I am reading Benny Green’s “The Reluctant Art”. In the chapter on Billie Holiday, Benny relates his reaction to first seeing the score of “Mean to Me” years after having been familiar with the Billie Holiday-Teddy Wilson version for twelve years. He unexpectedly discovered that Billie’s rendition of the tune had generated something entirely original, different and incomparably beautiful. Benny writes, “I cannot exaggerate the shock to my musical system..”
Although not a journalist or a musician, I had a similar experience decades ago when I stumbled upon the sheet music to “Exactly Like You” and decided to study it while listening to my 1959 recording of Nina Simone at Town Hall. I remember looking at the notes and realizing that Nina had constructed a different tune having an organized structure of its own. It still had the AABA format, the same chords and the same words but on that foundation she had built a new swinging entity. I was flabbergasted to put it mildly.
Anybody else have a similar experience?
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