Variety is the spice of life

If you’ve read my earlier posts, you know Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington is the best. Period. Not only was he himself a great composer but he also found and encouraged greatness in others. His theme song, “Take the A Train,” was written by Billy Strayhorn. Another of his classic signature songs, “Caravan,” was written by Juan Tizol, Ellington band member for 20 years and the only world-famous practitioner of the valve trombone. Here is the original 1937 Ellington version.

A classic can be interpreted many ways by many artists. My favorite guitarist, Joe Pass, has recorded “Caravan” many times, none so better than on Portraits of Duke Ellington, my favorite Joe Pass album.



Pass revisits the song in another trio setting on The Giants, an album with Oscar Peterson and Ray Brown, respectively my favorite jazz pianist and acoustic bassist.

Part of what makes a classic is its durability. Not only must a classic appeal to musicians and listeners alike, but it must withstand and survive a variety of musical approaches and settings. Sometimes it’s a full orchestral version:



Sometimes it’s done in the hip new sounds of the 60’s, featuring the boss guitar sounds of The Ventures.

Or in the singing and ringing steel guitar stylings of the Brooklyn brothers Santo and Johnny of “Sleepwalk” fame.



Even a Stray Cat can do a rocking take on it.

And if you can believe it, by an acoustic guitar, clarinet and accordion trio.


So next time you can’t find anything to watch on TV (like almost anytime,) hop on them Internet tubes, search for a favorite song, and see what you come up with. You might be pleasantly surprised. After all, that accordionist totally rocks!

‘Though the dogs may bark the caravan moves on.’
Indian proverb quoted by Kipling, 1891