Teach Me Tonight
Thursday, June 14 2012 @ 09:06 AM CDT

Let's examine different takes on this number, might learn something...
This first version is from 1954, Jo Stafford was a ballad singer who grew
up belting out the tunes over a big band in a hall. She uses technique unique
to that experience and you will not hear this in the more modern versions.
Each singer has a unique personality. Can you hear it? Jo Stafford...

Daug

Re:Teach Me Tonight
Thursday, June 14 2012 @ 09:30 AM CDT

Also released in 1954, Dinah Washington, five years younger than JS, and with experience singing with club bands in Chicago, has different techniques to bring to the number.
Dinah Washington...

Daug

Re:Teach Me Tonight
Thursday, June 14 2012 @ 09:35 AM CDT

These ladies got the first version of the song out. Written in 1953, "Teach Me Tonight" becomes a jazz standard. Here notice the sisters bring a latin flavor to the proceedings...
The De Castro Sisters...

Daug

Re:Teach Me Tonight
Thursday, June 14 2012 @ 09:44 AM CDT

Here is Amy, before the substance abuse destroyed her... You can pull up the version from later in her life, a sad thing. Anyway, AW does her best... This is 2005, notice how she doesn't belt the number out like our gals from the 50s? Her take is from a time where the
singer and the technology/enviornment have a different relationship.

Daug

Re:Teach Me Tonight
Thursday, June 14 2012 @ 02:33 PM CDT

Interesting , I wish I can hear Norah Jones try this one !

Re:Teach Me Tonight
Thursday, June 14 2012 @ 07:02 PM CDT

Here's Blue Eyes... Frank's phrasing-always unique...

Daug

Re:Teach Me Tonight
Thursday, June 14 2012 @ 07:10 PM CDT

Nancy just makes it her own! Bravo.

Daug

Re:Teach Me Tonight
Thursday, June 14 2012 @ 07:23 PM CDT

Now, in this case, Mrs. James is not performing, ala Mrs. Wilson.
When you hear Etta sing anything, you believe the song is from the
story of her life. Few singers can achieve this kinda connection.
The song lives inside... Mrs James...

Daug

Re:Teach Me Tonight
Friday, June 15 2012 @ 04:51 AM CDT

Here we have Al Jarreau. Still another take on the standard. This arrangement supports Al's vocal techniques. Which orchestration and arrangement of the tune is the best? Notice how each one suits the singers qualities? Literally, there is no best one... the question might be, which one enables the singer with the best effect?

Daug

Re:Teach Me Tonight
Saturday, June 16 2012 @ 07:01 AM CDT

Fake yer way through this tab. You might notice that your stuff does not swing. This thing is worth doing, just so you can get to your own swing feel.
Sample the Jo Stafford piece again. Make note of how the pulse changes, coming out of the introduction, a swing feel is adopted. What is that? It's not a shuffle either... make it swing!


Em7 A7 A7+5 D Gdim F#m
Did you say I've got a lot to learn?

B7 Em7 Bm7-5 A7
Well, don't think I'm trying not to learn.

B7 Em Em7 A7
Since this is a perfect spot to learn,

A7+5 D D6 Fdim A7
Teach me tonight.


Em7 A7+5 D Gdim F#m
Starting with the A-B-C of it,

B7 Em7 Bm7-5 A7
Right down to the X-Y-Z of it,

B7 Em Em7 A7
Help me solve the mystery of it -

A D Gdim D
Teach me tonight.


Bridge:

Em A7 A7+5 D D6
The sky's a blackboard high above you,

Em A7 A7+5 D Bm
And if a shooting star goes by,

Em E7 F#m
I'll use that star to write "I Love You"

Bm7-5 E7 A7
A thousand times across the sky.


Em7 A7 A7+5 D Gdim F#m
One thing isn't very clear, my love;

B7 Em7 Bm7-5 A7
Should the teacher stand so near, my love?

B7 Em Em7 A7
Graduation's almost here, my love -

Em7 A7 D Cdim Em7 A7 D Gdim D
Teach me tonight, come on and teach me tonight.