'Tis Autumn Stan Getz |
For this item you need to be able to stop for ten minutes.
We are often moving on to the next job, the next meeting, scrolling down social media, taking the next call ......'Time Out Ten' asks you to stop for ten minutes and listen to a particular piece of music; to find a time when you won't be interrupted, when you can put in/on your headphones and chill out. Ten minutes isn't long.
As the hot summer here in the UK gives way to the change of season - 'Tis Autumn. The tune, written by Henry Nemo, began in 1941, the year that the musician, bandleader and actor formed his own 19-piece band. The group featured four Chinese women as singers. Playing on his nickname, "The Neme," the band's slogan was "Hit the Beam with the Neme". Over the years Nemo worked with Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Mildred Bailey, Tommy Dorsey and many others. 'Tis Autum was first recorded by the Nat King Cole Trio but has been featured by other jazz musicians over the years; Chet Baker recorded it a few times, on one occasion with Bill Evans.
The version I have chosen for our ten minute time out is by Stan Getz with Duke Jordan (piano), Bill Crow (bass) and Jimmy Raney (guitar). One YouTube commentator says: "There is only one composition and a single very special artist when I see the Fall in Canada... or anywhere ... Stan Getz, T'Is Autumn has mesmerised me since I was 15 yrs old in northern England ... this is undoubtedly a favourite of mine at a spectacular time of year, Covid 19 does not stop me viewing from my balcony."
Old Father Time checked, so there'd be no doubt
Called on the North wind to come on out
Then cupped his hands, so proudly to shout
"La-de-da, de-da-de-da, 'tis Autumn!"
The trees say they're tired, they born too much fruit
Charmed all the wayside, there's no dispute
Now shedding leaves, they don't give a hoot!
La-de-da, de-da-de-dum, 'tis Autumn!
Then the birds got together
To chirp about the weather (hmm, hmm, hmm)
After makin' their decision
In birdie-like precision
Turned about and made a bee-line to the South
My holding you close is really no crime
Ask the birds, the trees, and Old Father Time
It's just to help the mercury climb
La-de-da, de-da-de-da, 'tis Autumn!
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