Ever since posting that Monk recording “Evidence”, I’ve been listening to versions of the tune its chord progression was based on: “Just You, Just Me”. I find it quite fascinating to trace how songs like this were originally played, and how jazz artists throughout the decades have reinterpreted and reimagined them.
Here we have a recording very close to when the song was first published, by Ukranian-born bandleader Al Goodman – who at the time was quite busy conducting orchestras for Broadway productions. The tune was composed by Jesse Greer and Raymond Klages for the film “Marianne”, which was released in 1929. Who knew this minor song in a relatively minor film would go on to become known as a jazz standard – recorded by luminaries such as Ella, Sinatra, Bing, and Nat King Cole over 25-30 years later!
This early version is a straightforward dance band arrangement without much “jazz interest” as Brian Rust might say. Yet the chord progression was of interest to later jazz players. I’ll post a jazzier version recorded about 15 years after this one later today.
Recorded in New York City in August, 1929.
Released as Brunswick 4487
Credits:
Al Goodman – director
Vocals – Harold “Scrappy” Lambert
Unknown Artists – trumpets (2-3), trombone (2), clarinet-alto sax (2-3), tenor sax, violin, cello, piano, banjo, tuba, drums