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JAZZ CONCEPTS
Bonus: How To Get The Wedding Party Out The Door
"I'LL PLAY IT AND TELL YOU WHAT IT IS LATER.'' SO SAYS MILES DAVIS to producer Bob Weinstock before the intro to "If I Were a Bell" on his 1956 Prestige session with Paul Chambers on bass. Davis' raspy voice, accentuated by plate reverb, signals the listener that real jazz is about to go down. His spoken intro to the musical intro is a gem in the jazz-history treasure chest-it puts a smile on the listener's face even before the music begins. As we've seen and heard in the past two Woodsheds, a solid intro sets the mood for an entire song. This month, let's look at two jazz intros and two pop-jazz classics.
Example 1 shows the intro to "If I Were a Bell," with Paul Chambers laying down beats four and one. It's simple, but Chambers perfectly underscores Red Garland's doorbell-like piano lick. The track was a hit for the Miles Davis Quintet, and the band continued to play the tune-with the same intro-for years. For a jet-speed "steroid" version, check out Live at the Plugged Nickel [1965, CBS] with Ron Carter on bass.
"If I Were a Bell" remains a jam-session staple, and every bassist should be prepared to jump in with the...