscriber, I just wanted to let you know how much I've been getting out of your lessons, especially the ones with a jazzier focus. I would love to get your insights on a couple of classic tunes by the Nat King Cole Trio: "The Trouble With Me Is You" (which you covered on your After Hours Swing Session album) and "Frim Fram Sauce." I think either (or both) of those songs would make great lessons. When I finally figured out the descending chromatic chord progression in "The Trouble With Me", it was a real eye-opener, harmonically speaking, and I'm still not sure I'm playing it right -- is it really just dominant 7th chords stepping down to the F?
Anyway, thanks again, Duke, and keep swingin'!
Jim, Oscar Moore is another of my favorite guitarists. He was unique in his approach and was very fast for that time. I have incorperated some of his licks into my playing and they are often quite hard to pick up on. You had to be fast to keep up with Nat Cole! Nat is still one of the best pianist that jazz has ever produced. Listen to the tracks he cut with Lester Young and Buddy Rich. They are beautiful and no bass on that session but you dont miss it whatsoever. there is a blues called "Back to the Land" that is about the most beautiful thing I have ever heard.
Agreed, I love it all, but the jazzy, swinging stuff is my favorite. Can't get enough of those lessons.
I agree i love the jazzy blues stuff too ! Lesson on Oscar Moore could be great is a killer guitarist underated ! The guitarist job in those trio is very important to get that swing without drums ! I played some double bass too and i love the trio formation (ecept i can't play uptempo ;) !
According to the discography of my Trio box set, Oscar Moore was the guitarist on Route 66. I checked online as well and it seems to verifies the box set: http://www.jazzdisco.org/nat-king-cole/discography/. I haven't worked through Duke's arrangement of Route 66 yet to see if it's the same arrangement. I don't know that it matters; I'd still love to learn more Oscar Moore or something from his brother, Johnny.
Hi Jim, both good suggestions and I will add them to the list. Yes, "The Trouble with Me is You" is really that simple. Just descending dominant 7th chords for that first part.
Thanks, Duke
Hey Duke, greatings from Atlanta! I'm brand new to the site - looks great so far - have been playing for 40 years. I'm looking forward to digging into more of the lessons.
I came across the site while doing a search for a chart for "Meet Me At No Special Place" - I love your version. Is there a place to find the changes or can you share them?
I'll update my profile and post a video when I have more time. I'm playing in a couple of gigging bands - mostly country-centric for the past few years - trying to carve out a niche doing music that can twang and swing/groove (sorely lacking in the highly predictable country market).
Cheers, Frank
Hi Frank, Yes, Meet me at no special place is a great song and I should do it live. I'll try to add that one into the mix. I'll need to re-learn it first. It's not so much hard as it is an unusual chord progression.
